The NFL is back, and Sportsnet is breaking down everything you need to know about each of the 32 teams—including why you should or shouldn’t be rooting for them this season—in the month leading up to kickoff on Thursday, Sept. 8. Today, in our final preview, the Arizona Cardinals.
Last year’s record: 13-3
Head coach: Bruce Arians
Core players: Carson Palmer (QB), Larry Fitzgerald (WR), Mike Iupati (OG), Patrick Peterson (CB), Tyrann Mathieu (FS/CB), Calais Campbell (DE)
2016 is about… Putting it all together. The Cardinals have made incremental improvements in each year since Arians came on board and anything less than a Super Bowl victory in his fourth season there is unacceptable. They had a team that looked capable of winning it all in 2015 but a 49-15 beat down at the hands of Cam Newton and the Panthers was a deflating way to go out. This roster is largely unchanged so there won’t be a feeling out process or lack of chemistry.
They lost… Dwight Freeney, a quality mid-season addition from last year. He had a whopping eight sacks in just 11 appearances and signed with the Falcons in the summer. Right tackle Bobby Massie and centre Ted Larsen are both with the Bears now but Arians suggested in August the Cardinals’ run game will be better without them. Safety Rashad Johnson and corner Jerraud Powers were steady contributors in the secondary but they’re now in Tennessee and Baltimore, respectively. With Tony Jefferson and Tyvon Branch – not to mention Peterson and Mathieu – they won’t be missed too much.
But they got… Chandler Jones from the Patriots for Jonathan Cooper and a second-round pick. The team’s biggest off-season addition has been welcomed to the team with open arms and really improves a pass rush that ranked 20th in sacks.
“He’s a coach-pleaser. He’s extremely talented, obviously, but I’ve been very impressed with the way he’s fit in with our group and our culture right away,” Arians said. “He sets an edge presence for us. Playing outside linebacker, defensive end, he’s obviously very versatile where you can put him. But, he’s adapted well to playing outside linebacker for us and also in our nickel and dime packages being an edge rusher. It’s something that we were looking for. He has the length and the skillset to rush the passer.”
Veteran guard Evan Mathis is a boost to what was already a solid offensive line. Mathis helped Denver to a Super Bowl win and was the top-rated run-blocking guard in 2015, according to Pro Football Focus.
Growing from within… David Johnson was truly impressive in the second half of his rookie campaign. The third-round pick out of Northern Iowa is powerful between the tackles, has speed to burn on the outside and can catch the ball out of the backfield well. He supplanted Chris Johnson (no relation) as the team’s starter and has all the tools to be a top-five running back this year. Plays like this one below is where the optimism comes from. Look for second-year tackle D.J. Humphries to help spring Johnson on some long runs on the right side too.
There could be some cause for concern if you look at his final four games of 2015. Johnson averaged just 39.75 yards per game and 3.18 yards per carry in the last two regular season games and both playoff games. People tend to overlook the fact he’s still relatively unproven.
Why this team? Because they’re probably the most well-rounded team in the league. Not only are they strong in all areas on both sides of the ball, but they’ve got depth to deal with any potential injuries as well.
Why not this team? There are question marks around a few of their core players. Can a 36-year-old Palmer and 33-year-old Fitzgerald recapture the magic they had last season? It feels like this is a now or never type situation for those two. Also, will Tyrann Mathieu be able to bounce back from his second ACL surgery and have the same type of impact? If the answer is “no” then it would be tough to imagine them having too much success in the playoffs.
How much hope? 9/10. They are one of the favourites to win it all. It’ll be no easy task dealing with division rival Seattle, however double digit wins and the playoffs should be a lock.
