The Arizona Cardinals have had one winning season since moving to the city in 1988. That season, featuring the franchise's lone playoff birth, came ten years later in 1998. Last year, the Cards came close, but managed to only reach .500. Now, ten years removed from their only winning season in Arizona, the team has high expectations once again. Similar to the situation in San Francisco, the Cardinals future lies in the hands of a young quarterback coming off an injury that forced him to miss the final 11 games last year. Also resembling the 49ers is the supposed battle for the starting spot between the young Matt Leinart and the veteran Kurt Warner. Despite what coaches say for each team, the younger signal caller in each situation is expected to win out. One concern going forward, however, is the stage of development Leinart is in after missing so much time. Unlike Alex Smith in San Fran, Leinart has yet to play a full season. Add his inexperience with the pressure of being a potential wild card team in the weak NFC, and disaster may find it's home again in Arizona.
There will be no shortage of talent for Leinart, however, both on the ground and especially through the air. The rushing attack is once again led by Edgerrin James. Despite solid numbers, James has been somewhat of a disappointment - after rushing for over 3,000 yards and 22 TD's the two years before coming to the Cards, James hasn't topped 1, 250 yards in either year in the desert, while amassing only 13 total scores. With Marcel Shipp now gone, 2005 second round pick J.J. Arrington now has a chance to prove himself in an increased role.
There's no other way to describe the receiving corps besides "loaded." Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald form arguably the best pair of wide outs in the NFL. Boldin has reached the 80 catch, 1,200 yard mark three times in his short five year career (surpassing 100 receptions twice), and last year, he caught over 70 balls for 850 yards in only 12 games. Fitzgerald, on the other side, has had two seasons of 100 receptions, 1,400 yards, and 10 TD's in four years. As if those two weren't formidable enough, special teams speedster Steve Breaston and Jerheme Urban will get increased looks as the slot receiver with Bryant Johnson now with the 49ers. Two players to keep an eye on are third round selection Early Doucet, an athletic receiver who plays taller than his 6'1" frame, and former 2006 third round pick Leonard Pope, a tight end who caught 5 touchdowns last year after failing to find the end zone as a rookie.
A long-time weakness of the offense, the line looks to be more experienced, hopefully translating into better play. Mike Gandy and second year stud Levi Brown are the strength of the line on the outside. The interior is mediocre, but features depth with the likes of Deuce Lutui, Elton Brown, and Scott Peters. The play of the line will determine Arizona's offensive ranking - either top two or three (with Dallas, G.B., and N.O.), or middle of the pack.
Arizona's defense has long been thought to underachieve. The coaches must feel the same, because the Cardinals used their top two picks on that side of the ball. The biggest pressure will be on Antonio Smith to fill the void left by end Calvin Pace. Smith has gotten better in each of his three years, posting 44 tackles and 5.5 sacks last year, both career highs. Another critical factor will be the health of opposite end Bertrand Berry, who hasn't played more than 10 games since 2004 (his last full season) when he was coming off back-to-back years of double-digit sacks. If either man should falter, second round pick Calais Campbell, a 6'8" giant, will be ready to step in. The interior of the line is oozing with potential. Darnell Dockett is coming off career highs in tackles (58) and sacks (9), while a pair of Michigan alum will battle for the other spot - third year incumbent Gabe Watson, and last year's second round pick, Alan Branch. If Berry can stay healthy, look for this line to surprise a lot of people.
At linebacker, Karlos Dansby is considered the stud of the defense. However, the talented player has suffered from nagging injuries his whole career, causing him to be inconsistent. Last year, Dansby posted a career high in tackles (99), but a career low in sacks (3.5). Starting alongside Dansby will be Gerald Hayes and Chike Okeafor, each of whom also posted career highs in tackles and sacks one year ago. Adding depth to the unit is former Steeler Clark Haggans. Haggans is looking to regain his form after a couple of down years in the "Steel City."
The secondary has long been the downfall of the defense, similar to the line on the offensive side of the ball. Coaches hope first round pick Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie changes the trend. Very big (6'2"), quick, and athletic, DRC will immediately challenge Eric Green for the starting spot opposite Roderick Hood vacated by Antrel Rolle's move to safety. Regardless of who wins out in camp, however, DRC will be starting by the end of the year. Speaking of Antrel Rolle, the former first round pick hopes his new spot next to defensive leader Adrian Wilson helps him regain the form that made him such a high pick. If you need evidence of Wilson's importance to this team, just look at what the defense did before he went down with a season-ending injury last year and compare it to the horrible results afterward. Despite the added talent and shifting of positions, the secondary has little room for error due to the lack of quality depth. The special teams won't cost the Cards any games, but they aren't going to make a huge difference either.
On paper, the Cardinals have it all - a young quarterback with great potential, an enormous amount of talent at the other skill positions, a more experienced line, and a hungry defense that includes young studs and solid veteran leadership. They even play in the weaker NFC. However, Matt Leinart lost a critical year of development last season, and there are no guarantees regarding the health of him, Warner, Berry, Dansby, and Wilson. That doesn't even include James, Boldin, Fitzgerald, and Levi Brown, all of whom missed time last year. The Cards will make a run at a wild card, and maybe even the division, but in the end, they are the Cardinals, and I think they have a winning season, but fail to make the playoffs.
John's 2008 Prediction: 9-7
Ian's 2008 Prediction: 9-7
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