Cardinals' Kingsbury: Fans are going to see 'different side' of Rondale Moore in 2022

One of the priorities Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury placed on this week’s round of on-field workouts during Arizona’s second stint of organized team activities was adding a series of new wrinkles to the offense. It’s going to look a little different, Kingsbury said, without offering any details.

But by implementing the adjustments now instead of waiting to do it when the team reassembles later this summer for training camp, it’s Kingsbury’s hope that the early head start will get things off the ground faster and the Cardinals can further fine-tune things once they finally get to State Farm Stadium.

It’s been going so well at the moment, Kingsbury can only imagine how better it will look when the finishing touches are made.

“Yeah, I was talking to our assistants about Week 7 when Hop (DeAndre Hopkins) gets back, them trying to help me when everybody’s cussing me out for not getting enough targets,” Kingsbury said. “It’s going to be one of those deals when you look at (Zach) Ertz and A.J. (Green) and Hop and Hollywood (Brown) and Rondale (Moore) and James Conner. It’s a good problem to have.”

Though it’s anyone’s guess just how different Kingsbury’s offense will look in 2022, Cardinals fans can expect to see a lot more out of Moore than they did last season during his rookie year. After tying Hopkins for fourth on the team in total targets (64), Moore is going to get extended playing time in an expanded role, especially during the first six weeks of the season while Hopkins is serving a suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on performance enhancing drugs.

“He wanted to play more,” Kingsbury said. “We had all those guys playing at a really high level, Christian (Kirk) and Hop and A.J. But he’s worked really hard this offseason. He feels he can step into Christian’s role and play at a really high level inside there. And we need him to.

“I just think the confidence is high right now and he knows he’s got a big opportunity.”

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The 5-foot-7 Moore is pegged to be Arizona’s primary slot receiver, a position where Kirk thrived a year ago to the tune of a career-high 77 receptions and 982 receiving yards. Those numbers led to even bigger numbers for Kirk this offseason in the form of a four-year, $72 million free-agent contract with the Jaguars.

Moore, the Cardinals’ second-round pick out of Purdue who finished with 54 catches for 435 yards and a touchdown, is excited about a bigger role in the offense. He doesn’t feel the need to be the next Kirk, however.

“I’ve really just being working on myself to get better, route running, playbook, learning more about my teammates,” he said. “I’m not here to replace anyone or be like anybody, just be myself, and just go out there and play as hard as I can and continue to build relationships.”

Moore wasn’t ashamed to admit he was disappointed his playing time dipped as a rookie after the first couple weeks of the season.

“Sure, you can say that,” he said. “Every player in this league wants to be a ‘guy,’ so I think I speak for everyone when I say you want to go out there and catch as many footballs and touchdowns and win as many games as you can.”

So why did Moore get phased out of the mix last season, especially during the second half of the year?

“We utilized him in different ways than we will this year,” Kingsbury said. “We kind of got it to him in space and did some things and used him on some check downs, but he’s a dynamic route runner. I think that’s what people are going to see. He’s really good getting out of his cuts, good at the top of routes, so I think people are going to see a different side of him.”

With Hopkins and Brown manning two starting spots on the outside and Green also getting targets as a savvy veteran pass catcher, Moore can expect to get plenty of opportunities in one-on-one coverage where he can exploit various mismatches against linebackers and other defenders.

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His speed and shiftiness give him a distinct advantage there, but he also knows the best way to get more results is by being able to be counted upon.

“I’ve learned that the best thing in this league is being available, so I took it on myself to start doing Pilates,” Moore said, revealing he’s been working closely with a chiropractor and a stretching expert to keep his body in top condition. “I’m doing a lot of different things to make sure I’m ready when my name is called.”

As for the new tweaks to the offense, Moore says “It’ll be a ton of fun,” adding, “Obviously, we had some additions this offseason with Marquise being one and it’ll be a ton of fun to get out there and play with him and see what Kliff and the guys upstairs can dial up for us.”

Moore said his locker is situated right next to Brown and that the two have already been able to strike up a friendship.

“Great dude, solid guy. Works hard,” Moore said of Brown, whom the Cardinals acquired from the Ravens in exchange for a first-round draft pick. “He came in, asks questions, and adds that humility as a guy who’s been in the league going on his fourth year. Just adding that humility, set his pride aside and come in and wants to learn, wants to work and it’s exciting to see. He’s been nothing but great for me.”

What isn’t great is Hopkins’ six-game suspension. It’s going to be a difficult task to navigate the first month and a half of the season without him, especially the first three games when the Cardinals open at home against the Chiefs, travel to Las Vegas to play the Raiders and return home to face the Super Bowl champion Rams.

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“It sucks,” Moore said. “I think Hop is a top three receiver in this league so it sucks not to have him as a player, obviously, and as an extra voice out there. He does a great job of recognizing what’s going on and giving advice and things like that.

“It’ll be tough, but I have the utmost confidence in the guys we do have, so we’ll figure out a way and we’ll be really excited to get him back.”

Have an opinion on the Arizona Cardinals? Reach McManaman at bob.mcmanaman@arizonarepublic.com and follow him on Twitter @azbobbymac. Listen to him live on Fox Sports 910-AM every Tuesday afternoon at 3:30 on Calling All Sports with Roc and Manuch. 

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