Big Red
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- Mar 16, 2019
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Keim said he never actively shopped Rosen in trade prior to the draft, but had conversations with multiple teams from the Scouting combine on the subject. "A team has to make a hard offer, and I always leave that door open," Keim added.
Isabella isn’t big, officially 5-foot-9 and 188 pounds. But he put up big numbers at UMass as a senior, with 102 catches for 1,698 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also can fly, posting a 4.31 40-yard dash at the Scouting combine and giving the Cardinals the speed as a deep threat.
The Cardinals know Isabella well; new Cardinals offensive quality control coach Spencer Whipple was the UMass passing game coordinator during Isabella’s college career and served as Isabella’s position coach through Isabella’s junior year.
“They were definitely on my radar,” Isabella said. “I didn’t think it was going to happen, but hey, I can’t wait to be a Cardinal."
Keim said Isabella "brings a different skillset we don't currently have, which is the footspeed and explosiveness to take the top off." Keim said Isabella, despite playing at a small school, was productive against the bigger programs he played against and showed well at the Senior Bowl.
Isabella said he expects to line up in the slot, and that during his Scouting combine meeting he got a chance to talk about Kliff Kingsbury’s offense with Kingsbury himself. Isabella also went to lunch with Cardinals receivers coach David Raih after UMass’ pro day.
Kingsbury said Isabella has the ability to play inside and outside. Some pundits connected Isabella with the Patriots given his stature, his college and even have compared him to Patriots star Julian Edelman.
“That’s a cool comparison,” Isabella said. “He’s probably going to be a Hall of Famer. That’s something I’d love to be, maybe.”
He brushed aside being part of the Rosen trade, saying “I’m just here to play.” Besides, his thoughts were on his new teammate and the Cardinals’ new quarterback, Kyler Murray.
“I was kind of star-struck, walking around with him at the combine,” Isabella said. “Never got to talk to him but I can’t wait to play with him.”
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