• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Phoenix Sports Today

Phoenix Sports News Continuously Updated

  • Cardinals
  • Diamondbacks
  • Coyotes
  • Basketball
    • Mercury
    • Suns
  • Soccer
  • Colleges
    • Arizona State
    • Grand Canyon University
    • Northern Arizona
    • University of Arizona

Cardinals GM Steve Keim optimistic about CBs, roster before 2021 opener

September 11, 2021 by ArizonaSports.com - 98.7 FM

Their nickelback is probably their most reliable outside cornerback.

Their starting inside linebackers have seven total starts between them.

The Arizona Cardinals’ offseason upgrades included 2011 Pro Bowlers who are probably past their prime. Their third-year head coach and play-caller, Kliff Kingsbury, saw his team’s efficiency fall from 13th in offensive DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average) in 2019 to 19th last year despite the addition of a top wideout, DeAndre Hopkins.

You can find reasons to worry the Cardinals won’t get over the hump playing in the highly touted NFC West, but general manager Steve Keim only has room for optimism heading into a 2021 season opener against the Tennessee Titans.

Even after cornerback Malcolm Butler’s sudden exit just before the year was set to start. That might be the biggest worry emanating from the fanbase.

RELATED STORIES
  • A healthy Robert Alford ‘ready to roll,’ make Cardinals debut vs. Titans

  • Cardinals-Titans injury report: Cardinals OLB Dennis Gardeck out Week 1

  • Simulations from NFL Network’s Frelund put Cardinals in playoff position

  • Loss vs. ‘punch you in the face’ Titans would be telling of Cardinals

“I think it’s always a surprise when a player retires, but (I) have a lot of respect for Malcolm and his decision,” Keim told Arizona Sports’ Burns & Gambo on Friday.

“I feel good about a number of those guys in that room, starting with Byron Murphy, who is also in Year 3, and I think is a guy who’s ready to break out as one of the top corners in the league. He can play outside, he can play inside, he’s got a great feel for the game.”

Murphy very well could meet expectations after showing grittiness in two healthy seasons. But next to him is rookie fourth-round pick Marco Wilson and veteran Robert Alford, who hasn’t played an NFL game since 2018.

The latter received glowing reviews from Keim, which explains why Arizona has not moved mountains to shore up their cornerback depth chart upon Butler’s sudden decision to step away. He’s currently on the retired list.

“The one person that we’ve probably not talked about enough … is Marco Wilson,” Keim said. “A guy we traded up in the fourth round to grab him and maybe was sort of underappreciated in the evaluation process. He has looked fantastic in camp, in preseason games — practice every day he lines up against A.J. (Green) and Hop and (Christian) Kirk … and has answered every test so far.

“Those (young) guys are going to be challenged but for the most part, everything we’ve seen from the guy, his mental makeup, his physicality and his attention to detail is phenomenal.”

The Cardinals did maneuver to add depth upon Butler’s retirement.

They added veterans Rasul Douglas and Antonio Hamilton to the practice squad. Douglas could play as an outside corner, while Hamilton could contribute on special teams.

“Both of those guys have a chance and I would expect that throughout the season, we’ll see one or both of them at some point,” Keim said.

From a wider lens, Keim said the Cardinals are internally high on their offseason. They believe quarterback Kyler Murray will take the next step — Keim said he should be in the MVP mix — and the addition of center Rodney Hudson, J.J. Watt, Matt Prater and A.J. Green have added to the self-policing in the locker room.

Hudson’s ability specifically addresses priorities: to help Murray see the field and stay safe in the pocket.

As for how important 2021 will be for Kingsbury coaching in Arizona a fourth season, Keim didn’t want to touch that topic two days before the season opener of the coach’s third year.

“I think it’s for all of us. It’s a team, No. 1 … and expectations are high,” the GM said.

Follow @kzimmermanaz

Filed Under: Cardinals

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • D-backs Have Listened To Offers On Outfield Depth
  • Arizona State’s Compton selected in the second round by the Marlins
  • Snake Bytes, 7/14: Break!
  • 2025 Diamondbacks Draft Thread: Day Two
  • Pelle Larsson continues impact in NBA Las Vegas Summer League

Categories

Archives

Our Partners

All Sports

  • 247 Sports
  • ArizonaSports.com - 98.7 FM
  • Bleacher Report
  • Heat Waved
  • OurSports Central
  • The Arizona Republic
  • The Sports Fan Journal
  • USA Today

Baseball

  • Arizona Diamondbacks
  • AZ Snake Pit
  • Last Word On Baseball
  • MLB Trade Rumors
  • Venom Strikes

Basketball

  • Phoenix Suns
  • Amico Hoops
  • Basketball Insiders
  • Bright Side Of The Sun
  • High Post Hoops
  • Hoops Hype
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Last Word On Pro Basketball
  • Pro Basketball Talk
  • Real GM
  • Valley Of The Suns

Football

  • Arizona Cardinals
  • Cardinals Gab
  • Cards Wire
  • Deep Dive
  • Last Word On Pro Football
  • NFL Trade Rumors
  • Our Turf Football
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Football Talk
  • Raising Zona
  • Revenge Of The Birds
  • Words From The Birds

Hockey

  • Elite Prospects
  • Five For Howling
  • Howlin Hockey
  • Last Word On Hockey
  • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Talk
  • The Hockey Writers

Soccer

  • Last Word on Soccer
  • MLS Multiplex

College

  • AZ Desert Swarm
  • Busting Brackets
  • College Football News
  • College Sports Madness
  • Devils In Detail
  • House Of Sparky
  • Last Word On College Basketball - Univ of Arizona
  • Saturday Blitz
  • Zags Blog
  • Zona Zealots

Copyright © 2025 · Magazine Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in