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Early in OTAs, rookie running back Jeremiyah Love, the Arizona Cardinals' first-round pick, was seen practicing returning kicks. That was surprising, especially since he didn't do it in college. He is expected to have a big role in the offense, which usually cuts out such roles on special teams.
So why was he getting work in as a returner?
New special teams coach Michael Ghobrial explained.
"You know, at at the end of the day, we will do anything it takes to win," he told reporters on Thursday at the conclusion of OTAs. "He's obviously very gifted when the ball is in his hands. He's got tremendous run skill. He's got great ball skills, too. So, if the opportunity presents itself to where he can take care of the football back there and we're keeping the volume of snaps depending on what he does offensively, you know, it's something we'll certainly work at."
With the Cardinals running back room including Love, veteran James Conner and free agent addition Tyler Allgeier, he might have to share the offensive load.
However, it isn't so much about finding ways to get Love the ball.
"Right now in the offseason, we usually train everybody to do these things because you never know in the game whether there's an injury or not, (or) if a guy has to come out in the game in the second half and be able to help you, but he certainly has a run skill to be able to do it," he said.
By the time the season rolls around, don't expect Love back there on kickoffs. The Cardinals have also worked in cornerback Max Melton and safety Kitan Crawford in OTAs in the return game.
It's the spring, and it is just giving many guys different looks just in case. After all, once the season begins, there isn't much time for teaching. It is game-prepping.
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Arizona Cardinals ST coach talks about Jeremiyah Love in return game
Continue reading...
So why was he getting work in as a returner?
New special teams coach Michael Ghobrial explained.
"You know, at at the end of the day, we will do anything it takes to win," he told reporters on Thursday at the conclusion of OTAs. "He's obviously very gifted when the ball is in his hands. He's got tremendous run skill. He's got great ball skills, too. So, if the opportunity presents itself to where he can take care of the football back there and we're keeping the volume of snaps depending on what he does offensively, you know, it's something we'll certainly work at."
With the Cardinals running back room including Love, veteran James Conner and free agent addition Tyler Allgeier, he might have to share the offensive load.
However, it isn't so much about finding ways to get Love the ball.
"Right now in the offseason, we usually train everybody to do these things because you never know in the game whether there's an injury or not, (or) if a guy has to come out in the game in the second half and be able to help you, but he certainly has a run skill to be able to do it," he said.
By the time the season rolls around, don't expect Love back there on kickoffs. The Cardinals have also worked in cornerback Max Melton and safety Kitan Crawford in OTAs in the return game.
It's the spring, and it is just giving many guys different looks just in case. After all, once the season begins, there isn't much time for teaching. It is game-prepping.
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Arizona Cardinals ST coach talks about Jeremiyah Love in return game
Continue reading...
