National Football League

Arians: Cardinals inquired about Chiefs' QB Smith

Published Dec. 3, 2014 5:39 p.m. ET

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TEMPE, Ariz. -- Bruce Arians told FOX Sports' Alex Marvez on Monday (on SiriusXM NFL Radio) that the Cardinals inquired about quarterback Alex Smith before the 49ers traded him to Kansas City in March of 2013. The Cardinals were quickly told the deal would not happen with a division rival.

Arians said he always liked Smith's arm strength, smarts and athleticism.

"It's just a matter of reps and staying within one system, which he never got to do. He kept changing systems," Arians told Marvez. "That's what kills young quarterbacks. They don't have any success so they fire the coach; they bring in another offense. Well, then the guy's got to start all over again: New fundamentals, new reads, new everything, so he's a rookie again. You've got to give a guy a chance, and he never had that chance."

Smith was the first overall pick in the 2005 draft and played eight seasons in San Francisco for three head coaches: Mike Nolan, Mike Singletary and Jim Harbaugh. The team drafted Colin Kaepernick in 2011, and he became the starter during the 2012 season when Smith suffered a concussion after leading San Francisco to a 6-2 record.

Smith said he was not "fully aware" of trade talk with the Cardinals. 

"Certainly, there was a lot of talk with different teams in that, but I don't know any of the details," he said.

This season, Smith has completed 228 of 350 passes (65.1 percent) for 2,364 yards with 15 touchdowns and just five interceptions and a 92.8 passer rating.

When safety Tyrann Mathieu went down with ACL and LCL tears late last season against the Rams, it was a major blow to the Cardinals' defense. But with Rashad Johnson playing at a Pro Bowl level, Tony Jefferson belying his undrafted status and first-round draft pick Deone Bucannon improving on a weekly basis, the Cardinals are better prepared to handle Mathieu's latest injury.

"We're well equipped," Johnson said. "Early in the season, Tony came in and started, played well. Now it's just his opportunity to get more reps."

While Mathieu was recovering from offseason surgery and Bucannon was still learning defensive coordinator Todd Bowles' system, Jefferson played the majority of the snaps each game. Lately, that count has fluctuated.

"It's just back to where it was," Jefferson said of his role that Mathieu is out. "I'm excited to get back out there and have more opportunities to make plays."

Mathieu will need surgery on his broken thumb and will miss at least two weeks recovering, after which he could play in a cast.

With starting running back Andre Ellington unlikely to play Sunday with a bad hip pointer, the Cardinals may have to turn to former ASU standout Marion Grice, who carried five times for 16 yards against the Falcons and caught three passes for 24 yards, including a 15-yarder.

"I thought he played very well," Arians said. "He ran the ball hard, he did a nice job on the screens, made an explosive play. He's progressing nicely."

Stepfan Taylor will also have a key role. The Cardinals did not use Robert Hughes at all against Atlanta, but newly signed power back Michael Bush could see some time.

"I'm anxious for the game," Bush said. "This is kind of like an Allen Iverson moment here. This is a practice. A game is more physical contact. You get tackled, you really get a feel for somebody bringing it to you.

"(Bruce) calls the shots. Whatever they decide, I just have to make sure I'm ready for it."

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