The new Arizona Cardinals regime is making the right calls.
It's playing it safe and not taking the risks that ultimately led to Ken Whisenhunt’s demise. Most of the moves it has made have been low risk, high reward.
The Cardinals are close to landing the services of veteran quarterback Carson Palmer, CBS Sports's Jason La Canfora reported. This is a huge upgrade for the team. The lack of consistent quarterback play has plagued the team since Kurt Warner’s retirement.
Palmer instantly stabilizes the team’s most pressing need. He might not be the long-term answer, but he’s an adequate starter. He can throw the ball down field.
Releasing Kevin Kolb was the right move for the team to make. Coach Bruce Arians came into an ugly situation, but he’s putting his mark on the roster and getting rid of players who weren't getting it done.
Kolb simply couldn’t stay on the field. He battled injuries throughout his tenure in Arizona. His salary was way too large for the Cardinals to keep him.
Good riddance.
Palmer will provide the Cardinals with something they desperately need — a guy that can get the ball to star wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald. This is imperative to the team’s overall success.
Lets not forget, Arizona finished 8-8 in 2011. It even started 4-0 in 2012, when it had steady quarterback play.
The Cardinals play in arguably the toughest division in football. The NFC West is no longer the laughing stock of the league.
The Seattle Seahawks and 49ers might be the two best teams in the NFC. The St. Louis Rams are improving with coach Jeff Fisher rebuilding that team.
Palmer was fairly efficient in Oakland last season. He performed well with a mediocre offensive line and limited weapons to whom he had to deliver the ball.
Fitzgerald had one of his worst statistical seasons in his career in 2012. That was almost entirely outside of his control. He had Kevin Kolb, John Skelton, Ryan Lindley and Brian Hoyer throwing him the ball. His skills haven’t diminished whatsoever.
Palmer finished the season with stats Cardinals fans would die for. He started 15 games, completing 61.1 percent of his passes for 4,018 yards, 22 touchdowns and only 14 interceptions.
Those would be the best numbers for a Cardinals quarterback since Kurt Warner.
The Cardinals also made the right move at running back. Beanie Wells’s time in Arizona had run its course.
The Cardinals signed Rashard Mendenhall to a one-year contract. His most successful years took place in Pittsburgh with Bruce Arians as his offensive coordinator.
One question remains. Where do the Cardinals go from here? The answer to that question could be frustrating to fans.
The Cardinals must build through the draft. They have a solid defense in place and some promising players on offense. The Achilles' heel is at the quarterback and the offensive line. Those positions continue to hinder this team’s ability to move in the right direction.
Palmer should be able to hold the fort down for another year or two. The Cardinals can’t be tricked into drafting a quarterback with the No. 7 pick in the NFL Draft.
There have been a lot of rumblings and grumblings about Matt Barkley being linked to the Cardinals. This would be a massive mistake for the team. Barkley doesn’t have the accuracy or arm strength necessary to succeed in the NFL.
Does anyone want another Matt Leinart in Cardinals red?
Reaching on a quarterback in the first round can set a franchise back for years. The team can’t afford to make another mistake like that.
The Cardinals need to hit a home run in the draft. Rebuilding their offensive line should be GM Steve Keim's top priority.
The best draft pick for the team would be Central Michigan offensive tackle Eric Fisher.
He’s a massive man and could be an anchor on the Cardinals offensive line for the next 10 to 12 years. He’s 6 feet, 7 inches and 307 pounds. He’s got a nasty side that would really get fans excited.
The Palmer acquisition justified everything the team has done in the offseason. If the Cardinals are able to hit a home run in the NFL Draft on April 16, the team is well on its way to regaining credibility.
Reach the columnist at jbisaccia@asu.edu
