The Cardinals are not playing as efficiently as they want on offense and the passing game has yet to truly click. But the problem is not overconfidence, veteran wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald said, and it definitely is not the play-calling -- including the down-the-field mentality.
"Nobody's opinion really matters outside of this locker room," Fitzgerald said. "We've had a lot of success with the way we play ball, and we're not going to change the way we play our game. We're a big-shot team, we're always going to take our shots, that's part of our makeup, and they will come."
Sports Illustrated's Andy Benoit, who breaks down game video weekly, noted that often the Cardinals' "pass concepts worked, but catch-throw didn't quite connect." Obviously, the Cards can't get away with missing opportunities, but it's why they feel the offense needs focus rather than a change.
Bruce Arians emphasized this week that every pass play has a deep shot component -- but every play has multiple levels for which quarterback Carson Palmer can read. It's Palmer's choice to go for the home run or go shorter.
"We've just got to make first downs," Fitzgerald said. "What we have scheduled in terms of play-calls, they are great calls. They have worked for years and years. We just need to execute them better."
