THE KEY TO KYLER MURRAY’S SUCCESS: VANCE JOSEPH

As the days go on in training camp the expectations rise for Arizona Cardinals rookie quarterback Kyler Murray.  His grasp of Coach Kliff Kingsbury’s new offense and his ability to already show leadership has the coaches, teammates and fans expecting him to turn around a team that went 3-13 last season to a playoff contender. 

The expectations don’t seem legitimate to most, especially the USA today who predicts to Cardinals to go 3-13 again this season.  If you really put some though into it it’s not all that impossible for the Cardinals to make the playoffs.

But how do they do it?  The short answer is Kyler Murray.  Murray understands the offense and is as good in the pocket as he is out of the pocket.  We will soon see if his college success will roll over to the NFL.

Murray is capable of being a star QB.  He confidence and humbleness combined show he is ready to take his team to the promise land of NFL greatness. 

What is going to be the key piece that helps Murray lift the Cardinals to playoff contention?  Vance Joseph.

Yes you read it write, it says Vance Joseph, the Cardinals Defensive Coordinator!

Kyler Murray is smart, quick and understands what it will take for him to be successful in this league.  The Cardinals are going to throw the ball a lot, running back David Johnson will help keep defenses honest when it comes to the run game which will allow Murray to get his stats, both in the air and on the ground.

The secret to Murray being successful will be Joseph’s defense.  If he is able to force opponents to go 3 and out Murray and the high powered offense will put points on the board.  The Cardinals will be more successful if they are beating opponents by at least 2 scores rather than the game coming down to one possession.

Joseph is a defensive mastermind and already had key pieces in place when he was hired.  He has a secondary that can be one of the best in the league.  If his defense is successful we will see it with the success of Kyler Murray.

ARIZONA CARDINALS REPORT TO TRAINING CAMP

The day has finally arrived, The Arizona Cardinals have reported Training Camp.  The team begins practice tomorrow in preparation for their first preseason game August 8 against The San Diego Chargers.  The Cardinals will also play The Raiders, Vikings and Broncos during preseason.  The team will have 14 open practices that fans will be able to watch.

All eyes will be on 2 rookies.  Rookie head coach Kliff Kingsbury and Rookie QB Kyler Murray.  The Double K connection will be interesting to watch.  Fans will have to wait for the regular season to see what this new offense is going to look like.  Kingsbury and second year wide receiver Christian Kirk said today the offense is going to be fast, but during the preseason they won’t show to much of what the want to do during the regular season.   

The team has plenty more questions than what the offense is going to look like.  The defense may prove to be the biggest question of all, particularly the secondary.  The team drafted former Saguaro High School standout and Washington corner Byron Murphy to compete for the starting job opposite all pro Patrick Peterson.  We will not see the duo until late October when Peterson gets back from a 6 game suspension.

The Cardinals have high hopes for this season and look to improve from a 3-13 season.  Kingsbury and his staff will have their hands full.  The first two weeks of training camp are very important for the coaching staff.  It they can get the players on board with what they want to accomplish this year then there is no reason that Cardinals should not lose as many or more games than last year. 

PACQUIAO BEATS THURMAN

Last night in Las Vegas Manny Pacquiao  proved to the world that he is still a forced to be reckoned with in boxing's welterweight division.  Pacquiao defeated previously unbeaten Keith "One Time" Thurman in a split decision.  Pacquiao is now the new WBA Super World Welterweight Champ.

Pacquiao came out with an aggressive game plan that was evident when he stunned Thurman with a right hook that sent him to the canvas.  At that point it was Pacquiao's fight to lose.

Thurman showed poise and battled back to make the fight look closer than it really was.  He underestimated Pacquiao and wasn't ready for the explosiveness that Pacquiao brought.

Thurman was humbled last night and it showed in his post fight interview.  Thurman mentioned a rematch but that does not benefit Pacquiao so there probably won't be one.

PREVIEWING PACQUIAO VS. THURMAN

Tonight is arguably the boxing match of the decade when Manny Pacquiao gets in the ring with Kieth Thurman in a 147 pound tittle match up.  The fight is heavily anticipated and will be in Las Vegas, the boxing capital of the world.

