Bruce Arians isn’t believing the hype.
Not even for a second.
Life in the NFL can be cruel and unforgiving when perception and reality become skewed. Sure, his Arizona Cardinals are a perfect 3-0 and the talk of not only the state but league-wide, but this isn’t Arians’ first rodeo so-to-speak.
“This team really is not really believing everybody on the outside who tells them how wonderful they are,” SI.com senior NFL writer Peter King explained to Brad Cesmat during his weekly interview Tuesday morning. “[Arians says] the most important play is the next one.”
One clear indicator is the Red Birds’ focus coming out of the locker room for the second half the first three weeks. James Bettcher’s defense has allowed just 12 points after halftime this season and only an average of 14 per game to this point. Sure, Arizona has yet to play anyone close to an elite team but if Carson Palmer can stay healthy and the Cards’ offensive production continues at its current pace, the wins are likely to follow this fall.
To this point in 2015 King has certainly liked what he’s seen from top to bottom out here in the desert.
“Arizona’s got a top defense right now,” he told Cesmat. “The first three weeks anyway, they’ve got the most explosive offense in football.”
For now, slow and steady will win the race.
Arians wouldn’t want it any other way.
Eric Sorenson
