NFC Notes: Cardinals, Rams, Seahawks

Cardinals

Cardinals LB Chandler Jones has his eyes on the single-season sack record of 22.5 held by former New York Giants DE Michael Strahan.

”That’s always a goal of mine, to be honest with you,” said Jones, via Howard Balzer of SI. “And I don’t think that’s hard to get. And I feel like if there was a year to do it, this could be the year to do it. Honestly, for me, that’s a personal goal of mine. We have more help on our team; we have a better team. You see it on paper, but it’s right there for you. We have a better team, so with more help from the defense for the offense, that should help that total come up for sure. I‘m not trying to speak too soon as I said previously, but I feel like I’m getting closer and closer. And I don’t feel older. I had a pretty decent year last year. I feel even better, actually. With some of this time off my body got some time to rest. So, why not? Why not? Why can’t I break the record? So, we’ll see.”

Jones is also very aware that his current contract seems like a bargain compared to those received by defensive ends Joey Bosa and Myles Garrett this offseason.

“Oh, that is a bridge that we’re going to have to cross when it happens. I still have two years left on my contract. I’m happy here. I love it here. But those numbers are definitely jaw-dropping. Those are some really nice numbers to see, but we still got some time to get there,” Jones said.

Rams

Rams WR Robert Woods believes losing RB Todd Gurley this offseason to the Falcons forced them to make a “big impact” offensively, while Josh Reynolds will “step up” for Brandin Cooks‘ departure to the Texans. 

“You see, we end up, obviously, losing Todd Gurley in the backfield, so we’ve been working on this offseason, being able to be a big impact in the passing game,” Woods said, via NFL.com. “Having Josh Reynolds step up for Brandin Cooks, and really just be explosive. A lot of guys making big plays and we’ve got to keep the explosive big pass plays over 15 yards, is our goal.”

• Rams HC Sean McVay told reporters on Sunday that DL A’Shawn Robinson has a “condition” that put him on the non-football injury list. McVay did add: “[L]ook forward to being able to get him back at some point this season. When that is, I don’t know.” (Gary Klein)
• McVay classified it as a personal medical issue for Robinson for which everyone was previously unaware. The good news is that McVay added that it’s not terribly serious but they’re very glad that team medical personnel caught it: “This is just being precautionary with some things that we kind of discovered and he was able to really communicate clearly to us. So it was something that recently came about.” (Klein)
• As for retaining DL Michael Brockers in light of Robinson’s unspecified and unexpected condition, McVay said: “Thank the lord.” (Rodrigue)
• McVay mentioned that rookie OLB Terrell Lewis (COVID/reserve) is back in the building and asymptomatic. (Rodrigue)

Seahawks

Seahawks WR D.K. Metcalf told the media that he is ready to take his game to another level as he enters his second season in the league.

“Basically just building on last year,” Metcalf said, via Pro Football Talk. “I know had a few drops last year that I’ve got to clean up. And just expanding my role in the offense and learning the offense more. I know last year I was just getting my feet wet with everything in the offense and being in the league. It’s just taking the next step, taking my game to the next level.”

“He’s going to be better this year,” HC Pete Carroll said of Metcalf. “He had an incredible offseason. He spent, I don’t know, at least a month with Russell working out, they found a way to do it, and they had a phenomenal summer in that regard. He’s screaming that he wants to do something really special. He’s a beautiful part of this team I can’t wait to see him go.”