Thurman is undefeated  at 29-0 with 22 knockouts.  He has an impressive resume that includes, Josesito Lopez, Danny Garcia and Shawn Porter.  And those were just his last three fights.  Thurman weighed in at 146.5 pounds and says "it's my time."

Thurman faces one of the sports greatest boxers in Manny Pacquiao.  Pacquiao is 61-7-2 in his storied career.  He is the only fighter to win a title in 8 different weight classes.  He is coming off a victory in January against Adrien Broner.  That matched proved no problem for Pacquiao who was declared the winner by unanimous decision and won the WBA Welterweight Tittle.

So who will win this fight between two of boxing's greats?

This fight will go the distance and will be very close in score.  The key, in my opinion is the first 3 rounds and the last 2 rounds.  Whoever can win the first three rounds can dictate the pace of the fight.  whichever fighter is able to stick to their game plan the longest is the one who come out victorious.

So who will that be you ask?

It's a very tough call to make and while I am rooting for Pacquiao my gut tells me Thurman will pull out the victory.

BOXING LEGEND PERNELL WHITAKER DIES AFTER BEING HIT BY CAR

Boxing great Pernell Whitaker was killed Saturday night when he was involved in a car crash in his hometown of Virginia Beach, Va. Whitaker was 55.  The early reports are that Whitaker was crossing the street and was hit by a vehicle.  It is unclear if any charges have been or will be filed.


Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker had a brilliant career that lasted 17 years.  He debuted in November of 1984 and finished his career 40-4 with 1 draw.  His only draw was to Mexican great Julio Cesar Chavez in 1993.  Chavez was undefeated at the time.  Whitaker was a four weight World Champion and will be deeply missed by his family and the boxing world.


Sweet Pea had 17 knockouts in his career and won a Gold Medal in the 1984 Olympics.  After retiring from boxing Whitaker became a trainer.  His most famous fighter was Zab Judah.

SUNS SIGN OUBRE

The Phoenix Suns have signed free agent Kelly Oubre Jr, to a two year deal.  The deal is worth $30 million.  The small forward came to Phoenix midway through the season in a trade and expressed interest in staying with the Suns.

Oubre was one of few bright spots for the Suns when he joined the team.  The talent and energy he brings to the court will help the new Suns as they look to improve from a 19 win season this past year.  Oubre is also a fan favorite who looks to help "The Valley Boys" become a fun team to watch.

This was a good signing for the Suns.  The moves they made in the draft and free agency thus far don't make a lot of sense to the average fan.  According to General Manager James Jones it is all a part of their plan.  Bring Oubre back is something that makes sense and the fans wanted.  If Rubio produces like he has in the past and Ayton and Booker continue to improve as stars we may look back in a year and say this was a pretty good off season. 

KAWHI CHOOSES CLIPPERS OVER LAKERS

In case you didn’t hear there was an earthquake in  Los Angeles last night.  But the NBA was was shaken even harder last night by Kawhi Leonard. The superstar finally made his choice.   Just like many predicted he chose Los Angeles.

Why wouldn’t he, after all he is from the area. The surprising mews was that he decided to play for the Clippers and not the Lakers!  Many people expected him to Join Anthony Davis, who came over in a trade when free agency started, and LeBron James.

Instead Kawhi will team up with Paul George who was traded from the Oklahoma City Thunder yesterday after Leonard agreed to sign.   The duo now makes the Clippers an  immediate contender.

Kawhi showed how good he really is in bring a Championship to Toronto this past season now with Paul George by his side the sky is the limit.

FORMER DBACK PITCHER TYLER SKAGGS DEAD AT 27

The Los Angeles Angels announced yesterday that staring pitcher Tyler Skaggs was found dead in his hotel room Monday.  He found by police and pronounced dead on the scene.  The Angels were in Texas for a series with the Rangers.  Skaggs, 27 had just started on Saturday and was scheduled to start again on Thursday.

Skaggs spent two seasons with the Diamondbacks and will be missed by both organizations and fans.  Skaggs leaves behind a wife of just 7 months and would have been 28 on July 13.  He was a started since returning from Tommy Johns Surgery in 2016 and will be missed by Major League Baseball.

There were no signs of foul play at the scene of Skaggs death.  An autopsy will be done today to find the cause of death.