Cardinals WR John Weinfuss: It’s very clear that quarterback Carson Palmer has picked up this offense and all its nuances, even if he’s telling us the same thing. I’ve seen Palmer often pull a running back or wide receiver aside after a play and start motioning with his hands where he should be lined up. He’s done it a couple times with new tight end John Carlson, who’s just learning the offense. Palmer's ability to teach more shows how far he's come, but Palmer's also getting help. His receivers know exactly where they’re supposed to line up, compared to last year, when both often looked confused.
Palmer was the #22 QB through eight weeks, but was #6 from Week 10 to Week 17, after the team’s Week 9 bye. He said he felt much more comfortable in Bruce Arians’ offense down the stretch and his numbers reflect that. His receiving corps is good with Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd, who had a breakout season in his second year. Still, it’s hard to get too excited about Palmer as anything more than a committee type given the fact that one-quarter of his schedule consists of matchups against the Seahawks and 49ers. He’s a very cheap option and ideal for a QBBC.