Raising Zona
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Arizona Cardinals: Wide receivers needed

By Scott Allen

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 08: J.J. Nelson #14 of the Arizona Cardinals fumbles the ball past the endzone for a touchback against Rodney McLeod #23 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on October 8, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 08: J.J. Nelson #14 of the Arizona Cardinals fumbles the ball past the endzone for a touchback against Rodney McLeod #23 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on October 8, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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Arizona Cardinals receivers had a hard time catching passes in Sunday’s loss to the Houston Texans

During OTA’s Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians said he had one of the best group of receivers in the NFL.  He thought at least 11-12 of them could start in the NFL.

Then during training camp he told everyone that his initial evaluation was incorrect.  He said all but two of his receivers weren’t cutting it.  Only Larry Fitzgerald and Jaron Brown received any kind of praise.

We are now seeing why Arians wasn’t happy with his group of receivers back in camp.  They have failed to materialize into any consistent success.  It might be time to put up the help wanted sign.

In Sunday’s 31-21 loss to the Houston Texans, Cardinals receivers were dropping balls left and right.  Receivers John Brown, Jaron Brown, and J.J. Nelson all had a case of the dropsies on Sunday.

Brown has played well in the past but for some reason in 2017 he just hasn’t gotten going.  Yes, he has had injury issues but he has been healthy more than not lately.  He just isn’t catching passes coming his way.

As for Jaron Brown, he missed a big one on Sunday.  It wasn’t the first time.  He too has not been able to nail down the number two receiver spot.

Then there is J.J. Nelson.  We know how fast he is.  If he can’t catch a ball, does it really matter how fast he is?

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After Sunday’s game, Arians indicated they would be looking at their receivers this week and possibly making a change.  It certainly sounds like rookie receiver Chad Williams is going to get a shot to show what he can do.

Williams, inactive the last four weeks and eight out of 10 games this season, has been practicing well according to Arians.  Arians has said in the past by the time the end of November rolls around you are no longer considered a rookie.

Whether the Cardinals go out and sign any free agents at this point remains to be seen.  Is anyone on the street truly going to help any more than who the Cardinals have now?

The answer is likely not.  However there is a better chance than not the Cardinals may move on from all three struggling receivers in 2018.

If the Cardinals are truly going to make one more run at it in 2018 with Fitz and possibly Carson Palmer at quarterback, they must find a solid number two and three receiver.

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