Despite a disappointing NFC Championship performance the hopes of the Arizona Cardinals lie squarely on the arm of their quarterback
The defense of the Carolina Panthers was swarming and Carson Palmer was pressing. The Panthers had taken an early 17 to 0 lead and Palmer was trying desperately to get his team back in the game.
But on this day it was not to be and the Cardinals would go on to lose the NFC Championship by five touchdowns. When all was said and done Palmer had committed six turnovers and his critics were lining up to lambast him.
But the fact is the Cardinals wouldn’t have been one win away from the Super Bowl without Palmer. He had a MVP-type season, was voted to the Pro Bowl, beat Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers in the divisional round of the playoffs.
He’s by far the best QB the Cards have had since Kurt Warner decided to retire following the 2009 season. Cards fans had to suffer through Derek Anderson, Max Hall, John Skelton, Kevin Kolb, Ryan Lindley. The trade that brought him from the Oakland Raiders to the desert was one of the best in franchise history.
And now we’re on the brink of a brand new football season. The Cards roster is loaded, they’ve brought in some new faces, expectations are high, a Super Bowl or bust mentality.
All that is fine and dandy. But with all the talent this team boasts there’s one fact that still remains; The Arizona Cardinals will only go as far as Carson Palmer will take them.