ANNOUNCEMENT: Clayton Tune Has Announced His Departure From The Arizona Cardinals Today
The Arizona Cardinals limped to a 4-13 record, and every roster inadequacy was highlighted throughout their multitude of losses.
With the hopes and dreams of the off-season ahead, here are the biggest needs that general manager Monti Ossenfort has to address.
Secondary this, receiver that, the Cardinals were absolutely abysmal in the defensive trenches.
Arizona held the worst rushing defense in the NFL this past season, allowing an NFL-worst 2,434 rushing yards to opponents, almost 100 yards more than their nearest competitor in the Seattle Seahawks.
They also allowed 4.7 yards per carry, part of a three-way tie for second-worst in the NFL.
But it wasn’t just the run game where the DL struggled. As a unit, Arizona’s pass rush recorded 33.0 sacks, third-worst in the NFL behind the Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers.
LB Dennis Gardeck led Arizona’s defense in sacks with six, and no other player recorded more than four on the year.
They rarely even pressured opposing QBs, allowing opponents to sit comfortably in the pocket and pick apart a weak secondary. Even if the DB room needs some help, it’s hard to expect them to lock down a play that the D-line allows nearly five seconds to develop.
Arizona’s defensive line and EDGEs need a massive overhaul.
While not a knock on the players who gave their all to the Valley this year, the Cards need an edge rusher who can wreak havoc, a DT who can stuff the run and push offensive lines back into their QB, and a few depth pieces to plug holes in the event of injury.
