Boxengasse » Cardinals (2-3) next Monday night, their fourt

Jimmy Garoppolo has spent the bulk of the past two-plus years learning in the classroom and on the practice field. And waiting for an opportunity like he has Sunday night.The third-year quarterback will make his first career NFL start when the New England Patriots take on the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday night -- under the lights in prime time for an 8:30 p.m. ET kickoff at University of Phoenix Stadium.Garoppolo, 24, has thrown 31 regular-season passes since being selected in the second round out of Eastern Illinois in 2014, and none of them has come against a hungry, aggressive defense in a Week 1 showdown of two teams expected to be in the thick of the playoff hunt. But thats the situation Garoppolo is thrust into as he takes the reins for the first four games of the season for the suspended Tom Brady.Theres so much going on right now, Garoppolo said. Mentally, Im straight on Arizona, but it is a phenomenal opportunity. This is why you play the game. You play to be in the game and play; you dont want to be the backup. The opportunity is here. Ive just got to go take advantage of it.Hell be facing an Arizona defense that finished fifth in total yards allowed, sixth in rushing yards allowed and eighth in passing yards allowed season. Cardinals general manager Steve Keim then went out and traded for Patriots linebacker Chandler Jones to pair opposite promising pass rusher Markus Golden. Two-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Calais Campbell admitted hes licking my chops in anticipation of facing a rookie quarterback.So, too, is Tyrann Mathieu, the versatile defensive back who returns from his second ACL surgery in three years. Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said he expects Mathieu to play every single play against the Patriots.The goal will be to rattle the inexperienced Garoppolo, who will be playing behind a reworked offensive line. But right guard Jonathan Cooper (foot), who was acquired for Jones, and left tackle Nate Solder (hamstring) were ruled out for the season opener.Arians recalled scouting Garoppolo coming out of college, and likened him to a young Tony Romo.Jimmys an excellent athlete, said Arians. A very accurate passer. Having been in the system, in that system especially, for the number of years hes been there, hes watched (offensive coordinator) Josh (McDaniels) come up with game plans and understands what theyre trying to do. But hes a very good athlete. You have to defend his legs as much as his arm.The Patriots need to lean on their impressive depth during Bradys absence, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. New England has playmakers at all three levels of the defense, but Arizona also returns all of its skill position threats from a unit that led the NFL with an average of 408.3 yards per game last season.Quarterback Carson Palmer is 36, but is also coming off a career year in which he threw for 4,671 yards and 35 touchdowns against just 11 interceptions during the regular season. Hes supported not only by a dynamic group of wide receivers led by Larry Fitzgerald, but with versatile David Johnson and healthy Chris Johnson team in in the backfield and an offensive line fortified by the addition of veteran guard Evan Mathis.Theyre very athletic, Arians said of New Englands defense. A solid secondary group. Interchangeable parts as far as inside and outside linebackers, which can get very confusing at times, and they do a very good job of it.Arians will try to stretch the New England secondary with a handful of vertical passes in an attempt to soften the underbelly of the defense. Patriots coach Bill Belichick always puts a premium on preventing big plays, and his defense created 10 turnovers during the preseason.You cant ignore your opponent, but you have to be responsive of what your team can do and what your players can do and what theyre comfortable doing, Belichick said. So, its a combination of both, and Id say thats the way it is every week.While Garoppolo can expect to see an aggressive pass rush featuring an array of blitz packages he has never been exposed to in live game action, the Cardinals defense is not without vulnerable spots. That begins with Brandon Williams, a converted college running back expected to start at cornerback opposite All-Pro Patrick Peterson. The 23-year-old Williams has yet to take a regular-season snap in the NFL, so Garoppolo has an experience edge on at least one other key figure on the field.He also has the benefit of a veteran group of skill position players in his own right, but the Patriots announced Friday night that tight end Rob Gronkowski has been ruled out because of a hamstring injury. Martellus Bennett will get more work.Wide receiver Julian Edelman is one of the best in the league at exploiting the seam, especially against aggressive pass rushes, and the Patriots will likely attempt to use battering ram LeGarrette Blount on early downs to keep Garoppolo out of dangerous down-and-distance situations -- although one can never fully predict how Belichick and McDaniels will attempt to attack a defense.You never want to be too high, too low, Garoppolo said of trying to keep his emotions in check come Sunday night. You always want to be right in the middle. 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You can put it all on me.During the losing streak, the Jets have been outscored 37-7 in the second half, sparking criticism that Bowles hasnt made the proper adjustments.This league is week to week, Bowles said. You can be a Super Bowl contender one week and getting buried the next week. Now, were getting buried.Injuries are starting to mount. Center Nick Mangold (right knee) and linebacker David Harris (right hamstring), the teams longest-tenured players, suffered injuries Sunday and didnt return. Mangold said he expects an MRI exam on Monday. Cornerback Darrelle Revis (hamstring) did not play.The Jets travel to the Arizona Cardinals (2-3) next Monday night, their fourth straight game against 2015 playoff teams.The latest loss made for a bbizarre postgame locker room.dddddddddddd.Defensive end Sheldon Richardson got into a back-and-forth with reporters, accusing them of trying to bait him into criticizing teammates.Preparing for Arizona, a surly Richardson said in response to the first five questions before expressing his displeasure.On the other side of the room, wide receiver Brandon Marshall painted an optimistic picture.Its weird because were 1-4, he said. Well get beat up in the media. Our players, including myself, will be called out. People will be asking to bench us, but this is a perfect position for us.We have great talent in this room, one of the most talented teams in the league, Marshall continued. We can do one of two things: We can fold up and cry or we can stick together and continue to work.When the upcoming Monday night was mentioned, Marshalls face brightened.Monday night! he exclaimed. Im already over this loss. Were going to turn this around, I promise you that. Woo!With that, Marshall clapped his hands three times, loudly.Starting right now, he said. I promise you that. ' ' '