Carson Palmer is headed to Arizona, and that's a fixer-upper offense he'll take over. Arizona converted only 25 percent on third downs last year, the worst by any team since 2005.
Offensive line issues played a huge role, of course, and Arizona also didn't have much at quarterback, where they were using Kevin Kolb, John Skelton and others.
Things look certain to be better. We're confident there. When you're at the bottom of the well, there's nowhere to go but up.
Of all the other teams that have converted under 30 percent on third downs in the last 10 years, all of them were at least somewhat better the next season. Only one of those teams, however (the 2005 Giants) were not only better, but better than the NFL average (which over the last 10 years is about 38 percent on third downs).
Good luck, Carson.
CONVERTING UNDER 30% ON 3RD DOWNS
Pct. Next Yr
24.0% 34.4% 2005 San Francisco
24.0% 36.5% 2002 Dallas
25.1% 28.8% 2004 Chicago
25.2% 2012 Arizona
25.8% 37.9% 2009 Buffalo
25.8% 30.9% 2002 Houston
27.3% 36.7% 2009 Kansas City
27.8% 32.2% 2010 Arizona
28.1% 32.1% 2011 St. Louis
28.5% 29.6% 2008 Oakland
28.6% 35.6% 2002 Carolina
28.8% 35.9% 2008 Detroit
28.8% 36.8% 2005 Chicago
29.1% 33.0% 2004 Cleveland
29.3% 37.0% 2010 Washington
29.4% 35.1% 2011 San Francisco
29.5% 39.6% 2004 NY Giants
29.6% 34.1% 2009 Oakland
29.6% 2012 Jacksonville
29.6% 35.1% 2002 Detroit
29.8% 31.9% 2009 San Francisco
29.9% 36.3% 2003 Atlanta
^aEUR"Ian Allan
Factoid
April 03, 2013