Arizona Cardinals: Key Free Agents and Trades this Offseason
The Cardinals made some noise this offseason by hiring the Coach of the Year Bruce Arians and GM Steve Keim, but it won’t stop there. Arians knows how to work with and develop quarterbacks something that Ken Whisenhunt lacked. He will bring that winning attitude from Indianapolis here to the desert. If the man can lead a 2-14 team to the playoffs, what can he do with a 5-11 team?
The Arizona Cardinals, who are going unnoticed in the toughest division and penciled in to finish in last place this upcoming season by many experts, have fuel to add to the fire.
The Cardinals acquired quarterback Carson Palmer from Oakland via trade. He’s been to the playoffs and played in a couple of Pro Bowls, so this isn’t his first rodeo. This trade fills the need at quarterback, one the Cardinals have been trying to fill the past 3 years with players like Derek Anderson, Max Hall, Kevin Kolb, and Richard Bartel just to name a few.
Now most fans could probably recognize two of those four, and the other two aren’t even on a NFL roster anymore. Palmer will find his fountain of youth here in the desert and play with arguably the best receiving corp in his career. If Palmer could match his season totals of 4,018 passing yards, 22 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in Arizona the Cardinals could find themselves in a wild card spot or even ahead in the division. Don’t be shocked if Palmer finishes with better numbers which I expect him to.
They also brought in two defensive backs, Antoine Cason and Javier Arenas, which was huge after Greg Toler and William Gay were released and division rivals loaded up on wide receivers Anquan Boldin (former Cardinal), Percy Harvin and Tavon Austin.
Cason will line up across from Patrick Peterson and mostly focus on the opposite team’s No. 2 receiver while Arenas will play in nickel and dime packages. Arenas not considered a great defender, but rather known for his ability to tackle had four games with 7+ tackles last season.
With star MLB Daryl Washington caught up in trouble this offseason and set to miss the first 4 games of the season, the Cardinals brought back a familiar face in Karlos Dansby. Dansby is a veteran presence in the locker room and playmaker in the field. It will be a scary tandem with him and Washington once Washington serves serves his suspension. Darnell Dockett and Larry Fitzgerald welcome their friend with open arms and hope to get back to where they were in 2008.
The Cardinals front office has made wise moves, but just because they look good on paper doesn’t mean it will translate to on field success. However, if the squad can stay healthy and build chemistry, be ready for them to take the NFL by storm.