2008 NFL Season Previews: #17 Arizona Cardinals

Team: Arizona Cardinals
Division: NFC West
Last Years Record: 8-8
Head Coach: Ken Whisenhunt
Offensive Coordinator: Todd Haley

Key Losses:
WR Bryant Johnson
LB Calvin Pace
S Terrence Holt
LB Darryl Blackstock

Key Additions:
LB/DE Travis Leboy
LB Clark Haggans
DL/ Bryan Robinson
CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie

Breakdown of the offense:
Matt Leinart has had a rough off season, starting with his broken left collarbone that limited him to just five starts. Then some pictures of him and a couple buddies partying with some younger(I am trying to be nice, they looked like high schoolers) females hit the Internet via TheDirty.com. These pictures made there way from blog to blog before hitting ESPN, and eventually becoming a national story. It is safe to say these not-so-innocent pictures ruined his vacation. Many wondered if he was committed enough to be a starter in the NFL, and asked why was he beer bonging instead of watching game tape or rehabbing. Certainly this has never happened in the NFL before, NFL players drinking way to much with there entourage and a couple coeds. It was called deplorable and disrespectful to his team and the fans. But lets be honest, he was doing something a lot of NFL players don't do, drinking at home instead of drinking and driving. This has put the microscope on the former first round pick, and puts this season as a make-or-break year for him. If he fails, he was partying to hard and if he prevails it proves he was doing all the work needed before he partied. That is, if he even wins the job over veteran Kurt Warner. Warner was brought in to show Leinart the ropes and give him time to learn the offense. Leinarts injury last season, gave Warner a chance to shine, en route to a 27-touchdown and 3,417 yard season. But even before the injury, Whisenhunt had alternated between the two quarterbacks. Leinart enters training camp as the number one guy, but Whisenhunt will play the quarterback deemed the best. Penn States Anthony Morelli enters camp as the third stringer.

Edgerrin james had a decent but unimpressive year, 1,222 yards, where he only had four runs of twenty yards or more. He is getting old, well for a NFL running back, as he just turned thirty on August 1st. The Cardinals are not unhappy with James at all, but they do need more production out of the position. They were hoping to add a speedy back to compliment James, but they waited to long. Well into fifth round, they drafted Richmond's Tim Hightower, who does not help the speed out of the backfield with his 4.6 40 yard dash times. Marcel Shipp and J.J. Arrington return but are likely to be phased out of the offense. Terrelle Smith never gets goal-line touches but he provides decent enough blocking to remain the starting fullback.

The Cardinals have one of the best tandems at receiver in the league with Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. But there are a couple of issues regarding Boldin. After the Cardinals restructured Larry Fitzgeralds deal in the off season, Boldin decided he wants a new deal as well. He deserves it, as he led the NFC in receptions with 100 and yards with 1409, while adding 10 touchdown receptions. At one point it looked as if Boldin would holdout and the Cardinals may trade him. Boldins other issues include a recent hamstring injury which required an MRI, but thankfully for the Cardinals it revealed no damage. Although there was no damage the hamstring is one of the injuries that can hamper players all season long. The loss of Bryant Johnson was huge as he was one of the best third receivers in football. Steve Breaston and third round pick Early Doucet look to compete for that third spot with Sean Morey and Jerheme Urban. Leonard Pope and Ben Patrick are serviceable enough at tight end, Troy Bienemann will help as a backup.

The offensive line is the unit that has improved the most since Whisenhunts arrival, that can be attributed mostly to line coach and former Redskins great Russ Grimm. The projected starters include Al Johnson at center, Reggie Wells and Deuce Lutui at guards, and Mike Gandy and Levi Brown at the tackles. They are stronger and smarter, and will continue to improve. The Cardinals will need it if they expect to make a run at the playoffs.

