Cardinals GM: 'No doubt' we're a playoff team

The Arizona Cardinals haven't reached the playoffs since 2015, but general manager Steve Keim believes the drought ends this year.

"I think there's no doubt. I think last year we were a playoff team. Again, I think we didn't play up to standards when it comes to discipline and penalties and all the things that we knew we had to improve upon," Keim told Bob McManaman of the Arizona Republic.

The Cardinals began last season with a 6-3 record and were in a prime position to reach the postseason before losing five of their final seven games.

As a result, Arizona was busy this offseason, adding veterans J.J. Watt, A.J. Green, Rodney Hudson, and Malcolm Butler.

"I think this offseason with the additions that we made we certainly put our best foot forward with leadership and accountability and attention to details, as well as the physical traits we needed, which were taking the top off the defense, having guys that were physical on defense that can run and cover," Keim said.

The Cardinals owned the sixth-best offense in the league last season, led by quarterback Kyler Murray and star wideout DeAndre Hopkins. With better defensive performances, Keim believes the club is ready to make the leap this year.

"I think we'll certainly play up to expectations this year because all those additions, as well as the guys we've drafted in the past few years, particularly the quarterback, that have continued to grow and develop into the player we certainly thought he was coming out," he said.

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