Cardinals preview: Carson Palmer looks to lead resurgence
Training camps are still in the distance, but USA TODAY Sports is providing five things you need to know about every team in the NFL to catch you up on the offseason. Today, the Arizona Cardinals ...
1. This is still Palmer’s team
The Cardinals did not draft a quarterback this year, a sign that the team thinks Carson Palmer, 37, has at least one good year left in him. Palmer’s numbers dipped in 2016, with fewer yards and touchdown passes and a big drop in passer rating from his MVP-candidate season in 2015, but the Cardinals want to try to get back to the playoffs with him rather than start grooming his successor. Palmer has shown tremendous resiliency during his career, and the Cardinals better hope his down year was a sign of bigger problems with the offense and not the beginning of a late-career decline.
2. Campbell's departure was the biggest hit for defense
The Cardinals had a tough decision to make with both outside linebacker Chandler Jones and defensive end Calais Campbell set to hit free agency. Arizona used the franchise tag on Jones and signed him to a long-term deal, and Campbell signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars. How will the Cardinals’ defensive front look without Campbell, one of the NFL’s best 3-4 ends and a locker room leader? Robert Nkemdiche, a 2016 first-round pick, and third-year player Rodney Gunter likely will end up with much bigger roles.
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3. Johnson could be on the verge of something big
Running back David Johnson was the Cardinals’ brightest star last season and has massive expectations for 2017 — and that’s not just coming from the outside or from fantasy football team owners. Coach Bruce Arians said during the offseason that he wants Johnson to get 30 touches a game this season, a remarkably high number for any back. If Johnson can handle that load, it should mean good things for Palmer and the passing game, but that’s a lot of wear and tear on a running back, even one who’s 25.
4. Reddick could be in for a sizable role right away
The Cardinals entered the draft with a major need at inside linebacker and filled it in the first round with the selection of versatile Haason Reddick of Temple. Reddick was one of the fastest-rising players in the draft after a series of impressive workouts dating to the Senior Bowl, and the Cardinals coaching staff likely has spent time dreaming of different ways to use him in the team’s 3-4 defense. In addition to playing the run as an inside linebacker, Reddick was an impressive pass rusher in college. He should give Arizona’s pass rush juice if he’s on the field at the same time as Jones and Markus Golden.
5. Arians' future remains unclear
Arians was briefly hospitalized twice last season, and there was speculation that he was going to consider retirement. Arians is still coaching, but it’s fair to wonder how many years the 64-year-old wants to remain on the sidelines, especially with his star players (Palmer and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald) in the twilight of their careers. Arians is one of the NFL’s most fiery coaches — his sideline tirades are legendary — but the Cardinals’ window to win with him could be starting to close.
Follow Lindsay H. Jones on Twitter @bylindsayhjones.
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