Arizona Cardinals are preparing for sloppy turf in Charlotte
The field conditions at Bank of America Stadium became a big topic of discussion after some Seattle Seahawks complained about their footing in Sunday’s divisional-round playoff game.
Most Arizona Cardinals said the only real precaution about this is preparing to play in shoes with deep spikes when they play the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.
But running back David Johnson said field conditions could change how he carries the ball.
“I got the seven studs – they’re a longer cleat for me to be able to grip the ground better,” Johnson said.
“Also, keeping my feet under my body or my center of gravity and not reaching out so much. Probably just running downfield a little bit more, not trying to juke as much.”
The (turf) conditions aren’t going to play a part in who wins or not. It’s something we’re definitely not even worried about. They’ve got to play in it just like we do. So, I don’t think it’s an advantage either way.
Cardinals cornerback Jerraud Powers
Cardinals cornerback Jerraud Powers said field conditions were similarly sloppy for the playoff game in Charlotte a year ago, so this shouldn’t throw either team off.
“Last year when we played them in the playoffs, it was similar. It was wet, a soft field,” Powers said.
“We had to face the same thing, and that was a close game until the end of the fourth quarter. So the conditions aren’t going to play a part in who wins or not. It’s something we’re definitely not even worried about.
“They’ve got to play in it just like we do. So, I don’t think it’s an advantage either way.”
Road Warriors: The Cardinals are 7-1 on the road this season, with a better winning percentage than at University of Phoenix Stadium, where they are 7-2.
“I think it’s just the maturity of our team. We feel like we can go anywhere and play well,” Powers said of the road results.
“We try not to let outside distractions, as far as the crowd noise and everything like that, play a part in how we play the game. I think you should go into away games with an attitude, knowing that everybody in the stadium is against you and your backs are against the wall. The only way you can win is fight your way out of it, and that’s just been our mentality on the road this year.”
The Cardinals normally fly out on Fridays when playing on the East Coast, but since Sunday’s game is a 6:40 p.m. kickoff in Charlotte, they will instead fly out Saturday.
This story was originally published January 19, 2016 at 5:51 PM with the headline "Arizona Cardinals are preparing for sloppy turf in Charlotte."