Robert Nkemdiche Ready For Breakout Season
In his sophomore year, Robert Nkemdiche is looking to play a major role in Arizona’s stout defense.
After essentially “red-shirting” his rookie year, with only one recorded tackle, defensive lineman Robert Nkemdiche is looking to have a breakout season for the Cardinals defense. The unit ranked 2nd in the NFL overall in total defense in 2016, but team will need him to be a force in the middle. By doing so, he will lay all questions about his ability to adapt to the NFL to rest.
Early reports out of minicamp and OTAs have given rave reviews about Nkemdiche’s focus and workman-like attitude. As reported by NBC’s Pro Football Talk, D-line coach Brentson Buckner has “been happy with him” so far, stating, “You see the natural ability take over. Now it’s all about Robert.”
That bodes well for Cards fans after losing fan favorite Calais Campbell to free agency this off-season. Certainly Campbell cannot be replaced by Nkemdiche alone. I imagine defensive coordinator James Bettcher will take a defensive-line-by-committee approach when orchestrating his side of the football in 2017.
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The 6-foot-3, 296 pound, second year man out of Ole Miss seems poised for a stellar sophomore year. The off-field issues seem to be behind him, and judging from the buzz early on, he seems ready to take the next step in becoming a great professional football player.
For me, Nkemdiche certainly is reminiscent of a former Cardinals player who also used to don the number ninety on his jersey — Darnell Dockett. I’m not saying, in any way, he can be as great as Dockett was, but with the right attitude, approach and love for the game, I do believe he could be even better. It’s up to him now.
This Arizona defense should be in the top-5 in total defense once again in 2017. But for our sake, let’s hope Nkemdiche, with his number ninety jersey, can be Nine-Oh…2.0 and put all questions, concerns and critics to rest.