Experience
Ok, people keep haring on how old this team is. That just means you have a lot of experienced players on this team. They’ve been there before.
Phil Dawson leads the way with 18 years. Carson Palmer has 15 years, Larry Fitzgerald, Karlos Dansby, Andy Lee all have 14 years. Frostee Rucker has 12 years and Antoine Bethea has 11 years.
And just how good has that experience been? Despite his slow start to the season in Detroit, Palmer has played very well over the last three games. He threw three interceptions in week one, has thrown just two in the last four games.
Fitz has come up big in a couple of games. Rucker made himself known on the defensive line on Sunday against the Eagles. And how about Bethea?
Bethea leads the Cardinals with two interceptions. The one he made in the end zone as the Eagles were driving to put in a knockout punch before halftime.
He made a beautiful play. The Cardinals have looked smart on his offseason pickup. All of that experience counts for something, right?
Guys like cornerback Patrick Peterson, safety Tyrann Mathieu, as much as we need to see more, believe they can provide more. They believe it.