Jared CohenThe Cardinals win over the Green Bay Packers was as incredible a game you will see in the NFL. Bruce Arians and company are just “glad to be back at work” on Monday and while the thrill and excitement is still prevalent from that game, it is now in the past and a date with the Panthers on Sunday for a trip to the Super Bowl is in the forefront.
Bruce Arians had his weekly press conference on Monday and provided his initial thoughts on the matchup against the Panthers in the NFC Championship Game:
On the Matchup vs Carolina: “Looking forward to a great challenge. These guys are very unique in the way they play offense and a very potent defense. So it is going to be a great challenge for us.”
On the Panthers Offense: “It’s kind of like back in college getting ready for a wishbone team. You don’t see a quarterback in this league running the power very often. So they give you so many different unique sets that you have to account for two-back runs because you’ve got a tight end back there running the ball that you need to bring down. So it’s so much different.”
On the Panthers Defensive Front: “Probably the best pair of three-techniques, interior two tackles. The linebackers are great but I think they make them great. Luke [Kuechly] is probably the best linebacker in the league.”
On the Panthers Wide Receivers: “We know all about Teddy [Ginn]. He can run and he can catch and [Devin] Funchess is a big guy and Jerricho Cotchery I’ve known. He’s a crafty, good receiver inside and between the numbers. [Greg] Olsen is probably the best tight end as far as stretching the seems that there is in the league. Cam and he have a great relationship.”
On Panthers Quarterback Cam Newton: “A phenomenal athlete who can throw the football. He’s a very special guy and the things that you can do with him because he is so big and strong, he don’t worry about getting hurt running the football with him. So he is a very unique player.”
Be sure to check out more NFC Championship coverage throughout the week here on Sports360AZ as well as on FOX Sports Arizona with Brad Cesmat’s Football AZ on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday leading up to Sunday’s big game.
