Thomas, the 2022 third-round pick who is battling for a roster spot, said he felt he had maximized his opportunities against the Colts.
“Every time getting home, it’s the best feeling in the world,” Thomas said.
During the offseason, the staff challenged Thomas to find his “fastball,” a move that he could consistently use to win his one-on-ones. The sack production in the second preseason game was gratifying for the third-year player after being faced with a “learning curve” in the first season under Rallis and Gannon.
Cameron Thomas described the outside linebacker room as a “pack of dogs out there all hunting together.” Xavier Thomas had a sack in in his second straight game. Victor Dimukeje constantly found his way to the backfield. Jesse Luketa drew a holding penalty that forced the Colts on 2nd-and-31, while facing more pressure, to throw an interception to Rabbit Taylor-Demerson.
“Every single snap you go out there, you try to do your best job,” Cameron Thomas said. “Whether it ends up in a sack or ends up in a pressure, you do your job and let somebody else come free.”
Zaven Collins is a testament to that claim. After finishing his first season as an edge rusher with 3.5 sacks, the Cardinals decided to sign Collins to a two-year extension. Gannon does want him to up his sack total. “I know sacks get guys paid a bunch of money, and you do have to affect the quarterback,” Gannon said.
But the Cardinals’ system also needs a rotation of players and coverage drops as much as attacking the quarterback.
“Obviously you want sacks, especially on early downs, those can kill drives,” Rallis said. “But when you look at it in totality too, and really hone in on ‘Are we affecting the quarterback like we need to?'”
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