At the dawn of the 2022 season, We Sport looks back on the situation of the 32 NFL franchises. Today, focus on the Arizona Cardinals of the Kliff Kingsbury / Kyler Murray tandem.
The balance sheet of arizona cardinals last season
A perfect start to the season and a missed end to the year: that’s how to sum up what the Cardinals went through in 2021. Last franchise to be undefeated last year, with seven wins in as many games, Arizona collapsed in the home stretch, chaining four defeats in six games after their bye week. If this did not prevent Kliff Kingsbury players from joining the playoffs, it forced them to face the Rams, future champions. Not at the level, the Cardinals came out as soon as Wild Cards and can nourish regrets with regard to their start to the season.
[11-6]eliminated in Wild Cards by the Los Angeles Rams
The movements of the off-season
The big blow of the offseason in Arizona is the arrival of Marquise Brown on draft night. Transferred from Baltimore against a first round draft pick, the one we nicknamed Hollywood will replace Christian Kirk in the role of No. 1 receiver, he who left for the Jaguars against a lucrative contract. For its part, the offensive line records the arrival of Will Hernandez who should be the holder of the position of guardwhile rookie Trey McBride reinforces the tight-end position and will cohabit with Zach Ertz, extended during said off-season.
In defense, the situation is much less encouraging for the Cardinals. Indeed, the Glendale franchise has seen the departure of several executives, including veterans Jordan Hicks and Chandler Jones. To compensate, Arizona mainly bet on the draft, where the defensive ends Cameron Thomas and Myjai Sanders come to bring depth.
Major arrivals: WR Marquise Brown (Ravens), OG Will Hernandez (Giant), LB Nick Vigil (vikings)
Notable departures: CB Malcolm Butler (Patriots), LB Jordan Hicks (Viking), edge chandler jones (Raiders), WR Christian Kirk (Jaguar), DL Jordan Phillips (Bills)
Extensions: RB James Conner, YOU Zach Ertz, LB Dennis Gardeck
Draft*: YOU Trey McBride (Colorado State), OF Cameron Thomas (San Diego State), OF Myjai Sanders (Cincinnati)
* Only the players selected during the first two days are mentioned.
The number of arizona cardinals 2022
Around Kyler Murray, the Cardinals offense looks pretty good in the air. With Marquise Brown, veteran AJ Green and a safety valve like Zach Ertz, the aerial game so dear to Kliff Kingsbury has plenty to flourish. In addition, thanks to the qualities of the running of his quarterback and the productivity of James Conner, the ground game of Arizona should not be outdone. We will carefully observe the level of the offensive line, determining in the success of Kyler Murray and in the effectiveness of the ground game.
In defense, the leader is in the backfield and is called Budda Baker. Multiple Pro Bowlerhe is the ray of sunshine of a secondary surprisingly quite effective against the pass. Further down the field, the duo of linebackers Isaiah Simmons/Zaven Collins will be eagerly awaited, as will JJ Watt who must regain his status and be the leader of a pass rush who lost two of their three most effective players.
arizona cardinals : Ambitions and ranking
If the defense seems less strong than last season, the Cardinals remain a very competitive team that must aim for the playoffs. Battling the Rams and 49ers for the division title NFC West, Kliff Kingsbury players will not have to repeat their mistakes of last year and continue to assert themselves as a stronghold in their conference. After returning to the playoffs after five years of absence, the Cardinals will have to taste victory again to mark progress and consider the 2022 season to be satisfactory.
Player to watch: JJ Watt
Arrived last year in Arizona, JJ Watt had a complicated first season. Absent for eleven games, the multiple defender of the year recorded only one sack and went on to disappointing seasons, the weight of age beginning to be felt. With a Watt in shape, the Cardinals defense would take on another dimension and recover a real leader: important for a franchise that has suffered in important moments.
The calendar of arizona cardinals in 2022
|
Week 1
vs Kansas City Chiefs |
Week 2
@ Las Vegas Raiders |
Week 3
vs Los Angeles Rams |
|
Week 4
@ Carolina Panthers |
Week 5
vs Philadelphia Eagles |
Week 6
@Seattle Seahawks |
|
Week 7
vs New Orleans Saints |
Week 8
@ Minnesota Vikings |
Week 9
vs Seattle Seahawks |
|
Week 10
@Los Angeles Rams |
Week 11
vs San Francisco 49ers |
Week 12
vs Los Angeles Chargers |
|
Week 13
BYE |
Week 14
vs New England Patriots |
Week 15
@Denver Broncos |
|
Week 16
vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
Week 17
@ Atlanta Falcons |
Week 18
@San Francisco 49ers |
Feature image credit: Mark J. Rebilas | USA TODAY Sports
Louis Rousseau
The words “Minnesota Miracle” and “No-Call” are scratched from my vocabulary. My heart mourns the retirement of Drew Brees as my eyes finally widen watching the Knicks.