Arizona Cardinals: Five necessary changes for 2017

Dec 11, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) attempts a pass in the game against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. The Miami Dolphins defeat the Arizona Cardinals 26-23. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Cardinals all but eliminated themselves from 2016 playoff contention on Sunday

This season was supposed to be the time the Arizona Cardinals shined, top what they accomplished in 2015. It has turned into anything but that.

After sloppy 26-23 loss to the Miami Dolphins, the Cardinals are all but assured they will miss the 2016 postseason, although the Seattle Seahawks are doing their best to keep the NFC West within reach mathematically.

Let’s be honest here. The Cardinals are going to have to make a lot of changes in 2017. Not just because they won’t be able to pay all of their own free agents but because it will be necessary.

There are changes that will need to be made on offense. There will be defensive changes necessary and most of all, the Cardinals will need to address their special teams issues.

The Cardinals will see a lot of turnover on the roster next season. Hopefully it is all for the better and they can make another run at the playoffs in 2017. All is not lost, especially being in a weak NFC West.

Here are five changes the Cardinals must make to improve next season however. They shouldn’t make moves for the sake of change but make moves because they are the right thing to do.

Aug 19, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals punter Drew Butler (2) punts during the first quarter of the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. San Diego won 19-3. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Punter

Although Drew Butler didn’t have a horrible game on Sunday against the Dolphins, he has clearly overstayed his welcome in Arizona. Last week a punt that failed to get past midfield after stalling on their own 20-yard line won’t cut it.

Head coach Bruce Arians indicates everytime he’s asked is that Butler can hold on place kicks. Hard to believe there isn’t a better punter who can do the same out there? If not, why can’t the Cardinals get their backup quarterback to do it?

Butler actually saved a high snap on Sunday on Chandler Catanzaro’s first extra-point attempt, which did go wide left. But Butler has made too many mistakes and cost the Cardinals too much field position to allow him to continue after this season.

It had appeared the Cardinals let him go once only to bring him back. Hopefully that is not a mistake repeated in the offseason.

Nov 20, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Arizona Cardinals kicker Chandler Catanzaro (7) against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Cardinals 30-24. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Kicker

All season I’ve backed up Chandler Catanzaro. To his credit, Catanzaro hasn’t made any excuses for his misses. At some point though, he has to be made accountable for the games he is costing his team.

Sunday may have been that last straw. After misses on game-winning attempts against the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks many people wanted him to go. Up until last week against the Washington Redskins, he hadn’t missed since that Seahawks game in October.

Then Sunday happened. He missed an extra-point, had another blocked that was returned for two-points by the Dolphins, and missed two field goals. It’s time the Cardinals stop allowing this to happen.

Catanzaro is a likeable guy. Arians likes him a lot. He picked him in favor of Jay Feely after the 2015 preseason because of his ability to kick the ball into the end zone on kickoffs. Catanzaro can’t even do that consistently. Time to look elsewhere.

Oct 6, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown (12) after being tackled immediately by San Francisco 49ers cornerback Marcus Cromartie (20) on a punt return during the first quarter at Levi

Special teams coaching

Already pointed out two glaring problems on special teams but there needs to be accountability for all of the special teams issues. That starts and ends with the coaching.

On Monday, coach Bruce Arians indicated that his special teams coordinator, Amos Jones, was safe from any firing. He said Jones is a good coach and coaching wasn’t the issue.

Arians blamed his players for the special teams issues and said no assistant coach would be losing their jobs. We’ll see if that holds true after the season ends but it does make one wonder?

We love BA, but not taking any accountability and placing all the blame on the players is a bit far-fetched. The coaches are the ones who selected said players.

The best thing would be for Jones to go, whether he leaves involuntarily or on his own volition. Change is absolutely necessary to move forward and get back to the playoffs in 2017.

Dec 11, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Kenny Stills (10) makes a catch in front of Arizona Cardinals cornerback Justin Bethel (28) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. The Miami Dolphins defeat the Arizona Cardinals 26-23. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Cornerback

Justin Bethel clearly is not an NFL-caliber cornerback. Many thought he was ready in the first-half of 2015 but after injury set him back in the off-season, he is considered a failure by the very words of Arians on Monday.

Bethel, who missed most of spring practice and training camp, has been for the most part, an emergency backup. He’s a great special teams player but he’s nothing more at this point. Arians called him a “failure in progress” on Monday.

The Cardinals also tried Brandon Williams and Marcus Cooper opposite Patrick Peterson. Williams is young and may still work out. The jury is out on Cooper. He is too inconsistent.

The Cardinals may give Mike Jenkins another shot at it next season. He was injured days after signing with the team at the start of training camp.

The Cardinals need to build quality depth at the position. Whether that is done through free agency or the draft, it must be addressed.

Dec 11, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins cornerback Byron Maxwell (41) tackles Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Floyd (15) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. The Miami Dolphins defeat the Arizona Cardinals 26-23. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Receiver

The thought that the Cardinals would need to review their receiving core at any point over the next season or two was inconceivable. Now, after injuries and ineptness, the Cardinals must seriously review this position in the offseason.

Michael Floyd sealed his fate on Monday with his DUI arrest. He was already under-performing on the field, now this. John Brown has to deal with the uncertainty of Sickle Cell Trait.

Jaron Brown will be invited back. His season ended prematurely just as he was coming on. Brittan Golden will likely be in the preseason mix as well.

With Larry Fitzgerald’s uncertain future, the Cardinals need to seriously look at drafting a receiver this upcoming April. Fitz said last week he won;t be around long enough to over take Tony Gonzalez on the all-time receptions list.

If Fitz played two more seasons like this one, he’d certainly come very close. So the comments indicate Fitz is thinking about hanging it up before then. So is that after 2016 or 2017?

A lot of areas to digest. The Cardinals also have many other areas to look at, including offensive line, but for now these five areas should be at the forefront of the decision-making.