Sports360AZ
The Cardinals are done with training camp here in Flagstaff.
As I was finishing up with our post-practice interviews yesterday, the crews were quickly packing up equipment and breaking things down for transport back to their Tempe facility.
Speaking of breaking down, how do the Cardinals break down the Tennessee Titans, whom they’ll face on Thursday night at the newly renovated LP Field?
2. The offensive line has two new additions in D.J. Young and D’Anthony Batiste, who get the start at left and right tackle respectively. Head coach Ken Whisenhunt says he’ll alternate Young and Batiste at the two positions, to evaluate them even more. Let’s see how they respond and perform as the line tries to pick up the pieces after Levi Brown’s untimely triceps injury.1. The offense has to jump out quick and set the tone for the game. John Skelton will get the start, and should get quite a bit more snaps than he did against the Raiders last Friday night. Skelton, Kevin Kolb and the rest of the Cardinals offense need to keep constant pressure on the Titans defense until they crack.
3. If the offensive line works well, then the running game should work well. The running game is averaging over 130 yards per game in the preseason. Whisenhunt says Ryan Williams will get more reps vs Tennessee. Beanie Wells is expected to get some reps as well. It would be good to finally see him on the field.
4. Stewart Bradley has done well in place of Paris Lenon at the one inside linebacker position. He, along with the rest of the defense, will have to keep their game at a high level in order to stop the ever dangerous Chris Johnson, Jake Locker and the rest of the Titans offense.
5. The Cardinals have to come out on top on the intangibles: If the team can individually and collectively keep their focus, win the turnover and field position battles, keep those penalties as low as they can and be special on special teams (I’m talking about you Justin Bethel!), then the Cardinals can even their preseason record up at 2-2 with a win over the Titans.
