Arizona Cardinals offense needs to hit high gear
The Arizona Cardinals came extremely close to pulling out a surprising playoff berth in the difficult NFC West during the 2013 season.
It was a team built around a high-level defense with a below average offense that did just enough to win games. According to footballoutsiders.com DVOA system the Cardinals defense ranked second overall – first against the run and fifth versus the pass. Their one weakness was defending tight ends.
Using the same metric Arizona had the 20th best offense – 15th in passing and 25th running the ball.
For the Cards to get back to the double-digit wins they were able to accomplish in head coach Bruce Arian’s first season on the job it might not be with the same formula they used last season.
Linebackers Karlos Dansby and Daryl Washington are no longer around. Washington also missed the first four games last season and the difference in the defense with and without the uniquely gifted middle linebacker is noticeable. His ability to drop into coverage, blitz the QB and run sideline to sideline brings a dynamic not many defensive players at any position put forth.
Cornerback Patrick Peterson and defensive end Calais Campbell are still in the desert so the defense won’t fall too much. Wherever you want to rank them isn’t really of consequence, both are accomplished players at their respective positions.
Antonio Cromartie is an upgrade opposite Peterson as long as his hip is fully healed. I doubt even healthy you get the 2012 version of Cro that was a lockdown CB. He hasn’t played to that standard consistently throughout his career, but he can still be a useful player.
The safety position is where the Cards can replace some of the playmaking they’re losing at the linebacker position. Tyrann Mathieu and Deone Bucannon are physically gifted, talented players. Mathieu is coming off a difficult knee injury and Bucannon is a rookie. Despite my belief in their talent, the amount they’re able to contribute in the immediacy is a question mark.
Defensive lineman Darnell Dockett was lost for the season. If you go by the play charting of Pro Football Focus he is no longer the player he once was, but you don’t find many people who think losing him won’t have negative consequences. Taking over his starting spot is Frostee Rucker.
The outside linebacking crew isn’t much different in terms of expected level of play from the previous season. You can still find John Abraham coming off the edge to terrorize passers, Alex Ofkafor plus Sam Acho still have much to prove.
Unless defensivecoordinator Todd Bowles is able to scheme around the drop in talent, it’s hard to see the Cardinals defense reaching the heights they did in 2013.
In a reversal of roles, the offense will have to pick up the slack. If everything comes together Arizona’s offense has the opportunity to be dynamic.
As it typically does in the NFL, how good the Cardinals offense can be will coincide with how well Carson Palmer plays at quarterback. I admittingly haven’t been high on Palmer ever since Kimo von Oelhoffen crushed his knee when the Steelers and Bengals met in the AFC Wild Card game in 2006. He flashed enough during his 24 touchdown and 22 interception season to give me confidence heading into 2014.
It’s not that Palmer is in the top-tier of QBs, more his talent level is strong enough with this supporting cast to build a high-powered offense.
It starts on the outside with wide receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd – two big bodies able to go up and get the risky throws Palmer tends to make on occasion.
Ted Ginn Jr. compiled a career high 15.4 yards per catch with another career-high five touchdowns with the Panthers in 2013. He needs to be accounted for in the screen game and as a threat for a reverse.
I already talked about John Brown in my rookie WR story so I’m not going to elaborate on him again. He’s not the only Brown to watch – Jaron Brown, a second-year undrafted player out of Clemson, has flashed during the preseason and looks the part of a capable fifth wide receiver with some upside.
The tight end position looks to finally have the consistency the Cardinals have been looking for there for a long time. John Carlson solidified the group plus Troy Niklas and Rob Housler give you depth.
Which brings us to the man that can help the offense reach that next level – Andre Ellington.
In a diluted rookie role Ellington compiled 1023 total yards – 652 on the ground and 371 through the air. He ran for 5.5 yards per carry and had four total touchdowns.
From every indication it’s Ellington’s show with Jonathan Dwyer and Stepfan Taylor being complimentary backs. If Ellington can be the Cards version of LeSean McCoy or Jamaal Charles – threat to score with the ball in his hands in space whether it be on a run or catch – the Cardinals are in the discussion for the most well-rounded offense in the league.
All areas clicking on the offensive side of the ball is what the Cardinals will need to be able to compete with the Seahawks and 49ers in the NFC West. The talent is there, now we find out if they can manage to manufacture a cohesive unit.