ARIZONA CARDINALS

Carson Palmer: Arizona Cardinals are ‘completely different team’ from last year

Jul 25, 2014, 5:32 PM | Updated: 5:33 pm

Follow @theAdamGreenPresented By...

LISTEN: Carson Palmer, AZ Cardinals QB

The Arizona Cardinals won 10 games in 2013, narrowly missing the playoffs but proving that they were not a team to be taken lightly.

They won’t be the same in 2014, however, and while they’ve certainly upgraded in a lot of areas, they’ve also lost some key players from last year’s squad.

“We’re a completely different team than we were last year,” Cardinals QB Carson Palmer told Doug and Wolf on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Friday.

Palmer said given the losses the defense suffered, with Karlos Dansby leaving for Cleveland and Daryl Washington being suspended for the season due to violating the league’s substance abuse policy, the offense will be leaned on a bit more than it was last season, saying the team’s dynamics have changed.

“Our defense is going to be very, very good, and our offense has to be very, very good,” he said. “And we expect to be very, very good offensively.”

Last season was really a tale of two halves for the Cardinals’ offense. Arizona averaged 19 points per game through the first seven, struggling to a 3-4 record. However, over the final name games — of which the Cards won seven — they averaged 27.3 points per game.

The improvement coincided with the defense finding its groove and Palmer being comfortable in the offense, with the latter fact being what has people excited heading into the new season.

After all, if the the light really did come on for the veteran in the back half of 2013, it’s reasonable to assume the offense will continue moving forward in 2014.

It will have to if the Cardinals are going to break through in a very difficult NFC West.

“Every year is different,” Palmer said. “You always lose a player or two and you gain a player or two, but losing two guys in the middle of your defense is difficult.

“But we’re excited about having that challenge and moving on.”

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Jonah Williams pressure Sam Darnold...

Tyler Drake

Report: Free agent DL Jonah Williams visiting Arizona Cardinals this week

Defensive lineman Jonah Williams is visiting the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings this week, according to Aaron Wilson.

8 hours ago

Casita seating at the Arizona Cardinals' State Farm Stadium...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals’ new suite options at State Farm Stadium include casitas

The Arizona Cardinals on Monday announced new luxury seating options for 2024, including custom casita suites at State Farm Stadium.

12 hours ago

Justin Fields...

Associated Press

Quarterback carousel: Bears trade Justin Fields to Steelers to clear way for top pick

The Chicago Bears traded quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night for draft compensation.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray...

Arizona Sports

Report: Cardinals QB Kyler Murray’s 2025 guarantees kick in

Cardinals QB Kyler Murray had nearly $30 million guaranteed for the 2025 season kick in by remaining on Arizona's roster by Saturday.

2 days ago

Paris Johnson Jr. celebrates with Kyler Murray...

Tyler Drake

Which side of the line will Cardinals’ Paris Johnson Jr. command in 2024?

Even before the Cardinals released D.J. Humphries, there was already talk of Paris Johnson Jr. making the switch from right to left.

3 days ago

Marvin Harrison Jr. celebrates...

Tyler Drake

Marvin Harrison Jr. wasn’t opposed to joining Arizona Cardinals in 2023

Marvin Harrison Jr. to the Arizona Cardinals in 2024? That's what Paris Johnson Jr. predicted soon after getting pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

3 days ago

Carson Palmer: Arizona Cardinals are ‘completely different team’ from last year