Arizona Cardinals nose tackle Robert Nkemdiche may finally be getting it
Was it a change of coaches and coordinators? Was that the case for Arizona Cardinals nose tackle Robert Nkemdiche?
For the first two seasons of his NFL career, Nkemdiche has always seemed to be either injured, in the doghouse, or both. He had yet to show any of his potential over the first two seasons with the Cardinals.
Now over the first two weeks of the 2018 NFL season, he may be showing signs of finally learning what it takes to succeed at this level. Which is ironic since the Cardinals haven’t played games as bad as the first two weeks since 2012, the pre-Bruce Arians era.
Many over the past year or so have called Nkemdiche a bust. Especially because of his injuries I’ve been reluctant to call him one since we’ve yet to see him be able to consistently stay on the field.
Now he is getting that chance. He has eight tackles and a sack so far through the first two games against the Washington Redskins and Los Angeles Rams.
He and the Cardinals take on the Chicago Bears on Sunday. Can he continue his good start by getting pressure on Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky? It is certainly trending that way.
Of course the Bears are nothing to sniff at. Yeah, Nkemdiche has a ways to go yet but remarkably he has been one of the lone bright spots for a defense that has given up 56 points over the first two weeks.
Consistency as I always say, is the key. If he disappears back to not having his name called out is he back at square one.
He doesn’t have to be perfect but the jury is still certainly out with many Cardinals fans. but don’t count him out yet. The first two weeks may just finally be the start of something special for him.