TEM PE Trevon Wesco Jersey , Ariz. (AP) — Too small, too slow. Christian Kirk is well aware of what critics said to him going into this year’s NFL draft.They’re right in front of him every day as he leaves home.“I have a blackboard at my house that has it all written up,” he said. “It’s all right where I leave for the door every day.”He hasn’t forgotten that five receivers were drafted ahead of him.“I thought I was the best and I’m out to prove that,” Kirk said.He is off to a good start on a not-so-good team. Halfway through the season, his 31 catches and 410 yards receiving rank second among NFL rookie wide receivers behind only Atlanta’s Calvin Ridley (33 catches, 463 yards). And Kirk has done it on a team that ranks last in the NFL in offense and next-to-last in passing offense.“This guy is the ultimate pro,” coach Steve Wilks said. “You look at rookies coming in really trying to find their way. This guy works hard each and every day, trying to take care of his body, trying to prep himself. I think, really, the opportunities that he has been getting Shareef Miller Jersey , he’s taking advantage of them, meaning the throws, the catches. He’s finishing those plays, which is great.”In his previous game, a week ago Sunday, Kirk broke free in the back of the end zone and caught a 9-yard touchdown pass from fellow rookie Josh Rosen with 34 seconds to play, the winning score in an 18-15 victory over San Francisco.The Cardinals (2-6), who play at Kansas City (8-1) on Sunday, had last weekend off.“I went back this week and actually watched the Washington game (the season opener),” Kirk said, “just seeing where I was at then until now. It’s night and day. So I feel like every week I’m progressing and I still want to do that throughout the season.”Kirk has lots of hometown support. He grew up in suburban Phoenix before choosing Texas A&M over Arizona State in high school.He has developed a close relationship with Rosen Zach Brown Jersey , who took over as starting quarterback in Week 4.“I love Christian,” Rosen said after Wednesday’s practice. “We’re on the same page about everything. We hang out off the field. Football’s a very social game, and I think sometimes we can pick each other up and get each other going whenever we might be sputtering a little bit. Football’s a game of relationships, so it’s good to have a strong one.”Kirk, after a standout career at Texas A&M, was drafted by Arizona in the second round, the 47th player chosen overall. He stands 5-foot-11 and weighs 200 pounds and there were concerns about that and his speed among pro scouts.Not for the Cardinals though, Wilks said.“Not at all,” he said. “It may have been a concern with other teams, but not with us. We felt like he had speed. I know that was a question: ‘He’s just a slot receiver.’ (But) he’s shown he can take the top off.”Rosen, who has his own thoughts about quarterbacks drafted ahead of him Devin Bush Jersey , said people sometimes look for the wrong things when evaluating a player.“I think sometimes you just have to turn on tape and watch guys play,” he said. “(Kansas City’s) Tyreek Hill on the other side is one of the best receivers in football right now, and he’s tiny. He’s unbelievable. I think they’re different kinds of receivers, but just in the sense that I think a lot of guys look at the wrong things. If you turn on Christian’s tape from college, he’s ripping people up and down the field.” CINCINNATI (AP) — Lou Anarumo was working on the New York Giants’ offseason plans when he got a call from an old friend from Miami. Zac Taylor wondered if he would be interested in discussing the job as the Cincinnati Bengals‘ defensive coordinator.A week later, he got the job, ending the Bengals’ lengthy search for someone to handle the defense.Anarumo was hired Thursday as the Bengals’ fourth defensive coordinator in the last three years, an indication of how much they have struggled with that unit. Head coach Marvin Lewis took over the role midway through last season after Teryl Austin was fired, and Lewis was let go at the end of the season.The 35-year-old Taylor became Lewis’ replacement, coming over from the Los Angeles Rams, where he was quarterbacks coach. One of his most important hires — handing the defense to someone — lasted several weeks and included several candidates who were passed over or uninterested.The Bengals had to wait until after the Super Bowl to hire Taylor Diontae Johnson Jersey , which left them with the challenge of filling out their coaching staff. Other teams had already hired coaches and filled out their staffs, limiting the pool of candidates.“It was easy to hire some guys on offense because I knew them all along,” Taylor said. “But I just wanted to start that process when the game ended. It feels it’s gone on forever because we’re the last team to make these hires, but in reality, it’s taken the same amount of time you’d normally take with a new head coach.”Taylor and Anarumo became acquainted when they were assistants with the Dolphins. Anarumo was defensive backs coach for the Dolphins from 2012-17 and served as interim defensive coordinator in Miami for the final 12 games in 2015. The two of them talked often while on staff.“I always thought the world of Lou,” Taylor said. “It’s no surprise that we’re working together here.”Neither of the Bengals’ two coordinators — Anarumo or Brian Callahan on offense — has held the spot for a full season. Anarumo isn’t familiar with the Bengals’ defensive players because the Giants didn’t play Cincinnati last season.“I haven’t gotten to there yet, to be quite honest,” he said.Anarumo figures he can lean on his coaching career and those who have mentored him to help him adapt to the new job.“I have some things I can go to based on experience, and I have guys I can call,” he said.