Arizona Cardinals: Grading 2016 position by position

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Jan 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) celebrates with Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown (12) after a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams during the fourth quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

The Arizona Cardinals had failed expectations in 2016 but all is not lost as preparation for 2017 begins

The Arizona Cardinals may have not made the playoffs. They may have excelled at certain positions. However they also are going to need some help at others as they prepare for the 2017 season.

The offense generated 418 points, fourth-most in franchise history. They managed to get 20 touchdowns from their top running back.

The Cardinals also managed to get 16 players on injured reserve this season. One of them, safety Tyvon Branch, went on injured reserve twice. He came off and after one game, went right back on back in December.

The defense had its moments. They finished second in the NFL if you can believe that. They gave up 48 to the New Orleans Saints at home but on the slip side, three to the New York Jets, six to the Seattle Seahawks, and seven to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The special teams? Well we know the story there. The Cardinals need to look at all involved with special teams from punter to kicker to the return teams. They all need to be scrutinized. It should start with the coaching. We’ll see how that turns out after coach Bruce Arians gave special teams coach Amos Jones a vote of confidence in December.

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