Rankings mean nothing to Arizona Cardinals
By Scott Allen
ESPN recently ranked the Arizona Cardinals as one of the worst teams in the NFL
To any NFL player, coach, or executive rankings at the end of March mean nothing, not even to the Arizona Cardinals. For that matter, the only ranking that matters is who is raising the Lombardi Trophy the following February.
Yet though we still put out rankings. They really only matter though to many once the season starts. Right now you have 32 ever-changing rosters.
What you see now is not anything close to what rosters will be in July when camps open or in September when the regular season starts. All it entails is one man’s opinion or in some cases a small contingent of “experts” or writers.
ESPN ranked the Cardinals 29th out of 32 teams post free agency. The problem is, free agency isn’t over. Sure, the bigger names have found homes.
For many though, the search continues. The Cardinals search continues. They still have positions like cornerback and receiver to deal with.
Still, people love discussing the rankings. For business purposes and because it is kind of expected, I discuss them too.
However before the NFL Draft, before more free agency signings, before more trades, people are compelled to rank the teams. Why though? It means nothing. It won’t mean a thing once they get out there in the fall.
But it does what it is designed to do. Get people to talk. Case in point, this article. So while we chat, it is my duty to tell you ESPN’s ranking is a little ridiculous.
Here is a team that finished 8-8 last season, mainly due to a defense that still has a lot of their major players on the roster. Yes, I know, the offense has had some changes.
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It’s all based on projection though. Everyone expects new Cardinals quarterback Sam Bradford to fall to another injury in 2018. Doesn’t mean it will though. Let the process play out.