Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon hints that NFL rules are influencing team’s tackling woes this season

The Arizona Cardinals find themselves in another season without making the playoffs, and even though it was due to close games not going their way, it’s been a slog ever since.

Coach Jonathan Gannon’s team has been declining on defense, allowing 40 or more points in four of its last six games, all of which have been losses.

One of the main culprits on defense is the Cardinals’ lack of tackling. They rank the lowest of any NFL team in that category, according to Pro Football Focus.

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But Gannon believes NFL rules have a role to play in his team’s problems.

“The way the rules are set, it’s hard to improve as a tackler in the NFL, I’ll say that,” Gannon said, according to ESPN.

With many missed tackles recorded in a 40-20 loss to the Houston Texans over the weekend for the Cardinals’ 11th in 12 games, Gannon told reporters that tackles were a topic of conversation among his staff this week.

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He added that the Cardinals have tackling drills in practice, but maintains that “there’s no drill you can do that can mimic a game.”

ESPN Research found that the Cardinals have allowed 40 carries of at least five yards after first contact, which ranks third in the league.

The league, however, limits padded practices to just 14 during the regular season, and 11 of them must occur in the first 11 weeks of the season, according to the league’s 2020 collective bargaining agreement.

With players needing to hone their skills in the tackling department and having few opportunities to do so, Gannon sees a lack of development opportunities for his team.

“Rules are rules,” Gannon responded when asked if he would like to see these rules changed.

Gannon even said it’s like telling PGA Tour star Scottie Scheffler that he can’t practice his wedges.

“You set it up how you set it up. It’s fine,” Gannon explained. “But to improve a skill, you have to practice it. You practice the skill, you can scale it, you can scale the tempo, you can scale how you do it. But to practice a skill, you need to practice the skill.

“So I think it’s a conundrum that all defensive backs face, and there’s risk-reward in trying to practice it no matter how you set things up.”

Of course, each team is in the same position as the Cardinals with league-wide rules.

“A lot of people think you can’t practice. It’s better to get people who can tackle because you’re not going to help them at all,” Gannon added. “That is also a reflection process. Everyone has their own thing. But it is a challenge.”

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With a 3-11 record and no playoffs in sight, the Cardinals are evaluating everyone on their roster in these three remaining games. Gannon and his staff hope the tackle and all phases improve to break their losing streak.

It starts Sunday with the Atlanta Falcons, who possess one of the most explosive running backs in the league, Bijan Robinson.

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