Arizona Cardinals: If…And…But for 2015

Nov 9, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) and safety Deone Bucannon (36) against the St. Louis Rams at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Rams 31-14. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

And

New defensive coordinator James Bettcher can ably fill the shoes of Todd Bowles, who earned 2014 NFL Assistant Coach of the Year honors and is now the sideline leader of the New York Jets. He inherits a group that simply ran out of gas (and bodies) by season’s end in 2014.

The summer has not gotten off to a good start what with the loss of nose tackle Corey Peters, a free-agent pickup from the Falcons who suffered an Achilles injury last week. Granted, the team also added the likes of linebackers Sean Weatherspoon and LaMarr Woodley and defensive end Cory Redding via free agency. And the cupboard is far from bare via incumbents such as defensive end Calais Campbell, outside linebacker Alex Okafor, free safety Tyrann Mathieu and cornerback Patrick Peterson.

This was a team that totaled 27 sacks in their last eight regular season after beginning the season with only eight sacks in an equal amount of contests. It was also a unit that gave up 160.3 yards per game rushing in its final seven outings, including the playoff loss to the Carolina Panthers.

Peters was to fill the void left by the departure of Dan Williams (Raiders), while defensive tackle Darnell Dockett was cut loose by the Cards after missing all of 2014 and was picked up by the rival 49ers. Veteran cornerback Antonio Cromartie followed Bowles to the Jets.

Yes, there have been plenty of changes. And the pressure will be on Bettcher from the get-go, fair or unfair for the assistant coach.

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