Christian Kirk on fast career start with Cardinals: ‘I just wanted to be an impact player for this team’

The Arizona Cardinals wish their record was much better than 1-4, but they must be pleased with the results of their offseason search for a No. 2 wide receiver behind Larry Fitzgerald.

The Cardinals made Christian Kirk, a former Texas A&M standout, their second-round draft pick to fill that role and his performance so far has been impressive.

‘Just being able to go out there and then make the most of the opportunities that I’m given’

Kirk is tied for the NFL lead among rookies with 19 receptions (including a 75-yard touchdown from fellow rookie Josh Rosen on the first play of Sunday’s 28-18 victory against San Francisco) for 234 yards, which rank second among first-year receivers behind only the 304 of Calvin Ridley of the Atlanta Falcons. How has he done it?

“I think, just in my approach and just being able to work and knowing that since Day One that I just wanted to be an impact player for this team and go there and help win football games,” Kirk told Alex Marvez and Gil Brandt on Late Hits. “And get to learn from one of the greatest receivers to ever play the game every single day in our room and just being able to learn from Larry and being able to have a guy like that when you’re watching film and just learning defenses and techniques and what not. It just helps that much more. Just being able to go out there and then make the most of the opportunities that I’m given.”

‘(Josh Rosen) is tough, he’s smart and he’s a winner’

Kirk believes the Cardinals received a “huge spark” by making Rosen their starting quarterback.

“He’s just brought new life,” Kirk said. “He has that confidence about him. He’s tough, he’s smart and he’s a winner. He’s a competitor and he just goes out there and he shows everyone why he’s one of the best players coming out. And he continues to just keep working and help lead this team because he wants to win and that’s what you want to see from your quarterback.

‘Everybody loves being around him and he just brings that kind of presence that you want to be around’

“He’s different in the sense to where he just thinks differently. Very calculated, just always puts a lot of thought to what he’s saying, what he’s doing and he’s just always thinking outside of the box and he just brings a different perspective and mindset to things. And it’s pretty awesome to see and to hear just some of the things that he has input-wise and he’s just a good guy to be around, a genuine person and you could see it just with his relationship with a majority of the guys in the locker room. Everybody loves being around him and he just brings that kind of presence that you’d want to be around.”