Arizona Cardinals: Sunny days ahead despite the dark clouds
By Larry Brake
The Arizona Cardinals are looking towards training camp and putting recent headlines behind them.
A new era of Arizona Cardinals begins next week as training camp opens. Veterans report to camp on July 27, five days after the rookies will arrive. There will be several new faces to ignite the 2018 NFL season.
First, Steve Wilks enters this season as the new head coach following an 8-8 season. Sam Bradford and Josh Rosen will compete for the starting quarterback position since last season’s quarterbacks are gone.
The running game will be explosive again with the return of David Johnson. Remember, Johnson missed 15 games in 2017. Statistically, he had 11 carries for 23 yards with zero touchdowns after going down in Week 1. Arizona could not fill the void of his absence.
Most of all, Larry Fitzgerald is back to solidify the receiving corps. Christian Kirk will receive much mentoring from Fitzgerald. Kirk is, no doubt, the future of the Cardinals passing attack.
The Arizona defense finishesd sixth in total defense last season while giving up an average of 310 yards per game. Patrick Peterson still anchors the Cardinals secondary, despite losing a few defenders. Arizona intercepted 15 passes and returned one for a touchdown.
Optimism for this season is clearly visible. New faces on the roster will contribute immediately beginning with training camp. However, recent headlines have dampened the optimism for the time being.
General manager Steve Keim pled guilty to a drunk driving charge. He is suspended for five weeks and was fined $200,000 by the Cardinals according to Pro Football Talk. Also, he is facing jail time and home detention along with driving conditions as Curtis Crabtree of Pro Football Talk reports.
Recently, Ricky Seals-Jones found himself in trouble. Apparently, he decided answering mother nature’s call was his top priority. Of course, the hotel security saw the situation differently.
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The dark clouds are going to pass and the sun will shine again over Arizona. There is more excitement heading into camp than despair over legal troubles. Arizona will compete for the NFC West title and a playoff berth, this season. It all begins next week.