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3 Questions Before Camp For The Cardinals

By Mark A. Hernandez

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 04: (L-R) Head coach Bruce Arians of the Arizona Cardinals, general manager Steve Keim, and president Michael J. Bidwell watch warmups before the start of the NFL game against the St. Louis Rams at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 4, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 04: (L-R) Head coach Bruce Arians of the Arizona Cardinals, general manager Steve Keim, and president Michael J. Bidwell watch warmups before the start of the NFL game against the St. Louis Rams at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 4, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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With 5 preseason games and training camp starting on Friday, here are 3 questions I have looking at the 2017 Arizona Cardinals.

Can David Johnson live up to the hype and all-pro status?

After a breakout sophomore season, running back David Johnson has established himself as a household name. After gaining 1,239 yards on the ground, catching 80 passes for 879 yards, and totaling 20 touchdowns in 2016, one could argue he is now the most complete back in the NFL, much to the chagrin of Cowboy fans. But will 2017 be better than the previous year? He certainly seems to think so. Vying to become just the 3rd person in NFL history to have 1000 yards rushing and receiving, certainly Johnson has set his expectations high.

Who Will Be Opposite Patrick Peterson?

As AZCentral’s Bob McManaman said, “it’s going to remain a familiar refrain.” The Cardinals have no viable option at their number 2 cornerback position. My 8-year-old daughter knows that. Justin Bethel has been called a “failure in progress,” and without improvement, could be a career special-teamer. Second-year man Brandon Williams certainly will have his opportunity to impress coaches this summer, but will he make enough noise? Once again, the Cardinals are left with more questions than answers when it comes to the cornerback position. With fewer passes going Patrick Peterson’s way, it’s imperative the team finds at least a stop-gap for 2017. Until a true number 2 emerges, we’ll continue to ask, “who’s playing opposite Patrick Peterson?”

Swan songs for the trio?

Bruce Arians, Carson Palmer and Larry Fitzgerald are all at the twilight of their careers. Finishing the 2017 season with a Lombardi Trophy for the trio would be worthy of a Hollywood screenplay. Since Bruce Arians was hired in 2013, the Cardinals have gone 41-22-1. By far, this is the best stretch in franchise history, with an appearance in the NFC title game in 2015. Under Arians, Carson Palmer has thrived, accumulating 14,804 passing yards, 96 TDs and an average QB rating of 92.8. Quarterback Whisperer, indeed.

Larry Fitzgerald has also found new life, learning a new position after being asked to move inside primarily as a slot receiver. The future Hall of Famer knows the time to win is now — and the rest of the team is well-aware. I cannot think of a player more deserving of a ring than Larry Fitzgerald. He embodies professionalism, flips the ball to the referee after a TD, and goes about his day.

What an ending it would be for the three to go out on top…together. But to do that, these questions must be answered. If not, it could be another disappointing season in the desert.

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