Arizona Cardinals: First quarter grades

5 of 5

GLENDALE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 25: Head coach Bruce Arians of the Arizona Cardinals watches the action during the first half of the NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 25, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Coaching

There has been a lot of criticism of coach Bruce Arians and his staff over the first four weeks. Some of it is warranted but some of it is what else are they supposed to do given what they have to work with?

The play calling has been the biggest area fans have been critical of. With no David Johnson, many feel the Cardinals haven’t been able to adjust accordingly.

There is some merit there. However with three running backs that could be considered starters in Ellington, Chris Johnson, and Kerwynn Williams, it is hard to figure them out week in and week out.

None of them have been consistent enough to use more often than the other. One exception going forward though may have materialized in week four. Ellington may start seeing the ball more often in the passing game. That was a good move to get back to proper use of his talents.

No one is perfect. None of us will like 100 percent of the things Arians will do. That’s just a fact. As long as they play hard and give continuous effort with what they have to work with, that’s all good from this view.

Grade: B-

Home/Cardinals News