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USA Today
29-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Arizona Cardinals DL Darius Robinson learned from a difficult 2024 season
Arizona Cardinals DL Darius Robinson learned from a difficult 2024 season Darius Robinson speaks after his tough rookie year about going in to his second NFL season "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way–in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only." -Charles Dickens from A Tale of Two Cities Arizona Cardinals second-year defensive lineman Darius Robinson was almost Dickensian Wednesday when putting into words what his first season in the NFL was like. He said simply, 'Last year was like the hardest year of my life, but then it was the best year of my life in the same year. So I definitely felt the lowest, but I also felt the highest and I'm ready to get back to the highest point. And I know that it takes a lot of hard work. So I'm just super excited for this year.' The highs, of course, began in April when the Cardinals selected him in the first round of the draft with the 27th overall pick. It continued during offseason work and training camp, a time he described as 'hot.' However, it all came crashing down when he suffered a calf injury on Aug. 22 and continued through a difficult rehab process that included the death of his mom Valori in October. When he finally got on the field for the final six games of the season, that 'hot' feeling in camp was now 'just cool.' But he learned from it. 'At my lowest, I kept showing up each day, I kept fighting in the pursuit of my dreams,' Robinson said. 'And I realize, it can't get worse than that. So honestly, just keep putting one foot in front of another and just go. Just really enjoy this. It's a blessing being here.' Being here was preceded by some time in Michigan where he was able to reflect on the previous nine months. Asked about an offseason reset after what he went through last season, Robinson said, 'Yeah, it was a lot. Going back to Michigan, taking care of some family stuff, trying to get closure with everything with my mom. But also thinking about this season and just replaying; I only played six games but just constantly rethinking about those six games and thinking about what I need to do to make that next jump in my game. 'I feel like in training camp, it was hot. The table was hot, everybody, it was hot. And coming back, it was just cool. So I gotta find a way to; we're in Phoenix, I gotta get it hot again.' Head coach Jonathan Gannon was asked before the first OTA practice Wednesday what he expects from Robinson. 'I think all our guys, it's, let's see where they can go,' Gannon said. 'And him being one of them. He's worked extremely hard this offseason. He looks good. He's ready to go. He wants to get on the grass and play football. So I think that's all of our guys and you're never a finished product. You're either getting better, or you're getting worse, whatever that means. It's kind of cliche, but it's probably true. 'So our guys are just looking to maximize themselves and get better as football players.' As for Robinson making the oft-discussed jump from Year 1 to Year 2, Gannon emphatically said, 'He'll make that jump.' Robinson was just as emphatic in agreement, saying, 'I think this jump from Year 1 to Year 2 is gonna be huge. So I'm just excited to compete and just put it on tape.' A big man already, Robinson is noticeably stronger in the upper body just as second-year receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. is. Asked about the offseason work he put in, Robinson said, 'Just buying into it, realizing like every day I got 24 hours and what am I gonna do to make the most out of it? I feel like I got a lot to prove this year. So we just come in like seven or eight (in the morning) and leave at like 12 or 1. 'Me, Marvin, a bunch of the rookies, a bunch of guys in the building. So it's just grinding into it. And that's been fun all offseason, but we gotta keep going and just keep building our bodies, get strong, get fast, and get better. So I'm super excited.' 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.
USA Today
18-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Arizona Cardinals fall after free agency in new NFL power rankings
Arizona Cardinals fall after free agency in new NFL power rankings Despite a clearly improved roster, the Cardinals fell in new power rankings. The Arizona Cardinals have an improved roster after a week of NFL free agency in 2025. It is clear they have an improved team, between offseason additions and the expected return of other players who were injured. But where do they rank in the NFL compared to other teams? Eric Edholm put together post-free agency power rankings and the world champion Philadelphia Eagles are at the top, where perhaps they belong. But the Arizona Cardinals, despite their roster improvements, fell two spots from No. 17 overall to No. 19, the lowest mark in the NFC West. The Cardinals have been the quietest team in the NFC West -- by far -- at least in terms of buzz. The Seahawks have undergone a massive overhaul, the 49ers have lost a ton of big contributors, and the Rams have made major changes at receiver. Arizona's moves have paled in comparison, volume-wise. But there's hope that Josh Sweat can become a top pass rusher and a strong complement to Darius Robinson, Baron Browning and new nose tackle Dalvin Tomlinson. It's an interesting little group the Cards are putting together there. Arizona has intrigued me the past few seasons, but with this incarnation, I'm not quite there yet. And I'd have no problem with this team going offensive line in Round 1 and leaning even more into the run game next season. The Cardinals have been the quietest team in the NFC West -- by far -- at least in terms of buzz. The Seahawks have undergone a massive overhaul, the 49ers have lost a ton of big contributors, and the Rams have made major changes at receiver. Arizona's moves have paled in comparison, volume-wise. But there's hope that Josh Sweat can become a top pass rusher and a strong complement to Darius Robinson, Baron Browning and new nose tackle Dalvin Tomlinson. It's an interesting little group the Cards are putting together there. Arizona has intrigued me the past few seasons, but with this incarnation, I'm not quite there yet. And I'd have no problem with this team going offensive line in Round 1 and leaning even more into the run game next season. Have the Cardinals been the quietest? Sure, the Seahawks made bigger-name moves, adding Sam Darnold and Cooper Kupp, while the Rams added Davante Adams. Perhaps the 49ers' offseason has been louder because of the losses. But the Cardinals have an incredibly improved defensive front, which was their biggest weakness by far. Should they be ranked the lowest in the NFC West? It's understandable. They were ahead of everyone except the 49ers at the end of the season, but people still believe San Francisco is a competitor in the conference. So it would appear that, while the Cardinals are an improved team, they are not as improved as other teams around the league. 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.
USA Today
26-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
2025 offseason roster profile: DL Darius Robinson
The Arizona Cardinals are in offseason mode and we are still several weeks away from free agency and two months from the NFL draft. Over the next two weeks, we will take a look at each player on the roster or signed to a reserve deal and break down where they stand with the team. We will look at their 2024 season, their contract status and what their status is for the coming offseason and 2025 season. Next up is defensive lineman Darius Robinson. 2024 Darius Robinson stats, season It was a rookie season to forget for the 27th overall choice in the 2024 draft. Robinson opened eyes throughout training camp until a problematic calf injury suffered on Aug. 22 essentially derailed his season. Designated for return from injured reserve on Oct. 9, he had only one limited practice before being activated on Oct. 28. During that time period, his mom passed away and he was then inactive for three games after being activated. Playing in the final six games of the season, Robinson played 183 snaps (50 percent) and had 10 tackles (four solo, one for loss), one sack for no yards and one quarterback hit. 2025 contract status In the second year of a four-year (plus fifth-year option) contract, Robinson will be paid a guaranteed $1.425 million in 2025 and count $3.152 million against the salary cap. Outlook for 2025 Putting 2024 behind him will be the goal for the offseason, a time that general manager Monti Ossenfort referred to as 'a reset.' An immensely talented and motivated player, Robinson should become an important piece to the improvement the Cardinals need on the defensive line. 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.
