The Arizona Cardinals have played their worst football in the Bruce Arians and Steve Keim era. It could also be the most disappointing season in the team’s history. There has been plenty of blame for fans to point fingers at. Arians’ play calling and Carson Palmer’s regression from his 2015 MVP caliber season last year have been called out frequently this year. Unfortunately, there have been many other areas that have under-performed and must change.
Arizona Cardinals Problems Started in the Offseason
Free Agent Signings Gone Wrong
Steve Keim won Pro Football Talk’s Executive of the Year award in 2013 and 2014. He has had some phenomenal free agent acquisitions that have made a significant impact on the Cardinals. Long term signings like Jared Veldheer and Mike Iupati have made outstanding contributions to the Arizona offensive line. Keim has also had some short-term deals worked out very well. Karlos Dansby, Antonio Cromartie, John Abraham, Dwight Freeney, Chris Johnson, and D.J. Swearinger were all brought in on one or two-year deals and ended up playing meaningful snaps for the Cardinals.
In 2016 that trend hit a road bump. Keim was able to sign guard Evan Mathis, Tyvon Branch and Mike Jenkins in the off-season. All three of those players have found themselves on injured reserved at some point this season. Jenkins and Mathis left vital holes on the roster by their absence. The loss of Mathis exaggerated by the other injuries along the offensive line which has caused a carousel of three different replacements at right guard.
Missing Draft Class
The 2015 Arizona draft class contributed right away. Many of the Cardinals middle round picks were impact players immediately. Picks Marcus Golden, David Johnson, and Rodney Gunter all started at some point in their rookie season. Johnson looks to be the steal of the draft, as he is currently leading the league in yards from scrimmage in his second year. First round pick DJ Humphries was planned to sit before taking over at right tackle in his second year.
The 2016 draft class has been the exact opposite. The first-round pick Robert Nkemdiche has been inactive most of the season. Second-round pick Brandon Williams was projected to start at cornerback opposite of Patrick Peterson going into training camp, but he struggled mightily in the preseason. Other contributions by this rookie class are relegated to special teams play.
Out of Sync Receivers
Watching training camp in previous years, Carson Palmer works almost exclusively with the top three receivers on the team. Going into this year, Michael Floyd and John Brown both missed significant time in camp. Carson was then working with replacements Jaron Brown and JJ Nelson most of the training camp. After returning from their injuries, Floyd and John Brown never regained the chemistry that they had with Palmer in 2015. Jaron Brown looked excellent early in the year until being placed on IR after a few games. JJ Nelson has continued to grow and had six touchdowns so far this season.
With Floyd now cut and John Brown dealing with sickle cell trait, this passing game may not ever see the success it had in 2015. The Cardinals will need to look for a receiver in the draft again this season.
What Now
Disappointed fans are calling for significant changes to the roster. At this point, the only notable departure expected from the team’s core is the veteran, Calais Campbell. Even with 20 unrestricted free agents, the majority of this teams starters should be back for next season. Keim will need to work his magic again in next year and find those diamonds in the rough that helped this team win in 2015.
