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Markus Golden needs to succeed for Arizona Cardinals

By Johnathan Henson

Dec 10, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) looks to pass as Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Markus Golden (44) defends during the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) looks to pass as Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Markus Golden (44) defends during the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Arizona Cardinals haven’t had a double-digit sack master since John Abraham, could they be hoping for a jump in play for Markus Golden. It’s possible, let’s discuss. 

It’s not as important as many think, but it could be the difference between having a career like no other Cardinals linebacker and being an afterthought. Sacks. The Cardinals traded away fridge and sink to get a pressure machine, Chandler Jones. Just to get more sacks.

The “All-or-Nothing” series made me realize something; the Cardinals wanted Ameer Abdullah (current Detroit Lions running back) more then Markus Golden. Abdullah and Golden had an equally unflattering year, as he had 4 sacks. Did the Cardinals get the right guy?

As far as running back goes, David Johnson seems like a legit home-run threat every time he touches the ball, but he’s not who we are talking about. Was Golden worth the second round selection? The reason I brought up Chandler Jones was simple, Jones is going to demand more double teams, while Golden is getting a chance to “try” to beat his opponent one-on-one.

Think about this, the Arizona Cardinals haven’t drafted a player to have him contribute a 10+ sack season on the Cardinals since Simeon Rice. They drafted Rice in 1996, that’s 20 years of not being successful in drafting a sack master, which is pitiful. Don’t get me wrong, Calais Campbell, Calvin Pace, and Kyle Vanden Bosch did have good careers. They just never had 10+ sacks for the Cardinals.

So the Steve Keim/Bruce Arians organization have tried with Shaq Riddick, Kareem Martin, Alex Okafor, and my favorite, Golden. They need to start seeing more success with these guys. They can’t keep depending on guys like Dwight Freeney and John Abraham. It almost seemed like Okafor would make the jump after an 8 sack season, never happened.

If Golden doesn’t show a step, he could end up being replaced by another draft pick next year, making him obsolete. If Golden ends up with a 10-15 sack season, the Cardinals might not even have to depend on resigning or using a franchise tag on Chandler Jones. Money saved on another position (Michael Floyd and Tyrann Mathieu).

Only time will tell. Do you think Golden could end up being a major piece for the Cardinals this year? A 10-15 sack season on the horizon?

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