“Every acquisition piece is critical,” Gannon said. “Whether you’re drafted in the first round or sixth round or you’re a free agent or whatever, you need those guys to play well and star their role. I think we’ve got some guys that have been doing that, so it’s good to see and all you’re trying to do as a coach is to get them hit their ceiling.
“The great coaches get guys to play above their ceiling consistently, but it’s our job to make sure that whatever they have in the tank, we make sure that we get what they got in the tank. I think a lot of our guys are ascending and playing good football.”
Stills has been more consistent, Gannon said, a frequent refrain for improving young players. The coach sees Stills making the proper first step off the ball, allowing for his explosiveness and strength to factor in.
“If you let that guy punch you first, now you have to get to a counter,” Gannon said. “He’s punching people first now, so I think that just the consistency of doing the right thing and his technique is allowing him to make plays.”
Stills knows he won’t be perfect, but he still wants to attack the “list” of issues he can’t help but see no matter how well he might perform.
Sure, he has a handful of sacks, for instance, but Stills is frustrated with his pass rush, leaving plays in which he should’ve had extra sacks or, at the least, created pressure on the quarterback. He wants to show he was drafted too low and burns to show he should not be a consideration for a game-day inactive.
The Cardinals will be better for it.
“I’m a work in progress,” Stills said.
