The Arizona Cardinals faced a stunning defeat against the Tennessee Titans in their recent game, losing 22-21. Following this disappointing outcome, head coach Jonathan Gannon issued an apology to running back Emari Demercado during a team meeting. This came after Demercado controversially dropped the ball just before scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Gannon’s Apology to Demercado
In a heartfelt team meeting, Gannon acknowledged his reaction towards Demercado. The incident unfolded when Demercado failed to secure a 72-yard touchdown that would have extended the Cardinals’ lead to 28-6 with approximately 12 minutes left in the fourth quarter. Instead, this play shifted momentum to the Titans, who capitalized on the miscue to score and mount a comeback.
Coach’s Reflection on His Actions
Gannon expressed regret for his emotional response. “I woke up this morning and didn’t feel great about it,” he stated. He intended to maintain composure but admitted that the moment got the better of him. The coach emphasized the importance of executing plays and maintaining standards within the team.
- Demercado’s drop occurred in the fourth quarter.
- Cardinals led 22-6 before the incident.
- Teams with a 22-point lead in the fourth are 1,276-1 over the last 25 seasons.
- This loss marked one of the worst in franchise history.
Team Dynamics Post-Defeat
Gannon chose not to bench Demercado despite the blunder, noting that all players make mistakes. He affirmed that the focus should remain on teamwork and learning from errors. Gannon also mentioned other challenges faced during the game, including penalties and execution mistakes.
Injury Update
In addition to the on-field struggles, Gannon announced that second-year tight end Tip Reiman will be placed on injured reserve due to an ankle injury. This development is seen as a significant loss for the Cardinals.
As the team moves forward, both Gannon and Demercado aim to address these challenges and enhance their performance in future games.
