Cardinals looking to add pass-rushing help for 2016

Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians and general manager Steve Keim are in agreement that finding pass-rushing help should be one of the club's top priorities this offseason.

The need became abundantly clear to them after watching the team pressure Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton on a season-low 20.7 percent of dropbacks in the NFC Championship Game.

"I don't think we created any pressure," Keim said on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM, according to Josh Weinfuss of ESPN. "We have to get more physical up front. Again, that starts with me and I have to do a better job and I will certainly answer the bell and get that started (Monday) and try to put a team on the field that all our fans can be proud of."

Overall, though, the Cardinals feel like they're in a good place heading into next season. The core of their offense - quarterback Carson Palmer; running backs David Johnson and Andre Ellington; wide receivers Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd, and John Brown; and offensive linemen Mike Iupati and Jared Veldheer - are all under contract through 2016.

"Looking at the team that's coming back versus where we were this time last year, very few holes to fill," Arians said. "Steve's already off starting to do it and this offseason already has begun."

In addition to pass rushing, Arians said he'd like to add "another corner and safety with some length and speed."

"They're not easy to find, but that's something I'd like to look for," he said. "I like our offensive line where it's at. The young guys on the practice squad, I think, have really good futures. Then both No. 1 picks, I think, are going to be good players, so I think we're fine there.

"Hopefully we'll find another David Johnson."