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For the first time in six years we are learning about the Arizona Cardinals and their coaching staff.
With Steve Wilks in charge, things are kept a little closer to the vest, we get a little more coach speak and a little less bar talk.
It’s a learning process for all involved and we started learning last night.
What did we learn from the Arizona Cardinals 24-17 victory over the Arizona Cardinals?
Weaknesses are not very deep and strengths are
The Cardinals offensive line could be a weakness for the team, it is one of the biggest concerns coming into the season. The first team was solid, as new contributor Kyle Posey outlines in his first article for RotB. However, the depth at every position is… bad.
Meanwhile, the secondary, a strength for the Cardinals, looks deep. Bene Benwikere and A.J. Howard were two of the best Cardinals on the field Saturday and they are guys trying to make the team. This secondary is deep, this offensive line is not.
The wide receivers may be a problem
The Arizona Cardinals quarterbacks completed 12 passes for 118 yards and one touchdown. They completed three of those passes to wide receivers for 57 yards.
The other nine catches went to tight ends and D.J. Foster. The Cardinals have Larry Fitzgerald and... After one preseason game, that hasn’t changed.
The defense is more conducive to aggression
Chandler Jones talked at length about the Arizona Cardinals new defensive scheme during the game. One of his quotes stuck with me, as he said it allows them to worry about one thing and be more aggressive. It showed for Robert Nkemdiche and Haason Reddick, who were two of the best players on the field Saturday night. It may not be pretty all the time early, but it should give the Cardinals and their fans hope for the future.
Special teams should be good
Christian Kirk’s first punt return, the kicking game, punt and kickoff coverages, all were better Saturday night. An immediate upgrade it seemed. That’s exciting and important to a team who wants to be a team based on the running game and defense.
What did you learn from the game?