ARIZONA CARDINALS

Arizona Cardinals can’t hold lines in preseason loss to Bears

Aug 19, 2017, 11:36 PM
Follow @craigsmorgan...

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Cardinals coach Bruce Arians doesn’t like to assess his line play after games because it’s too hard to see what’s happening in the trenches when he is standing on the sidelines.

He should have checked with his son, Jake, for an instant evaluation.

The truth is, the younger Arians wasn’t far off. The Cardinals’ first team defense allowed the Bears 76 rushing yards on 16 carries (4.8-yard average) but just 89 passing yards, thanks in large part to Chicago quarterback Mike Glennon’s ineptness.

The first-team (mostly) offense managed just 17 rushing yards on nine carries, and 84 passing yards in a 24-23, preseason loss to the Bears on Saturday at University of Phoenix Stadium.

“They’re not blocking very well is my best guess,” said Arians, when asked for his assessment of the Cardinals’ running game. “I’ll have to go look at it because we didn’t really stick to one thing.”

There were other issues that factored into the first-team’s sluggish play. Arians said the offense had wrong runs called against the Bears’ base defense and a wide receiver trying to block an outside linebacker, “which isn’t very good.”

He also noted that young inside linebackers Haason Reddick and Scooby Wright struggled to tackle when the line sent ball carriers their way, but there were notable issues along both lines. The Bears run game had success getting to the second level of the defense with a big push up front, Jared Veldheer had a rough night at right tackle and the offensive line obviously wasn’t getting a push.

All the usual preseason qualifiers apply, but there will be areas of focus in the final week of training camp this week.

“We’ve definitely got some stuff we’ve got to iron out,” left tackle D.J. Humphries said. “I lost on an inside move late. [Carson Palmer] got the ball out but it still was an L in my book. I think it’s just some little stuff that we’ve got to clean up and we’ll be on the right path.”

Saturday’s game was the first time the starting five played together on the offensive line. Humphries missed last week’s game against the Oakland Raiders with a hamstring injury.

“I had to get out there; I couldn’t sit out another week,” he said. “I was a little pumped early. I had to calm myself down a bit.”

The Cardinals play their final two preseason games on the road, but the next game at Atlanta is likely the last opportunity the starters will have to iron out the issues that plagued them against Chicago. The starters will almost certainly sit out the preseason finale on Aug. 31 at Denver.

The Cardinals will game plan for the Falcons, which quarterback Carson Palmer said is an advantage.

“It’s good to prepare for an opponent throughout the week so I’m looking forward to doing that,” he said. “We’ve got another week; got another opportunity to play a preseason game before we get to the ones that count.”

