Arizona Cardinals: Deonne Bucannon trying to be too perfect
By Cory Buck
Deonne Bucannon was drafted into a great situation by a team that’s hoping to make the leap from good to great. If the rookie safety can have a strong impact on a stellar secondary for the Arizona Cardinals, the team could once more contend in the tough NFC West.
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However, if Bucannon is going to have the desired impact on this defense, he’ll first need to take a step back and remember what made him a first round pick in the NFL. His biggest problem? Perfectionism.
Head coach Bruce Arians told the Arizona Cardinals’ website, “(Deone has) only got one problem — He is so much a perfectionist. It is paralysis by analysis right now because he wants to do everything just perfect. Even Tyrann (Mathieu) told him, ‘Just play.’ You can’t play perfect all the time. But you do love that about him.”
When Tyrann Mathieu is giving you advice, you know it’s time to reconsider your approach.
With Mathieu, Patrick Peterson, and Antonio Cromartie already in the fold, the Cardinals could very well have a defense that stands up to the likes of Seattle and San Francisco in their own division. It’s certainly built in the Seattle mold of possessing a freakish secondary that supports a strong front seven.
Now, the only question is execution.
The Cardinals have an open spot on their roster for a safety and it appears that Deonne Bucannon will be afforded every opportunity to take that starting spot.
Like many rookies, Bucannon needs to step back, slow down, and show these coaches the game they thought they were getting when they drafted him in the first round.