Raising Zona
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First Test For Cardinals In Hall Of Fame Game

By Mark A. Hernandez

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 04: Head coach Bruce Arians of the Arizona Cardinals looks at his play chart while standing on the sideline during the second quarter against the Washington Redskins at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 4, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 04: Head coach Bruce Arians of the Arizona Cardinals looks at his play chart while standing on the sideline during the second quarter against the Washington Redskins at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 4, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
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With the starters being sidelined for the upcoming Hall of Fame game, look for the backups and younger players on the bubble to take advantage.

Football is back (kind of). The Arizona Cardinals and Dallas Cowboys will face off this Thursday in Canton, OH for the annual Hall of Fame game. Two teams looking to control their respective divisions will get the first crack at the 2017 preseason.

The starters will sit this week, so that should give plenty of playing time in this game for the rookies. Blaine Gabbert will take the snaps under center for the first half; rookie Trevor Knight will start the second half. Drew Stanton will not play at all, according to head coach Bruce Arians. That raises some huge questions in regards to the backup QB competition. Blaine Gabbert will have his opportunity to compete for the backup role — and possibly his Cardinal career.

As for the rest of the players looking to make the team, a roster spot can only be earned. After Monday’s horrible practice, I would expect nothing less than maximum effort from a Bruce Arians-coached team. The head coach was not pleased by the (lack of) effort and had his players run sprints afterwards. Asked by reporters about the punishment, Arians said, “play like s–t, I’ll treat you like s–t.”

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The conundrum of a 5th preseason season game can have its benefits for a team looking to make a Super Bowl run. Electing to sit the starters for the first game is a great move. It will allow for the rookies to get much-needed NFL game time, and an opportunity to shed some light on key position battles.

This year’s draft class will look to shine on a nationally televised game against the Cowboys. Albeit just a preseason game, some rookies are ready for the NFL experience. Third-round pick Chad Williams is one of them. “Finally, your dreams come true and you get to run under the NFL light,” the rookie WR said.

The season before the season is among us, and chapter one of five starts on Thursday in Ohio. The team’s identity will soon start to emerge, and questions will start being answered.

So I’ll say it once again…football is back (kind of).

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