Follow Craig Morgan on Twitter

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton is sacked by Chicago Bears defensive end Jonathan Bullard, bottom, and outside linebacker Sam Acho, left, during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Chicago Bears wide receiver Deonte Thompson (14) celebrates his touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Chicago Bears outside linebacker Sam Acho (93) celebrates a sack against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals kicker Phil Dawson (4) attempts a field goal as punter Matt Wile (6) holds during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. The Bears recovered the missed field goal and ran it back for a touchdown. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Blaine Gabbert (7) celebrates his touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the second half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Chris Hubert (81) pulls in a catch as Chicago Bears cornerback Cre'von LeBlanc (22) defends during the second half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Chicago Bears running back Benny Cunningham is up-ended by Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche (90) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Blaine Gabbert (7) celebrates his touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the second half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Blaine Gabbert (7) runs in for a touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the second half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Chicago Bears kicker Roberto Agayo (1) reacts to missing a field goal as Arizona Cardinals free safety Harlan Miller (34) celebrates during the second half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (10) is sacked by Arizona Cardinals linebacker Alex Bazzie, right, and linebacker Tre'Von Johnson (51) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals cornerback Brandon Williams (26) breaks up a pass intended for Chicago Bears wide receiver Tanner Gentry (19) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (10) is sacked by Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Olsen Pierre (72) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Chicago Bears running back Benny Cunningham (26) celebrates his touchdown with tight end Adam Shaheen (87) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (10) throws against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Chicago Bears running back Benny Cunningham (26) celebrates his touchdown with tight end Adam Shaheen (87) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Chicago Bears quarterback Mike Glennon (8) greets Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) after an preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. The Bears won 24-23. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) greets Chicago Bears outside linebacker Sam Acho (93) after an preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. The Bears won 24-23. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) tosses hit cap to fans after a preseason NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. The Bears won 24-23. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians, left, greets Chicago Bears head coach John Fox after an preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. The Bears won 24-23. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Jeremy Ross (15) celebrates his touchdown during the second half of a preseason NFL football game with wide receiver Chad Williams (16), Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. The Bears won 24-23. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (10) warms up prior to a preseason NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) warms up prior to a preseason NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians, left, and Chicago Bears head coach John Fox talks prior to a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Chicago Bears punt returner Benny Cunningham run as Arizona Cardinals punter Richie Leone (9) and cornerback Brandon Williams (26) reach for the tackle during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) throws against the Chicago Bears during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Chicago Bears kicker Connor Barth (4) kicks a field goal against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Chicago Bears kicker Connor Barth (4) and punter Pat O'Donnell (16) celebrate a field goal as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Justin Bethel (28) gets up during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Chicago Bears running back Ka'Deem Carey (25) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Chicago Bears quarterback Mike Glennon (8) throws against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Chicago Bears kicker Connor Barth (4) kicks a field goal as punter Pat O'Donnell (16) holds against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Arizona Cardinals tight end Jermaine Gresham (84) celebrates his touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Arizona Cardinals running back Kerwynn Williams (33) is hit by Chicago Bears tight end MyCole Pruitt (83) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Arizona Cardinals free safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) bobbles his interception as Chicago Bears wide receiver Cameron Meredith (81) pursues during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals maintained possession of the football. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals free safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) intercepts a pass against the Chicago Bears during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Chicago Bears running back Benny Cunningham (26) is knocked out of bounds by Arizona Cardinals linebacker Zaviar Gooden (52) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Jeremy Ross (15) makes a catch for a first down as Chicago Bears defensive back Marcuss Cooper (25) defends during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals running back Chris Johnson (23) is hit by Chicago Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller (23) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Chicago Bears quarterback Mike Glennon (8) throws against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) throw under pressure against the Chicago Bears during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals free safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) celebrates his interception against the Chicago Bears during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Chicago Bears tight end Dion Sims (88) is hit by Arizona Cardinals inside linebacker Scooby Wright, left, during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Chicago Bears wide receiver Kendall Wright (13) scores a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (36) defends during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Chicago Bears wide receiver Kendall Wright (13) celebrates his touchdown with tight end Daniel Brown (85) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Chicago Bears wide receiver Deonte Thompson (14) runs back a missed field goal for a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals punter Matt Wile (6) defends during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians watches during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona Cardinals

Dennis Daley #71 of the Tennessee Titans walks off of the field against the Green Bay Packers at La...
Tyler Drake

Cardinals agree to 2-year deal with former Titans OL Dennis Daley

The Arizona Cardinals agreed to terms with former Tennessee Titans offensive lineman Dennis Daley on Tuesday, the team announced.
1 day ago
Arizona Cardinals CB Antonio Hamilton (Jeremy Schnell/Arizona Sports)...
Tyler Drake

Cardinals agree to terms with CB Antonio Hamilton, 2 more

The Cardinals agreed to terms on one-year deals with CB Antonio Hamilton and DL L.J. Collier, the team announced Tuesday.
1 day ago
Monti Ossenfort, new general manager of the Arizona Cardinals NFL football team, speaks during a ne...
Tyler Drake

2023 NFL Mock Draft Tracker: What will the Cardinals do with 3rd pick?

A look at the players being mocked to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 3 overall in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
1 day ago
Alabama linebacker Will Anderson speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting comb...
Kevin Zimmerman

Could Cardinals trade down and still draft Will Anderson Jr.?

Will Anderson Jr. is the crown jewel of the non-QBs. The Arizona Cardinals might be able to trade down in the 2023 NFL Draft and pick him.
1 day ago
Arizona Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins. (Arizona Sports Photo/Jeremy Schnell)...
Arizona Sports

DeAndre Hopkins trade talks heating up, per report

Interested teams in Arizona Cardinals receiver DeAndre Hopkins are ramping up, reports NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
1 day ago
Zach Pascal #3 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts against the San Francisco 49ers during the second ...
Tyler Drake

Cardinals agree to terms with WR Zach Pascal, QB David Blough

The Cardinals have agreed to terms with WR Zach Pascal and QB David Blough on a two- and one-year deal, respectively, the team announced.
2 days ago
Arizona Cardinals can’t hold lines in preseason loss to Bears