Raising Zona
FanSided

3 things the Arizona Cardinals got right in free agency

By Avery Duncan

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 10: Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals celebrates after the NFL game against the Tennessee Titans at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Arizona Cardinals won 12 - 7. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 10: Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals celebrates after the NFL game against the Tennessee Titans at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Arizona Cardinals won 12 - 7. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 09: Head coach Vance Joseph of the Denver Broncos looks on from the sideline during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on December 9, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 09: Head coach Vance Joseph of the Denver Broncos looks on from the sideline during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on December 9, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Adding pieces that fit the new ‘attacking’ 3-4 defense

Recently fired Broncos head coach turned recently hired Cardinals defensive coordinator Vance Joseph has stated that he wants to run the ‘attacking’ 3-4 defensive scheme in Arizona. In typical fashion, general manager Steve Keim got the right pieces for Vance Joseph to use that very same defensive scheme that relies on getting to and confusing quarterbacks.

MIKE Inside linebacker? Check — see Jordan Hicks signing.

Standing pass-rusher? Check — see Terrell Suggs signing.

Versatile interior pass-rusher? Check — see Darius Philon signing.

Press cornerback? Check — see Robert Alford signing.

Rotational edge-setter? Check — see Brooks Reed signing.

While the team could certainly stand to add more help at inside linebacker and interior defensive line, they’ve made a lot of progress in shifting a defense from a mainly 4-2-5 (pull a linebacker for a box safety) to an attacking 3-4. Even better, with the top pick, the Cardinals can get a perfect fit at interior defensive line with Quinnen Williams, or a generational pass-rusher in Nick Bosa.

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