Top concerns heading into the season

[Chopper0080]

I don't know that these rise to darksider levels, but these are the things I am looking at as the season begins.

1 - Does Petzing move MHJ around? If he does, I think the Kyler/MHJ connection is a less discussed topic. If he doesn't, Kyler's issues throwing vertically along with low % routes will become a talking point.

2 - Will Garrett Williams be deployed in 2 CB personnel? If so, then you have one proven CB on the field at almost all times. If not, teams will definitely shift personnel to exploit the inexperience of Max Melton and Will Johnson.

3 - DL health. This seems like a strange concern, but starting off the season with Jones, Nichols and Nolen unavailable for 4 weeks is really testing depth. Calais and Dalvin are older. Stills and Collier are ok. Robinson and Mustipher are unproven. Things can go south very quickly for what most hoped would be a position of strength.

4 - Does a team need ILBs? I think Mack Wilson is fine. I don't believe any of the other options are average NFL LBs. I know teams can go dime but the Cardinals play in a physical division and week 1 vs a Saints team that wants to pound the rock will highlight the ILB position.

5 - Can Kyler execute a 2 min offense? In order to win 10 or 11 games, the QB will need to win some in the last two minutes. Can Kyler finally execute a 2 min offense that looks calm and organized with a plan?

6 - Can Kyler improve his vertical passing to a league average level? As much as the Cardinals want to control the ball, it is unrealistic to consistently execute 10 play scoring drives. too much can go wrong. Can Kyler execute enough splash plays to make defenses worry and play a more conservative defense and increase offensive scoring?

7 - Will Trey Benson earn enough trust to enable the Cardinals to manage James Conner's workload? Almost as much as Trey McBride, Conner is 1B in what makes the offense go. Can Benson close out some games or take some carries off of Conner to enable him to be healthy(ish) in December and January?

 

[MadCardDisease]

My Biggest concerns heading into the season:

1) WR depth. Will MHJr make the jump in year 2? Who steps up to be WR2 and WR3? What happens if one or two WRs get hurt?

2) Youth at CB. There isn't much experience at the CB position. Will the young guys be able to step up? How do they handle adversity?

3) ILB other than Mack are unknowns. Who ends up being the guy who plays opposite of Mack Wilson?

4) Kyler in the 2nd half of the Season. Kyler hasn't had the consistency that you would want from a franchise QB. There are really no excuses this season. Kyler needs to have a strong 2nd half of the season!

 

[phillycard]

Fair concerns. I lose a little sleep at night wondering did we make a mistake by not making a serious push to upgrade the WR room. M. Wilson HAS to be ready to take full advantage of his opportunities.

 

[phillycard]

My Biggest concerns heading into the season:

1) WR depth. Will MHJr make the jump in year 2? Who steps up to be WR2 and WR3? What happens if one or two WRs get hurt?

2) Youth at CB. There isn't much experience at the CB position. Will the young guys be able to step up? How do they handle adversity?

3) ILB other than Mack are unknowns. Who ends up being the guy who plays opposite of Mack Wilson?

4) Kyler in the 2nd half of the Season. Kyler hasn't had the consistency that you would want from a franchise QB. There are really no excuses this season. Kyler needs to have a strong 2nd half of the season!

One of my biggest concerns.

 

[BulldogCard]

A big concern on defense is whether the scheme is too soft and teams gash the Cards in space with short passes and the running game. Penetration and pressures by the DL are going to be so key. On offense, not trying to work a trade to go after a WR kind of concerns me. We will see if MHJ develops into that true #1 big play receiver, and if not having a true #2 wr will be a factor. The TEs and running game make up for some of that.

 

[DVontel]

I think our Run D will take a tremendous jump this season. The pass-rush will be better, but I don’t think it’ll be THAT much better.

 

[BulldogCard]

I had felt all along this year after the draft and free agency, that the floor was low at 6 wins and the ceiling high at 10. I feel a 7th seed is how they'd need to get into the playoffs. But a bad back with Stafford, the 49ers losing a lot of players and poor receivers coming off last place with an aging McCaffrey, and Seattle starting a new qb in a new system without Metcalf make me believe that it is possible that we are in for a wacky season where anything is possible including a Cards division title. Of course, the season could also be a disaster too; especially an 0-2 start.

