The Arizona Cardinals are currently sitting at 3-6 after their week 9 loss against the Seattle Seahawks. They welcomed back star wideout Deandre Hopkins in week 7 against the Saints, where we saw Deandre and Kyler Murray hook up 14 times for 103 yards. (Saints at Cardinals Week 7 Box Score) The combo showed out in week 8 against the Vikings as well, Hopkins showed up with 12 REC for 159 yards and a touchdown. (Arizona Cardinals vs Minnesota Vikings Week 8 Boxscore) They have struggled on offense despite the spark that Hopkins’s return has given. Outside of him, only WR Rondale Moore has gone over 50 yards receiving since Hopkins returned to the team. (Cardinals Stats)
The Cardinals’ struggles are something no one was expecting coming into the season. They traded their first-round pick to the Ravens for Marquise Brown, who went down with what was first thought to be a season-ending injury. They had big expectations for the 2nd year receiver Rondale Moore and were getting Max Williams back from injury to pair with newly acquired Zach Ertz. The bottom line is Kliff Kingsbury, and the Arizona Cardinals have too many offensive weapons to be struggling the way they have been. I think between the play-calling mishaps and the sideline arguments we have seen these past few weeks between Kyler and Kliff, it is time for the Arizona Cardinals to make some changes starting with firing Kliff Kingsbury.
The Cardinals have won only 3 games this season, all against opponents with records below .500, and have lost 3 straight games in the division. (Cardinals Schedule) They head into Los Angeles to play the Rams, coming off 2 straight losses and carrying a 2-game road losing streak with them, as well. Arizona is sitting in last place in the division and remains without a victory in the division. (Arizona Cardinals Home: The official source of the latest Cardinals headlines, news, videos, photos, tickets, rosters and game day information) They have an opportunity of sorts this week with the struggling Rams.
Kliff Kingsbury was brought into this team because of his offensive mind and play-calling which the Cardinals have struggled with the most this year. They have become very predictable with their play calls, with choreographed plays in crucial moments. Kliff has struggled to utilize his weapons over the years and this season has shown more than ever. Rondale Moore was drafted to be a specialist of sorts in the offense and provide a weapon that could be utilized all over the field, however, he has 54 Rec for 435 yards and just 1 touchdown on the year. Zach Ertz, who the Cardinals brought in last year via a trade with the Eagles, has 46 Receptions for 394 yards and 4 touchdowns. Robbie Anderson was brought in due to the injury Marquise Brown suffered to his foot, in two games with the Cardinals, Robbie has 1 reception for -4 yards receiving. Although many will be quick to point the finger at Kyler Murray for the lack of production the offense has had lately, he has done his part throwing for 2168 yards and 12 touchdowns while only throwing 6 Interceptions this season, at this point, it’s time to hold Kingsbury accountable.
Most fans were upset with the hiring in the beginning, with the complaint that he wasn’t a winner in college despite his unique Air Raid offensive style. The coaches and front offices from around the league agreed his style would never work in the NFL. This year has done nothing to say otherwise as he has struggled to effectively draw up play calls in crucial 3rd down and red zone situations time and time again. He has failed to utilize his weapons to their full potential since arriving in Arizona, and this season has to be the season the Cardinals choose to move on from the Kingsbury Experiment. After getting swept by the Seahawks, traveling to Los Angeles to face the Rams becomes that much more important for not only the Cardinals season but Kliff Kingsbury’s time in Arizona. If they get swept by both the Rams and Seahawks this season, we should see the end of Kliff Kingsbury, because the RED SEA deserves better.
