Arizona

Arizona Cardinals had major defensive improvements in 2024 despite challenges

Published

1 year ago

May 12, 2025

Arizona Cardinals had major defensive improvements in 2024 despite challenges

The Cardinals have bolstered their defense in 2025. But they had a surprising improvement in 2024 with less talent

The Arizona Cardinals have made a concerted effort this offseason to improve their defense, adding starting talent and depth on the defensive line, the defensive edge and linebacker in free agency and then addressing every defensive position in the NFL draft.

But that roster improvement comes after they made marked improvements from 2023 to 2024 defensively.

BetMGM’s Nick Hennion noted that the Cardinals “moved from 32nd in defensive DVOA in 2023 to 14th in 2024” and that the improvement was impressive for a number of reasons.

They played the third-hardest schedule of opposing offenses in 2024 after playing the hardest schedule in 2023.
They lost 72.9 adjusted games to injury on defense, the fourth-highest total in the league.
- They lost BJ Ojulari, Dennis Gardeck, Justin Jones and Bilal Nichols to season-ending injuries.

They were 15th in scoring defense last season but 21st in yards allowed. They were 14th in passing defense and 20th in run defense. However, they had an interesting dichotomy of metrics. They were sixth in the league in the percentage of opposing offensive drives ending in scores, but they were dead last in plays allowed per drive and second-to-last in time allowed per drive.

If they improved that much with a roster that is markedly worse than the current one, imagine what this year’s defense might be when they have an easier schedule.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

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Arizona

Arizona gets commitment from 3-star Texas OL Mason Joshua

Published

10 hours ago

July 4, 2026

Press Room

Arizona gets commitment from 3-star Texas OL Mason Joshua

It’s been a pretty strong summer for Arizona on the recruiting trail, and it got a little better on Saturday. 3-star Texas offensive lineman Mason Joshua announced his commitment to the Wildcats, becoming the 17th member of their 2027 recruiting class. Joshua has a nice frame, 6-foot-5 and around 270 pounds. He has plenty of […]

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Arizona

Arizona boy named Disneyland’s one billionth guest on his 8th birthday in memorable ceremony

Published

20 hours ago

July 4, 2026

Press Room

Arizona boy named Disneyland’s one billionth guest on his 8th birthday in memorable ceremony

An Arizona boy received the present of a lifetime while celebrating his birthday at the Happiest Place on Earth when he was honored as the one billionth guest at the California theme park.

Andres Robles, 8, walked through the gates of Disneyland Resort Friday morning ready to celebrate his 8th birthday with his parents when he received the heartfelt surprise, DisneyParksBlog reported.

The birthday boy and his parents Alejandra and Jose attended a ceremony at the Main Street USA train station platform where the beaming 8-year-old unveiled a sign showcasing the updated population of the theme park.

“Population 1,000,000,000,” read the sign.

Fittingly, Mickey and Minnie Mouse were in attendance for the special ceremony, as well as their friends Daisy and Donald Duck.

The birthday celebrations for the youngster continued after the ceremony when he was gifted with a VIP tour guide for the day — which can start at a whopping $3,500 for the luxury service.

The lucky family was treated to a tour of Walt Disney’s private apartment located on park grounds as well as the new Soarin’ Across America attraction commemorating America’s 250th birthday.

“The Robles family visit is just one of the many lifelong memories that have been created here at Disneyland Resort,” the blog wrote.

“From vacations and reunions to birthdays and more, generations of families and friends have come to Disneyland Resort to have fun together.”

Disneyland Resort — which encompasses Disneyland and Disney California Adventure — celebrated its 70th anniversary last year.

Known as the Happiest Place on Earth, Disneyland “has served as the inspiration behind the creation of more Disney theme parks and experiences across the globe,” according to DisneyParksBlog.

“Today, Disneyland continues its legacy as a worldwide icon and industry leader in entertainment and theme park experiences.”

“The resort continues to invest in creativity, technology and innovation to bring storytelling to new heights, while fulfilling Walt Disney’s vision that ‘Disneyland will never be complete as long as there is imagination left in the world,’” the blog added.

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