2015 Arizona Cardinals

Upside

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The Cardinals figure to be a team to avoid in 2015, unless several unlikely things happen:

- Carson Palmer returns to 100%.

Unfortunately, the last time Palmer suffered a major injury, it took him nearly five seasons to return to his top 10 form; in fact, one could argue he struggled to be a top 20 quarterback during that time. And at age 35, Palmer doesn't have five more seasons.

- Bruce Arians utilizes Troy Niklas' pass catching ability.

For whatever reason, the Arizona offense doesn't favor the tight end, as we recently watched Todd Heap, John Carlson, and Jeff King waste the last few years of their careers; Rob Housler also has moved on to Cleveland where he figures to be a big contributor. That leaves Niklas set to take over the starting job, but don't expect very much production, as he will mostly be used as a blocker.

- Ryan Spadola makes the team.

Looking at the roster, Spadola is easily the 3rd or 4th best receiver on the team. However we've all said that before, just as he was being cut from the Dolphins and Jets. Funny how no NFL team has any use for a 6'2 200 lb. receiver, with 4.4 speed...

- Either Josh Mauro or Glenn Carson or both start on defense.

Mauro can play either DE or OLB, Carson is strictly an ILB. The starting D-line is likely set with Campbell, Peters, and Redding. All three are decent players, but they are also old and overweight, which means Mauro will be heavily involved in the rotation, at worst. At OLB, Shaunessy is a bum, I wouldn't bet money on Okafor, and suddenly Lamarr Woodley can't touch a QB to save his life, so I'd call OLB an open competition. As for ILB, Weatherspoon, while a decent player, can't seem to stay healthy, and will likely start the season on the PUP list. Daryl Washington, is still suspended, and the odds of him staying out of trouble are slim. So really, the battle for the ILB spots is between Carson, Kevin Minter and Daryl Sharpton.
 
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..unlikely things happen:
- Carson Palmer returns to 100%.
and at age 35...

Fair enough.. Palmer's not a young dude anymore, and he's sustained significant injuries over the years. But I just saw a stat that he has the highest win % of QBs since middle of the 2013 season (13-2, 86% wins). The 2014 Cards were 6-0 w/Palmer, & subsequently 5-5 without him. He's playing @ a high level, when available, right now, and playing for a damn good coach.
I know it's meaningless now, but no way Arizona loses their playoff game against sCam & the Panthers last season if Palmer's on the field. Lindley turned in a historically bad performance (in his defense, with little to no time for preparation).

I'm looking forward to Palmer's season.. I think w/ him, they're potentially the 2nd best team in the NFC (behind Green Bay). Reports are Palmer looks healthy, and is clicking w/his receiving corps.
Going forward, the story over the next few years in Arizona will probably be Arians.. and how good this guy can coach up players, with or without Palmer..
 

Leonardfan

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Palmer is the key to this team, Drew Stanton is a a really solid 2 - scam lucked out last year as both were injured. They threw Lindley out their because they had no faith in their black quarterback Logan Thomas. They made a bad decision this draft by not picking up one of the qbs.

The GM of the cardinals is no friend to white players though - his drafts have been very black. I do hope Carson and Mauro make the team and Palmer has a bounce back year after injury.
 

Extra Point

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Palmer is the key to this team, Drew Stanton is a a really solid 2 - scam lucked out last year as both were injured. They threw Lindley out their because they had no faith in their black quarterback Logan Thomas. They made a bad decision this draft by not picking up one of the qbs.

Yes, they made a bad decision in drafting Thomas, whose completion percentage never cracked 60% in college.

I couldn't believe it when they passed on Zach Mettenberger and Tom Savage to draft Thomas.

They must have drafted Thomas because of that magical negro "upside" that makes all negroes better football prospects than all whites. (sarcasm)
 
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Yes, they made a bad decision in drafting Thomas,..completion percentage never cracked 60% in college.

I believe Thomas has been a victim of caste practices. He was a great high school tight end. And when he got to Blacksburg, Va Tech's coaching staff sold him on the idea of converting to full time QB. The staff liked his size and athleticism. But it was apparent on the field, Thomas was not a consistently accurate passer. He definitely didn't possess the required skill set of an NFL Qb. Who knows how good this guy could've been as a TE (?) But the goofy, shallow obsession with upside & athleticism now routinely trump pocket presence, touch, and hand-eye coordination.
It's wild that scouts and teams keep going down this same dead end experiment/patronage system. And to my knowledge there is no organized, persistent criticism of it anywhere, outside of this forum.. stupid.
 

Leonardfan

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The Cardinals have traded for Matt Barkley. I hope this means Logan Thomas is cut and Barkley gets to learn under Palmer.
 
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