CARDS WORKING OVERTIME TO FIX FLAWS Quarterback
The Cardinals will practice in pads twice this week, and if that doesn’t seem like enough to you either, it’s the maximum allowed by NFL rules and one more day than a normal week.
Rather than punishment for players, the extra work is more a quest by coach Bruce Arians and his staff to find something, or someone, that can give the offense traction.
On Friday, the day after the 34-22 loss to Seattle, Arians hinted that personnel changes could be coming.
The two padded practices are an effort “to try to get some of the young guys some good work and look at them,” Arians said.
Let’s take a look at some of the players, positions and changes coaches could be contemplating.
Offensive line
The most obvious candidate for more (some) playing time is Bobby Massie, who started every game in 2012, but was active last Thursday for the first time this season. “We’d like to get him some action,” Arians said.
If that happens, it will be at right tackle, where Eric Winston has started every game.
“Eric gave up way too many pressures (against Seattle),” Arians said.
Winston wasn’t the only lineman to have a poor game. Center Lyle Sendlein was the only one who didn’t, Arians said.
Massie practiced some at left tackle in preseason, but he’s worked at right tackle since the regular season started. It would be a shock if coaches moved him to the left side to replace Bradley Sowell.
Sowell was overwhelmed against the Seahawks, and it wasn’t just because the Cardinals were constantly in passing situations. Nate Potter, who started six games at left tackle in 2012, has moved to guard but played poorly last week when replacing Daryn Colledge, who had a lowerback injury.
Potter might be a better option at left tackle than Sowell, but the difference might not be much.
In this case, don’t blame the players. Sowell, in his second year, wasn’t drafted and was cut by Indianapolis after training camp.
Potter is a seventh-round pick also in his second season. To expect either of them to be even an average left tackle in their second seasons is unreasonable.
Losing left guard Jonathan Cooper in the preseason was a huge blow to this group. It forced Colledge to move from right guard to left, and Paul Fanaika into the starting lineup.
Fanaika, at best, is a serviceable backup. Earl Watford, a fourth-round pick this year, has been active for two games but hasn’t played. Nor is he ready to play, in the opinion of the coaching staff.
Running back
Starter Rashard Mendenhall is practicing more since committing mistakes early against Tampa Bay three weeks ago. While the mistakes have been eliminated, he’s gained 105 yards on 40 carries in the three games since.
That’s not all Mendenhall’s fault because he’s often had nowhere to run. But he’s also tried to bounce too many runs outside instead of just powering ahead for a few yards.
Ryan Williams hasn’t been active this season, and it’s time for that to change. Yes, he’s had a history of injuries. And, yes, he might still need to learn how to play through pain. But this running game needs a jump-start, so why keep a former second-round pick on the bench?
Play him, see what he can do. If he flops, say goodbye to him at the end of the season.
Rookie Andre Ellington has been dynamic and was gradu- ally getting the ball more until the Seattle game. Instead of 12 or so touches a game, he needs to get an average of 16 or 18.
Arians has defended Carson Palmer at every turn, to a fault, blaming interceptions on receivers and poor protection. It’s wise, however, to stick with Palmer at this point.
We saw last year what a quarterback change can bring.
That could change after another poor performance or two by Palmer.
Secondary
Strong safety Yeremiah Bell has given up six touchdown passes this year, according to ProFootballFocus.com. It’s hard to know if that’s entirely accurate because observers aren’t privy to the coverages called.
But there’s no question Bell has struggled in coverage, and it might be time for a change.
Rookie Tony Jefferson contributed in some games but didn’t play a snap on defense last week. Rookie Tyrann Mathieu has made an impact, especially as a nickel cornerback.
The Cardinals could go with a rotation that includes less of Bell and more of Mathieu and Jefferson playing alongside Rashad Johnson.