Cameron Thomas plays “fast and free” in second year of Cards regime
TEMPE – In some ways, Arizona Cardinals pass rusher Cameron Thomas experienced a repeat of his rookie year in 2023.
After learning and working under the previous regime’s system for the first year, the entire value of the playbook was thrown out the window when head coach Jonathan Gannon and defensive coordinator Nick Rallis came on board last season.
This fresh start was evident for Thomas in 15 games and three starts, where he failed to record a single sack after recording three as a rookie.
In the second year of the new system, Thomas feels much more like a 32-game NFL veteran and less like a rookie.
Cardinals pass rusher Cameron Thomas is feeling much more comfortable, allowing him to play “fast and free” in his second year under the new regime. pic.twitter.com/a27pHrxCPU
— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) 19 August 2024
“Having to give all that up and go to a whole new scheme wasn’t a setback, but it was definitely a learning curve,” Thomas said Monday. “I think coming back this year with the same scheme, the same coaches and a lot of the same players helps. I’m definitely a lot more comfortable and able to play so fast and free.”
That mindset was on display Saturday in Arizona’s 21-13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Thomas’ name topped the list with four tackles. Only cornerbacks Elijah Jones and Darren Hall had more (five).
But what really stood out about the third-year pro’s performance was his disruption of the backfield with two sacks, a tackle for loss and two quarterback hits.
This is a good development for Thomas, as roles are still in flux a week before roster cuts. His improved play also gives the Cardinals coaching staff more to think about when it comes to the pass-rushing rotation following BJ Ojulari’s injury.
“What I really love about this fringe group on this team is that we’re a really tight-knit group,” Thomas said of the OLBs room. “We’re like a pack of dogs that all hunt together. If one of us eats, we all eat.”
Mastering the fastball
Not only did Thomas have to learn the playbook more thoroughly during the offseason, but Gannon also challenged him to “find his fastball.”
“Whatever it is that makes you win, use it,” Thomas said, contradicting what Gannon had told him. “I think if you can express that, if you can play more consistently … then you can play faster and more freely.”
And what is Thomas’ fastball?
“It could be a couple of different moves. It could be a side scissors or a cross chop. It kind of goes back and forth, but it’s about being able to switch and have some kind of base. That’s important,” the pass rusher said.
