PHX Reporter

After BJ Ojulari's season-ending knee injury, the focus has shifted to the team's pass rush. Questions loom over who will step up and how another year in the system will impact performance. The Cardinals sought answers during Saturday's preseason game against the Colts, where they generated significant pressure, finishing with four sacks and nine quarterback hits.

"I thought the rush plan was pretty good on Saturday night, I really do," coach Jonathan Gannon said Monday. "Even on mixed downs. I think we're doing a better job of converting from run to pass or when (DC) Nick (Rallis) does call something because he wants to get them going."

Cameron Thomas recorded two sacks and a 26.7 percent pass-rush win rate, while Xavier Thomas maintained a second straight game above 20 percent. Emphasis on reaching the quarterback has been a focal point throughout the offseason.

General manager Monti Ossenfort added players like Justin Jones, Bilal Nichols, and first-rounder Darius Robinson to bolster interior defense. However, Gannon and Rallis emphasize that their scheme values overall pressure beyond just sack totals.

"Do you want sacks? Absolutely, especially on first and second down," Rallis said. "But you can't overlook affecting the pocket as well. Not every good rush is always going to end in a sack."

Thomas, a 2022 third-round pick vying for a roster spot, expressed satisfaction with his performance against the Colts.

"Every time getting home, it's the best feeling in the world," Thomas said.

The coaching staff challenged Thomas during the offseason to develop a consistent move for winning one-on-one battles. His recent sack production is rewarding after navigating initial challenges under Rallis and Gannon's system.

Cameron Thomas described his unit as a "pack of dogs out there all hunting together." Xavier Thomas secured a sack in his second consecutive game; Victor Dimukeje frequently penetrated the backfield; Jesse Luketa drew a holding penalty that led to an interception by 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 pressure, you do your job and let somebody else come free."

Zaven Collins exemplifies this approach. After concluding his first season as an edge rusher with 3.5 sacks, Collins signed a two-year extension with expectations of increasing his sack total.

"I know sacks get guys paid a bunch of money, and you do have to affect the quarterback," Gannon stated.

However, their system also relies on player rotation and coverage drops alongside quarterback attacks.

"Obviously you want sacks, especially on early downs; those can kill drives," Rallis noted. "But when you look at it in totality too, and really hone in on 'Are we affecting the quarterback like we need to?'"

In other news, the Cardinals released offensive lineman Dennis Daley on Monday. Head coach Gannon described Daley as a "warrior" but acknowledged that releasing him opens up a roster spot ahead of reducing their roster to 53 players by Aug. 27.