Re-examining the Arizona Cardinals quarterback situation

With only days remaining until the regular season the Arizona Cardinals’ signal-callers are a cause for concern

The Arizona Cardinals, and the rest of the NFL for that matter, will tell you it’s only preseason. Whether your team is playing good or terrible you shouldn’t put much stock into what you see.

All the same, starting quarterback Carson Palmer’s play has been pretty dismal. He’s thrown three ridiculous interceptions and zero touchdowns in limited playing time. The Cardinals can ill afford to have this kind of performance carry over into the regular season.

Backup Drew Stanton has been even worse. His chronic inaccuracy is becoming hard to stomach. For a ten-year veteran to be completing under 40% of his passes is inexcusable, even if it’s only preseason.

Matt Barkley is currently competing against no one for the third quarterback spot after Jake Coker was waived. After a shaky start to the preseason, he finished on a high note in the finale versus the Denver Broncos. If he’s not placed on the final roster, they’ll probably try to keep him on the practice squad.

As stacked as Arizona’s roster is, all their fortunes rest on the arm of Palmer. His bad play this preseason was preceded by that all-time stinker in last season’s NFC Championship game. His critics contend that that game could’ve caused irrevocable damage . The quicker he gets that game off his mind, the better.

Optimistic fans believe Palmer will be fine. He better be because it’s becoming clear that Stanton will not be repeating his 2014 performance any time soon (He went 5-3 as a starter filling in for an injured Palmer that season). Success this season will without a doubt hinge on keeping Palmer upright.

Is Palmer saving his best for the regular season? Will the bad play that actually began in week 17 of last season continue for the Cards’ Leader?

These questions will be answered soon. Then, and only then, will concerns about the QB position be laid to rest.