Arizona Cardinals new defense adept at forcing turnovers

Coordinator Al Holcomb’s newly-implemented defense is collecting an inordinate amount of turnovers during the current preseason

The Arizona Cardinals defense appears to be having loads of fun this summer. Head coach Steve Wilks has brought fresh ideas to the desert with him, a scheme that has been forcing turnovers in bunches during the preseason. Coordinator Al Holcomb is presiding over a new 4-3 alignment, and the results have been fantastic.

A bevy of Cards’ defenders have been flocking to the party. Six different players have collected interceptions over the past three weeks, a group that includes Patrick Peterson, Budda Baker, Haason Reddick, Bene Benwikere, A.J. Howard and Travell Dixon. There have been an eye-popping nine fumble recoveries as well, including one two weeks ago that resulted in a touchdown for the now-injured Jeremy Cash.

Peterson’s theft also resulted in a score this past Sunday night during Arizona’s 27-3 blowout victory over the Dallas Cowboys. Despite the fact that the pick-six occurred during a contest that doesn’t count, the seven-time Pro Bowler could not disguise his elation. The coaches have promised Peterson a role in the defense that will bring big-play opportunities, and the 28-year old couldn’t be more excited.

Eyebrows were raised when it was announced that the Cards would be abandoning the 3-4 setup that they had utilized for quite some time. After all, they had finished top-six in the league over the past three campaigns while positioned that way. The unit’s stellar play in August, however, has replaced all of that skepticism with unbridled excitement.

Cardinals fans could be in for a real treat if the defense’s outstanding performance continues into the regular season. A timely takeaway is a sure way to whip a team’s home crowd into a frenzy. The way things are looking, there may be plenty of that happening at University of Phoenix Stadium in 2018.