Arizona Cardinals: If…And…But for 2015

Aug 1, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) throws during training camp at University of Phoenix. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

If

Veteran quarterback Carson Palmer can remain upright for the vast majority of the season.

Give credit where it is due. Bruce Arians utilized four quarterbacks (three starters) in 2014 and Palmer (11-3), Drew Stanton (7-5), Logan Thomas (1-0) and Ryan Lindley (2-4) combined for 21 touchdown passes and only a dozen interceptions.

However, Palmer, who missed more than half of last season, has held the hot hand for quite a while. The experienced signal-caller owns a 13-2 record as a starter in his last 15 contests dating back to the final nine games of ’13, serving up more than twice as many scoring passes (27) as interceptions (12). Minus the longtime performer and including their playoff loss to the Carolina Panthers, Arians’ team totaled less than 20 points in their final eight contests.

You can look for much bigger things from the Cardinals offense should Palmer stay upright. While big-play wideout Michael Floyd is currently on the mend, there’s still Larry Fitzgerald, second-year pro John Brown, wide receiver Jaron Brown and rookie J.J. Nelson. Tight end is a little iffy these days and the team could use a boost from Darren Fells but also former Pro Bowler Jermaine Gresham once he’s healthy.

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