Kingsbury, QB Murray learning, improving
The Cardinals will have had 10 days in between games before they meet the Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, which is plenty of time to do a little self-awareness and probably some much-needed soul searching, too.
At 3-5-1, the season hasn’t been a complete disaster. After all, they’ve already matched their entire win total from last year. But when you take a deep look at the Cardinals and start analyzing what they’ve done well and what they haven’t, try to keep it in mind that results aren’t always the best barometer to judge a team.
Especially one with a first-year head coach and a rookie starting quarterback.
It’s never always about results. Or at
least it shouldn’t be. According to that great NFL philosopher, 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman, it’s more about “the process.”
Someone asked him for his outlook on how things are looking for the 49ers after their 28-25 victory over the Cardinals on Thursday night, which kept San Francisco undefeated at 8-0, and his response was something the Cardinals and their fanbase ought to seriously consider when judging the 2019 season.
“It’s not about the results. It’s never about the results,” Sherman said. “It’s about the process. It’s about doing things right. It’s about playing right. It’s not about the results. The results will be what they are. It’s about executing the way you’re supposed to. It’s about doing your job repeatedly with robotic consistency.
“The results will be what they will be. Sometimes you’ll win, sometimes you’ll lose, but if you do what you’re supposed to do, when you’re supposed to do it, how you’re supposed to do it, you’ll have the results you want.”
With those words of wisdom in mind, here’s some of the areas where the Cardinals have made improvements and some others where they need to get better over the final seven games:
Kliff Kingsbury is finding himself
Considering he had no prior NFL coaching experience of any kind, you had to figure it was going to take Kingsbury some time to figure out some of the finer nuances of the pro game.
He’s still learning them, and he’s made some gutsy decisions along the way, some that have worked and some that haven’t.
What’s been impressive is that he hasn’t been stubborn. He’s been flexible regarding all the grandiose plans he had for his up-tempo offense. He recognized how to better get Kyler Murray into a rhythm earlier in games, the importance of relying more often on a power-running attack, and how and when to get other playmakers more involved in the game plan from week to week.
So far, he hasn’t made very many mistakes at all regarding clock management at the end of a half or the end of a game, which can be a struggle for any rookie head coach.
Kyler Murray can be a franchise QB
Murray’s 2,229 yards passing rank 11th overall in the league, which is better than several other notable starters including Matt Ryan, Kirk Cousins, Dak Prescott, Carson Wentz and Lamar Jackson.
Murray keeps making strides and is fast proving that he not only belongs in the NFL, but that he can be a star and a franchise-type quarterback.
Is he there yet? No.
But enough signs are there to make even the toughest critic realize he’s a dual-threat, game-changer who is only going to get better.
Murray has also done a fantastic job of limiting his turnovers. He’s only been intercepted four times, hasn’t lost a fumble yet, and has thrown 172 consecutive passes without a pick.
What he’s going to need moving forward is a pair of long-term anchors at tackle on the offensive line and a clearcut No. 1 outside wide receiver who can eventually become his go-to target.
There’s hope in the running game
David Johnson’s back and ankle issues might have clouded the outlook here, but let’s not forget the Cardinals remain committed to the player they signed to a three-year, $39-million extension prior to the start of last season.
Has he been able to replicate his AllPro form from 2016? It’s only come in spurts. But thanks to Chase Edmonds and now, Kenyan Drake, the rushing attack could be something that helps drive the offense moving forward.
It ranks 14th overall (120.6 yards per game) and don’t think Johnson won’t come back with a vengeance now that he’s seen what both Edmonds and Drake can do.
O-line isn’t as bad as you thought
Outside of right tackle, there hasn’t been any real issues at all with this unit.
They’ve not only held up well in terms of availability and productivity, but they’ve gotten much better in protection and they’ve helped the running game evolve into a reliable weapon.
Left tackle D.J. Humphries has been decent, save for getting flagged far too much. Center A.Q Shipley has been a rock and guards Justin Pugh and J.R. Sweezy have brought great physicality and grit to the group.
Arizona needs to find a long-term solution at right tackle, however, after having to rely on third-string option
Justin Murray, who’s been OK, but not great and he missed last week’s game with a knee injury.
The defense has some playmakers
New inside linebacker Jordan Hicks has been everything the Cardinals could have hoped upon signing him to a four-year, $34-million deal as a free agent.
He’s been among the league’s leading tacklers all season and is on pace to finish with 158.
Outside linebacker Chandler Jones is at it again, ranking third in the league with 91⁄2 sacks, including four strip sacks and three fumble recoveries.
Rookie cornerback Byron Murphy is turning out to be a steal of a pick.
The rookie second-rounder has made some sensational plays and his athleticism is off the charts. He’s only going to get better and will be among a core that helps take this defense into the future.
The jury is still out on rookie safeties Deionte and Jalen Thompson, but they should get better the more they play and could end up being bookends on the back end along with the versatile Budda Baker, who is probably being asked to do too much because of issues elsewhere.
The defense can’t stop the pass
Arizona ranks 30th overall in total defense (407.6 yards per game) and has been particularly deficient against the pass, allowing 280.7 yards per game to rank 29th.
It didn’t help that Patrick Peterson missed the first six game of the season due to a PED suspension. He hasn’t looked like an elite corner upon his return and is coming off possible the worst game of his career in the loss to the 49ers.
Tight ends, meanwhile, keep killing this group and coordinator Vance Joseph hasn’t found a way to stop it.
The Cardinals need others to help generate a more consistent pass rush besides just relying on Jones and the occasional sack from Terrell Suggs. That will help the secondary.
Joseph is using a lot more zone coverage than expected and overall, it’s fair to question if that’s been the right decision.
Patrick Peterson’s future is in flux
Teams made inquires as to Peterson’s availability before the trade deadline, but the Cardinals seem intent on keeping the eight-time Pro Bowl player.
There’s nothing wrong with that decision, but are they willing to sign him to another hefty extension?
His current contract expires after next season and he might be consumed with testing the market if management isn’t quick to the trigger on a possible new deal.
Peterson’s been hard to read ever since he made that trade request a year ago at this time. Maybe a change of scenery is in the best interest if both parties. Maybe it’s not.
Haason Reddick’s future is another thing
There’s no questioning his talent, but it’s almost been unfair how many times the former first-round pick has had to move around and learn a new position.
Problem is, there just doesn’t seem to be an idea spot to play him with any regularity for a three-down defender.
His playing time has been cut and it probably won’t be a surprise if the Cardinals look to move on from Reddick, even though he’s still under contract through 2020.
Joe Walker has already moved ahead of him on the depth chart and veteran newcomer Zach Brown could end up pushing him even harder.
Steve Keim under pressure
The Cardinals’ general manager has never been afraid to churn up the back end of the roster, as he’s constantly made moves to try and shore up areas of weakness in terms of roster depth.
He probably doesn’t get enough credit for his successes when it comes to player additions — Hicks and Jones are two of his best — but many of his big finds haven’t panned out.
While he’s found some gems in the draft, only eight players remain from his first six draft classes (2013-18) and that’s not good enough.
Keim must decide what to do with impending free agents such as Larry Fitzgerald, Drake, Humphries, Shipley, Marcus Gilbert, Rodney Gunter, Charles Clay and Maxx Williams in addition to figuring out the best solution regarding Peterson and how to help shore up a defense that’s allowing 27.9 points per game, the fourth-most in the league.