Ross Tucker let out an audible gasp once the ball left Spencer Rattler’s hand.
The CBS color commentator saw cornerback Will Johnson eye the route which led to Johnson’s massive hit on the Saints wide receiver Chris Olave. Tucker’s reaction was one felt throughout the stadium and on social media.
Both Rattler and Olave never saw it coming.
“We are coached on if that nickel comes and that end squeezes, we are throwing that out there,” the Saints quarterback said. “They had the perfect call for that play. And it kind of caught us off guard with that. I’m just happy first that it wasn’t a backward pass and second that he’s healthy after it.”
Johnson said the play wasn’t necessarily scouted. “When you do so much game planning, you kind of just feel for it,” the rookie said.
Johnson’s hit wasn’t just a message sent to the Saints, who targeted him seven times during his NFL debut. It was also a statement to the teams that allowed a first-round talent slide to pick No. 47.
His 90.2 grade by Pro Football Focus was the highest for any Cardinals player and the highest-rated rookie defender in the league prior to “Monday Night Football.” Most importantly, the team opened the season with a 20-13 victory.
“It was amazing,” Johnson said of playing in his first NFL game. “Our goal this week was to go out there and get a win. We got the job done. Now it’s time to go back, get our bodies right, and prepare for this next week.”
Johnson was on the field for 45 snaps. He had three passes defended and an interception, although it was negated by a penalty. He becomes the first Cardinals defender since at least 2000 to have three-plus passes defended in his NFL debut.
Collectively, the Cardinals lead the NFL with nine passes defended. They finished 23rd in the NFL last season with 63 pass breakups.
“I thought (the secondary) played well,” coach Jonathan Gannon said. “I thought when it was time to get tight, we got tight and denied the ball, which was good to see.”