 

[SECTION 11]

Injuries. If this team stays healthy they should be a tough out for anyone.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Another patented 2nd half Kyler Collapse and the secondary being too green at CB.

 

[JohnnyCakes]

I don't know that these rise to darksider levels, but these are the things I am looking at as the season begins.

1 - Does Petzing move MHJ around? If he does, I think the Kyler/MHJ connection is a less discussed topic. If he doesn't, Kyler's issues throwing vertically along with low % routes will become a talking point.

2 - Will Garrett Williams be deployed in 2 CB personnel? If so, then you have one proven CB on the field at almost all times. If not, teams will definitely shift personnel to exploit the inexperience of Max Melton and Will Johnson.

3 - DL health. This seems like a strange concern, but starting off the season with Jones, Nichols and Nolen unavailable for 4 weeks is really testing depth. Calais and Dalvin are older. Stills and Collier are ok. Robinson and Mustipher are unproven. Things can go south very quickly for what most hoped would be a position of strength. This is my biggest concern--- and Nolan will be out probably 8 weeks realistically

4 - Does a team need ILBs? I think Mack Wilson is fine. I don't believe any of the other options are average NFL LBs. I know teams can go dime but the Cardinals play in a physical division and week 1 vs a Saints team that wants to pound the rock will highlight the ILB position. Cody can help

5 - Can Kyler execute a 2 min offense? In order to win 10 or 11 games, the QB will need to win some in the last two minutes. Can Kyler finally execute a 2 min offense that looks calm and organized with a plan? Yes but when he gets to the Red Zone, no.

6 - Can Kyler improve his vertical passing to a league average level? As much as the Cardinals want to control the ball, it is unrealistic to consistently execute 10 play scoring drives. too much can go wrong. Can Kyler execute enough splash plays to make defenses worry and play a more conservative defense and increase offensive scoring?

7 - Will Trey Benson earn enough trust to enable the Cardinals to manage James Conner's workload? Almost as much as Trey McBride, Conner is 1B in what makes the offense go. Can Benson close out some games or take some carries off of Conner to enable him to be healthy(ish) in December and January? I believe he will, Dont sleep on Demarcado's role either.

 

[PDXChris]

Can't argue with a single one of these.

 

[football karma]

Can Kyler improve his vertical passing to a league average level? As much as the Cardinals want to control the ball, it is unrealistic to consistently execute 10 play scoring drives. too much can go wrong. Can Kyler execute enough splash plays to make defenses worry and play a more conservative defense and increase offensive scoring?

I think this is number 1

hitting enough deep throws will put opposing defenses in such a bind -- and I believe if Kyler is league average in deep throw success -- the Cards offense is a top 5 kind of unit

 

[Mr X]

Will Kyler lead us into the playoffs or will we be looking for a QB next year. This ream is ready to win, hopefully the breaks go our way!

 

[Cardinal88]

Can't argue with a single one of these.

I'm in total agreement! There isn't ONE concern mentioned that I would dissagree with.

Our success is going to start with the defense. Can the DL be enough to put pressure on the offense > Can our young DBs hold up and defend against the pass > Can we survive with our limited LB core > Can our safeties cover for any of the weaknesses > and for Gods sake, can we stay healthy?

Moving to the offense, Can Kyler just manage the game > Can the RB room produce (I know Conner can but can Benson and either Bam or Emari) > Will another TE step up in need because I'm not sure the WR can step up > again, can we stay healthy?

 

[Chopper0080]

Fair concerns. I lose a little sleep at night wondering did we make a mistake by not making a serious push to upgrade the WR room. M. Wilson HAS to be ready to take full advantage of his opportunities.

I understand why the Cardinals chose to use resources in other areas. WR3 only plays 55(ish)% of the time. They want to pound the ball and play keep away. Two main targets is ok. Obviously if either McBride or MHJ go down, it will hurt.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I understand why the Cardinals chose to use resources in other areas. WR3 only plays 55(ish)% of the time. They want to pound the ball and play keep away. Two main targets is ok. Obviously if either McBride or MHJ go down, it will hurt.

I think you present a false choice that lets the Cardinals off the hook tho considering they had and STILL have plenty of resources at their disposal to address other glaring areas of need like getting a legit 2nd or even 3rd WR.

