Coddling players is not Arizona Cardinals’ coach’s thing

ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Bruce Arians of the Arizona Cardinals talks than official during the second half against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on November 27, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Bruce Arians of the Arizona Cardinals talks than official during the second half against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on November 27, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)

Rookie wide receiver Chad Williams has joined the list of Arizona Cardinals who’ve felt the wrath of head coach Bruce Arians

Arizona Cardinals’ head coach Bruce Arians would tell you it’s just tough love. “Coach ’em hard, hug ’em later”, as he would so eloquently put it. It’s a motto the leader of the Cardinals most certainly abides by.

The latest Card to be called out publicly is rookie wide receiver Chad Williams. This year’s third-round draft pick is apparently digging himself an early hole at training camp. Not an uncommon occurrence for first-year players trying to impress Arians.

Williams’ problem right now appears to be conditioning. “Until he gets in better condition, he won’t have a role”, Arians remarked about the Grambling State product. The message is clear, Williams needs to stay away from McDonald’s and Burger King if he wants to dress on gamedays this season.

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Starting left tackle D.J. Humphries found himself in a similar predicament back in 2015, when he himself was a rookie. Arians’ method for motivating the first-round pick included giving him a humiliating nickname. “A knee in his a** every day “, the coach proclaimed at the time. “A foot wasn’t going to do it, so I nicknamed him ‘knee deep'”.

Last year’s first-round pick didn’t ingratiate himself to Arians throughout the season either. Defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche had some growing up to do. “Talent is not an issue”, Arians remarked. “Maturity is”.

Rookies aren’t the only Cardinals to have faced criticism. Cornerback Justin Bethel was called a “failure in progress ” after some uninspired play last year. Following now-former Cards kicker Chandler Catanzaro’s shanked 24-yard, game-winning field goal attempt against Seattle last season, Arians was unforgiving. “This ain’t high school. You get paid to make it.”

Some would disagree with Arians’ handling of his players. But at 64-years old, and with his time in the NFL winding down, he really doesn’t care what people think. There’s a method to Arians’ madness, and he obviously isn’t about to change for anyone.

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