After starting the 2012 season 4-0, the Arizona Cardinals declined greatly and finished the season with a 5-11 record, which was the worst in the NFC West, and resulted in head coach Ken Whisenhunt being fired. However, despite the fact that many overlook the Cardinals as a dangerous team because they are competing in the loaded NFC West, I expect the Cardinals to improve this season. Their offense has been upgraded this offseason and their defense – one of the league’s best units last season ranking 12th in average yards allowed per game – has also improved.
The Cardinals’ 2012 season was epitomised by their inconsistent play at quarterback; Arizona’s quarterback position was like a rotating door all year, with John Skelton, Kevin Kolb, Ryan Lindley and Brian Hoyer all taking snaps. The result was an offensive disaster as the Cardinals finished 28th in the NFL in passing offense, and last in total offensive yards. Arizona attempted to address their weakness at quarterback by acquiring Carson Palmer from the Oakland Raiders in exchange for draft picks. Palmer, 33, is still an able quarterback. Last year for the Raiders he threw for over 4,000 yards, 22 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. He is a massive upgrade at the position for the Cardinals.
Palmer has stepped into an offense in dire need of improvement; however, he has the benefit of improved personnel. Larry Fitzgerald remains one of the league’s best receivers, while Andre Roberts and Michael Floyd complete what is one of the league’s better receiving groups. Michael Floyd is expected to have a big year in his sophomore season after a solid rookie campaign in which he posted 562 receiving yards despite the poor play at quarterback. Both Palmer and new coach Bruce Arians have been raving about Floyd this offseason, with the latter stating recently that Floyd has “improved dramatically” from his rookie year.
In 2012 the Cardinals had the NFL’s worst rushing attack. The addition of running back Rashard Mendenhall should help improve the Cardinals’ running game – if he can stay healthy. If Mendenhall goes down injured, Arizona can count on their rookie running backs Stepfan Taylor and Andre Ellington to fill the void, as both have looked strong so far in preseason. In week one of preseason against the Green Bay Packers, Taylor amassed 64 yards rushing – the game’s highest individual total – on 20 carries. In week two of preseason, Ellington also looked dangerous. Expect these backs to push Mendenhall for playing time.
The Cardinals will benefit from an improved offensive line in 2013. The group conceded a league-high 58 sacks, along with 97 quarterback hits in 2012. Jonathan Cooper, (G, North Carolina) the team’s first-round draft pick this year, instantly improves the Cardinals’ offensive line with his strength and athleticism. His ability to play either guard or centre will also be of use to the Cards. Moreover, Levi Brown’s return from injury along with the free agency addition of Eric Winston – a six-year starter – further solidifies this group. Arians and the Cardinals have addressed perhaps their most pressing need from 2012 and their offensive line figures to be one of their strengths in 2013.
Defensively, the Cardinals have done well this offseason. They have held onto most of their 2012 defensive starters while drafting difference makers. Tyrann Mathieu, one of the 2013 Draft’s most intriguing yet divisive players, has been making noise all training camp and backed that up with a stellar performance against Green Bay last week. Mathieu is being used as a safety in Arizona in light of Adrian Wilson and Kerry Rhodes’ departures, and his instincts and playmaking ability could pay great dividends for the Cardinals. Second-round pick Kevin Minter (LB, LSU) provides depth and should develop into a quality starter. Minter will likely see action early on in the season due to Daryl Washington’s four game suspension.
The addition of Karlos Dansby, who begins his second spell in Arizona, adds more depth to Arizona’s linebacker corps. Dansby is still a good player and I expect him to compete with Minter for a starting role in the regular season.
The biggest change in the desert this offseason has been the coaching change from Ken Whisenhunt to Bruce Arians. Arians steps into his coaching role after a season in which he led the Indianapolis Colts to a playoff berth as interim head coach. In the recent future he has coached quarterbacks such as Andrew Luck and Ben Roethlisberger to success, and I think he will have similar success with Palmer. If he can do so this team will win as most of the pieces are in place on offense and their defense is stout.
This season, the Cardinals will improve on their 5-11 record from 2012; how much they improve on it, however, is a different matter. As an NFC West team, the Cardinals will face stiff competition from all three teams in their division, and if they can win even half of their division games they will have done well. Their schedule outside of their division rivals is also a difficult one, with arduous games to be expected in particular from the New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, Houston Texans, and the Indianapolis Colts in weeks three, eight, ten and twelve respectively. Games against the Detroit Lions and the Jacksonville Jaguars are must win games if the team wishes to get much from the 2013 season.
Ultimately with such a difficult schedule I don’t expect the Cardinals to finish with a playoff berth, however the team does have games it can win. After such a disappointing 2012, Arizona fans can rest assured that their team has vastly improved coming into 2013, and I feel they pose a difficult challenge to any NFL team.
This article was written by Rhys Norman. You can follow him on Twitter @RhysNorman1 and also follow @cippinonsports.
