Jun. 11, 2013; Glendale, AZ, USA: Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians (left) and general manager Steve Keim during mini camp at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
If I were to say the Arizona Cardinals will win the NFC West this season; most educated NFL fans would probably think that I’m completely out of my mind.
After a complete makeover for the Cardinals this offseason, there is much excitement in the desert. With a new general manager in Steve Keim making seemingly brilliant personnel moves this offseason and an exciting and vibrant new head coach in Bruce Arians calling the shots from the sidelines. As well as a solid veteran QB behind center in Carson Palmer and countless other exciting new players added to the roster. It is extremely easy to understand all of the excited in Cardinals land.
However, unfortunately for all of us Cardinals fans, we all need to be patient or should I say realistic about this upcoming season. Yes I do have extremely high hopes that new head coach Arians, new QB Carson Palmer and the Redbirds offense will somehow explode on the scene. As well as the transition from the Ray Horton’ defense to the Todd Bowles’ defense will somehow not lose a beat even in transition.
From a realistic point of view, the Cardinals winning the division is probably not going to happen. Realistically, it is going to take time for the team to gel. It will take time for team chemistry. For players and coaches alike to get on the same page and trust each other.
It just will take time for the restructured offensive line to get in sync with each other. It will more than likely take time for Carson Palmer and his fellow receiving core to get into rhythm with each other and trust each other.
For the reasons listed above and as much as I crave to put the Cardinals on top of the division right now. At this point I would be fooling myself if I did. So as much as it pains me to say these two words (with a little chuckle). For now, I will have to give the nod to the San Francisco 49ers to be the division winner unless the Cardinals or the other members of the NFC West prove me otherwise.
After all the 49ers were the division winners last year and represented the NFC in the Super Bowl. I just don’t think you can suggest another division winner in the west until proven otherwise.
If I were to pick another division winner, it would probably have to be the Seattle Seahawks. After all, the way the Seahawks played towards the end of last season and the playoff run they had last season; to me, it is not too difficult to see why the Seahawks could be a strong contender in the west.
Having said that, I will have to maintain the belief that the 49ers will come out on top this season; however, let’s just hope somehow the Redbirds come out strong surprising us all. We will find out soon, starting the first day of training camp July 25th.