Returning pair should bolster Arizona Cardinals’ chances
By Jim Koch
The return of two significant players should increase the Arizona Cardinals’ odds of getting back to the playoffs in 2018
2017 was a tough year for the Arizona Cardinals. Injury after injury systematically destroyed any hopes that the club had for a Vince Lombardi Trophy. In the end, the losses were too much to overcome, and the Cards limped to an eight and eight finish.
But a new campaign brings fresh optimism. Free agency is just a few weeks away. Following that will be the NFL Draft and then phase-two of the free agency period.
With all of that offseason excitement, however, what Arizona will be getting back from last year’s injured-reserve list may be getting overlooked. We’re talking about some significant talent returning to the field. Players who’s presence alone will instantly improve the Cardinals on both sides of the ball.
David Johnson’s return may have the greatest impact on the squad. Losing the heart and soul of the offense (wrist surgery) in last season’s opening contest was a blow that the Cards never really recovered from. Management tried hard to replace the star runner, first with Chris Johnson and then with Adrian Peterson, but had little success.
After an excellent showing as a rookie in 2015, Johnson really hit his stride during his sophomore year. The 6’1″, 224 pounder rushed for 1,239 yards, caught 80 balls for another 879 and added 20 touchdowns in ’16. That kind of production is clearly irreplaceable.
Arizona’s defensive unit was also without one of it’s most impactful pieces a year ago. Markus Golden registered 12.5 quarterback sacks in ’16, and was looking to continue that stellar play last season. But disaster struck again.
In a week four victory over the San Francisco 49ers, the outside linebacker suffered a torn ACL in his right knee. Golden was replaced with Kareem Martin, an adequate but not outstanding fill-in. Fellow sackmaster Chandler Jones picked up the slack (17 sacks), but getting back the other half of the magnificent pass-rushing twosome will be huge.
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Two of the most important additions to the 2018 Cardinals will be components that are already on the roster. Johnson evading defenders as he runs for paydirt, Golden terrorizing each passer placed in front of him. What a beautiful scenario that is for Arizona football fans to think about.