During Jonathan Gannon’s press conference today, he affirmed that the team intends to play Paris Johnson Jr. at left tackle and UFA signee Jonah Williams at right tackle.
Cardinals to start OTAs with Paris Johnson Jr. at LT, Jonah Williams at RThttps://t.co/LiqHmRRxkT pic.twitter.com/w8argcpR5r
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) May 20, 2024
Gannon then apprised the media that he has “veto power” to reverse the decision if the transition for PJJ to left tackle, where he was a 2022 All-American at Ohio St., does not go as well as planned.
2023 6th overall pick Paris Johnson Jr. will be moved to the left side while Jonah Williams goes to the right side of the line.
Per Head Coach Jonathan Gannon #Birdgang pic.twitter.com/LonjNHt5gF
— The AZ sports fan! (@TheAZsportsfan1) May 20, 2024
Before the off-season began, Jonathan Gannon asserted his intention for the team to “start over from scratch” wherever that would seem necessary. Therefore, the decision to flip PJJ over the left side would appear to be a manifestation of that notion.
Both PJJ and Jonah Williams have said they were willing to play wherever the coaches want them. That’s the epitome of the kind of “team-first” attitudes the coaches are looking for.
Will Cardinals Have a More Diverse Offense?
While it appears that Gannon and OC Drew Petzing will continue to favor a run-heavy offense typically from 12 an 13 personnel packages that feature an array of play-action passes from different launching points, perhaps with the additions of wide receivers R1 pick Marvin Harrison Jr., UFA Zay Jones, UFA Chris Moore, R6 pick Tejhaun Palmer and priority CFA Xavier Weaver whom Monti Ossenfort added to returnees Michael Wilson, Greg Dortch and Zach Pascal, perhaps could Drew Petzing be preparing to integrate a more nuanced and multi-dimensional passing scheme?
2023 PFF Grades, Penalties, Sacks and QB Pressures
Paris Johnson Jr., RT, ARI:
- Overall (60.1)
- Pass Blocking (64.2)
- Run Blocking (55.1)
- Penalties: 12
- Sacks: 8
- QB Pressures: 42
Jonah Williams, RT, CIN:
- Overall (58.5)
- Pass Blocking (57.9)
- Run Blocking (54.0)
- Penalties: 5
- Sacks: 8
- QB Pressures: 41
Remarkably similar, eh?
Both playing RT for the 1st time in the NFL having played the previous season(s) at LT.
Cardinals Encouraged by Jonah Williams’ RT Upside as Outlines by NextGen Stats?
Jonah Williams had his best season last year, in his first season, at RT in terms of pressure rate, 1 on 1 quick pressure rate, avg time to pressure and sack rate per @NextGenStats. The Monti masterclass continues pic.twitter.com/FgqLO9E5L1
— K1SinceDay1 (@KSzn2021) March 14, 2024
ROTB Poll:
What do you think of the move, how did you vote and why?