Top Questions Heading Into Camp, Part I

[BullheadCardFan]

Much has changed for the Cardinals heading into the 2013 season. There’s a new coach, a new general manager, a lot of new players and even a new location for training camp. What’s not new is that the team faces a handful of significant questions as they ready for games. In a division loaded up with a pair of Super Bowl favorites in San Francisco and Seattle along with a revived St. Louis, Arizona feels like the true wild card (pun intended.)

What issues will be the linchpins of the season? Here’s a look at some of the top questions for the team heading into training camp.

Link.

 

[kerouac9]

The Official Site is always problematic for big-picture stuff. I think that part 2 will be more interesting for hard-core fans, because part 1 is just a summary of offseason activities.

There's no chance of Bruce Arians being removed for the next two years, whether he works or not. That's not a question that needs to be answered.

There's no chance of anyone other than Carson Palmer being the starting quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals. Whether he can perform to expectations, and what those reasonable expectations are, is a question that can't be answered until the regular season starts.

Larry Fitzgerald's numbers in the preseason are irrelevant, so that's not really a "camp question." Same with Michael Floyd.

Were I to put this list together, I'd probably say that the top stories of camp will be:

1) To what level will the offensive line upgrades take that unit? Of course, Darren is kind of begging the question here in assuming that there were upgrades to the offensive line, but how these guys will play together is probably the biggest question.

2) Can the defense pick up where it left off with changes on the field and on the sideline? Really, the biggest question of the season. The talent is more in place and ready to go, IMO. But if the offense takes a step forward and the defense takes two steps back, we're not on track for a seven-win season.

3) Who stands out at the tailback position? Maybe Rashard Mendenhall is handed the job in camp, no matter what happens (this would be the first bad sign about the Arians regime, IMHO). But Rashard Mendenhall is not a top-third starting running back in the NFL, even when he's healthy. If you're looking at individual position battles, this might be the one to look at.

4) Is Patrick Peterson ready to make The Leap? As a cornerback, Patrick Peterson's press clippings outpace his press coverage. The overall structure of the defense may hinge on whether Patrick Peterson is able to contain the smaller, shiftier wide receivers in the NFL the way that he's been able to frustrate the likes of Calvin Johnson.

5) Who stands out at stand-up linebacker? Todd Bowles says that he's going to run a base 3-4 defense, and I believe him. The Cards brought in three new faces at outside linebacker in Matt Shaunnesy, Lorenzo Alexander, and Alex Okafor. Sam Acho seems like an entrenched starter, but hasn't been able to consistently rack up quarterback kills. O'Brien Schofield has not yet lived up to expectations. Someone could take the reins in camp.

 

[b8rtm8nn]

I would throw in secondary play after losing our two starting safeties.

 

[kerouac9]

I would throw in secondary play after losing our two starting safeties.

I think that's kind of lumped in 2 and 4, but you're kind of right. No one except maybe Chopper is more upset about the changes in the safety position than I. But the thing is that if we can muster a 4-man pass rush that's effective, and Patrick Peterson is capable of closing down EVERY #1 wideout in the NFL, then it's not going to matter so much who the other three defensive backs on the field are.

Another way to put this is that I'd guess that the design of the defense is going to be centered around protecting the limitations of the safeties.

 

[Duckjake]

I think that's kind of lumped in 2 and 4, but you're kind of right. No one except maybe Chopper is more upset about the changes in the safety position than I. But the thing is that if we can muster a 4-man pass rush that's effective, and Patrick Peterson is capable of closing down EVERY #1 wideout in the NFL, then it's not going to matter so much who the other three defensive backs on the field are.

Another way to put this is that I'd guess that the design of the defense is going to be centered around protecting the limitations of the safeties.

Aeneas consistently shut down the best WRs in the NFL and our defenses consistently stunk. And here we go again with PP21 and a bunch of castoffs.

I'm expecting a bottom 10 pass defense in 2013. Not a good thing in today's NFL.

 

[Mulli]

Aeneas consistently shut down the best WRs in the NFL and our defenses consistently stunk. And here we go again with PP21 and a bunch of castoffs.

I'm expecting a bottom 10 pass defense in 2013. Not a good thing in today's NFL.

This.

 

[BigRedRage]

#1: How does Bruce feel about chili dogs?
#2: Whats up with the grey seats?
#3: What is a screen pass?
#4: Are there any 3xl black kirkland shirts at costco?
#5: How long do jello shots last?

