Cardinals head coach's laughable Week 1 starter comments underscore why team is a joke

The Cardinals are projected to be one of the worst teams in the league, and the idea that not naming a starter between journeyman quarterback Joshua Dobbs and rookie Clayton Tune gives Arizona a "competitive advantage" is ridiculous. And a darn good joke.

Arizona travels to Washington in Week 1, and Commanded head coach Ron Rivera and defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio aren't likely to lose any sleep wondering whether they'll face Dobbs or Tune.

Since being selected by the Steelers in the fourth round (135th round) of the 2017 NFL Draft, Dobbs has bounced around the league, including stints with the Jaguars, Browns, Lions and, most recently, the Titans in 2022.

He started for the first time last season, in Weeks 17 and 18, and went 0-2 with a 58.8 completion percentage, two touchdowns and two interceptions while posting a slightly below-average passer rating (73.8). 

Tune, meanwhile, was Arizona's fifth-round pick (139th overall) in April's NFL Draft after playing the past five seasons collegiately at Houston.

He put up gaudy stats for the Cougars and finished his career with 11,994 passing yards and 119 total touchdowns, including 45 in 2022 (40 passing, five rushing).

Tune looked like a rookie during the preseason, however, going 34-of-59 (57.6 percent) for 353 yards (six yards per attempt), one touchdown and an interception. 

Gannon can't seriously think that the idea he might start a rookie fifth-round draft pick will serve as a competitive advantage.

With Arizona staring at a long, ugly season, it's going to take time to know whether Gannon's cut out to be an NFL head coach. If he isn't, at least he's got a future as a stand-up comic.