ESPN: Cardinals have ninth-best offensive arsenal in NFL
Those three are the main weapons for quarterback Carson Palmer, making up most of the offensive production for the Cardinals.
Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) runs for a touchdown against the New York Jets as teammate Larry Fitzgerald (11) follows during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 17, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Larry Fitzgerald, John Brown and David Johnson.
Those three are the main weapons for quarterback Carson Palmer, making up most of the offensive production for the Cardinals.
Fitzgerald had a career-high 107 receptions last season, adding 1,023 yards and six touchdowns. Brown, dealing with sickle cell and a cyst, had his worst season as a pro, hauling in 39 receptions, 517 yards and just two touchdowns.
Johnson on the other hand was an All-Pro in 2016, netting a league high 2,118 all-purpose yards and 20 total touchdowns.
The trio, along with the rest of the Cardinals’ offensive weapons, rank as the ninth-best offensive arsenal in the league, according to Bill Barnwell of ESPN.com.
You can make cases for Ezekiel Elliott and Le’Veon Bell, but I’m of the volition that David Johnson was the best running back in football last season. There’s useful depth behind DJ after Arizona re-signed Chris Johnson. Bruce Arians has revitalized 33-year-old Larry Fitzgerald’s career by moving the future Hall of Famer into the slot, where he has racked up back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. John Brown should be back in form after struggling with sickle cell and a cyst on his spine last season, and while Michael Floyd has left town, the Cards should be able to piece together a third receiver rotation with J.J. Nelson and third-round pick Chad Williams. Tight end is a relative weakness, but this is still a talented bunch.
Barnwell ranked the New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers and Miami Dolphins as Nos. 1, 2 and 3, respectively.
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Comments
2 Comments
I actually think ARI should be a bit higher, the Cardinals offense has some serious talent. With the offensive line healthy, Palmer should have excellent pass protection & as long as he does, the Cardinals offense will have one of the most explosive offenses in football looking much like it did in 2015. The receiving core is loaded & the article didn't even mention WR Jaron Brown or Aaron Dobson. People underestimate Jaron Brown, but I've thought for a long time he is better than Floyd & definitely more consistent, now that his targets are going to go way up this season people are going to see just how talented he is. With everyone healthy this season I expect Arizona to easily have a top 5 overall offense scoring 30 PGG on AVG, Which is realistic. I mean last year with half the offense on IR they ranked 8th overall & 6th in scoring offense AVG'n 26.9PPG.
Flip flop 7 & 9. Mike Williams hasn't played a down & I'll take DJ over Gordon any day of the week as would most people!