Raising Zona
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Carson Palmer and starters set to make preseason debut

By Mark A. Hernandez

GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 13: Carson Palmer #3 of the Arizona Cardinals calls a play from the line of scrimmage against the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter at University of Phoenix Stadium on November 13, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. Cardinals won 23-20. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 13: Carson Palmer #3 of the Arizona Cardinals calls a play from the line of scrimmage against the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter at University of Phoenix Stadium on November 13, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. Cardinals won 23-20. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
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With Carson Palmer set to make his preseason debut Saturday against the Raiders, offense will look to find a rhythm.

For the first time heading into the 2017 season, we’ll see incumbent starter Carson Palmer take the field against another team. With the Oakland Raiders coming to Glendale for their annual preseason match up, Palmer will get about 15 plays in his debut. Drew Stanton, along with the rest of the offensive starters, will also get some reps as well. Blaine Gabbert will play the entire second half, with Trevor Knight staying on the bench.

With an extended preseason, seeing the starters in action for a few series will be a nice preview as to how this offense will click in the regular season. It is imperative that the starting five upfront get their time together if they want to keep Carson Palmer upright this season. Palmer, 37, was sacked a staggering 40 times in 2016. For a team that wants to get back to throwing the ball down field, those numbers will need to go down in 2017.

A healthy John Brown should also alleviate any concerns of repeating a “dink and dunk” offense in 2017. Although Brown has been out since the Red-White scrimmage, he is not only expected to practice this week, but play on Saturday as well.

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Mike Iupati cuts down his weight…and his hair

One thing I’ll be keeping an eye on against the Raiders is the play of the interior lineman — most notably left guard Mike Iupati.

Iupati, entering his 3rd season with the Cardinals, reported to training camp this year at 327 pounds, 20 pounds lighter than last year. Pleased with the weight loss, coach Bruce Arians said, “I really like the way Mike looks at 327 instead of 347.” Asked about his recent weight loss, Iupati attributes it to hiring a chef and also…a haircut?

“Got a haircut, so everything feels good,” the 30 year-old all-pro guard said.

“Look good, feel good,” the old cliché goes. And if that is the approach Iupati and the rest of the offensive line will take heading into the regular season, I’m on board. Certainly they look good on paper — but will they look good on the field? We’ll have our answers soon enough.

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