During the Arizona Cardinals’ season opener against the New Orleans Saints, an injury to Joey Blount required immediate changes on special teams. Head coach Jonathan Gannon highlighted these in-game adjustments following the team’s win, specifically mentioning backup tight end Travis Vokolek and wide receiver Greg Dortch for their contributions.
Dortch was moved into a gunner position on punt coverage after Blount’s exit. On the Cardinals’ final punt—when New Orleans anticipated no fake and double-teamed both gunners—Dortch managed to break through his coverage assignment.
“When I went out it was single at first, and I heard the Saints special teams coach running down the sideline and he called a guy from the stack and told him to come out,” Dortch said. “I said, ‘Y’all doing all this for me?’ To be able to win on that rep, two-minute situation, man, it was fun.”
His effort helped contain Saints return specialist Rashid Shaheed before their last drive. Gannon emphasized how such plays can affect game outcomes: “They have one of the best returners in the league and both of our gunners are double-viced, and he’s standing on the 50 next to me and I’m like, ‘Oh boy,'” Gannon said. “Dortch is out there because Joey Blount’s out. Joey Blount’s probably our best gunner and Dortch makes a play. It’s like good God, that goes unnoticed but like I asked the defense in there, I said, ‘The value of a yard, is that real, guys?’ That thing gets to the 30 or he pops that or whatever the case may be, but that’s what it takes to win games.”
For Dortch, being recognized as dependable is significant. “Just to be reliable, a guy who can be counted on in any quarter of the game,” Dortch said. “If they need a guy to go in at nickel — whatever position — and they know I am a reliable guy? That just adds to the more I can do and just my value to the team.”
