Don't know if you've heard, but the Cardinals report to training camp this week. The first preseason game is less than three weeks away. The 2024 season has arrived. The mailbag, of course, keeps on keeping on. A quick note: Drew, I've gotten your questions about camp tickets but if you don't leave me a genuine email address, I have no ability to help you. Meanwhile, for the mailbag, questions have been edited for length and clarity. Don't forget to send a question for a future mailbag with at least a first name and last initial.
From James C:
"What are differences in camp now compared to when you first starting covering them? I know I miss the days in Flagstaff."
Flagstaff is the big one of course. Between my days at the East Valley Tribune through my early years with the team, I stayed the equivalent of three college years in dorms, which was ... interesting. I understand completely the logistics of the situation, but there was nothing better than watching practice in cooler weather outside up at Northern Arizona University. That said, as difficult as it can be to move everything to the west side of town and State Farm Stadium, it's harder to do it two hours north. When I first started at the turn of the century (yikes) there was more media, it was more laid back when it came to media-player interaction, and we would just hang out outside the cafeteria each day to grab players for interviews.
One very little thing that has changed that I have always liked: in the "old" days the helmets remained all-white and bird-head-less until the first preseason game; that changed at some point. But it always used to make me think about how we were in the early dog days of practice when they were in the all-white helmets. The decals going on the helmets all-year round is a good thing.
From Hector S:
"I've seen a bunch of people saying the Cardinals are going to be playing a lot of high-scoring, 38-35 kind of games this season because of what they have both on offense and defense. What do you think of this? Is our offense going to be that good? Is our defense going to be that bad?"
Truthfully it's too early to make such judgments. Let's see how practice goes, and let's see, as Nick Rallis likes to say in euphemism, who ends up losing their shoe (that's getting injured, for the uninitiated.) Defensively, the Cardinals still have a lot to prove. But they have also made a lot of changes. I think that unit will be better. I also think the Cards will play to minimize their defense when they can; i.e. have the offense grind out some long possessions. On offense, it's tantalizing to think what this group can be, adding in a full season of Kyler and MHJ and Trey Benson along with what James Conner and Trey McBride and Michael Wilson have been. There is a potential to be very good. In the end, if there are a lot of 38-35 games, the Cards just need to make sure they are the 38 most of the time.
From Randy W:
"I was listening on the radio and they were talking about which Cardinals draft class between 2023 and 2024 was going to have a bigger impact this season and I think it's a great question. With MHJ and Darius, I could totally see this class doing more. What are your thoughts on the subject, especially what you think of Year Two from the 2023 guys?"
There is little question the Cardinals are counting on immediate impact from Harrison and probably from Darius Robinson. There remains a good chance Max Melton will start. And then the next five picks -- Trey Benson, Tip Reiman, Isaiah Adams, Elijah Jones and Rabbit Taylor-Demerson -- all could see their contribution grow as the season goes, depending on various factors. Now, cornerback is a great example. Your 2023 CBs Garrett Wilson and Kei'Trel Clark, do they take a jump and does that fend off Melton, Jones and Rabbitt? Paris Johnson is still a big deal at left tackle. BJ Ojulari, Michael Wilson and Dante Stills all have the chance to play big roles. It really will be fascinating to see how this plays out.
From T in 801:
"More of a speculative question. The last 23 years the Cardinals have always had a very good WR corps starting with the Anquan and Larry duo. Steve Breaston was awesome, Andre Roberts was solid and then we got Michael Floyd and John Brown. D-Hop was a great addition as well. How do you think Marvin and Michael Wilson paired with Dortch look as a trio? Do you think they have the potential to be a lethal WR combination compared to other offenses in the league?"
Potential? Sure. I believe that much in Harrison and, to a lesser extent, Wilson (I love Wilson's makeup and if he can stay healthy, he's a guy who can take a jump.) We are assuming Dortch gets a lot of time; Zay Jones is still around but Jonathan Gannon seems to like Dortch a lot. I don't know about comparing them to other high-profile WR corps, but I do think the Cardinals are in good shape at the position, even if there is much to prove. Not sure you get to 2008 Fitz-Anquan-Breaston territory, but that's a nice goal to have. (The Cardinals are going to run the ball much better than the 2008 Cardinals did.)
From Jill F:
"Do you think the new kickoff rule will change the game much? So much has been made of it but I don't know if it really changes things. I do look forward to seeing Dortch try it out though!"
I don't know about changing the game. I think it'll show early as teams try to get a handle on it. But if longer kickoff returns start to become the norm, teams are going to say, fine, will kick it out of the end zone and give it to you on the 30 and just deal with defense. I am looking forward to seeing in practice and the preseason games for the first time. I do think it plays into the strengths of Dortch -- he still has to officially win the job -- and could make for some exciting plays. We've gone a loooong time since the Cardinals returned a kickoff for a touchdown: rookie David Johnson did it Week 2 in Chicago back in 2015.
From Shravaka A:
"Glad to have you back Darren! Sounds like you had fun in Scotland? (Laddie 😊). This article involved Kyler and his participation in a small chess tournament a while ago with other NFL players. When Kyler was drafted, I remember trying to emphasize the significance of his passion for chess and how the game could translate into augmenting his football prowess and mental acuity. So this read was a nice validation. Do players play chess in the locker room? Do the coaches recommend it? And who would win between you, Dani, and Paul? 😆 GAME ON!"
There is not a chess board in the locker room that's just left out, although I am sure Kyler could find one if a game broke out. Murray obviously loves it, but I am not sure how many others play on the roster. Larry Fitzgerald did and the two matched up a few times, and Murray was playing it in 2020 training camp during Covid with some teammates when they wanted to pass the time. As for myself, Dani and Paul, I can tell you who wouldn't win -- me. My mind doesn't work like that.
