Cardinals show new resolve in preseason opener against Denver
New general manager. New coach. New players. New uniforms.
Same ol’ crowd. Same ol’ Cardinals?
Arizona’s 18-16 win over the Denver Broncos in the preseason opener at State Farm Stadium on Friday night was the first opportunity for the Red Sea to rise up for a new era, but there were so many orange jerseys in the stands that it was crushing. The lower bowl looked like a kitchen table after a kid spilled a bottle of SunnyD.
Not that Cardinals fans would have had much to cheer for had they showed up.
The Arizona offense didn’t manage to score a single point until midway through the third quarter, and even then it was a field goal.
Miscues abounded.
There was a Clayton Tune interception that came when Rondale Moore fell down, a bizarre timeout toward the end of the half that gave Denver time to set up for a field goal and a whole lot of that horizontal passing attack that fans have come to know and loathe.
That said, David Blough led a game-winning drive that changed the perception of the entire night.
Maybe these guys have enough fight in them to turn things around?
Arizona has been terrible at the "Nest" the last few years, going 10-22-1 at home under Kliff Kingsbury, a record that included just one win last season. The Kansas City Chiefs (2-0) had a better record at State Farm Stadium than the Cardinals (1-8).
So, can anyone reasonably blame Arizona fans for selling their tickets or simply staying home Friday?
The Cardinals went 4-13 last season after finishing 1-5 down the stretch in 2021, including an atrocious playoff loss to the Rams. That’s five wins in their last 23 meaningful games, if you’re counting.
But anyone who came and stayed until the end had a chance to see the home team execute a 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that set up a 2-point conversion that gave the Cardinals the win.
If the preseason teaches us anything about the regular season, then this shows how big of a credibility gap the Arizona franchise has to overcome with its fanbase. (Does anybody remember the Super Bowl run after the 2008 season? I do. Santonio Holmes was out of bounds. Or the Bruce Arians era? Or Fitz?!)
In that way, this otherwise meaningless preseason win was a pretty big deal.
General Manager Monti Ossenfort, coach Jonathan Gannon and players like Paris Johnson Jr., Michael Wilson and Kyzir White are going to need wins early, often and at home to keep it from feeling like the Cardinals' schedule has 17 road games.
It’s going to be tough selling many new replica jerseys in the team store if fans think these are the same ol’ Cardinals.
But if that last drive was an indicator, this new group has a chance to bring some hope to the most hardened Arizona Cardinals cynics.
Reach Moore at gmoore@azcentral.com or 602-444-2236. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @SayingMoore.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Cardinals show new-era resolve in preseason win over Broncos
