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Kliff Kingsbury Will 'Always Love 10 Personnel' But Isn't Married To It

Coach Kliff Kingsbury on the field during Monday's walkthrough practice.
Coach Kliff Kingsbury on the field during Monday's walkthrough practice.

Kliff Kingsbury is an Air Raid disciple, and one of its main tenets is the use of four wide receivers.

The Cardinals coach used that '10' personnel package liberally in the first four games of his debut campaign, but moved away from it as 2019 went along, and the numbers backed that decision.

According to Football Outsiders, the Cardinals' most successful personnel grouping last season was '11' personnel (one running back, one tight end and three receivers), followed by '12' personnel (one running back, two tight ends, two receivers), with '10' personnel least efficient among the three main packages.

"I'll always love '10' personnel but we felt like as the season went on, we were able to do some different things and be in some different packages that played into our strengths," Kingsbury said.

The Cardinals bring back everyone of significance from last year's offense and have an impressive trio of wide receivers following the addition of DeAndre Hopkins, so an '11' personnel base package seems natural.

The offense found a groove down the stretch of 2019 and Kingsbury wants to build upon that.

"I felt like in the back half of last year, we figured out what our identity is, who we can be, the different things we can do," Kingsbury said. "I'm hoping that continues through training camp and we have a good feel for it going into Week 1."

Kingsbury, though, has often said that the talent will dictate the personnel. Andy Isabella had a subpar rookie season, but the 2019 second-round pick has the skillset to make an impact. If Isabella flips the switch, it could lead to more four-wide sets.

On the other hand, Dan Arnold made a quick impression as a late-season addition at tight end. With veteran Maxx Williams entrenched as the starter, the Cardinals could have two players at the position worthy of significant playing time.

Kingsbury started 2019 with no tight ends prominently featured and ended it using the position heavily, proving he will be malleable depending on the best setup for the offense.

"We'll see where that heads this year," Kingsbury said.

Images of the Cardinals veterans practicing Monday for the first time in 2020, presented by Hyundai.

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