The Arizona Cardinals allowed 325 points in 16 games last season. They have allowed 319 through 11 games this season.
WilsonThat's a problem.
What's the solution, beyond adding better players? Pro Bowl strong safety Adrian Wilson offered a few thoughts during a conference call Wednesday with reporters in St. Louis.
"We’re not playing together -- it’s obvious," Wilson said. "We’re not sure where guys are supposed to be when we’ve been running the same calls for 10 weeks or so. We have to believe in each other, and we have to believe that that person is going to be in that spot. We talk about it all the time, and it’s gotten to the point now where it’s late in the season. November’s done, now it’s December, and we have to get it done."
The Cardinals have new starters at linebacker and in the secondary, but their defensive personnel changes don't seem particularly unusual by NFL standards. Wilson did point to a lack of continuity as one challenge.
"A lot of us haven’t played together," he said. "That’s the thing. Once you have that type of continuity by playing with a guy for a long period of time and being able to know that guy is going to be in that spot, that’s kind of where we are. But we’re not using that as an excuse."
Expect the Cardinals to consider scheme, personnel and defensive coaching changes this offseason.
In the meantime, they'll be facing one of the NFL's hotter quarterbacks when Sam Bradford and the Rams visit University of Phoenix Stadium in Week 13. Wilson turned in a dominant performance during the Cardinals' 17-13 victory at St. Louis in the regular-season opener. He finished the game with two interceptions, one sack and a blocked field-goal attempt.
One difference this time: Bradford has 11 starts heading into the game, not zero.
"I’ll tell you what, that guy’s a player," Wilson said. "He’s improved dramatically from the first game to where he is now. ... We’re going to have our hands full."