Brandt: 7 Reasons the Cardinals Will Surprise

[MadCardDisease]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap10...uce-arians-have-arizona-cardinals-on-the-rise

I've spent the past few weeks visiting training camps around the league, and one team has stuck out as having the best chance to surprise some folks: the Arizona Cardinals.

While the Cardinals are known to have some talent, they're also fresh off a campaign in which they lost 11 of their last 12 games. Many will ultimately dismiss them as also-rans in what promises to be a highly competitive NFC West.

 

[Darkside]

That just gives you an indication of how epically bad we sucked last year: the fact that he compares us to the Rams, lauds a possible 8 win season, and still says the best we can hope for is to influence what happens with San Fran and Seattle. 8 wins would be average and an improvement, but I'm hoping for more than that.

 

[Snakester]

Gill is a smart man. Coaching makes a big difference . I think Arians makes this team a winner.

 

[gmabel830]

From one old guy to another: "Bruce Arians is kind of special."

 

[Buckybird]

Ive got 8 reasons why they wont suprise I just had too.

1) SF in our division
2) Sea in our division
3) hard schedule, especially on the road IMO, you usually have to win 3 road games
4) loss of Ray Horton
5) average play at LT
6) lack of veteran proven RBs (depth)
7) young unproven safeties
8) duckjakes new jinx

I still believe 2014, this team takes off & competes for all the marbles IF Bowles can produce a top 10 defense & injuries allow us to.

 

[kerouac9]

It's a sad statement that to the rest of the NFL the Arizona Cardinals being 7-8-1 would be "a surprise."

Thanks for the pep talk, Gil.

 

[Seandonic]

I agree with Brandt. They will surprise. They'll be between 7-9 and 9-7.

 

[Cheesebeef]

It's a sad statement that to the rest of the NFL the Arizona Cardinals being 7-8-1 would be "a surprise."

Thanks for the pep talk, Gil.

after losing 11 of their last 12, I'd say it would be a surprise to anyone who doesn't follow this team as close as we do...which is basically everyone else in the universe.

 

[kerouac9]

after losing 11 of their last 12, I'd say it would be a surprise to anyone who doesn't follow this team as close as we do...which is basically everyone else in the universe.

That's probably true. I fully expect this team to win no fewer than 6 games. But I think that--by this standard of "surprise"--Detroit is a team more likely to push into playoff contention in December than the Cards are.

 

[Cheesebeef]

That's probably true. I fully expect this team to win no fewer than 6 games. But I think that--by this standard of "surprise"--Detroit is a team more likely to push into playoff contention in December than the Cards are.

True, but Detroit is only one season removed from being in the playoffs, whereas we haven't gotten in since, what? 2009? Save one unexplainable 12 game run, this team has been back to being worst then the joke of the NFL since Warner retired. A joke actually means people pay attention to them. We've just been so boringly bad, that no one even gives us the credit/attention to be ridiculed. we've basically been a non-entity for years, thus, the Cardinals providing any kind of fight in the toughest division in football is the reason I believe we'll "surprise" people this year.

 

[seesred]

I'm the one eyed optimist but there are so many new players and the big upgrade at QB and a line that is looking together, we could be a surprise playoff
team. I predict 9 to 10 wins and a wild card!

GBR
40

 

[devilalum]

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[kerouac9]

True, but Detroit is only one season removed from being in the playoffs, whereas we haven't gotten in since, what? 2009? Save one unexplainable 12 game run, this team has been back to being worst then the joke of the NFL since Warner retired. A joke actually means people pay attention to them. We've just been so boringly bad, that no one even gives us the credit/attention to be ridiculed. we've basically been a non-entity for years, thus, the Cardinals providing any kind of fight in the toughest division in football is the reason I believe we'll "surprise" people this year.

Fair enough. I just don't think that an 8-8 record is going to get us elevated from the likes of Buffalo, Jacksonville, and Tennessee and into the company of--I don't know--Tampa Bay and Chicago?

 

[Cheesebeef]

Fair enough. I just don't think that an 8-8 record is going to get us elevated from the likes of Buffalo, Jacksonville, and Tennessee and into the company of--I don't know--Tampa Bay and Chicago?

true...but it depends on what kind of 8-8 it is. if it's an 8-8 sprinkled with a couple signature wins against SF/Seattle, I think people look at us as the up and comer next year and a "scrappy" spoiler towards the end of the year.

Buffalo, Jax and Tenn are definitely in that no man's land with us of "are they still in the league" league.

 

[PACardsFan]

Another surprise team will be the Buffalo Bills. Doug Marrone is an excellent coach who will have Buffalo in the playoffs much sooner than people would expect. People will be shocked at how good the Bills will be.

 

[Jim Otis]

I believe we have the 2013 season Coach Of The Year , and we will win early and often . I truly like our chances to make the playoffs . Bruce Arians is the key to our success , and I have faith that he will have this team hitting on all cylinders ( Potential Will Get Us All Fired ). When BA was hired he said these words " The Cardinals will not cause the Cardinals to lose " , a long time ago a famous HC said the same thing with different words " no team ever wins a game , one team will lose the game " .

 

[red desert]

I believe we have the 2013 season Coach Of The Year , and we will win early and often . I truly like our chances to make the playoffs . Bruce Arians is the key to our success , and I have faith that he will have this team hitting on all cylinders ( Potential Will Get Us All Fired ). When BA was hired he said these words " The Cardinals will not cause the Cardinals to lose " , a long time ago a famous HC said the same thing with different words " no team ever wins a game , one team will lose the game " .

I believe we will make the playoffs as well. 11 wins.

 

[Buckybird]

I believe we will make the playoffs as well. 11 wins.

Well that would be only the 2nd time in team history

 

[SECTION 11]

It's all pretty exciting, but I recall exactly zero times the Arizona Cardinals responding well to hype in any positive form. For now I'm going to wrak the kangol and keep my fingers crossed

 

[JC_AZ]

That's probably true. I fully expect this team to win no fewer than 6 games. But I think that--by this standard of "surprise"--Detroit is a team more likely to push into playoff contention in December than the Cards are.

I bet the over in Vegas a couple of weeks ago...number was 5 for $50...win = $100

 

[THESMEL]

I'm not sure what we have yet? but the first game was better than I expected- I have one eyebrow lifted!

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Damn the torpedos, full speed ahead! 9-7

 

[Totally_Red]

With a much improved roster from last season, a real NFL quarterback, an upgraded coaching staff and motivated ownership, there is REASON for optimism. As always in the NFL much depends on staying healthy and catching some breaks.

We should learn a lot in the opener against the highly-touted Rams. It could be a break catching them before their offense is hitting on all cylinders. I suspect it will take some time for all their receivers to click with Sam Bradford.

 

[red desert]

Well that would be only the 2nd time in team history

So it's been done before? Cool.

At least i'm not asking them to make history.

 

[BigRedRage]

With a much improved roster from last season, a real NFL quarterback, an upgraded coaching staff and motivated ownership, there is REASON for optimism. As always in the NFL much depends on staying healthy and catching some breaks.

We should learn a lot in the opener against the up and coming Cardinals. It could be a break catching them before their offense is hitting on all cylinders. I suspect it will take some time for all their receivers to click with Carson Palmer.

hmmm