–One day after head coach Steve Wilks suggested personnel changes could be in order, the Cardinals released starting cornerback Jamar Taylor and made a series of other roster moves, which included re-signing cornerback David Amerson and elevating cornerback Chris Jones and wide receiver Jalen Tolliver from the practice squad.
The team also released defensive end Vontarrius Dora and signed kicker Zane Gonzalez to the practice squad.
Taylor was cut two days after getting burned for a touchdown by Raiders tight end Jared Cook.
“I thought Jamar did a good job when he was here. We just needed more production out of that position,” Wilks said. “As I mentioned the other day, we’re going to continue to try to turn the back end of the roster. We’re looking to evolve as we move forward and try to finish the season strong.
“Again, it’s not just one isolated incident with him or with any of the guys. We just felt like it was the best move for the team.”
–“I think Christian has been unbelievable. He’s got a very bright future. As (offensive coordinator) Byron (Leftwich) always says, he knows he’s going to be a really good player because he’s a huge head. Apparently, with Hines Ward, Golden Tate, if you have a really big head, you have a really good chance of being a good receiver.” – Rookie quarterback Josh Rosen on rookie wide receiver Christian Kirk.
–Center Mason Cole has now made 114 consecutive starts dating back to his freshman year in high school and he also became the Cardinals’ only starting lineman yet to miss a single game when he started and played in his 10th straight game last Sunday in a 23-21 loss.
Every other starter up front has missed at least one game, including left tackle D.J. Humphries, who missed the Oakland game because of a right knee injury.
“Yeah, I don’t know. I mean, injuries are part of the game but I guess I’ve just been lucky enough to avoid the bad ones, knock on wood,” Cole said. “I just hope to keep it going.
“Honestly, it’s not something I think about a lot. But once I was done in college and started looking back, it kind of meant something to me. I started 51 games in college and looking back to see my name up there with the other guys that have played 50 games at Michigan, it’s pretty incredible. Just to be up there with guys like Jon Jansen, who played 50 games, Jake Long, who was up there, too, and Taylor Lewan. To already be up there with that group of guys, you’ve got to be pretty happy.”
–Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald said he can’t remember the last time an opposing player talked trash to him. It’s been said by others, including longtime cornerback Richard Sherman, that Fitzgerald is just too nice of a guy and too humble to try and poke.
“I don’t know. Guys just don’t like talking to me like that, I guess. I have no idea why,” Fitzgerald said. “Now the guys here talk a lot of trash to me in practice. Pat (Peterson) always has something to say. A.B. (safety Antoine Bethea) is talking stuff to me all the time. (Safety) Tre Boston, his mouth never shuts up. It’s non-stop. I don’t even know how he breathes, he’s talking all the time.”
BY THE NUMBERS: 2 – Sacks needed by the Cardinals’ defense to reach 35 through their first 11 games for just the second time in franchise history. They had 46 through their first 11 games back in 1966.
