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Cardinals Order: Ham on Rise

By Walter Mitchell
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NFL: Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Background: Nov 13, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals cornerback Antonio Hamilton (33) stops Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Allen Robinson II (1) after a short pass play in the first quarter at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro.

Have a close look at Brian Baldinger’s analysis of Cardinals’ CB Antonio Hamilton’s stellar play at SoFi Stadium:

Thank you, Brian Baldinger! Great job, man!

What’s so appealing about Antonio Hamilton’s skillset is his shadow technique, his quickness to the ball when the football is in the air and, as Baldy so aptly put it, his strong safety-esque, physical brand of tackling.

With Byron Murphy nursing a sore back on the sidelines for this key NFC West road game, Antonio Hamilton stepped up and played the best game of his pro career. Ham led the team in tackles with 11 (10 solo) and with pass breakups (2) , while helping to put the clamps on Cooper Kupp in coverage (3 catches on 5 targets for -1 yds. for the game) and nearly coming up with a pick-six.

For his efforts, Ham scored a 90.1 PFF game grade, the highest grade on the team.

Checking the Cardinals’ updated season grades on defense, “lookie-lookie-lookie, here comes cookie:”

Cardinals defensive players season grades for players with over 150 snaps:

  1. 77.5 —- Antonio Hamilton
  2. 73.6 —- Budda Baker
  3. 72.7 —- Zach Allen
  4. 66.7 —- Byron Murphy, Jr.
  5. 65.0 —- Isaiah Simmons

Cardinals Top Ten Defensive Grades This Week: (thanks to Joe Comeau)

In his post-game press conference, Ham expressed his gratitude for the opportunities the Cardinals coaches are giving him. He lauded Colt McCoy for spending time with him and for helping him understand CB techniques and leverages that give QBs the most trouble. Plus, he mentioned that HBO’s Hard Knocks might film a segment with him and his family.

Ham speaks about “Colt McColt”: (thanks to Bo Brack)

Ham speaks about Budda Baker: (thanks to Bo Brack)

Antonio Hamilton was one of the main reasons why Budda wanted to attend OTAs. Budda said, “I wanna be there for my boys and to help the younger guys develop. I believe we have the most talented young secondary that I have played with in Arizona .”

Yep. The Cardinals have called in their order:

Ham on Rise with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, hot red peppers and mayo.

Good to go.

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