Arizona Cardinals
This sleeping giant will emerge for the Arizona Cardinals in 2015
Arizona Cardinals

This sleeping giant will emerge for the Arizona Cardinals in 2015

Published Jul. 26, 2015 5:01 p.m. ET

Despite the shuffling of quarterbacks under center for the Arizona Cardinals during 2014, there remained one rookie wide receiver who continued to produce despite the circumstances.

John Brown, out of Pittsburg State, played in all 16 games as a rookie, totaling 48 receptions, 696 yards and five touchdowns. Perhaps his coming-out-moment was his 75-yard game-winning touchdown catch vs. the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 8. 

Heading into 2015, Brown will emerge as a better - and bigger - threat for the Cardinals. 

Per AZCentral.com, Brown packed on 10 pounds of muscle to his small frame (listed at 5-foot-11, 179 pounds). Last season, coach Bruce Arians noticed the speedy wideout's struggles down the stretch. 

ADVERTISEMENT

"He hit the wall around Dec. 1," coach Bruce Arians said, per AZCentral.com, "like most rookies do."

The numbers don't lie: After the Cardinals 9-1 start, Brown's production fizzled as well. Over the last six games, he recorded 14 receptions for 228 yards, but zero scores - although part of that could be attributed to playing with three different quarterbacks under center over those final six weeks.

Still, should Carson Palmer remain healthy in 2015, imagine what type of season could be in store for Brown. 

"He is just a fun guy to watch, a big playmaker," Around The NFL's Gregg Rosenthal noted of Brown, per ArizonaSports.com. "He produced despite not having Carson Palmer the whole season. With Palmer back, he's going to be making these deep plays down the field."

Cardinals' fans should be excited for what Brown can do for them come fall. 

share


Get more from Arizona Cardinals Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more