He doesn't have a scheme people across the NFL are wondering about, and he doesn't have the first pick in the draft playing on his side of the ball.
Vance Joseph knows why the spotlight has been on the offense of the Cardinals, but the defensive coordinator has some unknowns himself that will finally be answered Sunday in the opener against the Lions.
"I'm not sure totally where we are as a defense," Joseph acknowledged.
His unit has had up-and-down moments in preseason. More importantly, the personnel has been ripped up from the group that was expected to be out there at the outset of training camp. Joseph had long known about cornerback Patrick Peterson's suspension, but the broken leg of fellow starting cornerback Robert Alford, the setback of the knee surgery for inside linebacker Haason Reddick and the untimely release of defensive lineman Darius Philon for off the field issues made Joseph's job more difficult.
"You have who you have as a coach, and you can't worry about it," Joseph said. "Every team has injuries, every team has issues. … We have good enough players to be good."
The Cardinals ranked in the bottom half of the NFL in most defensive categories last season, including last in run defense. The Lions, with Kerryon Johnson as their top back, are expected to lean more into the rushing game this season.
"I have all the confidence in the world first and foremost in the men (on defense), and we have been preparing well," defensive tackle Corey Peters said. "But I feel like until you get out there and test yourself against somebody else, and that everyone in the league, it's hard to say for sure. You have to prove it every week in this league.
"Obviously the setbacks we have had with the personnel, losing people, that affects everybody. We have no excuses. We've got what we need to be successful."
Peters said he doesn't see any correlation between last year's struggles and what the defense might do this year. There are new coaches, a new scheme, and major player change – as he spoke, Peters looked around to the rest of the defensive line, noting that only he and Rodney Gunter remain from last year's group.
Joseph also wasn't buying into 2018 having any carryover.
"I hope they come out Sunday with a sense of pride and to prove everyone wrong," Joseph said. "But last year's Cardinals are done. We have nothing to prove from last year to this year. That's a different team."
REDDICK WILL "HAVE A ROLE"
While Haason Reddick was limited again Thursday, Joseph said he will "have a role on Sunday," which is good news for the linebacker who was forced to undergo a knee procedure after just a few plays in training camp.
Veteran Joe Walker also figures to get some playing time, but Joseph said Reddick at full speed is the "perfect 'backer" in this defense because of Reddick's ability to cover pass catchers. Reddick's missed practice time, however, will make a difference.
"He was having a great spring and to miss most of camp, it does affect your eyes, it affects your run reads," Joseph said. "He won't be where he would've been had he been in camp, but he's come back, he looks healthy, he looks explosive."
GILBERT ADDED TO INJURY REPORT
The Cardinals added tackle Marcus Gilbert to the injury report Thursday after he was limited with a knee issue, but that was the only change for either team.
Offensive lineman Lamont Gaillard sat out a second straight practice with a bad knee, while linebackers Reddick (knee) and Ezekiel Turner (hand) remained limited.
For the Lions, linebacker Jarrad Davis (ankle), defensive end Trey Flowers (shoulder), defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand (elbow), cornerback Rashaan Melvin (knee) and offensive lineman Frank Ragnow (ankle) were all limited.
Past images between the Cardinals and Sunday's opponent in the regular season opener, the Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions halfback Dan Lewis (45) looks like he is about to be toppled by Chicago Cardinals back Jim Wagstaff (on ground), but Lewis was too fleet for him. He ran a good ten yards more in this fourth quarter play before another player nailed him. At rear is Cardinals linebacker Ted Bates (51). The Lions scored early and kept a healthy lead throughout the game to win 54-21, on Dec. 7, 1959 in Detroit.
A Jim Hart pass to Johnny Holand (23) was good for 35 yards in the first quarter Sunday, Oct. 1, 1967 in a game between the Cardinals and Detroit. The Cardinals' Jackie Smith throws a block at Bruce Maher of the Lions. St. Louis won 38-28.
The Cardinals Johnny Roland gained only one yard on this second quarter play against the Lions, Sunday, Oct. 1, 1967, St. Louis, Mo. Detroiters are Wayne Walker (55), Mike Lucci, ground, and Darris McCord, rear. Cards won 38-28.
Don Parish (57) with the Cardinals grabs Detroit?s Altie Taylor (42) to stop the Lions with a 5 yd on Dec. 6, 1970 in Detroit. gain in the third quarter of play.
St. Louis Cardinals tight end Jackie Smith (81) faces Detroit Lions linebacker Wayne Walker (55) circa 1970.
Detroit's Lem Barney, 20, watches the ball disappear from his grip as he was running back a punt in the first quarter on Dec. 6, 1970 in Detroit. The Cardinals' Jim McFarland is putting the tackle on Barney. St. Louis' Jerry Daanen recovered the Lions fumble on the Lion 37, putting them in range for a field goal.
Detroit Lions' running back Billy Sims waves to fans after victory over the St. Louis Cardinals, 20- 6, in Pontiac, Michigan, Sept. 22, 1980. Sims picked up 95 yards and one touchdown.