Breakdown of the defense:
The defensive line had major setbacks last season due to injuries and a lack of depth. Darnell Dockett was impacted probably the most, as he had 8 sacks in the first half of the season and after the injuries hit he only had 1 in the last 8 games. Mostly due to the starters playing much more than they should have. This is the reason the Cardinals made it a point to sign Travis Laboy, who will compete with injury prone Bertrand Berry at defensive end/outside linebacker. They added even more depth by drafting Calais Campbell out of the U in the second round and Iowa's Kenny Iwebema in the fourth. Alan Branch and Gabe Watson will see playing time, Branch could ultimately emerge as a starter.

The linebacking core was hurt by the loss of Calvin Pace(via free agency to the NY Jets), but the front office acted swiftly by signing two backers (Clark Haggans and Matt Stewart). They will be a nice compliment to regulars Karlos Dansby and Chike Okeafor. Arizona also signed LSU's Ali Highsmith as an undrafted free agent.

The Cardinals used their first round pick to get one of the highest rated corners in the draft, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. He is a playmaker with tremendous potential to become one of the best corners in the league. He will compete for a starting gig with incumbent starters Eric Green and Rod Hood. The drafting of Cromartie gives the Cardinals options, as they now move Antrel Rolle to free safety, a move will improve the unit and give Antrel the chance to show he is a better player than he has played. Their best player on defense is easily Adrian Wilson, the Pro Bowl player is their anchor. The depth of this unit is the only reason this unit will not be great.

Special Teams Breakdown:
Kicker Neil Rackers has been declining since his Pro Bowl season in 2005 but he still looks to be one of the better kickers in the NFC. With Scott Player losing the job at punter last year, and Mitch Berger not kicking any better, the Cardinals signed Dirk Johnson and they hope he can be a manageable punter until they can find someone suitable to be their permanent punter. Steve Breaston emerged as a good kick returner last season, showing off his speed and breakaway ability, but needs to minimize mistakes. J.J. Arrington offers help of kickoff duty.

Season Schedule:(all time PST)
Sep. 7 @ San Francisco 49ers 1:15 p.m.
Sep. 14 MIAMI DOLPHINS 1:15 p.m.
Sep. 21 @ Washington Redskins 10 a.m.
Sep. 28 @ N.Y. Jets 10 a.m.
Oct. 5 BUFFALO BILLS 1:15 p.m.
Oct. 12 DALLAS COWBOYS 1:15 p.m.
Oct. 19 BYE
Oct. 26 @Carolina Panthers 10 a.m.
Nov. 2 @St. Louis Rams 11 a.m.
Nov. 10 SAN FRANCISCO 49ers 6:30 p.m. (MNF)
Nov. 16 @ Seattle Seahawks 2:05 p.m.
Nov. 23 NEW YORK GIANTS 2:15 p.m.
Nov. 27 @ Philadelphia Eagles 6:15 p.m. (NFL Network-Thursday Night)
Dec. 7 ST. LOUIS RAMS 2:15 p.m.
Dec. 14 MINNESOTA VIKINGS 2:05 p.m.
Dec. 21 @ New England Patriots 11 a.m.
Dec. 28 SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 2:15 p.m

Season Outlook: 8-9 wins
The NFC West is still one of the worst divisions in football and should only help the Cardinals in improving their record once again. This may be one of the toughest non-division schedules I have seen, with them having the NFC East, New England, and the Vikings. Where each game could easily be losses. I look for them to make noise in the first half, but fall apart in the second where they have to play the Giants, Vikings, @ New England, @ Philly, and there last game at home against the Seahawks. If they want to make the playoffs they will need to win almost all of their division games and steal a couple in the second half against better opponents.Overall the defense needs to improve as they lost a couple close games for the team, if they can improve and stop offenses in the fourth quarter, the Cardinals will compete for the NFC West divisional crown.

Teach's Thoughts: A "Matt Leinart Beer Bong Day" might cause franchises the sports world over to rethink giving out bobblehead dolls. Plus, it makes sense. What person living in the Arizona desert isn't thirsty for beer, water, or even wins?