Arizona Cardinals: Year Three Of The Steve Keim-Bruce Arians Regime

Jun 9, 2015; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians (right) talks with general manager Steve Keim during minicamp practice at the Cardinals Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The 2015 season is almost upon us and now comes another test for both Keim and Arians.  Keim has to prove that the selections in this years draft were the right ones.  Some questioned, including myself, the selection of an offensive lineman in the first round.  So far D.J. Humphries sounds like the real deal though.  Keim may have gotten the steals of the draft in running back David Johnson from Northern Iowa and defensive end Rodney Gunter from Deleware State.

Arians has all of his weapons back.  Quarterback Carson Palmer is 100 percent and ready to face the new season.  Running back Andre Ellington is back and 100 percent.  He even has receiver Larry Fitzgerald back without a contract distraction after Fitz got his new contract back in February.

So now is the time to shine.  If there was ever a chance to over take the Seattle Seahawks this is it.  It may not get any better than this for awhile.  Palmer and Fitz aren’t getting any younger, nor are the free agents that Keim brought in such as linebacker Sean Weatherspoon or defensive end Cory Redding.

I trust in both Arians and Keim though.  So far they have helped bring the Cardinals success.  Although Keim was in the Cardinals front office for 14 years prior to becoming general manager, now he is the one calling the shots.  Almost every time I’ve found myself starting to question them they’ve proven me wrong.  This draft class to me is a huge question mark right now but I expect them to prove me wrong and prove all the right moves were made.

Now, I do love the fact the Cardinals were able to get offensive lineman Mike Iupati.  He was ranked as the fourth-best free agent this year by nfl.com.  He will help in the run game immensely.  The Cardinals were willing to spend the money.  It is about more than money though and Keim and Arians recognize that.  Being highly paid doesn’t always equal success.  Keim recognizes that.  Arians doesn’t care what yu are being paid.  If you aren’t performing, then you sit.  Look at guard Jonathan Cooper.  Coming off his broken leg injury his rookie season in 2013, which healed, he wasn’t performing.  Arians sat him.

The bar is raised.  Now Cardinals fans are expecting no less than 10 wins and quite frankly see no reason why they can’t win 12 or 13.  That will be a tough task this year with the way the schedule is laid out.  However with three of the first four games and three of the final four games of the 2015 season at home, another fun ride could be ahead for the organization.  In Steve and Bruce we trust.