With versatile safeties, Arizona Cardinals believe secondary is among NFL’s best
Aug 28, 2015, 5:43 PM
GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Seattle Seahawks’ secondary is known as the “Legion of Boom.”
The Arizona Cardinals’ defensive backfield has no such awesome nickname (though there are some suggestions), but what it lacks in notoriety, it hopes to make up for in talent and versatility.
At cornerback, the team has former No. 5 overall pick and four-time Pro Bowler Patrick Peterson, along with a steady Jerraud Powers and the emerging Justin Bethel.
That group is good, yes, but the backbone of this team’s defense is at safety, where the team features a rock solid Rashad Johnson along with heavy hitters Tony Jefferson and Deone Bucannon, each of whom can play a little linebacker for the team. Then, of course, there is also Tyrann Mathieu, the former Heisman Trophy finalist who is listed as a safety but will see ample time at corner.
Having already discussed what Bucannon brings to the table, Cardinals coach Bruce Arians went on to add his thoughts on the rest of his safeties.
“Oh God, our safety position is probably as strong as anybody in the league with the four guys that we have and the capabilities of all of them,” Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said. “Ty being able to be a hybrid guy in a corner and a safety, and Tony being a linebacker/safety type guy, and Rashad can do kind of everything.”
“We can definitely be one of the best,” cornerback Justin Bethel said. “We’ve got a lot of talent with the group of people we have. We probably have one of the deepest secondaries, especially at safety — we’re trying to figure out ways to get everybody on the field. So I definitely think we can contend with the best of them.”
Last season, the quartet of Bucannon, Mathieu, Johnson and Jefferson combined for 280 tackles, five interceptions, four sacks and 14 passes defensed.
“We’ve got a lot of confidence,” Jefferson said. “We’ve got a lot of guys coming back that have been here in the program for a while, we run the same defense, so a lot of guys flying around with confidence. It’s a good thing to have.”
What the Cardinals don’t have, though, is the kind of recognition their division rivals can claim. Jefferson said the team hears about what other teams have, but feels like they have a strong core that they can take pride in. Besides, there’s no worrying about what other teams to do — only the Cardinals.
However, Jefferson did not shy away from talking about how he thinks Arizona’s secondary is the best in the league.
“I think we are, as a group,” he said. “I think if you look at all the intangibles and what each and every person can do and the versatility, I think it’s uncomparable to other teams.”
That’s just it for them. While the Cardinals may not have a safety as good as Seattle’s Earl Thomas or Cam Chancellor — each of whom has been to multiple Pro Bowls — their ability to move all over the field and fill different roles in various defensive alignments presents an opportunity for the defense and a problem for the opposing offense.
It’s an ability the entire secondary brings to the table, and it’s one that has not been lost on the offense that has faced off with it every day in practice.
“When you play against our guys, you just can’t miss,” Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer said. “You can’t leave a ball a little bit too far inside, you can’t lead a guy too much, you can’t underthrow a guy. When you’re throwing zone routes and they’re close to defenders, you’ve got to put it on the opposite shoulder where they are because if you miss just a little bit, it’s not a pass breakup, it’s a pick.”
That’s the plan.
As the NFL has evolved into a more pass-happy, offensive league, there seems to have been a premium placed on fast, versatile secondaries. The Cardinals certainly have that, and if everyone stays healthy, odds are they’ll frustrate more than a few passing attacks this season.
They’ve already made life difficult for one, which in turn may make things easier for them down the road.
“Going against those guys every day, it’s like, it’s harder than a game-time situation,” receiver John Brown said. “But you know, I’d rather it be that way, go against those guys and they work us and then when game-time comes it seems way much easier.”
There is talent and depth along with versatility and confidence. About the only thing the Cardinals’ secondary may be missing is that nickname, though when asked if there is one, Bethel laughed and said he will leave that to his teammates.
“I’m not going to be the one to nickname,” he said. “I’m pretty sure Pat and them have something they’ll come up with.”