In the Week 11 win over Washington, linebacker Trent Cole registered his first multi-sack game since December 2011.
Cole made the transition from 4-3 defensive end to 3-4 outside linebacker and had been very successful against the run and creating pressure on the quarterback. He is ranked by Pro Football Focus as the best 3-4 outside linebacker against the run and tied for third on the team with seven quarterback hurries.
But the two-time Pro Bowl selection has been known for hunting quarterbacks. He is third in franchise history behind only Reggie White and Clyde Simmons. Entering the Washington game, Cole had only posted one sack in 2013. That's why Cole's two-sack performance against Pro Bowl tackle Trent Williams was very rewarding.
"Throughout the season, it's been rough. I've been trying my hardest to get there, but I'm playing a new position and learning," Cole said.
Cole explained that the biggest difference is learning how to rush in the 3-4 base. Cole said that the light went on during that Washington game.
"I had to learn to rush with two other guys," Cole said. "When you rush with three guys, I would get back there and there are plenty of places for the quarterback to leak out."
Cole essentially changed his rush technique, but he didn't want to give it away.
"It's a secret so I can keep having success at it," he said.
Arizona quarterback Carson Palmer has been sacked 30 times this season. Only Carolina's Cam Newton has been sacked more times (31) among NFC quarterbacks.
