The Arizona Cardinals decided to do a little tinkering with the team roster this week. Mainly due to injuries, the necessary changes were implemented to fill vacant positions in the line-up. Some notable players had to be cut from the team. What’s important is the impact these changes will have looking toward the second quarter of the regular season. What’s most significant is whether or not these changes will help the Cardinals this Sunday when they play host to the visiting Los Angeles Rams.
Arizona Cardinals Week Four Keys To Victory
This Sunday’s match-up is somewhat of a desperation game for the Cardinals. Sitting 1-2 at the bottom looking of the NFC West Division is a very lonely place, especially with the level of team expectations raised so high. Fortunately for the Cardinals, being that this is only the fourth week of regular season, they still have time left to make adjustments and get the team back on track.
“There’s nobody pressing or getting over-upset or anxious,” said wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald. “We just have to come out and put a good 60 minutes of football together. We know we’re capable of doing that. We just have to do it.”
The fruit of victory tastes a whole lot sweeter than the bitter pill of defeat. Maybe the Rams are familiar with this clever axiom as they find themselves sitting 2-1, and in first place in the same division. The Seattle Seahawks share the 2-1 record, but they were beaten by the Rams 9-3 in Week Two.
Team Adjustments This Week
On Tuesday, the Cardinals released rookie long-snapper Kam Canaday from the team, and safety Marqui Christian from the practice squad.
The Canaday move may be somewhat expected as head coach Bruce Arians had made it known about his “erratic” performances in games. But, Christian was cut before he was actually given the chance to stake a valid claim to the team. Concerns have been raised whether or not letting Christian go so soon was a knee jerk reaction by the Cardinals staff. Could he have made an impact on the team’s very questionable backfield, or would he have been a bust?
Ironically, Christian was acquired Wednesday, via waivers by the Rams. Also, released on Wednesday from the practice squad was line-backer Shaq Riddick. These cuts were made to make room on the roster. Placed on injured reserve are linebacker Alani Fua (knee) and tight-end Troy Niklas (wrist).
After all the tinkering, three empty spots needed to be filled. To fill the spots, the Cards signed veteran long-snapper Aaron Brewer, veteran punter Ryan Quigley, and line-backer Joplo Bartu.
“We’re good enough, Coach Arians said, this week. “But you’ve got to play when those 60 minutes are scheduled. We did not against Buffalo. We’ve got to own up to that one.”
The Cards will have their chance on Sunday in front of a packed home crowd, when the Rams roll up at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale Arizona. This is a division battle, and when it comes to standings, it is a very crucial, must-win game. Game time is 1:25pm MST (4:25 Eastern) on FOX.
KEYS TO THE GAME
#1) Run Defense
The Cardinals need to tighten up on the defensive side of the ball, especially against the run. Rams running back Todd Gurley has yet to break out with a 100-yard game this season, and the Cardinals must insure he keeps his streak going past Sunday.
#2) The Long Ball
Cardinals Quarterback Carson Palmer should quit relying so much on the Hail Mary pass to desperately try and come back from games. After going two straight weeks with zero interceptions, Palmer finished last week’s game with four. Maybe Coach Arians can have Palmer run a more dink-and-dunk style of offense against the Rams.
#3) Larry Fitzgerald
Nothing more needs to be said.
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