Win or Lose Sunday, Arizona Cardinals Still Successful in 2013
By Scott Allen
Dec 22, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians stands on the sideline during the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
I know we will all be disappointed if the Arizona Cardinals lose on Sunday at home to the San Francisco 49ers. We will be even more so if the Cards win and the New Orleans Saints beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, win or lose, I see 2013 as a successful season for the Cards. Of course, head coach Bruce Arians will tell you differently and that’s understandable.
Clearly, the Cards are a much better team than 2010, 2011, or 2012 and it is debatable if they are better than the 2008 or 2009 teams. This much is for sure, they’ve been a better regular season team. It is all about the ring as Arians put it though, so I get it. However this sure still feels nice going into next season.
The Cards won’t have a high draft pick as usual but they do come out of the season with many positives:
1. The defense is legit. Defensive Coordinator Todd Bowels has done a phenomenal job.
2. The Cards have a chance to finish with the best regular season record in the history of the 25 years of Arizona/Phoenix Cardinals football.
3. The Cards have a quarterback. Albeit he isn’t Kurt Warner but who is? Carson Palmer has had a lot of bonehead picks, including a couple head scratchers last week in Seattle. However he has to be a main reason for the Cards new found success.
4. The Cards most likely get a higher national profile next season. I’m fairly certain they will get more than the obligatory Thursday Night game. Now, that may not necessarily be a good thing but it also gives people a chance to see what this team can do.
I’ll be yelling at the television like many others on Sunday but in the end, I am impressed with what they’ve been able to accomplish in such a short time and it all starts at the top with general manager Steve Keim and coach Arians. Credit team president Michael Bidwill with making impressive hires.