Category: Arizona Cardinals offseason

PODCAST: Week 17 reactions, Vance Joseph, coaching changes and season awards

Listen to the latest edition of the best hour of Cardinals talk on the Web.

[protected-iframe id=”4bc187820cf1501faba1d00758ad9000-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://widget.spreaker.com/player?episode_id=21222569&theme=dark&playlist=false&playlist-continuous=false&autoplay=false&live-autoplay=false&chapters-image=true&episode_image_position=right&hide-logo=false&hide-likes=false&hide-comments=false&hide-sharing=false&hide-download=false” width=”100%” height=”200px” frameborder=”0″]

The latest episode of the podcast has dropped and it covers all the latest surrounding the Arizona Cardinals as their season has come to a close.

This isn’t quite an offseason show. It is the end-of-season show.

Revenge of the Birds’ Seth Cox and I react to the Cardinals’ 31-24 loss to the L.A. Rams, discuss the decision to keep Vance Joseph, go through some reported coaching changes and give our end-of-season awards and superlatives.

Enjoy the show and make sure to subscribe to it on your favorite podcast platform and give it a five-star rating.

If you are looking for a particular part of the show, here are the approximate timestamps for the different topics we discussed.

(4:40) The positives in the Cardinals’ Week 17 loss

(23:34) The disappointing parts of the loss

(51:44) Vance Joseph’s return — was it the right move?

(59:15) The reported changes on the coaching staff

(1:11:56) End of season awards — MVP, best offensive player, best defensive player, most improved and comeback player

(1:26:35) Season superlatives — biggest surprises, biggest disappointments, best additions to the team

Cardinals’ defensive stats over final 4 games show big improvement

They had an above-average unit overall over the final four games of 2019.

The Arizona Cardinals had a miserable season defensively in 2019. They were at the bottom or near the bottom in many categories.

They were last in the league in total defense, in terms of yards per game. They were 31st against the pass, 24th against the run and 28th in scoring defense. They were tied for 28th in touchdowns allowed. They were 27th in yards allowed per play.

However, there is optimism. Their play defensively was much improved in the final four games of the season.

Head coach Kliff Kingsbury said he “was really impressed with the last quarter and how he stuck with it, and we really started playing solid defense at the end.”

How much better was the defense over the final four games? The team’s vice president for media relations, Mark Dalton, shared the numbers.

They were an above-average defense over the final four games and a top-10 defense in some stats. They were eighth in yards per play allowed, 11th in total yards allowed, eighth in passing defense, 13th in touchdowns allowed and 10th in sacks.

Those numbers are more in line with what the Cardinals had in mind before the season began. They also did that with two rookies and a first-year player in the secondary and after losing six defensive linemen they were counting on.

If anything else, the future doesn’t look bleak defensively. With the Cardinals retaining defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, they will have the same defensive system for the second year in a row.

It doesn’t guarantee a top defense in 2020, but the final month suggests they could be an above-average unit, which is more than enough for the team to be a playoff contender. Were they an above-average defensive team in 2019, they would very possibly still be alive and getting ready for the playoffs.

[vertical-gallery id=428692]

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

Ep. 253:

[protected-iframe id=”16364e67f2a2e913eaf5ca135bda360d-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/21052588/download.mp3″ ]

Ep. 252:

[protected-iframe id=”65599ee7743ebac0198fabf66970f0d8-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/20854910/download.mp3″ ]

 

Vance Joseph retained by Cardinals as DC; Kliff Kingsbury ‘never wavered’ in decision

Kliff Kingsbury “never wavered” in wanting Joseph to remain on staff.

The Arizona Cardinals will not be making a change at defensive coordinator. Vance Joseph “will be back” in 2020, head coach Kliff Kingsbury announced Monday at his postseason press conference.

The Cardinals struggled for much of the season defensively and finished the season last in the league in yards allowed, 28th in points allowed, 24ths in rushing defense and 31st against the pass.

Many speculated and even called for his firing, but that was never on the table, according to Kingsbury.

“I never wavered in that,” he said. “His approach, knowing what I know of him and watching him work, the things I saw from the first day I was with him, I knew I wanted him to be here.”

Another factor is maintaining continuity on a team that was on its third defensive coordinators in three seasons. He said, “continuity is huge when you look at the top organizations out there.” He cited, players, coaches and the front office being stable with the best teams.

