Cardinals retain DC Rallis, hire Ghobrial as ST coordinator after 3-14 season
The Arizona Cardinals are retaining defensive coordinator Nick Rallis while hiring Michael Ghobrial as their new special teams coordinator, signaling a commitment to continuity amidst a tumultuous season.
Why it matters: The Cardinals decision to keep Rallis reflects an attempt to stabilize the coaching staff after a dismal 3-14 season that saw them rank near the bottom in several defensive categories.
- The team finished 27th in total yards allowed per game and gave up the most first downs per game.
- Maintaining Rallis could provide some consistency as the Cardinals seek improvement on defense, which struggled immensely last season.
What’s new: By bringing in Ghobrial from the Giants, the Cardinals aim to enhance their special teams unit.
- Ghobrial previously held the same position with the Giants, where he helped improve their special teams performance.
- Special teams can often be a critical factor in close games, and this hire indicates an effort to bolster that area of play.
Yes, but: Retaining Rallis may raise questions about accountability in a defense that surrendered 40 or more points four times last season.
- The Cardinals’ defense ranked 24th in passing yards allowed and 28th in sacks per pass attempt, indicating significant room for improvement.
- Hiring new talent in positions like defensive passing game coordinator, as seen with interviews of Aubrey Pleasant and Karl Scott, illustrates ongoing scrutiny on Rallis’s performance.
What to watch: The Cardinals will need to address their defensive deficiencies if they hope to compete effectively in a challenging NFC West.
- With the franchise's commitment to Rallis, the expectations will be high for improvement across the board in defensive metrics.
- Observers should monitor how Rallis adapts his strategies to mitigate last season's shortcomings, particularly in pass defense and pressure generation.
The bottom line: As the Cardinals look to rebound from a disappointing year, the retention of Rallis combined with the addition of Ghobrial suggests a nuanced approach to building a cohesive coaching staff capable of fostering development and improvement.
- With multiple interviews for the defensive coordinator role still pending, the Cardinals are clearly evaluating all options as they prepare for the future.
- The upcoming season will test whether these personnel decisions were prudent steps toward revitalizing a floundering franchise.
