Arizona Cardinals: 4 Players Who Need to Step Up Against the Steelers

It's a new season for the Arizona Cardinals. After the bye week, the Cardinals should be well-rested and hopefully well-focused. There is a sense of urgency in the locker room these days. 

At 1-4, the Cardinals have absolutely no room for error. Granted, they aren't in last place in the division. That distinction belongs to the Rams who are still looking for the elusive first victory. 

The real issue is that the San Francisco 49ers may be running away with the division already. At a lofty 5-1, the 49ers don't seem to be stopping the momentum. They have a coach who is more hype than the team, and a defense that is shutting teams down.

So, if the Cardinals want to stay in contention in the division, they have to start this week putting it all together. Unfortunately, the Pittsburgh Steelers aren't the ideal team to start a streak on, but it is doable. 

But for this to happen, here are four players that have to step up. 

Andre Roberts

There's a lot of faith put in this guy, and this should have been a breakout year for him.

Now, I'm not going to say he is a bust because he has had moments of good play. But more often than not, he has had some horrible dropped passes and run the wrong route. This doesn't help an already mentally-weak team. 

Larry Fitzgerald has been double-teamed by the opposing teams every week, and now is the time for a second receiver to step up and start contributing.

There's no reason it can't be Roberts, although some burden does fall on the quarterback being able to get him the ball.

Kevin Kolb

There is no reason for me to even put more than a sentence for this one. Kevin Kolb has to become a leader, and quick.

The Cardinals need accurate passing and a stable force in that huddle. Simply put, more Tom Brady and less Vince Young. Trust your protection a little longer and you will be fine.  

Sure, you will have mistakes and take a few sacks, but Kolb will throw better passes and see the field.

Too many wide open receivers are left without the ball. Some have been in the end zone, and others for big plays. That's one thing we haven't seen too many of this year.

Time for Kevin Kolb to step up.

Darnell Dockett

Remember that Super Bowl when Darnell Dockett had three sacks? I know he does. And I'm also sure that he remembers how difficult it was to bring Big Ben down to the ground.

This weekend will not erase the pain of that loss, but pressuring Roethlisberger like he did that February will go a long way to ending the four-game losing streak that's plaguing the Cardinals. 

This doesn't really just fall on Dockett as much as that defense as a whole, but when unchecked, Dockett can be a brute force that can't be stopped reminiscent of Juggernaut in X-Men.

If the Cardinals want to win, they need a mean and aggressive Dockett at the helm.

Dave Zastudil

When's the last time the Cardinals have had a good punt that's pinned the opponent deep in their own territory? It hasn't happened much, and now is the time for accountability. 

The Cardinals punt position was a big disappointment last year, and ultimately led to the release of Ben Graham. Now, his replacement, Dave Zastudil hasn't really performed as well as hoped. 

Playing a team that can eat clock like the Steelers, having good special teams all around is necessary. In fact, the last time the two teams played in Arizona, it was a special teams punt return by Steve Breaston that won the game.   

Dave Zastudil needs one of those games where he can pin the Steelers behind the 20 more times that not. He has to step up and give the Cardinals defense some room to work with to potentially help pull the upset.