One game left. That works for me right now. Last mailbag of the season comes first. Don't forget to send a question for a future mailbag with at least a first name and last initial.

From Ryan J:

"It's great that Trey McBride broke records, but what does it really mean? On one hand, I love the guy and he gave me something to root for these last couple of months (Mike Wilson too.) But the team is losing and it just doesn't seem to matter much that he's having a great year."

I like how Jonathan Gannon noted the accomplishment after the Cardinals' loss to the Bengals. He said he didn't want to "overlook" the records, and that can't be forgotten. Both things can be true -- the Cardinals don't have a good record and need to find a way to be a better team, but also that McBride has a claim as being the best tight end in the NFL and he is reaching these records not in a meaningless vacuum but instead a notable and incredible accomplishment. Heck, given the lack of a consistent run game, one could argue McBride's work is even more impressive because what is the opposing defense worried about beyond Trey McPlay?

From Steve Murphy:

"Hi Darren. Despite being a staunch advocate of this upcoming offseason making O-line the top priority, I'm seeing a worrisome trend in the mock draft world. We currently sit at No. 5 and most often are taking a right tackle (Spencer Fano). Fano is not the best player at No. 5. And after watching these last few games, I'm starting to think we just have a talent-everywhere problem. If there's a blue chip safety or defensive tackle or cornerback at No. 5, do you take him instead?"

To be honest Steve, I'm gonna go out on a limb and say there is no such thing as a worrisome trend in the mock draft world before we even reach the new year. The mock drafts don't know squat in the first place, much less when we are weeks and weeks from getting any information -- mis and otherwise -- about the draft.

The Cardinals need to address the offensive line, but yeah, if you see a next level player elsewhere, you need to at least consider it. (And then, don't forget that "blue chip" doesn't always turn out blue chip in the NFL.)

From Millie Hanson:

"I enjoyed your Jon Gaines article. I know you don't believe in Pro Football Focus, but for what it's worth, Gaines has been grading out well this season. I think he's a better guard than center, but that would be terrific if he could just add some strength this offseason and seize that starting spot permanently. To reiterate that comment from last week, the Cardinals just need to grit their teeth and truly go all-in on O-line this offseason. Say what you will about the record, but I enjoy watching Jacoby play QB. I think with a revamped OL he can thrive. And just imagine what Trey and Michael could do if Jacoby had more time? Goodness gracious."

Again, yes, I believe offensive line will be addressed. But let's see -- and it's gonna take a little patience -- what the free-agent market looks like, what the draft class at the top looks like. And we'll see what the QB situation looks like whomever is playing on the O-line.

From Shane W:

"Dead horse, don't care. O-line is item No. 1 this offseason but a close No. 2 is inside linebacker. I wrote earlier this year under a fake name (sorry I lied), but I cannot overstate how critical ILB is. They are the QB of the defense. Cody Simon is a nice depth piece, but he's not a starter. Nor is ADG. Mack was OK when healthy, but ultimately we need to find a blue chip. Round 1 RT, Round 2 ILB. Utah RT Spencer Fano, Georgia ILB C.J. Allen. I hope on draft day you remember this post and say 'By gawd he did. Nostradamus wears a Early Doucet jersey.'"

I will never understand the need to put in a fake name. Fake email? OK, I get that. But fake name? Were you ashamed for your inside linebacker take the first time around? C'mon man. Make Early Doucet proud, and be honest.

From Chris T:

"Like others, as we come to the close of the season, I wish to express my gratitude to you and the team for putting out a great product and keeping us connected. As Keith mentioned last week, keeping us connected to the players and staff as humans takes some of the edge off of the shared frustration we have with them.

The question about injuries is obviously one that is coming up more, and we have had what any reasonable person would call more than our fair share this year. Bad luck? Snake bitten? Something in conditioning or coachable? I have no idea (I'm definitely not that football smart). But I do agree with, and have been considering something you noted last week, and that is that the human skeleton (bones and ligaments) really does have a maximum stress loading capacity, and it's possible that we may have reached a point where we are training muscles to be capable of loading more stress than the structure can handle. I'm wondering if there are any new player technologies being looked at which we don't regularly hear about to reduce some of the stress load?"

Jeez Chris, I didn't even stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night. No way I'm gonna know this stuff. I know this -- people that like to exercise and are in great shape eventually run the risk of messing up knees if they run all the time, or shoulders if you are lifting weights, whatever. Now, you are talking about high-level workouts plus going into games and having some of those body parts exposed over and over to what amount to mini-car crashes every play. Oh, and all those guys are simply bigger than they were 35 years ago.

Not sure there is a good answer. There are ways to try and prevent stuff, but realistically, not sure anything is better than crossing your fingers that your team will be one of the ones that stay healthy.

From Andrew M:

"Darren, while watching the telecast of the Bengals game, a graphic appeared showing the Cardinals as having the league's highest percentage of missed tackles. Is this a statistic that is kept by the league? If so, did the Cardinals approach any notorious records during the Bengals game?"

Not sure where the stat came from, but the stat had them as the second-highest percentage (to the Chargers, who coincidentally are playoff-bound.) The tackling needs to be way better. Gannon has acknowledged this, Nick Rallis has acknowledged this. But to be honest, some missed tackles are going to be subjective -- tackles overall are.

