Arizona Cardinals 2015 Season Preview

Arizona Cardinals

2014 Record: 11-5

2015 O/U: 8.5

The biggest change to come out of Arizona is Todd Bowles. Within two years of being a defensive coordinator, Bowles was given a head coach job many think he deserved. He was able to produce top ten defenses in both of his years as a DC, and last year notably did it without starters, Darnell Dockett, Daryl Washington, Tyrann Mathieu, and even two games without Calais Campbell. Dockett and Washington will not be back, so the job that Bowles had done will weigh heavier on first year coordinator, James Bettcher. Dockett and Washington were not a lone and the team lost starters, Dan Williams, Tommy Kelly, Sam Acho, John Abraham, and Antonio Cromartie. All of the sudden a job that seemed tough for Bowles is now tougher and passed on to another guy. The sense around the league is that the Cardinals are that team that pushes through, and Bruce Arians is the leader and it is plug and play but this is a very new look for this defense. In my opinion the team did a really bad job at filling these holes that just keep popping up. Corey Redding, Cory Peters, Lamarr Woodley, and Sean Weatherspoon were all added. Woodley and Weatherspoon have played six combined games last year, and Redding is now 35. Peters starts the year on the PUP, and joining him was potential starting guard Mike Iupati. Iupati would have been a major upgrade, but will miss about six weeks. A.Q Shipley was also added and will start at center, but this off-season has to bring concern right? The core took a major hit and it leaves this team wondering what really was it that had them so special last year?

Offensive Strength

The most impressive thing the Cardinals did last year was survive without Carson Palmer. Palmer helped get this team to 6-0, and while the QB play did drop, and it showed. 5-5 was a respectable finish for the Cards given that third string Ryan Lindley was abysmal in two losses. Getting a healthy Palmer back would be huge, but most can succeed due to this receiving core. First you have the legend, Larry Fitzgerald. Fitz is now 32, but in this Bruce Arians offense he is in more of a Hines Ward role from when Arians was an OC in Pittsburgh. He blocks a lot and he takes space in the middle and in the flats. It isn’t pretty, but Fitzgerald is still one of the most valuable receivers in the league due to it. He has the luxury to do this and maintain in a high volume, deep throwing offense because of the threats around him. Michael Floyd is a big time deep threat. He is inconsistent, but at 6’3” with deep speed, and a 17.5 yards per catch average he becomes someone that takes away attention. With Floyd you add a guy with potential to be the big time playmaker in the offense, John Brown. Brown has one more catch than Floyd last year in year one, and Arians has mentioned he is in the plans for a big year two. When I look at Brown and Arians, I look at Arians being a coordinator that was apart of drafting Antonio Brown, Mike Wallace, Emmanuel Sanders, and TY Hilton. This guy fits all of their background, and some of their attributes and despite being 5’11” he has do everything ability. Fitzgerald is the glue for these two young pieces, and if Palmer is healthy every week this passing game is lethal this year.

Offensive Weakness

A lot of debate this off-season has been about whether or not some people think this offensive line has improved. I think that if Iupati is healthy and plays at least ten games, it should an improvement, but that does not yet make this an above average unit. To start, I do not believe in Bobbie Massie, and while Shipley should be a better center than Lyle Sendelin, it will still take time to adjust, and Shipley isn’t exactly the savior of an offensive line. Jonathan Cooper, like Iupati could get something going, I just have yet to see it from Cooper. Until I do, I cannot predict the UNC products’ breakout year in this offense. Behind them is an assortment and it fits the fact that this team is pass first. Andre Ellington had as many receiving touchdowns as he did rushing touchdowns. He also averaged a disgusting 3.3 yards per carry. Also for a speedster and a game breaker it was odd to find his longest run was but 22 yards. Behind him is Chris Johnson who I believe needs a good line to survive, and just doesn’t have it here. David Johnson was drafted to help the lack of depth, and he is a clear-cut better receiver than a running back, and just changed positions two years ago. It may take time to see him effectively run the ball between the tackles, and it doesn’t bear well for the 31st ranked rushing unit to improve on last year.

Defensive Strength

The Cardinals saw all of that change, but the stability in the franchise since 2008 has been Calais Campbell. Campbell is probably 2nd to Watt in terms of run defense from a lineman, and has averaged seven sacks a year as a starter in the 3-4. If this defense is going to remain in the top ten it will be behind Campbell tearing things up in the front. Behind Campbell, Patrick Peterson and Tyrann Mathieu will be the two looking to be the leaders of this defense. Peterson is a playmaker and has been a strong starting corner since 2011. Mathieu has the least experience of the three, but he has the game changing abilities and speed to roam the field as a free safety. Mathieu has also been able to be above average in the slot, and the depth the Cardinals posses at safety allows them to scheme him there a lot. Tony Jefferson, Rashad Johnson and Deone Buchannan should all get playing time next to or around Mathieu and it leaves a lot for a quarterback to think about with big Campbell coming at him. As a whole it isn’t a weak unit, it just needs to survive this year of turnover.

Defensive Weakness

There was turnover last year, but Todd Bowles remains. The Cardinals also still had a lot of talent on the roster, and this year I feel there are a lot more holes in Arizona. Mathieu is key in the slot, not only do to his ability, but also due to the weakness at corner. Peterson is above average, but behind him is not much, and Cromartie was a big piece beside him last year. Someone in the corner position will need to step up, and many in the linebacker position will need to step up. It is hard to put any faith in Weatherspoon and Woodley, and they will be playing most snaps. The depth behind them leads them to be the clear-cut leaders of their position, but to have this injury prone average leader is going to be a problem. Alex Okafor is the best line backer on the team now in year three and I just don’t see any names on the roster who can step up and help him. Then as you get closer to the line you say wait whom is Campbell playing beside? Dan Williams will be the most underrated loss of the off-season because in slots Alameda Ta’amu with absolutely no experience, a bad background, and no pedigree. Beside him is old reliable Frostee Rucker. Rucker is now 31, and has starter experience but isn’t exactly a piece to rely on. The depth is bad on this roster in every position except safety and leaves plenty of questions as to if this unit can remain in the top ten in efficiency again this year.

Where do they rank? O/U 8.5

The bookmakers see potential for this team to fall off a bit and it clear to me as to why. When looking at the schedule however, it is manageable early, and it could give this team confidence to make a run at the Seahawks. I personally think they have a better chance to fall to third this year, but do to the schedule I would place this team 2nd for the time being. As for the total, as I mentioned getting Packers, Vikings, Ravens, Bengals, and Saints at home is a big game changer to me and I could see nine wins this season. 8-8 is also potential for me so it is a no play and I would really look for eight or nine wins this season.

Parkers Pick: 2nd in the NFC West, No play

Logans Pick: 2nd in the NFC West, Over 8.5 wins