Kingsbury said he never had to reassure Joseph of his place with him and the staff.

“He understood where we were at and he knew that it was going to be a work in progress,” he said.

Plus, Kingsbury “was really impressed with the last quarter (of the season) and how he stuck with it. We really started playing solid defense at the end.”

Rather than bring in a new coordinator to teach a new defensive system, the players who remain will play in the same system and the Cardinals will bring in new players who hopefully fit the system.

They were an above average defense over the final month of the season. If they start there next year, the team will have a good chance of competing for the postseason.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

Ep. 253:

[protected-iframe id=”16364e67f2a2e913eaf5ca135bda360d-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/21052588/download.mp3″ ]

Ep. 252:

[protected-iframe id=”65599ee7743ebac0198fabf66970f0d8-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/20854910/download.mp3″ ]

Report: Kliff Kingsbury fires 2 coaches from staff

Alex Marvez reports the Cardinals have let go of defensive line coach Chris Achuff and assistant special teams coach Randall McCray.

Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury spoke to reporters on Monday morning following their season-ending loss to the Los Angeles Rams. He would not comment on any changes about his coaching staff except for saying that defensive coordinator Vance Joseph would stay.

There are reportedly changes happening.

According to Sirius XM’s Alex Marvez, the Cardinals have cut ties with defensive line coach Chris Achuff and assistant special teams coach Randall McCray.

Kingsbury would not confirm the report Monday, saying that coaching decisions would happen “in the next couple of days.”

Achuff and McCray were two of seven coaching holdovers from Steve Wilks’ coaching staff in 2018.

Marvez reports that more changes could be coming.

Obviously, the coaches who were holdovers are probably the most likely to go. That would include offensive assistant/assistant quarterbacks coach Cam Turner, tight ends coach Steve Heiden, strength and conditioning coach Buddy Morris and assistant strength and conditioning coach Vernon Stephens.

Special teams coach Jeff Rodgers is also a holdover but Kingsbury gave him the title of assistant head coach, suggesting he would likely stay if he is under contract.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

Ep. 253:

[protected-iframe id=”16364e67f2a2e913eaf5ca135bda360d-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/21052588/download.mp3″ ]

Ep. 252:

[protected-iframe id=”65599ee7743ebac0198fabf66970f0d8-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/20854910/download.mp3″ ]

 

Offseason priorities for the Cardinals

Arizona has a lot of optimism going into the 2020 offseason – that doesn’t mean they don’t have holes to fill however.

Three weeks ago, things did not look good for the Cardinals heading into the offseason: everyone and everything needed to be replaced is what the fans were feeling. Outside of Kyler Murray, Kliff Kingsbury, and Chandler Jones, nothing was set in stone.

What a difference a couple of games make!

However, despite the recent optimism that comes from winning two games, there are still quite a few holes to fill on this roster in the offseason. Here are a few that stick out:

Re-sign Kenyan Drake

(AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

At this point, it would be a huge disappointment if they don’t re-sign Drake. Whether he can re-create his success remains to be seen, but he has earned his next contract after rushing for 583 yards in just 7 games (this translates to over 1300 yards rushing in a full 16 game season for those wondering).

[protected-iframe id=”16364e67f2a2e913eaf5ca135bda360d-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/21052588/download.mp3″ ]

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6

How much money will RB Kenyan Drake get in a new contract?

If the Cardinals want to bring him back, it won’t be on the cheap.

[sendtonews_embed video_id=”JERiQJ4CSf-687925-7498″]

Running back Kenyan Drake has played very well since the trade that sent him from the Miami Dolphins to the Arizona Cardinals. In seven games, he has three 100-yard games. He leads the team with 583 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, six in the last two games.

He will be a free agent after the season and is in line for a nice contract. Cardinals general manager Steve Keim has publicly stated he would like to bring him back.

The question is whether or not the Cardinals will be willing to pay him what he can get.

What sort of contract can he expect to command?

We can look at some comps from the last couple of years for players who have been in similar roles.

Drake has 205 total touches this season. he is 25 years old.

The high end of what Drake could command is what the San Francisco gave Jerick McKinnon.

McKinnon had 201 and 202 touches in his last two seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. He was 25 years old and got four years and $30 million, including $18 million in guarantees.

