ESPN insider Ron Jaworski: Cards’ O-line has to play better
Sep 24, 2015, 5:46 PM
Arizona Cardinals guard Jonathan Cooper (61) lines up against the San Diego Chargers during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
It’s a stat you’ve probably heard a few times this week — Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer his not been sacked yet this season.
When a quarterback hasn’t been sacked, one could gather that QB has a strong offensive line…right?
Not so with the Cardinals, says ESPN insider Ron Jaworski. He credits that stat to Palmer.
“Carson has been the eraser,” Jaworski told Burns and Gambo on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM. “He’s gotten rid of the football, he’s read the coverage well, he’s read the blitz well, he’s made guys miss.
“The other thing that is helping them is their ability to have balance on offense. They’re passing about 51%, running about 49%. So they’re not asking Carson to get into these known situations, or this offensive line to be in known passing situations. So clearly Bruce is managing the game very well.”
Moreover, Jaworski thinks the O-line is going to really have to play better moving forward if the Cardinals want to win a Super Bowl.
“The offensive line has to improve,” Jaworski said. “I’ll be blatantly honest with you, you’ve played Chicago and you’ve played New Orleans – not very good defensive teams. The offensive line has not stood out when I see (Ted) Larson, (Jonathan) Cooper, (Earl) Watford — they’re struggling.”
Jaworski acknowledged getting starting guard Mike Iupati back will definitely make a difference, but he still thinks the San Francisco 49ers will be the first real test for this offensive line.
