ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals DC looking for rookie Jamell Fleming to ‘grow up’

Dec 14, 2012, 8:49 PM | Updated: 9:08 pm

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Jamell Fleming has hit a rough patch late in his rookie season.

Defensive coordinator Ray Horton described Fleming’s play early in the year as “spectacular,” but thinks the corner since has had “a sense of lull” or “complacency” as of late.

“I think he probably thought there is nothing to this league. I don’t have to prepare, I don’t have to study, I don’t have to challenge myself and you really do every day or you get run by,” Horton said.

The Cardinals selected the former Oklahoma Sooner in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft, but Horton doesn’t want the young cornerback to act like a rookie anymore.

“I need him to grow up, mature, be a professional and in my opinion, he is not at that point yet,” Horton said. “We had a long talk yesterday, so it will be interesting to see how he performs.”

Fleming said that he had no argument with what Horton told him.

“Him being honest is what I want,” Fleming said. “I don’t want him to lie to me and tell me something I want to hear.”

Horton said he challenged Fleming to be a very good special teams player and wanted to see what the rookie could do on Sunday.

“Whenever they put me in, that’s where I am going to make my mark,” Fleming said. “I’m just trying to get better.”

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Desmond Ridder runs the rock against Houston...

Tyler Drake

Desmond Ridder eager to remind fellow Cardinals QB Clayton Tune about college wins

Cardinals quarterback Desmond Ridder may not know Kyler Murray just yet, but he and Clayton Tune go way back.

1 day ago

LSU's Malik Nabers, a top NFL Draft prospect...

Kevin Zimmerman

NFL Draft: Malik Nabers to visit Arizona Cardinals after LSU pro day, per report

Top NFL Draft receiver prospect Malik Nabers will reportedly visit with the Arizona Cardinals after the LSU Tigers' pro day.

1 day ago

Desmond Ridder looks to pass...

Tyler Drake

QB1 or not, Desmond Ridder keeping starter mentality with Cardinals

New Cardinals QB Desmond Ridder is focused on using the good and the bad from his first two seasons rather than listening to outside chatter.

2 days ago

Jonathan Gannon and Kyler Murray look on...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Jonathan Gannon: Kyler Murray’s ‘best football is ahead of him’

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon believes Kyler Murray will continue taking the necessary steps forward with a full offseason of work.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray chats with Jonathan Gannon...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals will face ‘really good’ AFC opponent for joint preseason practices

The Arizona Cardinals expect to hold joint practices in the preseason against a really good AFC opponent, in the words of Jonathan Gannon.

2 days ago

Patriots and Cardinals kick off return in 2020...

Associated Press

NFL owners approve new kickoff rules for 2024

NFL kickoff rules will take on a hybrid approach similar to the XFL. League owners approved the new measures Tuesday.

2 days ago

Cardinals DC looking for rookie Jamell Fleming to ‘grow up’