Mark Schlereth previews the return of the NFL on FOX
FOX NFL analyst and former NFL player Mark Schlereth on kicking off the season on ‘Fox & Friends.’
Arizona Cardinals’ general manager Steve Keim has had a busy offseason, overhauling a weak defense and loading the offense with big names for second-year quarterback Kyler Murray.
Despite going 5-10-1 and finishing at the bottom of the NFC West again, Murray shocked critics with a strong performance during his rookie season. He finished with 3,722 passing yards, 20 passing touchdowns and 544 rushing yards. He was named as a Pro Bowl Alternate and was awarded the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
But there were glaring holes in the Cardinals offense which left the 2019 No. 1 draft pick with few targets.
To fix that, Keim made major moves in the offseason, including bringing in seasoned wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins in a trade with the Houston Texans. The Cardinals also locked in veteran Larry Fitzgerald to a one-year, $11 million deal, making this his 17th season with the franchise.
Arizona also addressed its defense which saw the most yards allowed per game and total receptions allowed last season. The draft yielded fourth-round picks Leki Fotu out of Utah and Rashard Lawrence from LSU. Free agency saw Jordan Phillips and Devon Kennard join the roster.
The new and improved Cardinals will be put to the test when they take on the defending NFC Champions in Week 1.
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5 THINGS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED
ARIZONA CARDINALS’ ALL-TIME MOUNT RUSHMORE: 4 BEST PLAYERS IN FRANCHISE HISTORY
ARIZONA CARDINALS 2020 SCHEDULE: 3 INTRIGUING MATCHUPS
ARIZONA CARDINALS: EACH NFL DRAFT 2020 SELECTION
DEANDRE HOPKINS AGREES TO MASSIVE CONTRACT EXTENSION WITH CARDINALS: REPORTS
BUDDA BAKER SIGNS 4-YEAR EXTENSION WITH CARDINALS, WILL BE HIGHEST-PAID SAFETY: REPORT
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NEW ADDITION HIGHLIGHT: DEANDRE HOPKINS
The Cardinals acquired Hopkins from the Texans. (Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports)
When news broke that DeAndre Hopkins, arguably one of the best wide receivers currently in the league, had been traded to the Cardinals it was quite the shock. But when the terms of the deal were released, it was if the Cardinals had gotten away with something.
Hopkins, along with a fourth-round pick, was traded to Arizona in March for running back David Johnson and a second-round pick and a 2021 fourth-round pick.
Last season, Hopkins caught 104 passes for 1,165 yards and seven touchdowns. Over the course of his career with the Texans, he was named a first-team All-Pro three times and made the Pro Bowl four times.
Hopkins will be the centerpiece of the Cardinals offense and he’s being paid like it too.
Reports indicated that he signed a two-year contract extension worth about $54.5 which will keep him in Arizona for the next five years.
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PROJECTED STARTERS
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver A.J. Richardson (83) celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Denver Broncos, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Offense: Kyler Murray (QB), Kenyan Drake (RB), DeAndre Hopkins (WR), Christian Kirk (WR), Larry Fitzgerald (WR), Mazz Williams (TE), D.J.Humphries (LT), Justin Pugh (LG), Mason Cole (C), J.R. Sweezy (RG), Kelvin Beachum (RT)
Defense: Zach Allen (DE), Corey Peters (NT), Jordan Phillips (DE), Chandler Jones (LB), Jordan Hicks (LB), Isaiah Simmons (LB), Devon Kennard (LB), Patrick Peterson (CB), Jalen Thompson (S), Budda Baker (FS), Dre Kirkpatrick (CB)
Special Teams: Zane Gonzalez (PK), Andy Lee (P)
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2020 CARDINALS SCHEDULE (all times Eastern)
Week 1: @ 49ers (9/13, 4:25 p.m.)
Week 2: Washington Football Team (9/20, 4:05 p.m.)
Week 3: Lions (9/27, 4:25 p.m.)
Week 4: @ Panthers (10/4, 1 p.m.)
Week 5: @ Jets (10/11, 1 p.m.)
Week 6: @ Cowboys (10/19, 8:15 p.m.)
Week 7: Seahawks (10/25, 4:05 p.m.)
Week 8: BYE
Week 9: Dolphins (11/8, 4:25 p.m.)
Week 10: Bills (11/15, 4:05 p.m.)
Week 11: @ Seahawks (11/19, 8:20 p.m.)
Week 12: @ Patriots (11/29, 1 p.m.)
Week 13: Rams (12/06, 4:05 p.m.)
Week 14: @ Giants (12/13, 1 p.m.)
Week 15: Eagles (12/20, 4:05 p.m.)
Week 16: 49ers (TBD)
Week 17: @ Rams (1/03, 4:25 p.m.)
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ODDS
To win the Super Bowl: +6000
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Odds courtesy of Vegas Insider.