WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

Notes, Quotes

The Sports Xchange

November 15, 2018 at 12:24 am.

–“I just want to start off first and say these California fires are getting worse and worse. Cities are disappearing, and the death toll is going up day by day. If anyone here wants to help, go to my Instagram. My second most recent photo is a link to go donate. It’s really bad, and a lot of people need help.” – Quarterback Josh Rosen, opening his weekly news conference by asking for the public’s help.

–With versatile safety Budda Baker’s availability in question because of a knee injury, the Cardinals signed two veteran cornerbacks to their 53-man roster in David Amerson and Leonard Johnson. If Baker can’t play Sunday against the Raiders, there’s a good chance starting cornerback Bene’ Benwikere slides into Baker’s role for the time being.

Amerson, 26, is a five-year veteran who spent the past three seasons with the Raiders. Johnson, 28, is a seven-year vet who spent his first three seasons with the Buccaneers and was most recently with the Giants, who released him in September.

The two roster spots became open when the Cardinals placed right guard Justin Pugh (knee) on injured reserve and released safety Eddie Pleasant.

“I think Budda will be fine. We don’t know exactly how long he’s going to be, though,” head coach Steve Wilks said. ” A guy like that, you’re going to miss him being out there on the field if he doesn’t play because he just brings so much in every category – just energy, being able to cover, being able to blitz, et cetera.”

–Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald now ranks second on the NFL’s all-time receiving yards list with 15,952, having surpassed Terrell Owens in this past Sunday’s game at Kansas City thanks to 50 yards against the Chiefs. Jerry Rice ranks first with 22,895 yards.

“It happens to be Terrell Owens and I’m really close with T.O.,” Fitzgerald said. “His friendship and my relationship with him is invaluable to me. It means a great deal to me. To be mentioned in the same breath with him means a lot to me.

“It’s frustrating that it comes in another loss.”

–With Justin Pugh landing on injured reserve after suffering a torn MCL in his left knee, Oday Oboushi is now the Cardinals’ starting right guard. He stepped in when Pugh was injured in Sunday’s game at Kansas City.

“At the end of the day, it’s a sport where you can’t control injuries. They’re going to happen so it’s always just next man up,” Oboushi said. “It’s the reason why we’re here, to fill in and play ball and keep the thing moving forward. That’s how we’re going to get through this. It’s going to take everybody as a group.”

–“My mind is not really on draft picks right now. I am trying to do everything I can to win football games. I’m not looking to say, ‘OK, we’re going to be in the top five.’ That, to me, is a loser’s mentality. We are going to continue to work hard, and at the end of the season, whatever happens, we’ll take that order.” – Head coach Steve Wilks on the prospects of where the Cardinals might end up drafting considering their 2-7 record through nine games.

–Tackle Rick Leonard, a fourth-round pick out of Florida State by the Saints this year, was signed to the Cardinals’ practice squad. He spent time on both the practice squads of the Saints and Rams.

BY THE NUMBERS: 4 – Number of scoring drives of 12-plus plays the Cardinals have had in their last two games, which is double what they had in their first seven games combined.

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