New Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Mike McCoy said he will adjust his system to the abilities of whoever winds up being the teams quarterback.
He also said he has reached out to Larry Fitzgerald and talked to the wide receiver who ranks third all-time in NFL receptions about the offense McCoy will bring.
Fitzgerald hasnt publicly said he is returning for a 15th pro season but McCoy sure sounded like the receiver is a big part of the plans for the inaugural year under new Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks.
It was great to talk to him Parris Campbell Jersey , McCoy said at an introductory news conference Monday. Hes excited.
McCoy, who served four seasons as head coach at San Diego, inherits an offense that has no quarterback on its roster. General manager Steve Keim and Cardinals President Michael Bidwill said they will be aggressive in finding one or more through free agency, trades and the draft.
Its a great challenge, McCoy said, Im excited for it, come in here and figure out who that quarterbacks going to be and build the system around those players that we have here.
The Cardinals were left without a quarterback when Carson Palmer announced his retirement, one day after head coach Bruce Arians also retired.
McCoy repeatedly said he would build the offense around the abilities of the players.
The key thing I think as a coach and as the offensive coordinator is to find out what our players do best, he said, and well adjust accordingly.
McCoy said he wants a quarterback thats going to win a lot of games.
Thats one thing you always look at when you evaluate the quarterback position is his win-loss record or does he make a team better, he said. There are certain quarterbacks that are great quarterbacks Bobby Okereke Jersey , but arent on very good teams.
The quarterback needs to be a leader and be tough.
Its all about winning, McCoy said. We want to get a guy thats going to win a lot of games for us and be a leader, because theyre all different shapes and sizes. That doesnt matter to me.
Wilks, who was defensive coordinator at Carolina last season after five years as the Panthers secondary coach, said he felt a connection during the offensive coordinators job interview.
I think its important that you have a coach that understands the vast range of players that he may have to coach, Wilks said, and most importantly understanding that we may teach a certain way but we have to communicate with these guys differently based off their talent level, the number of years they may have been in the league, whatever.
McCoy was offensive coordinator in Denver from 2009 through 2012. He interviewed for the vacant Cardinals head coaching position in 2013 before taking the Chargers job. McCoy was fired by the Chargers after the 2016 season and spent last year as offensive coordinator with the Broncos again.
He will inherit one of the leagues best running backs in David Johnson, who broke his wrist in the opener and missed the rest of last season. Johnson led the NFL in yards from scrimmage and touchdowns in 2016.
McCoy said Fitzgerald reminded him that Johnson is more than a ball carrier.
Its not just going to be running it with him, McCoy said. When I talked to Larry the other day I made a comment and he said Khari Willis Jersey , `Coach, hold on now, this guy can run some routes for us, too, so lets make sure we take advantage of that.
Wilks entire coaching background is on defense but McCoy said the two of them will always be in close communication, especially during games.
New defensive coordinator Al Holcomb and special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers are to meet with the media Tuesday.
AP NFL website: In the midst of a difficult season, the Kansas City Royals got a needed spark Friday night from one of their newest additions.
Rookie Rosell Herrera kept the game scoreless with a home-run robbery in the eighth inning and hit an RBI triple in the ninth, and struggling Kansas City beat the Houston Astros 1-0.
Herrera helped the Royals end a nine-game skid by bringing back Alex Bregmans would-be homer. The right fielder reached over the short outfield wall to snag the first out in the eighth.
Hes athletic, hes fast, manager Ned Yost said. He seems to swing the bat OK from both sides. Its only been a week. Theres a lot to like looking at him on a short look.
Adalberto Mondesi singled off Ken Giles (0-2) to start the ninth, stole second and took third on a flyout by Whit Merrifield. Herrera then sent a ball to center field to score Mondesi.
Herrera also had a double and is batting .278 in five games since being cut by Cincinnati and acquired by the Royals.
That was very fun Josh Allen Jersey , not only for me but for my teammates because we played really good defense today and thats why we made the right play at the right time and won the game, Herrera said.
Danny Duffy pitched six innings of two-hit ball for the Royals, and the bullpen didnt allow another knock. Justin Grimm (1-2) pitched a scoreless eighth and Tim Hill threw a perfect ninth for his first save.
When asked about his work Friday night, Duffy briefly discussed his outing before raving about Herrera.
Rosie hes a stud, man, he said. Im a big fan of that kid. If he keeps playing as hard as he does, hes always going to have a spot in the big leagues. We love that here. Im really happy for him. He had a fantastic game.
Houston was shut out for the first time since May 11. They still had several opportunities to score because of seven walks but went 0 for 9 with runners in scoring position.
Its unusual because weve been pretty good swinging the bat lately, manager A.J. Hinch said. It seemed like every opportunity ended in a double play tonight.
Houston starter Dallas Keuchel pitched six strong innings. He allowed six hits and struck out six, while Duffy fanned seven after being tagged for seven runs in six innings of a loss to the Astros on Saturday.
The Royals had just wrapped an 0-8 homestand and had lost 15 of 16.
Kevin McCarthy took over for Duffy in the seventh and issued consecutive walks to Evan Gattis and Marwin Gonzalez. Pinch-hitter Tony Kemp then grounded into a force out that left Gattis out at third. But the Astros loaded the bases when pinch-hitter Tyler White reached on a fielders choice.
Houston came away empty-handed when George Springer grounded into a double play.
Salvador Perez doubled with one out in the eighth and Houston intentionally walked Alex Gordon before Alcides Escobar drew a walk to load the bases. The game remained scoreless when Hector Rondon struck out Paulo Orlando to end the inning.
TRAINERS ROOM
Astros: Hinch said RHP Joe Smith (right elbow inflammation) is improving but still has several steps to go through before hes ready to come off the disabled list.
STREAK ENDS
Escobar started in center field, snapping a streak of 407 straight starts at shortstop dating to Sept. 26, 2015. That streak was the longest in Royals history and the longest active streak in the majors. Its the first time hes played a position other than shortstop since he joined the Royals in 2011 and the sixth time in his career hes played in the outfield Jawaan Taylor Jersey , after appearing in five games there for the Brewers in 2010.
The Royals started Mondesi at shortstop instead. They have said Escobar will also see time at second and third base this season.
I just think that the time was right, Yost said. He knows that his next career move is probably going to be a utility-type player and hes anxious to start showing people that he can handle it.
Escobar, who entered the game 2 for 28, had two hits including a double.
I thought (Escobar) looked good in center. He hits good as a center fielder, Yost said with a laugh.
UP NEXT
Houstons Lance McCullers Jr. (8-3, 3.77 ERA) looks for his third straight win when as he opposes Ian Kennedy (1-7, 5.31) Saturday night. Kennedy hasnt won in 13 starts, going 0-7 with a 6.12 ERA since his only win of the season on April 7.