I'll try to do as many of these as possible------------------------------------- <span style="color:red"><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%">Arizona Cardinals</span></span><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:100%">Looking Back:</span>The Cardinals finished the 05-06 season with an extremely disappointing record of 5-11 after many NFL analysts predicted them to win the NFC West. The acquisition of quarterback Kurt Warner was supposedly the final piece to an offense loaded with young talent, and while he wasn't a huge disappointment he did miss six games with injury, extending his current streak of four straight seasons of playing in 10 games or less. However Warner's absense was hardly the team's problem; they went 3-7 in games that he started, and 2-4 in games started by backup Josh McCown. The problem? Start in the backfield, where once-promising rookie runningback JJ Arrington could hardly hold off backup Marcel Shipp, and combined the duo rushed for 821 yards and two touchdowns. Even THEY can't be blamed, because the Cardinal's offensive line lost starters Leonard Davis (one game missed), Oliver Ross (4), Alex Stepanovich (7), and Reggie Wells (7) and had to scramble their line around, putting out below average players week after week.On the defensive side of the ball, the team faced even more injury problems. First round pick Antrel Rolle suffered a season-ending injury only five weeks into his rookie campaign, and defensive end Bertrand Berry failed to follow up on his impressive 2004 season (14.5 sacks) after going down eight weeks into the year. This along with poor play from those who actually did stay healthy made it tough all around for the Arizona defense. The Cardinals knew that despite having some great young talent (Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald, for example) they needed to fill some extremely important pieces to the puzzle in order to succeed.<span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:100%">Key Off-Season Acquisitions:</span>Milford Brown, Offensive Guard:Brown was one of only a couple of Texan offensive linemen who could be counted on, and after departing Houston via free agency, the Cardinals did not hesitate to add him to their thin and unimpressive line. Brown should be an immediate starter in Arizona, and is currently slated to start at right guard.Kendrick Clancy, Defensive Tackle:Clancy was a big part of the defensive tackle rotation in New York as a Giant, playing a big role on one of the most productive defensive lines in the entire league. New York's loss was a major gain for Arizona, as Clancy is expected to immediately step into the starting lineup next to Darnell Dockett and between defensive ends Chike Okafor and Bertrand Berry on a defensive line that should strike fear in the hearts of most NFL offensive lines.Edgerrin James, Running Back:Easily the biggest addition for Arizona, the Indianapolis Colts' recent success would not have been possible without James who has rushed for 1000+ plus yards in all but two of his NFL seasons; seasons that he played only 6 and 14 games in; and discounting those two seasons has not rushed for less than nine scores in his career. James has been a premier back in the NFL for years now, and will fix the previously mentioned problem in the backfield for Arizona as well as giving defenses a reason to crowd the line, helping increase the production of receivers Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald.<span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:100%">The Draft:</span>Matt Leinart, Quarterback:Leinart was selected by the Cardinals 10th overall, and provides a long-term replacement for Kurt Warner who's health and age can not be relied on by Arizona. While the pick may create some controversy at the position, hurting any possible playoff chances, the Cardinals currently say Warner is their man and there's nothing that can change that. Leinart will sit the bench for a season or possibly even two, waiting in the wings to take control of the explosive Cardinal offense.Tatusi Lutui, Offensive Guard:Lutui, Arizona's second round pick, is seemingly a bit of a reach as of right now. However he definitely has the talent to prove me and other draft analysts wrong, and he will be given every opportunity to start for the Cardinals in 2006. The Cardinals hope he'll win the job at left guard, which would move Reggie Wells to center full time and help put the team's best line on the field game after game.Leonard Pope, Tight End:The Cardinals were expected to pick a tight end early, and must have been salivating watching Pope continue to fall through the second round, all the way to the third. This pick is a huge steal for Arizona, and Pope currently stands above Adam Bergen on the depth chart. He's almost guaranteed to be the team's week one starter at the position and adds yet another weapon to an already deadly offense.<span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:100%">Looking Ahead:</span>Don't be surprised if you yet again hear many analysts call the Cardinals the sleeper team of the league this upcoming season, but in all honesty I don't think they can even be considered that low anymore. If the offensive line stays healthy Kurt Warner has the chance to match his numbers from back in St. Louis, as he now seems to have even more weapons, both quanity and quality wise. Should he go down with injury, the team now has a solid replacement in Matt Leinart waiting in the wings and while they may be unhappy starting him this season, it's an upgrade from last year and certainly a great security blanket should Warner get hurt. The defensive side of the ball still has some question marks, but if the defensive line can stay healthy and produce like they should, it will cause a ripple effect through the rest of the D and cause the linebackers and secondary to produce. Playing in one of football's worst divisions doesn't hurt, as the Cardinals may be looking at a wildcard birth and second place finish this year in the NFC West division.
Nice writeup.I see the Cardinals in about the 6-10 Range....Kurt Warner will go about 5-7 as their starting Quarterback and then hand the reins over to Matt Leinart for the last quarter of the season (Since the Cards by then are all but out of the playoff race) and Leinart will manage to win a game, but more importantly gain much valueable experiance for next season.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (AdropOFvenom @ May 21 2006, 11:06 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Nice writeup.I see the Cardinals in about the 6-10 Range....Kurt Warner will go about 5-7 as their starting Quarterback and then hand the reins over to Matt Leinart for the last quarter of the season (Since the Cards by then are all but out of the playoff race) and Leinart will manage to win a game, but more importantly gain much valueable experiance for next season.</div>i completely agree.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (GaMeTiMe @ May 21 2006, 12:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Why is that? I don't see why you guys think Warner is such a bad QB</div>First of all, and this is just my opinion, Warner is old, washed up. Yeah sure he has rings, but that doesnt mean he is the same player he was back then. He can still get the job done.. but when it comes to the tough games.... i dont think he will be able to come through. And if Linart will be able to get good ammount of playing time this year, i think by next year, he will be set. And i know people aint gonna agree with me.. but w/e thats just how i think.. iight... k good.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (GaMeTiMe @ May 21 2006, 11:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Why is that? I don't see why you guys think Warner is such a bad QB</div>I never said Warner was bad. I think their defense/offensive line is.
I love Warner, I think he's top 5-7 best QB's in the league. Adding Edge to help extend drives is going to help them quite a bit. It should help the offensive line as well, as they won' be sending everybody every play. The key to Warners success is just to stay healthy IMO.I think the Cardinals win at least 8 games, but i'll go 9.
