Strides are being made by Arizona Cardinals offensive unit

Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury is proving that the “Air Raid” offensive system can be successful in the NFL

Since he was hired back in January, the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals has been well aware of his detractors. It’s no secret that the NFL is full of individuals who are genuinely hoping that the Kliff Kingsbury experiment fails. There’s a prejudice in the league against college coaches, especially ones who attempt to implement ideas that are considered to be foreign at the professional level.

To the surprise of many, Kingsbury is proving that the “Air Raid” offense can actually succeed in the pros. While the system has by no means set the world on fire, there certainly have been flashes of brilliance from the Cards scoring attack. In fact, the offensive side of the ball seems to be improving a bit more as each week passes by.

For three quarters of the Cardinals season-opener against the Detroit Lions, it appeared as if Kingsbury’s critics may ultimately have the last laugh. Entering the final 15 minutes of the contest, quarterback Kyler Murray and company had managed just two measly field goals. Andy Lee had punted seven times up until that point, and Kingsbury’s future was not looking bright.

The latter part of the Lions matchup was a completely different story. Arizona mounted a scintillating comeback, with Murray throwing touchdown passes to David Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald with less than six minutes to go in regulation. Two other impressive scoring drives resulted in Zane Gonzalez field goals that helped the Cards secure an improbable 27-27 tie.

In a week two defeat to the Baltimore Ravens, the Cardinals were able to move the ball more consistently than they did versus Detroit. Unfortunately, scoring touchdowns in the red zone became an issue, though Johnson did find the end zone following a four-play, 79-yard jaunt in the fourth quarter. There were also three other productive scoring drives that led to field goals, treks that covered 53, 83 and 81 yards.

Arizona got off to a blistering start last Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, when Murray found Fitzgerald for a score on the team’s first possession of the day. There was also a nine-play, 75-yard drive in the third quarter of the loss that culminated in another touchdown toss to Johnson. Two additional marches during the game by the Cards, covering 53 and 49 yards, ended with two more Gonzalez three-pointers.

While the Cardinals defense has now become a major problem, the club’s offense is seemingly on the ascent. Murray, Fitzgerald, Johnson and some other members of the group have shown the ability to put points on the board. Perhaps there’s a place for Kingsbury and his “Air Raid” scheme in the National Football League after all.