As training camp wrapped up, a few Cardinals rookies said they had yet to have a true "welcome to the NFL" moment. Isaiah Simmons certainly had his Sunday, in the Cardinals' 24-20 win over the 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Simmons, the No. 8 pick out of Clemson, got the start. His first play matched him against 49ers tight end George Kittle, and the rookie linebacker was called for a horsecollar tackle.
Then, on the first play of San Francisco's second drive, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo connected with running back Raheem Mostert for a 76-yard touchdown. Mostert shredded the Cardinals defense, and beat Simmons in particular. San Francisco led 10-0 early on.
It was clear how much a lack of a preseason affected the rookie, and coach Kliff Kingsbury knew that.
"There's some things he'll learn, there's no doubt," Kingsbury said. "The game is so different, these guys are phenomenal athletes, every one of them. But he is a talented athlete, he's going to work really hard at it, and just getting better and better. ... Not having an offseason, not having a preseason, there's a lot of things that go against a guy that's learning that position. But he is very sharp, works very hard at it, and I expect him to take some big steps the next couple of weeks."
But overall, even with new faces across the Cardinals roster, the defense came together as the game went on, getting the big stop to seal the win. San Francisco had 366 total net yards, but was just 2 of 11 on third down.
The Cardinals got into a good rhythm on offense, with career days for both quarterback Kyler Murray and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins in their first game together. But Kingsbury said two big moments of the game came from special teams, with a blocked punt early on, and from the defense.
"The other big momentum changer was that goal line stop," Kingsbury said. "That's a tremendous football team, great offensive line, great play caller, great running backs, and for us to get that stop there and be able to push it out a little ways, and keep it close going into halftime, I think those two things really helped us with the game."
The Cardinals held the 24-20 lead when the 49ers got the ball back late in the game. A pass breakup by second-year cornerback Byron Murphy on fourth-and-5 with 37 seconds left made clear that the Cardinals would win their season opener against last year's NFC Champions.
"Last play, I just knew it was going to be a passing down," Murphy said. "The ball came, just made a play."
Cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, who joined the team in the middle of training camp, celebrated as if he were riding a motorcycle on the field. Safety Budda Baker emphasized that even with new faces, this defense feels more connected than before. Murphy has felt that too.
"We've been working so hard this offseason, obviously getting some new guys, and just trusting each other," Murphy said.
And even for new players like Simmons, it's still early in the season.
"I saw resilience," Baker said. "You've got the No. 8 pick going against one of the best tight ends in the league. And he's a rookie with no preseason games. So from him, I saw resilience. I didn't see him get down when he caused that penalty. Next play mentality, very positive. I was very happy for him, and happy we got the W."
Reach the reporter at kfitzgeral@gannett.com or 480-356-6407. Follow her on Twitter @kfitz134.
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Cardinals defense, Simmons struggle at start, but seal win over 49ers - The Arizona Republic
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