Dealing Cards: On Seattle’s homefield advantage, QBs’ uncertain futures

TEMPE, Ariz. – Always assume the camera is on. And in this day in age, cameras are everywhere, including inside NFL locker rooms.

Following Sunday’s victory and after accepting the game ball from team president Michael Bidwill for recording his 49th win as Arizona Cardinals’ head coach, which tied Ken Whisenhunt for the most in franchise history, Bruce Arians was caught by a FOX television camera.

“We’ve got a big one next week. We know that’s our home field,” Arians told his team in his locker room speech, referring to Seattle’s CenturyLink Field.

Under Arians, the Cardinals have had more success than any other NFL team winning in the Pacific Northwest.

Still, Arians was not pleased his comments were made public.

“Things that you say to your team in your locker room are supposed to be in your locker room,” he said Wednesday. “But, it got out. I said it, so — we have won three times in a row up there.”

Actually, it’s two times in a row and three times overall since 2013.

“I think the only time we lost up there maybe is when I played, huh?” quarterback Drew Stanton said, drawing laughter from reporters.

Stanton lost 19-3, filling in for injured starter Carson Palmer in 2014. Other than that outcome, the Cardinals are undefeated and are 3-1 overall in the Arians era at CenturyLink Field.

Should they win this week, with Stanton under center, they would match the longest road win streak in series history and hand Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll the first three-game home losing streak against a single opponent during his eight-year tenure.

“No, I haven’t thought about that,” Carroll told reporters on a conference call Wednesday.

Carroll was quick to ask what the Seahawks’ record is at University of Phoenix Stadium, knowing full well Seattle is 4-0-1 in the last five seasons.

“I’d like to have a little more success on our end up here,” Carroll said.

The question is why these teams have had better success on the other’s home field.

“How physical the games usually are and a play usually turns it here or there. Russell’s play down here (this year) was obviously an unbelievable play and it changed the game,” Arians said, referring to Wilson’s 54-yard throw to Doug Baldwin in which Wilson was running for his life.

“We’ve had some plays up there, (J.J. Nelson’s) catch last year and some other things. Big plays make the difference in the game normally.”

Palmer ‘a great pro’

It’s one of the many questions facing the Cardinals this offseason: Will Palmer return in 2018. He’s under contract, yes, but he has yet to commit to playing what would be a 16th season.

Palmer, who turned 38 on Wednesday, contemplated retirement at the end of last season.

“Let’s forget about whether it’s his last year or not. He’s been a great pro,” Carroll said

Carroll coached Palmer during Palmer’s final two seasons at USC, including his Heisman Trophy-winning season of 2002.

“I’ve always thought he’s about as perfect as a quarterback could be in terms of his size and strength and ability and knack and competitiveness. I’ve really just thought the world of his play, and I’m miffed that we don’t get to play against each other this time,” Carroll said.

“I hope he’s going to do what’s right for him. He’s got a great outlook on stuff, and whatever is the right thing for he and his family, I’m sure will work out. I’ll miss him if that’s what happens. I love playing against him.”

Stanton’s future

Unlike Palmer, Stanton, 33, is not under contract for 2018.

Still, the Cardinals may have interest in bringing back Stanton — especially if Palmer does decide to retire — to perhaps be a bridge guy and mentor a young quarterback.

“At this point, you can play a lot of ‘what-ifs’ so I’m not going to go down that road today. We got to focus on the end of this year,” Stanton said, before adding about upcoming free agency, “I’ve gone through this a couple of times and at the end of the day that’s the time to be selfish when the offseason hits and you’re a free agent, and right now I’m not so I’ll worry about that when the time comes.”

Roster move

With an open roster spot on the practice squad, the Cardinals signed cornerback Jonathan Moxey on Wednesday. He takes the place of linebacker Edmond Robinson, who was elevated to the active roster after safety Antoine Bethea was placed on injured reserved.

Moxey entered the league with Tampa Bay in May as an undrafted rookie free agent from Boise State.

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