Man, if you were looking for some positive vibes out of the Cardinals’ joint practice with the Packers yesterday, you might wanna look away. Because for the Arizona Cardinals, this was the “best action they will get the entire preseason in terms of getting a look at another team,” and for their starting offense, those first seven plays were a straight-up disaster. We’re talking four runs for absolutely no gain, two dropped passes that just kill a drive, and a single short completion. That’s it. That’s the sum total for the starters kicking things off. Yikes.
Early Woes and Mounting Injuries
This early on, you want to see your team healthy and clicking, right? Well, the Cardinals aren’t exactly hitting those marks. Health is already a big problem. Jeremiyah Love is sidelined, which is a tough blow. And yesterday, Isaiah Adams joined him, listed day to day with a knee injury and missing practice. Will Johnson was also out, seen doing sprints with trainers before practice, then just walking off as the team warmed up. At least there’s a small win: Isaac Seumalo, who was out Monday with an illness, was back on the field. Still, for a squad trying to find its rhythm, these early injuries are a serious concern.
The offense just couldn’t get it together. Jacoby Brissett, in the first part of practice, went 3 for 7, threw an interception, and took a sack. What’s worse, the offensive line was under pressure on nearly every single pass play. They even managed another presnap penalty. It’s hard to move the ball when you’re shooting yourself in the foot and giving the QB no time. Speaking of defense, it wasn’t much better on the other side of the ball. Packers QB Jordan Love was just torching the Cardinals secondary, completing big pass after big pass downfield. Andy Herman straight-up said the offense was “absolutely scorching” the Cards defense. That’s not what you want to hear at all.
Glimmers of Hope and a Touchdown
But hey, it wasn’t all bad, right? You gotta look for the silver linings. The defense did manage to make some plays, especially when going up against the Packers’ second-stringers. Safety Kitan Crawford showed up big, playing centerfielder and picking off Kyle McCord. Coach Mike LaFleur even gave Crawford a shout-out, calling him “the epitome of play style.” That’s the kind of energy you need! And later, Dewey Wingard snagged another interception off Jordan Love, making it the second pick of the day for the Cardinals’ defense. So, they can make plays. Brandon Cisse also jumped a Jacoby Brissett pass for an interception, though it looked like the receiver fell down.
And let’s talk about Marvin Harrison Jr., because that kid is electric. Against the Packers’ starting defense, MHJ got wide open on an end zone fade route, putting up a touchdown. It sounds like there was a mix-up in the Packers’ secondary, but hey, you gotta take advantage of those opportunities, and MHJ did exactly that. That’s the kind of big play we need to see consistently.
This team has a lot to clean up, especially on offense and getting those injured guys back on the field. But seeing flashes from guys like Crawford and Wingard on defense, and obviously the absolute talent of MHJ, gives you something to cling to. They need to build on those defensive takeaways and that MHJ touchdown, and fast, because setting the tone early is everything.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Revenge of the Birds.
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