Arizona Cardinals inside linebackers off to blazing start

Jordan Hicks and Haason Reddick have been extremely productive over the first two weeks for the Arizona Cardinals defense

The first two weeks of the 2019 campaign have been tough ones for the Arizona Cardinals defense. Having to play without both of your starting cornerbacks has made things very difficult for coordinator Vance Joseph‘s group. Despite the hardship, the Cards have managed to hold their own on the defensive side of the ball in matchups with the Detroit Lions and Baltimore Ravens.

Two of the most impressive members of the Arizona defense have been the inside linebackers. The play of Jordan Hicks and Haason Reddick has been nothing short of spectacular. The duo have been tackling machines for a Cardinals crew who could’ve very easily been crippled by the absences of Patrick Peterson and Robert Alford.

Hicks, a free agent pickup from the Philadelphia Eagles, was one of the club’s biggest acquisitions of the offseason. The 27-year old was lured to the desert by a four-year, $36 million contract offer. Through two games, Hicks has proven to be well worth the investment.

The 6’1, 236 pound Hicks has registered an eye-popping 25 tackles in two contests with his new team. The former University of Texas product ranks third in the NFL in that category, and has played every snap this year for the Cards. Hicks tallied a whopping 14 stops in the season-opener against the Lions, and followed that with another 11 versus the Ravens last Sunday.

While Reddick’s numbers are not as gawdy as his partner in the middle, Arizona’s first-round draft pick in 2017 has also been productive. The Temple University product got off to an ominous start this past summer when he injured his knee early on in training camp. Reddick was forced to undergo surgery, and there was fear that the 24-year old would miss some regular-season action.

The 6’1, 230 pound Reddick put those concerns to rest when he suited up in week one. The New Jersey native played well against Detroit, recording six tackles during the 27-27 tie. Reddick followed that outing up with an even finer performance last weekend, racking up eight stops and a pass breakup in the loss to Baltimore.

Kudos to the Cardinals inside linebacker tandem for what they’ve accomplished thus far in ’19. Joseph’s defenders have taken a beating at times, but Hicks and Reddick have remained consistent. If their success continues, Pro Bowl berths could be waiting for both players when the season comes to an end.