 

[oaken1]

Aeneas consistently shut down the best WRs in the NFL and our defenses consistently stunk. And here we go again with PP21 and a bunch of castoffs.

I'm expecting a bottom 10 pass defense in 2013. Not a good thing in today's NFL.

that is probably not far off seeing as how it appears the defense has been built to stuff the run and force the opponent to throw on us.

 

[iRobot]

Speaking of heading into camp. I'm going to camp on Friday and maybe Saturday the first weekend. Was going to keep my eye on WRs not named Floyd, Fitz, or Roberts.

Anyone have any requests for photos? Notes?

 

[cardncubfan]

Speaking of heading into camp. I'm going to camp on Friday and maybe Saturday the first weekend. Was going to keep my eye on WRs not named Floyd, Fitz, or Roberts.

Anyone have any requests for photos? Notes?

Both please.

 

[JeffGollin]

It's a team sport; therefore, the question should be a team question. As in:

When the Cardinals bring their A Game, can they beat the Seahawks or Niners?

When the Cardinals have an off-day, can they beat the lesser teams on their schedule?

 

[Garthshort]

iRobot partly answered my question which is:
Any posters on this Board going to TC on next Friday, Saturday or Sunday?

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Questions from the Official Site:

1. How will Bruce Arians translate has head coach?

The difference between doing a job and doing it well will be the key here. A guy that has been in the league as long as Arians has to be doing something right. Then he surrounds himself with some very qualified football minds. Arians, who was probably the most conservative coaching option out there in the offseason, should improve the team, but by how much we don't know.

Yeah, yeah Whiz got this organization to a Super Bowl, and that statement is EXTREMELY debatable, IMO. Whiz didn't do jack without Kurt Warner, I mean absolutely nothing with out him, thus Whiz will never EVER get out from under the statement that Warner had more to do with the Super Bowl appearance then anything.

Thus Bruce Arians doesn't have too much to "improve". The typical annual Cardinals list of needs are there. We need a better offensive line, a QB, and a pass rush. Can Arians bring those things to the table ? We will see. Will he be able to run the team effectively ? Yep. Will he be good at it ? I dunno. But Whiz didn't leave the bar too high, IMO.


2. What does Carson Palmer have left?

This is almost the same answer as Bruce Arians. Actually, the answer comes in this statement. Most of us, and the Cardinals organization was relieved when we signed Drew Stanton.......DREW STANTON.

That is a statement about our QB group last year, where Larry, Moe and Curly brought the position to a new low in NFL history.

Carson Palmer ? For the Cardinals ? Has plenty left. PLEN-TY. Actually, Carson Palmer could have a "bad year" and still look better than anything we have watched since Warner left.

IMO, the real question will be how well he throws the deep ball. If our offense can show some ability to go deep, and attack quickly there will be some success this year.


3. Will Larry Fitzgerald’s numbers revert back?

When Larry, Moe and Curly are your QB's your numbers are going to drop. 30 yrs old, yes, but also an extremely gifted athlete.

Not to mention when Larry Fitzgerald is "past his prime" his size, smarts, hands, blocking, and overall ability will still make him one of the top WR's in the game so this is pretty much a soft ball, silly question setup to talk about Fitz.


4. Can Michael Floyd break out?

Sure. But, will he? I don't know. I personally hated the pick when it happened, and have a bit of a Levi Brown situation where I am rooting for the guy because he is a Cardinal, but don't have faith in his abilities.

Kid has pretty good hands, pretty good ability, obviously great size, and a great blocker.

The hype that has been out in print......can't buy it. Between Floyd and Housler I feel like I am listening to a car salesman when the press talks about these two. I won't even comment on Ryan Williams

Do something, and then I will believe. Floyd has the potential, but mentally is where I think this kid has his challenges. You are in the NFL, getting big money, have the chance to learn from one of the best, you are a 1st round pick, and are now in an offensive that is a vertical threat offense. What else does Floyd need to succeed.


5. To what level can the offensive line upgrades take that unit?

This is a work in progress. Yes, yes, it has always been a work in progress, but at least this organization did something right this offseason. Jonathan Cooper will solidify the interior of this line.

But, thats it. That is all that has changed since last season. There are a lot of hopes that Bobby Massie continues to get better but that has to happen first, before we can check off right tackle as "done".

Levi Brown, Daryn College, Lyle Sendlein. We have seen this show before and it is not pretty. We have heard about "new offensive line coaches" and how they will "coach up the line" and it never happens.

