Power Rankings: Top 5 Post-Draft Defenses
Dec 29, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockett (90) against the San Francisco 49ers at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Arizona Cardinals 10-6
Last Season’s Rankings: #6 Overall Defense (317.4 total yards per game allowed) #14 Passing Defense (233 passing yards per game allowed) #1 Rushing Offense (84.4 rushing yards per game allowed)
With the number one rushing defense in the NFL last season, the Cardinals ranked sixth in the NFL in overall defense. Although they did in fact lose LB Karlos Dansby in the off-season, their defense does deserve the #4 position because of it’s extraordinary secondary and defensive line. Ranging from players such as Patrick Peterson and Calais Campbell, the Cardinals went 10-6 last season for a reason.
On the rushing side of the ball, the Cardinals are not necessarily a sack-happy team like Carolina, they can still tackle ball-carriers with the best of them. Last season the Cards line backers such as John Abraham and Matt Shaughnessy combined for 14.5 sacks, 73 total tackles, five forced fumbles and 14 tackles for loss. The key to their success though was most likely the defensive end combination of Calais Campbell and Darnell Dockett recorded 104 total tackles, 13.5 sacks, and 18 tackles for loss. The loss of Dansby to the Browns is a huge loss that no player can replace. Last season Dansby tackled a team-high 122 times with 19 passes defended (another team-high) and four interceptions (you guessed, a team-high). The Cardinals did in fact add former Steelers LB Larry Foote, so hopefully he can take off some of the pressure off of the rest of the line backing corps this upcoming season. The draft saw two DEs out of North Carolina and Alabama be selected by the Cards which should give them depth in case of injury. I believe that even without Dansby, the Cardinals rush defense will be top-five, perhaps not number one like last year, but at least number five in the league.
As for the secondary, with the addition of Jets’ corner Antonio Cromartie, the ultimate secondary is complete. Washington State’s Deone Bucannon will be playing strong safety, LSU’s Tyrann Mathieu will be at the free safety position as Cromartie and Peterson will flank them at the CB position. Many may not know but actually Jerraud Powers was one of the Cardinals most productive corners, recording 17 passes defended along with 65 total tackles. Thus, with such an awesome lineup of center fielders, the Cardinals are ready to shag some flies and lay down some hits upon opposing receivers. Don’t you try and throw on these Cardinals, they’re the masters of the skies.