Cardinals
things up and make wholesale changes, apparently. Though he criticized the play of nearly everyone on the offensive line and said the running game is basically a disaster, the coach made it clear he doesn’t find the need to make any moves among his starters on offense.
That would include sticking with Palmer, who has passed for 1,741 yards, but has been intercepted 13 times — the secondmost in the league — and ranks 18th with a 60.5-percent completion percentage.
Arians said neither of Palmer’s two interceptions Thursday night was the quarterback’s fault, thus there is no reason to think about making any change at that position.
But the coach clearly remains unhappy with the offense.
“I think it’s the first time in my 20 years in the NFL that we came out of the game with no explosive plays — runs or passes,” he said.
Arians said Rashard Mendenhall is still the team’s primary running back, although he gained only 22 yards on 13 carries — an average of 1.7 yards per play. Mendenhall is 24th in the league with 281total rushing yards.
The team couldn’t use rookie Andre Ellington enough in the ground game, Arians said, because of the schemes Seattle was using on defense and because the score dictated Arizona had to rely more on the passing game.
But if he doesn’t plan to give Ellington more carries and isn’t ready to let Ryan Williams have his shot, how will the rushing attack gain any momentum?
“Just keep working at it, hammering it and hopefully, it gets better,” Arians said.
The key, as always, starts up front with the line. Arians said center Lyle Sendlein “graded out extremely well” in the Seattle game and that “everyone else struggled.”
“We did not play very well in this ballgame,” Arians continued. “That’s a very a good (Seattle) front, but we did not play as well as we’ve been playing. (Left tackle) Bradley (So- well) struggled with his pressures. (Right guard) Paul (Fanaika) struggled with his pressures. (Right tackle) Eric (Winston) struggled.”
Winston apparently has been nursing an undisclosed injury, which is why the team activated backup right tackle Bobby Massie for the first time all season.
“I’d like to get him out there some,” Arians said of Massie.
But again, it doesn’t appear a change will be made based on production, or the lack thereof. Arians said left guard Daryn Colledge should be able to practice next week after coming out of Thursday’s game with back spasms.
Colledge and Winston have been dependable bookends throughout their NFL careers, as they have two of the top-five consecutive-games-played streaks among all offensive linemen.
Colledge has appeared in 119 consecutive games, which ranks second, and Winston has appeared in 115, which ranks fourth.
“They can both play better,” Arians said. “Eric gave up way too many pressures. Daryn can play better than he’s playing
Note
Three Cardinals and two 49ers were fined for various offenses committed during the teams’ game this past Sunday.
Cardinals nose tackle Alameda Ta’amu was fined $10,000 for stepping on guard Alex Boone’s face.
Boone was fined $7,875 for throwing a punch at Alameda. The punch preceded the stomp.
Cardinals safety Tyrann Mathieu was fined $7,875 for tackling a runner late, and defensive end Darnell Dockett was fined the same amount for a late hit.
49ers tackle Anthony Davis was fined $15,750 for a clip.