NFC West Notes: Cardinals, Rams, Seahawks

Cardinals

Cardinals WR Damiere Byrd was unsure of where he was going to be playing in 2019, but views Arizona as a “great fit” for him. 

“I had no idea where I was going to go. I didn’t get a call until later on in free agency,” Byrd said, via Kevin Zimmerman of Arizona Sports. “I was able to make a trip out here, loved what I saw, thought that the offense was a great fit and we made it happen.” 

Byrd says he’s focused on making “as many plays” as he can and is trying to take advantage of his opportunity with the Cardinals. 

“Just trying to get as many reps as you can, trying to make as many plays as you can, as many opportunities just to take advantage of,” Byrd said. “Whatever happens, happens.”

Rams

Rams S John Johnson has been impressed with what he’s seen from free-agent addition S Eric Weddle in just a short amount of time.

“He’s just a genius. I haven’t seen anybody like him,” Johnson said via NFL Media’s Jelani Scott. “I haven’t been in the league long but I know he’s a special one and I’m excited to see what we can do. Not just how it can make me better but I’m excited to see what he and I can do for this whole defense.”

Aside from his skills on the field, another reason the Rams signed Weddle was as a mentor for Johnson to help him continue to grow as a player. 

“I’m here to push him to that next level. He’s got a chance to be an exceptional safety for a long time and I can see it in him,” Weddle said via Clarence Dennis of the official team website. “He’s got to get there, so I’ll push him every day that’s for sure.”

Seahawks

Seahawks QBs Geno Smith and Paxton Lynch will be competing this summer to be the primary backup in Seattle. Whichever quarterback is on the losing end, however, has options as the XFL is monitoring quarterback battles around the NFL to try to find faces for its league. 

“We’re watching the backup quarterback camp battles,” said XFL commissioner Oliver Luck via the Athletic’s Greg Auman. “One of these guys is going to get cut. There’s a bunch of those going on. We might not get all of those guys, the quote-unquote loser of those, but a Geno or Paxton is not going to end up on a practice squad. There are a bunch of 3-4-5-year guys that are in that boat. They’ve been on rosters, practice squad, been yo-yo’d two years. They need to play, and that’s my argument to them, that it’s very doable here.”