Levi Brown.....ugh, for the 50 billionth time, will he be Levi Brown, or the except to Levi Brown that we saw the last 8 weeks he played football. If we can get excited about Bobby Massie playing better for 8 weeks then why not Levi Brown...(I know why, but we have to be fair right ?)

This offensive line is getting attention, so that it can have a chance to improve. I have faith in that, but I think a lot of people are going to be disappointed this year with the offensive line play. It needs one or two more pieces to make that jump to where it needs to be, and it is a long shot that it happens this season.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

1) To what level will the offensive line upgrades take that unit? Of course, Darren is kind of begging the question here in assuming that there were upgrades to the offensive line, but how these guys will play together is probably the biggest question.

There is one change from last year. I don't see much improvement coming this year to that line. It is going to take more than just this year, IMO.

2) Can the defense pick up where it left off with changes on the field and on the sideline? Really, the biggest question of the season. The talent is more in place and ready to go, IMO. But if the offense takes a step forward and the defense takes two steps back, we're not on track for a seven-win season.

Agreed. I don't see a scenario where this defense does not take a step back.

3) Who stands out at the tailback position? Maybe Rashard Mendenhall is handed the job in camp, no matter what happens (this would be the first bad sign about the Arians regime, IMHO). But Rashard Mendenhall is not a top-third starting running back in the NFL, even when he's healthy. If you're looking at individual position battles, this might be the one to look at.

Who is going to beat our Mendenhall, and who has better skills that is on the roster ?

Mendenhall has proven he can play and produce in the league.

And after him, we essentially have 3 players that have not played more than 3 NFL games in their career.

I don't see how starting Mendenhall is viewed as a mistake.

4) Is Patrick Peterson ready to make The Leap? As a cornerback, Patrick Peterson's press clippings outpace his press coverage. The overall structure of the defense may hinge on whether Patrick Peterson is able to contain the smaller, shiftier wide receivers in the NFL the way that he's been able to frustrate the likes of Calvin Johnson.

Peterson is a playmaker. I cannot see where he is going to regress, and not improve this year.

5) Who stands out at stand-up linebacker? Todd Bowles says that he's going to run a base 3-4 defense, and I believe him. The Cards brought in three new faces at outside linebacker in Matt Shaunnesy, Lorenzo Alexander, and Alex Okafor. Sam Acho seems like an entrenched starter, but hasn't been able to consistently rack up quarterback kills. O'Brien Schofield has not yet lived up to expectations. Someone could take the reins in camp.

[/QUOTE]

Acho will be our best player.....but that won't equate to QB sacks. I don't see a pass rushing OLBer on this roster right now.

 

[kerouac9]

There is one change from last year. I don't see much improvement coming this year to that line. It is going to take more than just this year, IMO.

Three changes to the line from last year:

LT: D'Anthony Batiste out, Levi Brown in.
LG: Daryn Colledge our, Jonathan Cooper in.
RG: Adam Snyder out, Daryn Colledge in.

You can make a reasonable argument that we replaced the three worst players on the 2013 line with clear upgrades, plus Bobbie Massie has the chance to improve on a strong last half of 2012.

Who is going to beat our Mendenhall, and who has better skills that is on the roster ?

Mendenhall has proven he can play and produce in the league.

And after him, we essentially have 3 players that have not played more than 3 NFL games in their career.

I don't see how starting Mendenhall is viewed as a mistake.

I don't know, but let's not pretend that Rashard Mendenhall is Maurice Jones-Drew. He's more Beanie Wells.

Rashard Mendenhall was suspended for 1 game last year, and benched repeatedly for fumbling. By advanced metrics, he performed worse than Beanie Wells in 2012.

In 2011, Mendenhall was a league-average back. Slightly better than Beanie Well.

In 2010, Mendenhall was 22nd in DYAR and 25th in DVOA.

So, Rashard Mendenhall hasn't been an above-average back in at least four years.

And for a running back in the NFL, four years is an ETERNITY.

I have no problem Mendenhall going into camp as the presumptive starter, that's how I would prefer it. But I do have a problem if Ryan Williams or Stepfan Taylor show themselves to be effective NFL players, there's no reason beyond familiarity to give Mendenhall the bulk of the carries.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

I have no problem Mendenhall going into camp as the presumptive starter, that's how I would prefer it. But I do have a problem if Ryan Williams or Stepfan Taylor show themselves to be effective NFL players, there's no reason beyond familiarity to give Mendenhall the bulk of the carries.

+1