 

[slanidrac16]

Kyler, ILb, Kyler, Wr, Kyler, Petzing, Kyler, injuries and Kyler.

 

[kerouac9]

I understand why the Cardinals chose to use resources in other areas. WR3 only plays 55(ish)% of the time. They want to pound the ball and play keep away. Two main targets is ok. Obviously if either McBride or MHJ go down, it will hurt.

Need more room for blocking TEs

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

not enough safeties

 

[Harry]

I don't know that these rise to darksider levels, but these are the things I am looking at as the season begins.

1 - Does Petzing move MHJ around? If he does, I think the Kyler/MHJ connection is a less discussed topic. If he doesn't, Kyler's issues throwing vertically along with low % routes will become a talking point.

2 - Will Garrett Williams be deployed in 2 CB personnel? If so, then you have one proven CB on the field at almost all times. If not, teams will definitely shift personnel to exploit the inexperience of Max Melton and Will Johnson.

3 - DL health. This seems like a strange concern, but starting off the season with Jones, Nichols and Nolen unavailable for 4 weeks is really testing depth. Calais and Dalvin are older. Stills and Collier are ok. Robinson and Mustipher are unproven. Things can go south very quickly for what most hoped would be a position of strength.

4 - Does a team need ILBs? I think Mack Wilson is fine. I don't believe any of the other options are average NFL LBs. I know teams can go dime but the Cardinals play in a physical division and week 1 vs a Saints team that wants to pound the rock will highlight the ILB position.

5 - Can Kyler execute a 2 min offense? In order to win 10 or 11 games, the QB will need to win some in the last two minutes. Can Kyler finally execute a 2 min offense that looks calm and organized with a plan?

6 - Can Kyler improve his vertical passing to a league average level? As much as the Cardinals want to control the ball, it is unrealistic to consistently execute 10 play scoring drives. too much can go wrong. Can Kyler execute enough splash plays to make defenses worry and play a more conservative defense and increase offensive scoring?

7 - Will Trey Benson earn enough trust to enable the Cardinals to manage James Conner's workload? Almost as much as Trey McBride, Conner is 1B in what makes the offense go. Can Benson close out some games or take some carries off of Conner to enable him to be healthy(ish) in December and January?

Good summary of the scary stuff.

 

[Harry]

Curious to see how fast this new pass rush can learn to play together.

 

[oaken1]

my top concerns for 2025.

1. Injury
2. Injury
3. Injury
4. Seahawks being an unknown
5. Injury

if we can keep all that under control, playoffs here we come!!! There will be nothing to stop us.

 

[Phrazbit]

Can Kyler perform at an acceptable level through the inevitable bruising of the season? He’s yet to do so.

Offensive depth. Connor and McBride are expected to do a lot of heavy lifting, along with hoping Harrison makes a leap. After those guys there are a lot of question marks.

The corners. It’s a young group with a lot of potential, but very unproven.

 

[CardNots]

my top concerns for 2025.

1. Injury
2. Injury
3. Injury
4. Seahawks being an unknown
5. Injury

if we can keep all that under control, playoffs here we come!!! There will be nothing to stop us.

Bummer

Arizona Cardinals injury report: 2 players added on Thursday

Cardinals injury report: Did not participate​

• DL Dante Stills (heel)

Because Stills did not practice, the injury likely happened during Wednesday’s work.

Limited participation​

• G Will Hernandez (knee)
• LB Owen Pappoe (quadriceps)

 

[Chopper0080]

I think you present a false choice that lets the Cardinals off the hook tho considering they had and STILL have plenty of resources at their disposal to address other glaring areas of need like getting a legit 2nd or even 3rd WR.

I agree in general but disagree this season. Who was available that was an upgrade over Michael Wilson? Diggs? You want to give him that contract? Kirk? A guy who I was interested in but is already dinged up and required a draft pick and a contract restructure. Are you giving Brandin Cooks 2 years, 13 mil? And he draft didn't offer up many options either compared to other position groups.

I have no issue with the team looking at the market and thinking there were better ways to use their resources vs spending 4.2 mil on Mack Hollins or 10 mil on Josh Palmer.