An embarrassing loss to the Broncos means changes to come

Earlier in the week, the Broncos linebacker, Von Miller, had predicted a flogging. It turned out to be correct and the Cardinals did nothing but say thank you, sir, can I have another one?

It was almost finished before the tail guards could break their veil.

Someone will pay for the embarrassment

Quarterback Josh Rosen had two interceptions and returned for first-quarter touchdowns, including one in which receiver J.J. Nelson seemed to stop running.

The defense was burned twice for points including a reverse pass for a touchdown and a 64-yard throw to Emmanuel Sanders, who was 15 yards from the closest defender.

The second quarter was 10 seconds and the Cardinals trailed 21-3. At halftime, it was 35 h 35, and the Cardinals were booed as they ran to the locker room. Again.

Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Mike McCoy will face the Denver Broncos in the first period at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo: Rob Schumacher / The Republic)

Someone will pay for the embarrassment. Surely it will be McCoy. Under him, the Cardinals have stayed the course and this has led them down.

The fault of the cardinals was terrible. Again. No news there. At a time when the NFL was on the verge of a record offensive season, the Cardinals had the impression of meeting for the first time.

They took two downtime to avoid late play penalties in the first quarter.

They were penalized for a late play in the second quarter.

Maybe playing a rookie quarterback, Josh Rosen, was a factor. But the problem was also present at the beginning of Sam Bradford, which suggests that McCoy was not calling the game fast enough.

The cardinals continued to look third, like a cow with a door, perplexed, looking for ways to overcome it. In their last three games, they converted 6 of 36.

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Offensive is not the only problem

If McCoy lasts beyond Friday, there should be an investigation. A month ago, I defended it, believing that the change of offensive coordinators would hinder Rosen's development.

This opinion is equivalent to running David Johnson in the middle of third and third places.

Quarterback coach Byron Leftwich will probably be assigned the keys to the attack. He will earn the position for 2019 if he can find a way to get rid of the situation and run.

Whatever Leftwich does, it's not enough for the Cardinals to expect him to do it.

But this attack is not the only problem of the team, it is the most obvious.

Cardinals' records 1 to 6 also report poor decisions from the owner, management and coaching.

Coach Steve Wilks was hired because he was charismatic and he could "order a room". It probably meant a room full of football players, but until now, the Cardinals were as motivated as empty chairs.

The offensive line rarely brings a defender where he does not want to go, and the defense has been of poor quality.

Wilks did not demonstrate that he was the training manager, it was the team's president, Michael Bidwill, and the general manager, Steve Keim, who hired him.

I think Wilks will survive next season's training, but that could change with more performances like Thursday's.

To his credit, Wilks did not apologize after the tragedy and accepted responsibility.

"I will not stay here and hold a pity party," he said.

Wilks deserves his share, of course, but he's also struggling with a lot of bad staffing decisions made by Keim.

On defense, three first-round selections – Robert Nkemdiche, Deone Bucannon and Haason Reddick – have no impact.

The guard Justin Pugh, the main team of the team, acquired last season, does not play because of a broken hand. He signed despite a full season, playing only once, as a rookie with the Giants in 2013.

Left guard Mike Iupati broke down again. Keim failed to strengthen the receiving body.

The best players on the team are like sad reminders of who they were. Did not Larry Fitzgerald have a habit of catching touchdowns before the seventh week? David Johnson was not able to achieve amazing cuts? Patrick Peterson could not stop the best receivers?

"Embarrassing", left forward D.J. Humphries said of the performance. "It's the best way to say it. Embarrassing."

Nobody argues and McCoy could be the first to pay the price.