The Arizona Cardinals lost their second straight home game in the preseason, this time to the San Diego Chargers. The Cardinal’s first string offense stuttered at the start giving up a couple sacks which was semi-understandable considering Arizona is missing two starters on the 0-line.
Leading up to the game, last week’s training camp was filled with the news of Mike Iupati and Corey Peter’s injuries. These are two of the biggest off-season additions to the roster, Peters will miss the season entirely and Iupati will be out anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months.
But as always, it’s “next man up” in Arizona. Rookie Rodney Gunter was named the new starter on the defensive line (replacing Peters) and Bradley Sowell took over the left guard spot for Iupati.
Arizona is used to dealing with injuries, but they are also getting used to the rookies coming in and producing at a high level.
Saturday’s game was kind of a coming out party for receiver/returner J.J. Nelson, outside linebacker Markus Golden, and the runningback David Johnson. All three of these fresh recruits had stellar games, and it was the first game ever for David Johnson who has missed a lot of time in camp due to a hamstring injury.
Johnson started off a little skittish but quickly learned (thanks to Bruce Arians) that the North and South running style is the best way to gain yardage. The Head Coach was quoted after the game stating. “After he quit dancing and got out of the dance studio, I thought he played real well.” Johnson stiff armed his way to 66 yards on 13 carries and also pulled in a couple of receptions for another 15 yards.
Preseason games mean nothing as far as the regular season goes, I don’t pay much mind to the scoreboard, all I see are successful or unsuccessful drives and big plays from either side. This rookie wide receiver J.J. Nelson looks like a play maker to me, he and John “Smokey” Brown are probably the quickest combo in the NFL right now. Add in Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd, and Jaron Brown… and I’d put this receiving core up against anybodies.
The biggest concern right now in Arizona has to be quarterback protection, the Cardinals gave up 6 sacks in the first half, and this is coming after a 2014 season that was riddled with QB injuries. Carson Palmer has the best winning percentage in the League since signing with the Cardinals, but he has to be in the game if Arizona wants to become a serious title contender. Granted, the offensive line is missing two of their starters, but if they can’t keep the QB upright than it could be a very rough year.
On defense, the Cardinals have some good pressure and is confident in their secondary. The sacks aren’t there but a hurried offense is an offense that will make mistakes. The Cardinal’s new Defensive Coordinator James Bettcher is staying true to his word, Arizona will keep the packages and blitz happy schemes that Todd Bowles tormented NFL offenses with in 2014. I’m not worried about the defense, you can give me a nickle, you can give me two dimes, but all Arizona needs is a quarterback
