Raising Zona
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Arizona Cardinals have two viable MVP candidates

By Scott Allen

Jan 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) fakes a handoff to running back David Johnson (31) during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) fakes a handoff to running back David Johnson (31) during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) fakes a handoff to running back David Johnson (31) during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) fakes a handoff to running back David Johnson (31) during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

The Arizona Cardinals have a lot to prove as a team this season but still have MVP candidates on the roster

In 2015, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer had an MVP season.  He finished with 35 touchdowns passes and 11 interceptions.  In 2016, he had 26 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

For Cardinals running back David Johnson, he lead all NFL running backs with 80 receptions last season to go with his 20 touchdowns (16 on the ground, four receiving) and 1,239-yards rushing. Oh, and that was just his second NFL season.

With expectations running high again going into 2017, there is no reason to believe that Palmer or Johnson will take a step back.  Palmer easily can get back to his 2015 numbers and Johnson could be better than what he produced in 2016.

This isn’t to make any guarantees that it will happen but certainly the possibility exists.  The Cardinals are going all in with what could be Palmer’s last season along with receiver Larry Fitzgerald.

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The idea is to win now.  The Cardinals have started to prepare for the future but they are in win now mode.  If they win now, that means Palmer and Johnson will have had big parts in that.

Palmer has a healthy and upgraded offensive line in front of him this season.  They might be a little younger in spots but that likely will be a good thing for him.

As for Johnson, he can do it all.  He can run, catch, and block.  The blocking has vastly improved since his first several weeks as a rookie.

The Cardinals want to reduce his carries but still get him 25-30 touches a game.  If that happens this season and most of the supporting cast around him can stay healthy, Johnson will be knocking on the MVP Trophy door.

There is a lot of good competition out there that also will make great runs at the MVP.  All of last year’s NFL stars are back for more in 2017.  So, why not Palmer or Johnson for MVP?

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