Arizona Cardinals Exhibit Arsenal of Offensive Weapons
By Scott Allen
Sep 8, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Floyd (15) catches a pass as San Diego Chargers cornerback Shareece Wright (29) pursues during the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
A lot has been made about Arizona Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald’s receptions, or lack thereof this past Monday night in the 18-17 victory over the San Diego Chargers. Fitz ended up with one reception for 22 yards. It really isn’t a big deal.
If you look at how quarterback Carson Palmer distributed the ball on Monday night, it is easy to tell he wasn’t targeting any one player. He wasn’t ignoring any one player on purpose. Palmer completed passes to 11 different receivers on Monday night.
The most targeted receiver was Michael Floyd, who was targeted seven times. He caught five of those targets for 119 yards. John Brown and Andre Ellington were targeted five times each. Fitz was next on the list with four targets, so only three players were targeted more. I think we’ve been used to in the past to having Fitz on of the higher targeted players. Ted Ginn Jr. and Rob Housler were targeted just three times each and John Carlson only once.
Jaron Brown, Stepfan Taylor, Robert Hughes, and Jonathan Dwyer all had at least one reception as well. Fitz isn’t be phased out as some put it. He’s just in a mix of a lot of talent. Those first five or six seasons, the Cards didn’t have the arsenal of running backs that could catch that they do know. All four backs can catch. All four active tight ends Monday night can catch. When you run 65 offensive plays, unfortunately with that many weapons, it will reduce what Fitz ends up doing. As I said the other day, he’ll get his.
The running game didn’t really materialize Monday night but it was enough. Ellington rushed for 53 yards. Palmer was second on the team with 29 yards, which was a surprise. The fact is these Cards can move the ball. They just need to do a better job of putting the ball in the end zone. I have a feeling that may not be an issue this weekend in New York.