success is unlikely with a rookie coach and QB, and with all the gaps they have in the defensive backfield.
99
× KYLER MURRAY AND KLIFF KINGSBURY
ELECTRIFY OUT OF THE GATE. K ingsbur y,
the former Texas Tech coach, has the
advantage of being a largely unknown
NFL schemer, and the Cards capitalize
early, running a diverse, modern pass-
ing game. This plays to
the strengths of Murray .
With physical traits similar
to, but more dynamic than,
Russell Wilson’s, the No. 1
pick from Oklahoma can
dice opponents by playing
both on schedule and off
script. His highs are off-
set by lows, however, as he
learns on the fly about how
to be an NFL quarterback.
The biggest key for Murray,
as with any young mobile
QB, is learning when it is
appropriate to rely on his legs.
× SEEDS OF A FOUR-RECEIVER REVOLU-
TION ARE PLANTED. The Cardinals are
not rich at wideout, but with two stylisti-
cally contrasting slot weapons—the ageless
Larry Fitzgerald and second-round rook-
ie jitterbug Andy Isabella from UMass—
they stress defenses inside with the four-
receiver sets Kingsbury favors. Plus, when
split out, tailback David Johnson is potent
as a pass catcher, giving Arizona the rare
five-receiver package in which every snap
will produce at least one mismatch.
× A 36-YEAR-OLD LIFTS THE FRONT SEVEN.
On paper, Terrell Suggs has for years fit
the profile of a player about to wash up,
but the former Raven continues to play
with domineering strength, leverage,
technique and awareness. Opposite Chan-
dler Jones, Suggs elevates the pass rush
and solves many of the edge problems
that plagued this run D in 2018. With the
line set, ’17 first-rounder Haason Reddick
settles into the stack linebacker position
that he filled with increas-
ing aplomb last season.
× QUESTIONS OVERWHELM^
THE SECONDARY. Can the
Cardinals, who lack depth
at corner, survive super star
Patrick Peterson’s six-game
suspension for a PED viola-
tion? With projected starter
Robert Alford out with a
broken leg, can rookie Byron
Murphy stabilize the peren-
nially wobbly No. 2 corner
spot? Murphy primarily
played off coverage at Wash-
ington. What happens when new coordi-
nator Vance Joseph’s multifaceted scheme
calls for man-to-man? Can the Cardinals
find someone to consistently play the slot?
They need to so that last year’s slot man,
the springy Budda Baker, can move to
centerfield, where he can cover as much
ground as any free safety. With all these
issues, excellence proves hard to come by.
WHAT LIES AHEAD
5 –
SEP T. 8
VS. DET
SEP T. 15
@ BAL
SEP T. 22
VS. CAR
SEP T. 2 9
VS. SEA
OC T. 6
@ CIN
OC T. 1 3
VS. AT L
OC T. 2 0
@ NYG
OC T. 2 7
@ NO
OC T. 31
VS. SF
NOV. 10
@ TB
NOV. 17
@ SF
NOV. 24
BYE
DEC. 1
VS. LAR
DEC. 8
VS. PIT
DEC. 15
VS. CLE
DEC. 22
@ SEA
DEC. 29
@ LAR
W
ea
kn
es
s
QB
29
RB
12
WR/TE
23
OL
24
FRONT 7
15
DB
21
RAL
PH^
FRE
SO/
GET
TY^
IMA
GES
(M
UR
RAY
);^ J
OH
N^ M
CD
ON
OU
GH
ARIZONA