The 49ers also gave a second contract that could be used as a comp for Drake. After Tevin Coleman had 183 and 199 touches in his final two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons and was 25 years old, he signed with the 49ers for two years and $8.5 million. It includes $3.25 million guarantees.

Dion Lewis signed a four-year, $19.8 million contract with the Tennessee Titans in 2018. He was 27 years old and coming off a 212-touch season. The deal came with $5.75 million in guarantees.

A fourth deal to use is the one Duke Johnson got from the Houston Texans. He was 25 last season and was sparingly used, never getting more than 165 touches with the Cleveland Browns.

He signed with the Texans for three years and $15.6 million, with $7.57 in guarantees.

Using those four contracts, the yearly average is between $4.25 million and $7.5 million. The guarantees range from $3.25 million to $18 million.

If the Cardinals want to sign Drake and intend on using him as a No. 1 running back, he can probably command four years and about $25 million with about $8 million in guarantees.

Are fans ready for that?

[vertical-gallery id=428692]

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

Ep. 252:

[protected-iframe id=”65599ee7743ebac0198fabf66970f0d8-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/20854910/download.mp3″ ]

Ep. 251:

[protected-iframe id=”0db2998b8165e735bc48c285807b6f3a-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/20679628/download.mp3″ ]

Cardinals have up to $74M in cap space in 2020 after new projections

The Cardinals have only 37 players under contract for 2020 currently, but have far more money available than they have in years.

The Arizona Cardinals will have much more salary cap space to use in 2020 than they have in years. We now know roughly how much.

According to multiple reports, the salary cap for 2020 will go up as much as $13 million.

This year’s number is $188.2 million. If it goes up to only $196.8 million, it would only be an increase of $8.6 million. Going up to $201.2 million would be a $13 million jump. It means that it could mark the seventh consecutive year in which the salary cap increases at least $10 million.

What does this mean for the Arizona Cardinals?

According to Over The Cap, they have a little more than $129.1 million committed in contracts in 2020. They will have as much as $72.1 million to work with in the offseason, in addition to any carryover space from this year.

Based on Over The Cap’s numbers, the Cardinals have more than $1.9 million in unused cap space, so they could have as much as $74 million next year.

Of course, they only have 37 players under contract next year. It is a significant amount of cap space, but it isn’t exactly a blank check.

They have player to re-sign. Free agency can eat of that space in a hurry.

However, it is much more money than they have had in years.

It should lead to an interesting offseason.

[vertical-gallery id=427536]

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

[protected-iframe id=”ee3442976e811ebdf9032e21cf434833-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/20478076/download.mp3″ ]

6 early potential free agent targets for Cardinals in 2020

With the Cardinals out of the playoffs, who are some free agents in 2020 to keep an eye on?

The Arizona Cardinals, now officially out of the playoffs, are likely starting to plan for next year. They have already begun looking at their own soon-to-be free agents, inking tight end Maxx Williams to an extension and engaging in talks with D.J. Humphries.

While the season isn’t over yet, there are several players the Cardinals may be keeping their eyes on that may be good free agent pickups and ones that fans should keep an eye on too.

Packers OT Bryan Bulaga

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Bulaga is far more likely to return to the Packers than anything else, but their cap situation next year isn’t great, so there’s a possibility that they could move on from Bulaga like they have with other offensive line veterans recently, like T.J. Lang in recent years.

If that is the case, Arizona would be wise to make use of the veteran to upgrade their right tackle position.

[protected-iframe id=”ee3442976e811ebdf9032e21cf434833-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/20478076/download.mp3″ ]

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6

What can we learn about the Cardinals’ opponents in Week 12?

With the Cardinals on their bye, here is some scouting you can do.

The Arizona Cardinals will not play in Week 12. they are on their bye, meaning fans will get to watch other games. The Cardinals have five games remaining on their schedule against four teams, as they will play the Los Angeles Rams twice in December.

All are playing this weekend. Let’s see what we can learn about them in their games in Week 12.

Steelers at Bengals

(AP Photo/David Richard)

The Steelers are 5-5 and will face a winless Bengals team. Cincinnati has a struggling defense like the Cardinals do. The Steelers are still relying on quarterback Mason Rudolph. The key to watch on Sunday is how he does against a bad defense. If he has any struggles at all, the Cardinals have some hope.

[protected-iframe id=”dc9401a9946bd6d695c8bc6452e2c715-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/20138538/download.mp3″

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4