Detroit Lions' running back Billy Sims takes off during St. Louis Cardinals game at the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan, Sept. 22, 1980.
Detroit Lions quarterback Andre Ware (11) runs from the pocket trying to avoid the tackle of Phoenix Cardinals outside linebacker Freddie Joe Nunn (50) during the first quarter in Pontiac, Mich., Sept. 26, 1993. Ware lead the Lions to a 26-20 victory by completing 11 of 24 passes for 194 yards.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Herman Moore (84) catches a 32-yard pass as Phoenix Cardinals cornerback Aeneas Williams (35) defends during the fourth quarter in Pontiac, Mich., Sept. 26, 1993. The Lions went on to defeat the Cardinals 26-20.
Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Pittman (32) is wrapped up by Detroit Lions' Stephen Boyd (57) Allen Aldridge (55), Rob Fredrickson (53) and Robert Porcher (91) for a loss of yardage in the second quarter Sunday, Nov. 1, 1998, in Pontiac, Mich.
In a Sept. 7, 2003 photo, Arizona Cardinals' Anquan Boldin is stopped by Detroit Lions' Eddie Drummond, right, and defensive back Jimmy Wyrick at Ford Field in Detroit.
In a Sept. 7, 2003 photo, Arizona Cardinals' Anquan Boldin pulls away from Detroit Lions defensive back Jimmy Wyrick at Ford Field in Detroit.
Detroit Lions quarterback Joey Harrington (3) is dragged down from behind by Arizona Cardinals defensive end Peppi Zellner (94) after an 8- yard gain in first quarter Sunday, Dec. 5, 2004, in Detroit.
Detroit Lions cornerback Dre Bly (32) holds up the ball after intercepting the pass intended for Arizona Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) in the third quarter at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2004. Bly had two interceptions for the Lions in their 26-12 win.
Arizona Cardinals place kicker Neil Rackers celebrates his 51-yard field goal against the Detroit Lions in the second quarter in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2005. The Lions beat the Cardinals 29-21.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald catches a 8-yard touchdown pass against the Detroit Lions in the fourth quarter in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2005. Fitzgerald had 141 yards on nine receptions in the Cardinals' 29-21 loss.
Arizona Cardinals' Edgerrin James (32) picks up a short gain as Detroit Lions' Teddy Lehman (54) pulls him down during the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 19, 2006, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals' Fred Wakefield (87) and Detroit Lions Ernie Sims (80) are separated by line judge Ron Marinucci during the second quarter of their football game Sunday, Nov. 19, 2006, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart (7) throws during the first quarter of their football game while under pressure from Detroit Lions' Corey Smith (93), Sunday, Nov. 19, 2006, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) lunges toward the end zone for a touchdown as Detroit Lions linebacker Teddy Lehman, right, defends during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007 in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Tim Rattay, top, calls signals while under center near the Detroit Lions' goal line in the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 31-21.
Detroit Lions quarterback Jon Kitna, left, escapes the pass rush of Arizona Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby, right, in the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007, in Glendale, Ariz.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals safety Antrel Rolle (21) during the first quarter of an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Bryant McFadden (25) brings down Detroit Lions wide receiver Bryant Johnson (80) in the second quarter of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Steve Breaston (15) reaches for the end zone as he's pushed out of bounds by Detroit Lions cornerback DeAngelo Smith (39) during the first quarter of an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009.
Arizona Cardinals running back Beanie Wells (26) stiff-arms Detroit Lions middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch (55) during the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) makes an interception to set up a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals strong safety Rashad Johnson (49) and Daryl Washington during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals running back Andre Ellington (38) runs in a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the first half of a NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals running back Rashard Mendenhall (28) scores the go-ahead touchdown down as Detroit Lions linebacker Rocky McIntosh (52) defends during the second half of a NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Nate Burleson is tackled by Arizona Cardinals defensive end John Abraham (55) during the first half of a NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton (5) hands off against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2014, in Glendale, Ariz.
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) is hit by Arizona Cardinals defensive end Tommy Kelly during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2014, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Antonio Cromartie (31) stops Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate (15) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2014, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) is tackled by Detroit Lions free safety Glover Quin (27) during an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015.
Arizona Cardinals running back Chris Johnson (23) rushes against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) drops back to pass against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015.
Arizona Cardinals running back Kerwynn Williams (33) reacts with Evan Boehm (70) after scoring a 3-yard touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the second half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017.
Arizona Cardinals offensive guard Mike Iupati (76) blocks against Detroit Lions defensive end Jeremiah Ledbetter (98) during an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017.
Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Chandler Jones (55) sacks Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during the first half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) is hit by Detroit Lions defensive back DeShawn Shead (26) during a punt return during the second half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) runs as Detroit Lions middle linebacker Jarrad Davis (40) pursues during the second half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals strong safety Budda Baker (36) during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver J.J. Nelson (14) during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
