The clunky conclusion to Marvin Harrison Jr.‘s flameout with the Arizona Cardinals was the lowlight this week for a franchise that’s had a lot of them in recent seasons.
asserted
that → have → seasons
It’s fair to wonder if others in the organization could soon be following the former No. 4 overall pick out the door.
uncertain
others → ’ → door
Harrison’s awkward trade to the Houston Texans — which happened in the middle of the Cardinals’ embarrassing 45-21 loss to the Detroit Lions — was another stain on general manager Monti Ossenfort’s resume.
asserted
which → happen → resume
Ossenfort has a 16-40 record after three-plus seasons in the desert and things don’t look like they’re getting better anytime soon.
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they → have → desert
“Decisions like this are never easy,” Ossenfort said in a statement after the Harrison trade became official Monday.
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trade → say → statement
“Ultimately, we have to do what is best for our football team and that will always be the driving factor.
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that → have → team
We are extremely grateful to Marvin for what he has contributed to our organization and wish him the very best as he moves forward in his career.”
asserted
he → contribute → career
The Cardinals selected left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. at No. 6 in 2023, and he’s been good, but not necessarily the franchise anchor that many expected.
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many → select → that
Now he’s out for the season with a torn left biceps.
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he → ’ → biceps
Harrison obviously didn’t work out and the Cardinals’ other pick in the first round in 2024 was No. 27 selection Darius Robinson, a defensive lineman who has failed to make much impact.
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who → work → impact
In 2025, the Cardinals selected defensive lineman Walter Nolen III, who has flashed some potential but has struggled with injuries and hasn’t consistently produced.
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who → select → injuries
Cardinals defensive coordinator Nick Rallis had another rough day against the Lions.
asserted
Rallis → have → Lions
Arizona’s defense has given up 37 points per game during the four-game losing streak.
asserted
defense → give → streak
First-year coach Mike LaFleur inherited Rallis from the previous staff and — at least for now — still believes he’s the man for the job.
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he → inherit → job
“We just haven’t consistently done it for 60 minutes,” LaFleur said.
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LaFleur → do → minutes
“We need to tackle that.
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We → need → that
There’s going to be no changes with play-callers, but we’re looking at how to improve this defense and make sure that we are better than what we’re putting out there. ...
asserted
we → go → what
I do believe we have the right guys on defense to play better.
asserted
we → believe → defense
The 33-year-old Brissett had another decent statistical game vs. the Lions with 292 yards passing, three touchdowns and an interception, but he has a 2-15 record as the team’s starter over the past two seasons.
asserted
he → have → seasons
It’s fair to wonder if the Cardinals might look to the future and give rookie Carson Beck a shot under center.
uncertain
Cardinals → ’ → center
The 24-year-old was a third-round selection out of Miami and had some good moments during the preseason.
asserted
old → have → preseason
What’s working
All-Pro tight end Trey McBride continues to be among the best players in the NFL.
asserted
McBride → work → NFL
He caught nine passes for 66 yards, including an unreal nine-yard catch in the fourth quarter where he fought for a contested ball, snagging it out of the air and somehow keeping both feet down in the end zone.
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he → catch → zone
The only blemish was the highlight happened after the game was out of hand.
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game → happen → hand
What needs help
The Cardinals’ running game didn’t do much at all against the Lions.
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game → need → Lions
Rookie Jeremiyah Love gained just 22 yards on 12 carries and he was constantly swallowed at the line of scrimmage.
asserted
he → gain → scrimmage
Arizona had to make changes along the offensive line last week with Johnson going on season-ending injured reserve and right guard Isaiah Adams (ankle) out for at least four weeks.
asserted
Adams → have → weeks
There were a lot of people — including droves of Cardinals fans — who probably didn’t know that third-string TE Teagan Quitoriano was even on the roster.
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Quitoriano → be → roster
But he came up big Sunday, catching two TD passes, including the first score which briefly gave the Cardinals a 7-0 lead.
asserted
which → come → lead
The 26-year-old has emerged as another threat in a deep tight end room that includes McBride and Elijah Higgins.
asserted
that → emerge → McBride
Love — the No. 3 overall pick out of Notre Dame — is a talented player who has already displayed explosive and shifty moments out of the backfield.
asserted
who → display → backfield
But with the Cardinals’ offensive line looking a little rough, it might be hard to unlock his potential.
uncertain
it → look → potential
The Cardinals emerged from the game relatively healthy.
asserted
Cardinals → emerge → game
Key number
9 — That’s the length of the team’s current home losing streak, which is a franchise record for an organization that dates to 1920.
asserted
that → ’ → 1920
Next steps
The Cardinals travel to face the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.
asserted
Cardinals → travel → Sunday
The Aporia
