Max Melton, cornerback for the Arizona Cardinals, has been reviewing footage from last season’s loss to the Carolina Panthers as he prepares for this weekend’s home opener. The defeat in Charlotte ended the Cardinals’ playoff hopes and came just before a scheduled primetime game against the Rams that would have influenced the division outcome.
Coach Jonathan Gannon acknowledged that last year’s Panthers game has been discussed by the team. “We’ve got nobody to blame but ourselves,” Melton said. “I also think it was us looking too far forward and not being in the present, so I think that hurt us too on the field. But we got a little fire in our gut now. We know what happened last year and we know they’re coming to our house and we’re going to play like it.”
Melton noted that anticipation for this matchup increased when he saw the schedule: “Hell yeah because it’s still fresh,” Melton said. “Especially with the fact that it’s our home opener and all these other things are happening, it does build a little bit more.”
The Cardinals will focus on containing Panthers quarterback Bryce Young and running back Chuba Hubbard. Last season, Hubbard ran for 152 yards and two touchdowns, while Young contributed 68 rushing yards on five attempts along with two passing touchdowns.
“It starts with the quarterback. He can dice you up,” Gannon said. “If you don’t rush him the right way, he makes you pay with his legs. He’s got really good escape mobility (and) can beat you with his arm and his legs. That’s a big time challenge for us.”
Young showed similar mobility during Carolina’s season-opening loss to Jacksonville, carrying five times for 40 yards; Hubbard led their rushing attack with 16 carries.
Defensive lineman L.J. Collier reflected on last year’s performance: “Carolina played good, and they had a great game that day so you really can’t knock those guys,” Collier said. “We just had to play better, and I feel like we will cover everything that we did last time this time.”
Both teams feature new players who could impact Sunday’s result; Carolina selected University of Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan in the first round of this year’s draft to support Young, while Arizona revamped its defense with additions such as Will Johnson at cornerback and Josh Sweat at edge rusher.
Gannon expressed enthusiasm about playing in front of home fans: “We are going to get our get-back,” Collier said. “We owe those guys, and I think they know that. They lost last week, so they’re going to come out juiced up and energized. It’s going to be one hell of a game, but we’re not going to back down. We’re here for the competition because we know what type of year we can have this year.”
In roster news ahead of Sunday’s game, tight end Josiah Deguara has been elevated from the practice squad as starter Tip Reiman is sidelined due to a foot injury.
