1 – I completely understand worries about if the offense is going to improve enough to be playoff-worthy. However, other than Murray being better, they should be much improved by default of the defense being much improved.
2 – The Cardinals have a rising star in Nick Rallis. He is an extremely bright DC. I have all the faith in the world that he will optimize the many upgrades on defense.
3 - I think that the starting offensive line for the majority of the season (barring injuries) will be Paris Johnson – Will Hernandez – Hjalte Froholdt – Isaiah Adams – Jonah Williams.
4 – On his highs, Murray is a top five quarterback in the NFL, so it is absolutely reasonable to dream that he could take the Cards far. Personally, though, I have given up. He is too unstable in his performances. He will probably start the season great, and I will get sucked into believing that now he has figure it out, but I feel pretty sure that he will end up letting everyone down again.
5 – I am very excited about the pass rush-unit, but I also feel that it is full of unknowns. Josh Sweat was great in the Super Bowl and played his best seasons with Gannon as his coordinator, but still, he is not a proven sack artist like (for example) Chandler Jones was when they bought him. Baron Browning has a ton of potential, but he still has not showed it throughout an entire season. Zaven Collins is just not a great pass rusher. Jordan Burch is a rookie. Xavier Thomas is way too up-and-down. It could be a great position group.
6 – Last season, Marvin Harrison was almost exclusively used as a typical x-receiver, and I don’t think that is the best way to get the most out of him. Throughout his career, Zay Jones have often lined up in that position and role, so if Petzing deploys him that way, Jones’ biggest impact might actually be what it means for Harrison.
7 – There seems to be a worry among fans and local reporters about the ILB-corps. Well, in Rallis’ Penny-system, the position is not that important. I am not saying that Mack Wilson could not become a big contributor, but it is just not strictly necessary. The front and back are by far the most important groups in the scheme.
8 – This will actually be the first time since high school that Paris Johnson starts at the same position two years in a row. Hopefully he can continue his upward trajectory from last season.
9 – Note that the dead money-penalty from cutting Murray after this season would go from 100 million this offseason to half of that. And if they trade him before June 1st, they only take an 18 million dead money-hit. Oh yeah, this season is very much make-or-break for Murray. If the season starts to become troubling, I would advise you to start watching a few college-games with the top-rated quarterbacks.
10 – Before the draft, the Cards has CB Asante Samuel in for a visit. Shortly after, he had neck surgery, and now ESPN is reporting that he will have a check-up in October, and that “suitors have kept in touch with him.” Just something to keep in mind.
2 – The Cardinals have a rising star in Nick Rallis. He is an extremely bright DC. I have all the faith in the world that he will optimize the many upgrades on defense.
3 - I think that the starting offensive line for the majority of the season (barring injuries) will be Paris Johnson – Will Hernandez – Hjalte Froholdt – Isaiah Adams – Jonah Williams.
4 – On his highs, Murray is a top five quarterback in the NFL, so it is absolutely reasonable to dream that he could take the Cards far. Personally, though, I have given up. He is too unstable in his performances. He will probably start the season great, and I will get sucked into believing that now he has figure it out, but I feel pretty sure that he will end up letting everyone down again.
5 – I am very excited about the pass rush-unit, but I also feel that it is full of unknowns. Josh Sweat was great in the Super Bowl and played his best seasons with Gannon as his coordinator, but still, he is not a proven sack artist like (for example) Chandler Jones was when they bought him. Baron Browning has a ton of potential, but he still has not showed it throughout an entire season. Zaven Collins is just not a great pass rusher. Jordan Burch is a rookie. Xavier Thomas is way too up-and-down. It could be a great position group.
6 – Last season, Marvin Harrison was almost exclusively used as a typical x-receiver, and I don’t think that is the best way to get the most out of him. Throughout his career, Zay Jones have often lined up in that position and role, so if Petzing deploys him that way, Jones’ biggest impact might actually be what it means for Harrison.
7 – There seems to be a worry among fans and local reporters about the ILB-corps. Well, in Rallis’ Penny-system, the position is not that important. I am not saying that Mack Wilson could not become a big contributor, but it is just not strictly necessary. The front and back are by far the most important groups in the scheme.
8 – This will actually be the first time since high school that Paris Johnson starts at the same position two years in a row. Hopefully he can continue his upward trajectory from last season.
9 – Note that the dead money-penalty from cutting Murray after this season would go from 100 million this offseason to half of that. And if they trade him before June 1st, they only take an 18 million dead money-hit. Oh yeah, this season is very much make-or-break for Murray. If the season starts to become troubling, I would advise you to start watching a few college-games with the top-rated quarterbacks.
10 – Before the draft, the Cards has CB Asante Samuel in for a visit. Shortly after, he had neck surgery, and now ESPN is reporting that he will have a check-up in October, and that “suitors have kept in touch with him.” Just something to keep in mind.