Raising Zona
FanSided

Arizona Cardinals: The eve of week 1 against Saints

By Scott Allen

facebooktwitterreddit

Arizona Cardinals vs. New Orleans Saints Sunday September 13th

The Arizona Cardinals will open at home for the second straight season on Sunday as they host the NFC South New Orleans Saints.  The team and its fans are excited to start a new season, one in which many hope ends up in Santa Clara, California in Super Bowl L.

The Saints are hoping to forget a 7-9 season on the heels of great expectations. They have a little different look but still have Drew Brees at quarterback and that’s all you need to know.

I’m not sure there has been a season I more wanted to see start than this one.  Sure, I get excited and other Cardinals fans get excited this time of year but this year it feels different.  It feels different because many believe there was a story to tell last year that didn’t get to be told.

Injuries derailed what looked like a magical season in 2014.  It resulted in the Cardinals going down in flames in the playoffs.  They were down to their third-string quarterback.  As of week 10, despite some of the injuries, the Cardinals were winning.  Then, they lost quarterback Carson Palmer.  Game over.

They won the game he started but could not finish against the St. Louis Rams to give them a 9-1 mark.  They went 2-4 the rest of the way and then lost their playoff game against the Carolina Panthers.

Now, they start anew.  They’ve suffered some injuries already.  They might get receiver Michael Floyd back.  They won’t have guard Mike Iupati back until October sometime.  They lost tight end Ifeyani Momah this week to a season-ending torn meniscus.

They have Palmer back and he is 100 percent and that’s really all you need to know.  He worked very hard to get back by training camp.  He had a full camp and is ready to go.  Andre Ellington is back.  Plus they’ve added a cast of characters including running back Chris Johnson, tight ends Jermaine Gresham and Joseph Fauria, and linebacker Sean Weatherspoon.

Doesn’t matter what has happened during the week.  Doesn’t matter how early you have to get up or how late you are going to have to go to bed.  Cardinals fans make time for their Birdgang no matter where they are.  That’s what makes football so special.

About 27 hours until kickoff.  Until then, get your tailgaiting food and beverages ready.  Warm up those seats.  It’s time to get back to football and start the march to Santa Clara on February 7th Cardinals fans!

More from Raising Zona

Home/Cardinals News