Over the past three weeks or so, the Arizona Cardinals have been one of the NFL’s hottest topics. A countless number of people who follow professional football have offered their views on what the club’s front office has accomplished this offseason. There have been varying opinions on what the Cards have done to improve their roster, but most of the reviews have leaned towards the positive side.
One of the many individuals who have chimed in about the Cardinals is Mike Tannenbaum, a former league executive who was the general manager of the New York Jets for seven seasons. The Tulane University Law School possesses a brilliant football mind, and has also spent time with the Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns. Tannenbaum recently provided a variety of thoughts on what Arizona fans can expect from their team in 2021.
There are those who have wondered if J.J. Watt can be productive for the Cards at this stage of his career. Tannenbaum believes that the 31-year old will be used by defensive coordinator Vance Joseph in “sub-packages at defensive end” as well as seeing time at outside linebacker. He also feels that the 48-year old Joseph is “special, and has a really good chance of becoming a head coach again someday.”
The Cardinals made a surprising acquisition this past week when they signed veteran pass-catcher A.J. Green to a one-year contract. Tannenbaum believes that the 32-year old can “absolutely” contribute to the offense this coming fall.
“Green is a bigger guy, who can certainly still be productive in the red zone,” said Tannenbaum. “I think they have a really good receiving corps, obviously led by DeAndre Hopkins. I’m also a big Andy Isabella fan, I think he has underrated speed.”
Tannenbaum was also asked about future Hall of Famer Larry Fitzgerald, the legendary wideout who has not yet announced his plans for the 2021 campaign. Like everyone else, he has no guess on what the 11-time Pro Bowler’s future holds. “He’s an all-time great who deserves to be able to make his own decision on his own time,” Tannenbaum commented about the situation.
This past Wednesday, Arizona brought three-time Pro Bowl center Rodney Hudson to the desert. “Excellent move,” Tannenbaum said of the trade acquisition. “Hudson is really good, and has a chance to be a material upgrade” for the Cards offensive line.
Also this past week, it was announced that cornerback Patrick Peterson had left the Cardinals to sign a one-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings. When asked if the franchise should’ve retained the eight-time Pro Bowler, Tannenbaum offered this. “Peterson’s a guy who’s not the same as he once was, and it’s tough to be a front-line corner when you lose your speed.”
The 52-year old Tannenbaum was with the Dolphins when they drafted Kenyan Drake, and remarked that the running back is a “special person who’s underrated.” He also feels that Chase Edmonds can be a “big part of the solution” at the position. Tannenbaum also indicated that Arizona could acquire a ball-carrier (“not necessarily in the first round”) during next month’s draft.
When asked about Kyler Murray, Tannenbaum had this to say about the Cards starting signal-caller. “I didn’t think he would have this much success,” admitted the NFL insider. “Kyler Murray is a great quarterback.”
The well-respected Tannenbaum is just one of the many experts who will offer up their analysis of the Cardinals in the coming months. If his thoughts prove to be correct, the franchise may be on the verge of something special. Cards fans can only hope.