From Matthew Stroh:

"Hey Darren, hope you and your family had a great holiday. I do believe that we need to give the coaching staff another year. They need to make sure they have a plan. Have you seen the play from Malik Willis or any other quarterback who is going to be a free agent this offseason? I understand the team is not where we need it to be but as long as all the coaches can go to Monti and say here's my plans to make it better and Monti can go to Michael Bidwill and say here's are plans, then we're good. I don't see how firing everyone once again and starting with new coaches will change anything. Maybe I'm wrong. I know I'm only one person but this revolving door of coaches is getting exhausting as a fan."

I have watched Willis some when he has played for the Packers. He is fascinating, but he's got a very good coach there in Green Bay and with him, he's a guy that has to be used in the right kind of offense. He's been throwing the ball better, but I don't know how comfortable I personally would be handing him a huge deal and calling him my future QB. I don't know what QBs otherwise who will be out there. QB and what the Cardinals decide to do there for next season will be storyline No. 1 of the offseason.

From George C.:

"Do you think if Kyler got to throw the ball 50-plus times a game his numbers would be better then Brissett's?"

Given that Brissett is throwing 41 passes a game, God I'd hope so. That's 10 more attempts a game!

From MK:

"Aloha Darren. Not sure if you remember I sent a comment about curses and returning the tiki like Greg Brady in the Brady Bunch did when all the bad luck happened to him and the family in Hawaii? Does this team have the Pottsville curse? The question is do you believe in curses? I don't know. I have been following this team for 50 years and I swear this team needs to get blessed or make amends? Thank you for listening to all of our frustrations over the years!"

MK, man, let me tell you something. I do not believe in talking specifics about the draft until the Scouting combine. I do not believe that anyone should ever leave their shopping cart anywhere but in the proper parking lot stall after they use it. I do not believe ketchup should go on Mac n cheese. And I don't believe in jinxes or curses.

From Ryan Evans:

"This has been an extremely difficult season for the Cardinals. From heartbreaking one-score losses, to embarrassing decimations from playoff-caliber teams, and the plethora of long-term injuries. It feels like a nightmare coming to life. I know that we can never really predict what the offseason will bring in terms of roster and coaching shakeups, and that it is a sore subject to discuss, but what might be coming?"

From Kenneth S:

"Good afternoon. I write this as the Cards are down 30-7 (against the Bengals) and I just don't see how changes aren't made. Offense has trended down recently and defense has been bad. The fans want change, but as a fan and writer for the team, what is your opinion?"

Let's start with a clarification, which longtime readers of the 'bag already know. I am a writer, I do work for the team. I do not consider myself a fan, for various reasons. I am here to do a job. I benefit when the team does well and I want it to do well, but I am not a fan. OK, on to the question. I think there needs to be change. There has to be. Now, how does that manifest? I don't know. Coach Jonathan Gannon sounded confident on Monday in talking about being in place next season. The roster obviously will have changes. I have no doubt the coaching staff will too, but I have no idea in what form. Next week, we will have a much better handle on what's coming.

From Jeff Wallace:

"Darren, I have question about injuries. My head starts to spin out of control when I try to formulate all the various injuries this year. I know there is online sources to investigate but are you able to start at first game and walk through all the injuries this year to at least key players so it's all in one place to take in, although maybe it's not realistic to ask you this. Thanks for all you and the whole gang there have done for us this year."

I'll give it a shot:

• CB Sean Murphy-Bunting out for season on NFI, CB Starling Thomas out for season on IR
• DL Walter Nolen III, OLB BJ Ojulari, G Will Hernandez, DL Bilal Nichols start season on PUP.DL Justin Jones starts season on IR
• S Joey Blount goes to IR
• CB Garrett Williams, DL L.J. Collier go to IR
• CB Will Johnson misses two games with groin
• RB James Conner goes to IR
• RB Trey Benson goes to IR
• TE Tip Reiman goes to IR
• P Blake Gillikin goes to IR
• TE Travis Vokolek goes to IR
• QB Kyler Murray goes to IR
• WRs Zay Jones and Simi Fehoko go to IR
• ILB Mack Wilson goes to IR
• CB Will Johnson misses three games with hamstring
• OLB Baron Browning misses two games with concussion
• T Jonah Williams goes to IR
• Hernandez, who had come back, goes to IR
• RB Emari Demercado misses three games with ankle
• S Rabbit Taylor-Demerson misses five games with ankle
• WR Greg Dortch goes to IR
• DL Bilal Nichols, who had returned, goes to IR
• RB Bam Knight goes to IR
• CB Max Melton misses four games with heel
• Nolen and Williams, who had both returned, go to IR
• G Evan Brown misses four games for personal reasons
• S Jalen Thompson misses two games with hamstring
• T Paris Johnson Jr. goes to IR
• S Budda Baker misses game with concussion

From John T:

"I have noticed that several other team sites do not allow commenting on stories. The Cardinals are one of the few that do allow commenting. I think it is great for the fans to discuss different ideas and perspectives. I am sure there has to be some amount of time spent monitoring the comments and making sure everything is acceptable. Is that time and responsibility a reason that other team sites do not allow commenting? Is there a possibility that the Cards would turn off commenting on stories. I think we would all be disappointed if that ever happened."

Never say never, John. Yes, I monitor. Yes, I believe -- and the organization agrees -- in giving fans that area to say some things. But I would hope people would respect that it is the team site, no matter how upset they get. Too much might turn into too much.