Arizona Cardinals Should Have The Advantage Going Into Sunday’s Matchup With The Buccs

Aug 9, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive end John Abraham (53) during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

The Cardinals defense looked like a regular MASH unit after the beat down in war against the Saints last weekend, the team lost three key players to season ending injuries, the most notable being outside line backer Sam Acho. Acho look like he was just getting into a grove of getting pressure on the quarterback, in fact he got a sack of Drew Brees in the game last week at a time when the game was still in reach.

Cardinals coaching staff making some changes to the defensive scheme this week, including alternating to a 4-3 defense at times to be able to rotate the remaining linebackers, and putting them in positions to be effective, and cause some confusion to the rookie starting quarterback.

The question has been widely asked all week long, who will have the advantage this week, the Cards depleted defense or a rookie quarterback getting his first start at home in Mike Glennon.

I have looked at this scenario from every angle and it simply comes down to the Cardinals getting pressure up the middle, not just to make the rookie uncomfortable, but to slow down the running game, which is for sure to be the highlight of the Buccaneers offense all day.

John Abraham has to play a big part to this game, in getting edge pressure as well, this could very well be a break out game for Abraham as the Buccaneers have not protected the passer very good threw three games giving up 7 sacks.

Coach Bruce Arians was quoted saying “we should have the advantage, I believe” Arians put the responsibility of not losing two games in a row on his veteran players. I believe his comments of having the advantage were not made in a disrespectful manner at all; it was made out of reality and fact.

Fact is rookie quarterbacks having to deal with a complex speed defense for the first time on the pro level should have a long day of learning the hard way of what it means to play quarterback in the NFL, and the Cards have to be teaching the lessons early and often.

The way this shapes out, it should be a Cardinals blowout, but will the Cards offense show up, can the offensive line give quarterback Carson Palmer enough time to stay comfortable in the pocket.

Defensively the Cards will also be missing nose tackle Dan Williams another week, out because of the passing of his father recently. Regardless to who will be replacing those that are out, the Cards should have enough to cause some havoc on defense all day against rookie quaterback Mike Glennon, and should be able to have good field position for the offense all day.