Cardinals HC Steve Wilks: Arizona to unleash new offense in Week 1

When bringing up Arizona Cardinals quarterback Sam Bradford, head coach Steve Wilks used one word to describe how the signal caller’s feeling with a Sunday showdown against the Washington Redskins on the docket.

Focused.

“I think he’s ready,” Wilks told Bickley & Marotta on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station Tuesday. “He’s done a great job of coming here and learning a new system, putting the guys in the position to be successful, getting us in the right call, the right check and his pinpoint accuracy with the ball is phenomenal.

“Right now, his knee is stronger than it’s ever been and he has a lot of confidence and he’s ready to play.”

The Cardinals used Bradford sparingly in the preseason. In three games, he saw limited snaps, going 8-for-11 for 73 yards and no scores. He did not toss an interception.

Adding in the veteran quarterback to the starting lineup — as well as the element of it being a regular season game — will only help expand the team’s offense, which struggled mightily in Thursday’s 21-10 loss to the Denver Broncos.

With seemingly no starters on the field, Arizona mustered just 111 yards between Mike Glennon (8-10, 69 yards) and Chad Kanoff (3-11, 42 yards) through the air. Glennon was the lone signal caller to throw a touchdown for the Cardinals.

The running game was also lackluster, rushing for 84 yards on 21 carries. Darius Victor led the way for the backs with four totes for 35 yards.

“I think that’s always the case from an offensive standpoint because you want to hold back definitely on certain things, personnel grouping, certain plays and how you want to do things,” Wilks said of limiting the offensive schemes in the preseason. “I think you guys will see and I think everybody will see a different Cardinals offense on Sunday.”

In four preseason games, only one signal caller, rookie quarterback Josh Rosen, was able to reach the century mark against the New Orleans Saints.

That’s all going to change, however, when the Redskins come to town.

Follow @Tdrake4sports