SI NFL writer: Don’t sleep on the Arizona Cardinals

Aug 23, 2013, 8:34 PM | Updated: 8:35 pm

LISTEN: Jim Trotter, Sports Illustrated NFL Writer

Sports Illustrated NFL writer Jim Trotter has a message for people who are trying to predict what will happen in the 2013 season.

“I really like the Cardinals, and I’ve said this,” he told Arizona Sports 620’s Bickley with Marotta Friday. “I think anyone who sleeps on them is going to regret it.

“That is a good team that is going to win games and is going to be competitive in every game.”

Neat.

The Cardinals won just five games last season, but a coaching change as well as substantial turnover on the roster has led many to believe they’ll be a much-improved squad.

But, just like with seemingly everyone else who thinks the Cardinals will be better in 2013 than the were in 2012, there is the pretty standard caveat.

“The only thing that bothers me about the Cardinals is the division,” Trotter added. “I think those teams are all going to beat up on each other, which is going to make it very difficult for Arizona to make a playoff push.”

Yes, the NFC West appears to be incredibly difficult, with Super Bowl favorites San Francisco and Seattle joined by rising St. Louis.

Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians has said that he doesn’t “see dominance” in the division, and no matter what projections are the games themselves must be played.

So if the Cardinals are competitive, just as Trotter believes they will be, then perhaps they’ll be able to surprise the folks who already think they’ll be a surprise team.

Running back Ryan Williams and quarterback Carson Palmer wait for the snap during Arizona Cardinals training camp at University of Phoenix Stadium on Aug. 22, 2013. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Quarterback Drew Stanton surveys the field during Arizona Cardinals training camp at University of Phoenix Stadium on Aug. 22, 2013. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Quarterback Carson Palmer fakes the handoff to running back Andre Ellington during Arizona Cardinals training camp at University of Phoenix Stadium on Aug. 22, 2013. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Andre Roberts has the ball bounce off his hands during Arizona Cardinals training camp at University of Phoenix Stadium on Aug. 22, 2013. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Mike Thomas tries to get by defensive back Patrick Peterson during Arizona Cardinals training camp at University of Phoenix Stadium on Aug. 22, 2013. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Front to back: Receivers Michael Floyd (15), Larry Fitzgerald (11) and Patrick Peterson during Arizona Cardinals training camp at University of Phoenix Stadium on Aug. 22, 2013. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Quarterback Carson Palmer scrambles during Arizona Cardinals training camp at University of Phoenix Stadium on Aug. 22, 2013. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) The offensive line walks up to the line of scrimmage during Arizona Cardinals training camp at University of Phoenix Stadium on Aug. 22, 2013. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Kerry Taylor waits for Carson Palmer's pass to arrive during Arizona Cardinals training camp at University of Phoenix Stadium on Aug. 22, 2013. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Jasper Brinkley (54), Karlos Dansby (55), Sam Acho (94) and Rashad Johnson (49) during Arizona Cardinals training camp at University of Phoenix Stadium on Aug. 22, 2013. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Larry Fitzgerald makes a catch in front of safety Justin Bethel during Arizona Cardinals training camp at University of Phoenix Stadium on Aug. 22, 2013. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Linebacker Karlos Dansby cannot come up with the interception during Arizona Cardinals training camp at University of Phoenix Stadium on Aug. 22, 2013. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) The line of scrimmage during Arizona Cardinals training camp at University of Phoenix Stadium on Aug. 22, 2013. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Linemen Bobby Massie (70) and Paul Fanaika (74) prepare for the snap during Arizona Cardinals training camp at University of Phoenix Stadium on Aug. 22, 2013. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Quarterback Carson Palmer (3) with his offense during Arizona Cardinals training camp at University of Phoenix Stadium on Aug. 22, 2013. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) From left: Calais Campbell, Dan Williams, Darnell Dockett and Lorenzo Alexander during Arizona Cardinals training camp at University of Phoenix Stadium on Aug. 22, 2013. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Cornerback Antoine Cason during Arizona Cardinals training camp at University of Phoenix Stadium on Aug. 22, 2013. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Defensive end Calais Campbell (93) locks up with tackle Nate Potter (76) during Arizona Cardinals training camp at University of Phoenix Stadium on Aug. 22, 2013. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Nicholas Edwards makes a diving catch during Arizona Cardinals training camp at University of Phoenix Stadium on Aug. 22, 2013. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Safety Yeremiah Bell (37) and linebacker Jasper Brinkley during Arizona Cardinals training camp at University of Phoenix Stadium on Aug. 22, 2013. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Coach Bruce Arians instructs his team while tight end Rob Housler (84) as well as linemen Eric Winston (65) and Daryn Colleged (71) look on during Arizona Cardinals training camp at University of Phoenix Stadium on Aug. 22, 2013. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

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