ARIZONA CARDINALS

Arizona Cardinals’ GM Steve Keim: Carson Palmer responds well to adversity

Oct 14, 2013, 4:16 PM | Updated: 4:17 pm

LISTEN: Steve Keim, AZ Cardinals GM

The Arizona Cardinals dug themselves a hole Sunday afternoon at Candlestick Park.

Quarterback Carson Palmer threw two first-quarter interceptions that led to two Phil Dawson field goals and a 6-0 San Francisco lead. The 49ers would go on to win the game, 32-20.

The interceptions were Palmer’s 10th and 11th of the season — the second-most in the National Football League.

Some fans of the Big Red, as they’re apt to do, are calling for head coach Bruce Arians to turn to backup quarterback Drew Stanton, who hasn’t thrown a pass in a regular season game since 2010.

Cardinals general manager Steve Keim doesn’t think that’s going to happen any time soon.

“Number one, (Palmer’s) still our best option right now,” Keim told Doug and Wolf Monday morning on Arizona Sports 620. “The thing that I like about him is how he’s handled adversity. The other games where he struggled, to me, I think they were more middle-to-late third quarter issues that came in.

“This game, he obviously started off rough early and the way he handled the adversity and the way he came back and made some nice throws and put us in a position to have at least a chance of winning the football game, was exciting to me.”

Following his two interceptions, Palmer completed 23-of-35 for 293 yards and two touchdowns — good for a rating of 110.77. Unfortunately, Palmer’s first six throws were enough to reduce his rating to 79.1.

“I really don’t want to get into a finger-pointing contest, but there’s a throw to Larry (Fitzgerald) down the seam, which he forces — it was obviously a bad throw and a mistake,” Keim said. “And on the other interception on a throw to Jim Dray, Jim was supposed to hook that route. Instead, he drifted and Carson put it in a spot where Jim was supposed to be.

“So that one is on the receiving tight end. But he’s got to play more consistently, he knows it. When you make critical mistakes at certain points of the game, it deflates you.”

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Joshua Dobbs in Week 2...

Tyler Drake

New era notes: It’s all about trusting the process for Cardinals QB Joshua Dobbs

Arizona Cardinals starting quarterback Joshua Dobbs has had quite the NFL road to get to where he is today.

13 hours ago

Leki Fotu (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports)...

Arizona Sports

Injury report: Cardinals’ Leki Fotu back at practice after missing Week 2

The banged up Arizona Cardinals are searching for their first win of the year when they host the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.

15 hours ago

Jeff Smith #16 of the New York Jets caries the ball during the first quarter of a preseason game ag...

Kellan Olson

Arizona Cardinals sign WR Jeff Smith to practice squad

The Arizona Cardinals made an addition to the practice squad on Wednesday, signing wide receiver Jeff Smith.

18 hours ago

Carlos Watkins...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Carlos Watkins needs biceps surgery, L.J. Collier on the mend

Carlos Watkins is expected to miss time with a biceps injury that needs surgery, Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon confirmed Wednesday.

19 hours ago

Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray works out...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray posts rehab video: Is his return ‘soon’?

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray ended a TikTok post of some ACL rehab work with 'soon.' Is that a sign he's near a return?

19 hours ago

Dante Stills at practice...

Tyler Drake

New era notes: It’s next-man-up time for the Arizona Cardinals defensive line

Despite availability issues ripping through the Arizona Cardinals defensive line room, DC Nick Rallis is confident in the group's depth.

2 days ago

Arizona Cardinals’ GM Steve Keim: Carson Palmer responds well to adversity