Arizona Cardinals: Bruce Arians Praises Carson Palmer

Apr. 2, 2013; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians (left) with quarterback quarterback Carson Palmer during a press conference to announce his signing with the team at the Cardinals practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Carson Palmer is 33 years old, but he’s still a good quarterback. Just ask head coach Bruce Arians.

According to NFL.com, Arians praised Palmer and his deep-ball skills. Arians said, “I think the biggest thing is just his experience level. He’s tough as nails. As good a deep-ball thrower as I’ve ever seen. I mean, really accurate on the deep ball. He still has it. What he did last year with the Raiders, in a crazy situation, I thought was very, very impressive.”

Palmer has deep threats in Larry Fitzgerald, Ryan Swope and Andre Roberts, which he didn’t have in 2012 with the Oakland Raiders. Despite a depleted receiving corps, Palmer managed to post the 16th-best passer rating in the league. Palmer and Fitzgerald are now in Arizona together, and things are going very well with the two and the team.

Swope and Roberts will be able to get open with their speed, and Fitzgerald can bail Palmer out for taking chances. Palmer was intercepted 14 times in 2012, but with a great receiver in Fitzgerald, Palmer’s touchdown total should skyrocket (from 22 in 2012), and his interceptions should decrease.

Chemistry hasn’t been a problem for Palmer and the revamped Cardinals, and talent hasn’t been a problem either. Palmer is talented and has talent around him, and he has the potential to take the Cardinals far. Arians has always preached spreading the field, and Palmer has the arm strength and the weapons to be successful in Arizona under Arians. Expect Arizona’s offense to be a lot better than it was in 2012, and expect Palmer to thrive in the desert.