This week it’s time to discuss the Cardinals’ defensive personnel per position groups.
As we know, the Cardinals are switching back to 34 base defense this year.
Why the switch?
The 34 base defense is widely accepted as a stronger run defense than the 43. In 2018, the Cardinals were pitiful at stopping the run. The irony is that DTs Corey Peters and Rodney Gunter graded out (per PFF) as the 4th and 5th best run stoppers in the NFC West. However, the Cardinals’ linebackers and edges were soft. Inside holes weren’t being plugged quickly enough (thanks in part to Ts, Gs and Cs getting to the second level with greater regularity) and opposing teams seemed to be able to break the Cardinals’ undisciplined edge contain at will.