If this seems like déjà vu, don’t turn the channel.
The Arizona Cardinals and San Diego Chargers played each other in the final preseason game a week ago, but that was meaningless and vanilla. This game, the nightcap of a “Monday Night Football” doubleheader, is for real.
In the past 10 years, only seven teams have played more Monday night games than San Diego’s 14, so this has become old hat. But awaiting the Cardinals will be a few familiar faces, including San Diego’s offensive coordinator, Frank Reich, formerly of the Cards.
Cardinals reporter Josh Weinfuss and Chargers reporter Eric Williams discussed Monday night’s game.
Weinfuss: How do you think playing the Cardinals in the preseason finale will help or hurt the Chargers on Monday night?
Williams: San Diego gleaned very little from hosting Arizona in the final preseason game. Neither team played its starters. And both the Chargers and Cardinals ran vanilla schemes on both sides of the ball in order to better evaluate fringe prospects trying to make the back end of the roster. So the game did not necessarily work in favor or against San Diego. More important, the Chargers got through exhibition play healthy, which did not happen in 2013. Last year, the Chargers lost receiver Danario Alexander, cornerback Steve Williams and inside linebacker Manti Te'o to injuries during preseason play. Alexander and Williams did not play in 2013, while Te'o came back in Week 4. Add to that the fact that pass-rusher Melvin Ingram suffered an ACL knee injury in May 2013, making it back for the last four regular-season games, and you can understand why San Diego was 5-7 through the first 12 games in 2013. This year, the Chargers are healthy with much more depth at the start of the regular season.
After a rough first half of the season, Carson Palmer threw 14 touchdowns and just eight interceptions the last eight games of 2013, leading the Cardinals to a 6-2 record. What changed for Palmer during the second half and can he continue that level of success in 2014?
Weinfuss: It sounds cliché but that proverbial light bulb clicked on for him and the rest of the offense. The Cardinals finally began to understand the complex offensive scheme that Bruce Arians installed when he arrived in January 2013. Instead of wide receivers asking each other if they were lining up properly, they’d be setting up in the correct areas. The running back was established earlier in games, which led to more passing options. But, and this may be among the most important reasons the offense started to click, the Cardinals realized what their limits were offensively and they pulled back when needed. According to every offensive player who has talked about it, this year's offense is "light years" ahead of where it was last year at this time. As long as Palmer can limit his mistakes and reduce the interceptions, he should be able to build off of 2013.
Like the Cardinals, the Chargers are entering the second year under their head coach. Where have the Chargers improved most heading into Year 2 under Mike McCoy? Where are their most glaring holes?
Williams: The Chargers addressed the team’s two most glaring needs heading into the offseason by upgrading the talent at cornerback and edge rusher. San Diego selected TCU product Jason Verrett in the first round and signed Pro Bowl corner Brandon Flowers in free agency. The Chargers also drafted Georgia Tech pass-rusher Jeremiah Attaochu in the second round and got back a healthy Dwight Freeney, who finished 2013 on the injured reserve list after suffering a torn quad in Week 4 against Dallas. Those four players will help the Chargers play fast and physical and should improve San Diego’s effectiveness on third down. San Diego finished No. 29 in the NFL in pass defense last season, and totaled just 10 sacks on third down, which was second worst in the league. San Diego still needs to add more depth at the interior of the defensive line. The Chargers gave up 4.6 yards per carry, which was second worst during exhibition play.
Arizona allowed only 20.2 points a contest last year, No. 7 in the NFL. However, the Cardinals will be without the team's best defensive player in Daryl Washington (suspension), along with defensive tackle Darnell Dockett (ACL injury) and perhaps Tyrann Mathieu. How will Arizona make up for the lost production?
Weinfuss: Depth and a lot of it. Losing Washington and Dockett -- and Karlos Dansby to free agency -- took away three of the Cardinals' top six defensive players from a year ago. That's hard to replace. But in Washington's absence, veteran Larry Foote will be charged with helping second-year linebacker Kevin Minter. Inside linebacker is undoubtedly the Cardinals' major issue on defense. Arizona will turn to veteran Frostee Rucker to replace Dockett in the starting lineup and behind him will be Tommy Kelly and rookie Ed Stinson. The more waves of fresh legs Arizona can throw at opponents, the better off it will be.
Could adding quarterback Ryan Lindley give the Chargers an advantage against Arizona? If so, how much of an advantage would it be?
Williams: Although McCoy and Philip Rivers downplayed the move, any bit of new information helps on game day and can be the difference between winning and losing. So having Lindley at Chargers Park is certainly helpful in providing tendencies in terms of play calls or information on how to attack certain Arizona personnel. Is it a huge advantage? No, but Lindley’s knowledge could have a small effect on the outcome of the game.
Andre Ellington averaged an impressive 5.5 yards per carry his rookie season. Does he have a chance to be a 1,000-yard running back in Year 2?
Weinfuss: I've seen some "experts' predict he'll have 2,000 all-purpose yards. And I think it's possible. As for 1,000 rushing yards, if he can stay healthy and isn't used as much in the passing game as Arians has hinted he'll be used, I think 1,000 yards is possible. He's quick enough to evade tacklers and fast enough to break away from the pack, but he's also smart enough to get down before contact so he'll be saving himself a lot of pain and risk. With Arizona going to more two-back sets this season, especially with the use of a fullback, Ellington will have more options to break free.
