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Arizona Cardinals rookie film room: 5 plays that define Andy Isabella

By Avery Duncan

HADLEY, MA - SEPTEMBER 17: Andy Isabella #23 of the Massachusetts Minutemen scores a touchdown during the second quarter against the FIU Golden Panthers at Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Hadley, Massachusetts. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images)
HADLEY, MA - SEPTEMBER 17: Andy Isabella #23 of the Massachusetts Minutemen scores a touchdown during the second quarter against the FIU Golden Panthers at Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Hadley, Massachusetts. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images) /
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Play 5: Reeses Senior Bowl, 3rd quarter, 8:18 remaining, 1st & 10

What the offense is running: A tunnel screen to Andy Isabella.

What the defense is running: Cover 3

What Isabella is tasked to do: Perform the tunnel screen, and show off his YAC.

What happens: The offense executes the tunnel screen well with good blocking all the way. It’s a fairly typical play, and it shreds zone. Isabella, one of the better YAC receivers coming into the draft, finishes off the play in the endzone with an impressive run.

Ultimately, this is shown over a deep pass because we should see a lot of it in Kingsbury’s offense. After all, Kingsbury seems like a smart guy, and it’d be pretty smart to use Isabella and Christian Kirk, two YAC menaces, on the receiving ends of these plays. It’s nice to see that Isabella can find the endzone on these.

Though this clip isn’t from an exhibition game, it remains impressive. After all, for a large portion of players, the Senior Bowl is a job interview and a way to get yourself closer to NFL scouts. Every player on that field was trying to prove a point in some fashion.

Takeaways:

  • Isabella’s running back history is pretty obvious on this play. His vision is excellent when he’s following blocks and has good anticipation where they’ll be. Combine that vision with blazing speed, and he projects as a problem with the ball in his hands at the next level.
  • Measuring in at 5-foot-9 and 188-pounds, with a strong base, Isabella is even built like a running back. Yes, he’s smaller, but he’s tough and he doesn’t back down from a challenge. Though he doesn’t truck the defenders here, it’s hard not to love his toughness, willingness to attack, and his two hands on the ball when needing to get physical.
  • Tunnel screens won’t be the only play Isabella will be viewed as a gadget on. He’s the ultimate gadget player. He’ll be used on bubble screens, mountain screens, sweeps, and maybe even tosses at the next level.
  • His vision, toughness, speed, foot quickness, and block anticipation should make him a natural option as a punt or kick returner.
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