By Clif Bennett, A Guy on the Sideline
I’ve had it.
So many of the “experts” say the Cardinals are doomed. Then I look at what the new HC and revitalized GM have done since those experts weighed in, and wonder if those doomsday predictions are outdated.
Flashback to January:
No Head Coach, no Quarterbacks (None. Zero.), an aging O-line, an injured
superstar RB1, a hall-of-fame WR considering retirement, a TE1 coming off an
Achilles injury…and that’s just the offense.
Fast forward to OTAs:
QB: Arguably the most accurate pure passer in the game, an above average
backup, and a Top-5 QBOTF
RB: 100%-healthy dual-threat 2016 MVP Candidate
WR: 1 st Ballot HOF still catching 1,000+ yards per season, 1 st Round slot &
return talent found in the 2 nd , two sub-4.4 40-yard speedsters
O-line: New RG, RT, and NFL-ready Center
Every one of these players and positions can certainly be counterargued, but the
point is this: so much has changed. As such, the best thing to do is simply update
the situation with as much objectivity as a die-hard fan can muster. Here goes:
Arizona now has a Top-10 QB room – Sam Bradford is arguably the most accurate
pure passer in the game and wins games when healthy. Mike Glennon isn’t quite
starter material, but he’s way above average in terms of backups. Josh Rosen is a
hungry and talented QBOTF from a deep draft class.
Arizona’s RB1 was an MVP Candidate in 2016 – David Johnson missed most of
last season with a rarely-seen wrist injury. Prior to that, he was putting up numbers
that were on pace for the Hall of Fame. His dual-threat abilities and rare
combination of size, speed, strength, and skill make him a projected Top-5 RB.
Backups T.J. Logan, Chase Edmonds, and the introduction of a fullback in Derrick
Coleman (something DJ has never had) allow him to rest when needed.
Arizona’s WR1 is 1 st Ballot HOF still having 1,000+ yard seasons – Larry
Fitzgerald’s work ethic, meticulous fitness regimes, and raw athleticism has seen
him play into his mid-30s. More importantly, he has continued to play well.
Obviously why Fitzgerald stuck around is his business, but the likelihood of him
staying if he didn’t think the Cardinals have a chance seems low indeed.
Arizona had a Top-5 Defense last year, with very little turnover – “Experts”
were skeptical, even critical, of Arizona defense last year because of James
Bettcher’s “youth and inexperience”. Now, they’re critical of Arizona defense
because he’s gone. Something doesn’t add up. What does add up is this: the
overwhelming majority of defensive starters are returning. And with them a head
coach and DC who made their name in the league—and ultimately landed the
Arizona job—via defensive success. Not to mention some high-upside replacements
(if not upgrades) for departed starters.
So back to the original question: Are the Cardinals contending or rebuilding?
The answer is both…they need further development before being considered
serious contenders, but if injuries are kept to a minimum and the new regime
employs a smart, effective game plan that players buy into, winning 10-11 games is
not out of the question.