ARIZONA CARDINALS

Arizona Cardinals’ Larry Fitzgerald praises Bruce Arians’ offense

Sep 10, 2013, 10:19 PM | Updated: 10:20 pm

The Arizona Cardinals did not win their season opener, but that does not mean the afternoon was a total loss.

Sure, the team has every reason to be disappointed in the 27-24 loss to the St. Louis Rams, but there were some positives to take away from the game, especially on the offensive side of the ball.

New quarterback Carson Palmer looked sharp running new coach Bruce Arians’ offense, and the Cardinals piled up 390 yards of total offense against one of the better defenses in the league.

“Coach Arians’ offense is unbelievable,” Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald told ESPN’s SportsCenter Tuesday. “He has so many different ideas and formations, and puts guys in position to have success.”

Fitz himself had an outstanding day, catching eight passes for 80 yards and two touchdowns, but Andre Roberts (8 catches, 97 yards) and Michael Floyd (four catches, 82 yards) also got in on the fun. In all, eight different Cardinals caught a pass.

“He knows what guys’ strengths are,” Fitzgerald added. “He’s going to put you in position to go out there and play at your best and play fast.”

Arians’ play-calling aside, it’s tough to see the Cardinals being as effective without the change at quarterback. While the veteran did throw an interception, he was on target much of the day and showed why the team acquired him from the Oakland Raiders.

“It’s great to have that stabilizing figure at the quarterback position,” Fitzgerald said, adding Palmer brings a calming presence to the huddle. “He’s poised, and to have that, you know you have an opportunity to go out there and have success every single Sunday.

“He’s a great leader for us.”

Though it would be unwise to try to take too much away from just one game, it does appear that the Cardinals’ offense is very much improved from last year. Now, the only question is whether or not that will translate to more wins.

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Desmond Ridder runs the rock against Houston...

Tyler Drake

Desmond Ridder eager to remind fellow Cardinals QB Clayton Tune about college wins

Cardinals quarterback Desmond Ridder may not know Kyler Murray just yet, but he and Clayton Tune go way back.

2 days ago

LSU's Malik Nabers, a top NFL Draft prospect...

Kevin Zimmerman

NFL Draft: Malik Nabers to visit Arizona Cardinals after LSU pro day, per report

Top NFL Draft receiver prospect Malik Nabers will reportedly visit with the Arizona Cardinals after the LSU Tigers' pro day.

2 days ago

Desmond Ridder looks to pass...

Tyler Drake

QB1 or not, Desmond Ridder keeping starter mentality with Cardinals

New Cardinals QB Desmond Ridder is focused on using the good and the bad from his first two seasons rather than listening to outside chatter.

3 days ago

Jonathan Gannon and Kyler Murray look on...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Jonathan Gannon: Kyler Murray’s ‘best football is ahead of him’

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon believes Kyler Murray will continue taking the necessary steps forward with a full offseason of work.

3 days ago

Kyler Murray chats with Jonathan Gannon...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals will face ‘really good’ AFC opponent for joint preseason practices

The Arizona Cardinals expect to hold joint practices in the preseason against a really good AFC opponent, in the words of Jonathan Gannon.

3 days ago

Patriots and Cardinals kick off return in 2020...

Associated Press

NFL owners approve new kickoff rules for 2024

NFL kickoff rules will take on a hybrid approach similar to the XFL. League owners approved the new measures Tuesday.

3 days ago

Arizona Cardinals’ Larry Fitzgerald praises Bruce Arians’ offense