Rookie Jamell Fleming has work to do

The Arizona Cardinals are coming off of a 58-0 shellacking against the Seattle Seahawks, leaving defensive coordinator Ray Horton looking for answers on the defensive end, specifically the defensive back position. The team had hoped rookie Jamell Fleming could help, but Ray Horton believes the cornerback has work to do, via Darren Urban of Word From The Birds Blog.

Fleming, selected in the third round of the 2012 draft out of Oklahoma, has played in 11 games, but did not appear in Sunday's loss against the Seahawks. Fleming impressed early in the season, but his performance has slowly been spiralling down since the team's win over the New England Patriots.

Cardinals defensive coordinator Ray Horton says it is because the rookie became complacent, and the coach is using the media to get his message across to the rookie: grow up.

"I need him to grow-up, mature and be professional and in my opinion he's not at that point yet," Horton said bluntly. "He came in and was very productive, very productive in the New England game. I think he had a sense of lull or complacency. I talked to him about that.

Arizona, now on a nine-game losing streak, will host the Detroit Lions at University of Phoenix Stadium on Sunday.