Emari Demercado can’t say exactly why he evolved into such a good pass protector, because, as he bluntly noted, “I sucked at it in college.”
The running back knows what he has to do to be a success, though. When that guy is coming through, often outweighing Demercado by 30 or 40 pounds, Demercado knows he must hit his man head on. It’s the only path to get through the play.
For Demercado, it also served him after the biggest mistake of his three-year career, dropping the ball just short of the goal line on what should have been a 72-yard touchdown run against the Titans, costing the Cardinals a touchdown in a game where the score would’ve salted a victory away.
Fans wanted Demercado to be released, lashing out in anger over social media. But the one-time undrafted rookie was on the roster for a reason. The Cardinals needed him. And that was emphasized again Monday in the win over the Cowboys, when Demercado rushed for a team-best 79 yards on only 14 carries and provided QB Jacoby Brissett with a number of key blocks that helped make the passing game go.
“I put who I am back on tape,” the understated Demercado said. “You make one mistake and the whole world kind of flames you for it. (Monday was) to set the record straight.”
Demercado, like he did postgame against the Titans, calmly spoke to the media this week answering all the questions again. The weeks since the Titans play have not been pleasant.
“He’s been dealing with it way better than I would have,” said fellow running back Trey Benson, who said Demercado is one of his best friends. “He never let it get to him. I probably would’ve deleted by Instagram. I’m proud of him.”
The social component looms large for today’s athlete. Mess up in a game, and the video will live forever. The team’s fans will be upset. People rage about missed chances for their fantasy team or their parlay. Demercado turned off his notifications – “It’s really peaceful,” he said with a slight smile – but that didn’t mean he didn’t see the nastiness.
“People say a lot of ugly things,” he said, adding “it got pretty bad. I won’t sugarcoat it.”