Why the Cards have no chance at repeating as NFC Champs.

Arizona Cardinals

Predicted: 2^nd

2008 Record: 9-7 (reached Super Bowl)

Head Coach: Ken Whisenhunt (3^rd year)

Roster Quick View (*new veteran, **rookie)

Offense (coordinator: Russ Grimm)

QB: Kurt Warner

The 38-year-old’s resurgence may actually be a more remarkable story than his unlikely path to the NFL.

RB: Tim Hightower

Second-year pro needs to hit his holes with more decisiveness.

RB: Beanie Wells**

First-round rookie expected to immediately fill the back-end of a tandem. But he’s only 21 (August), green as grass in the passing game and, according to some scouts, occasionally lazy as a ballcarrier.

FB: Dan Kreider

One of Whisenhunt’s former blue-collared veteran Steelers.

WR: Larry Fitzgerald

Coming off arguably the greatest personal postseason in NFL history.

WR: Anquan Boldin

Unhappy about still being stuck in his old contract, though that shouldn’t prevent him from being the league’s best possession receiver in 2009.

WR: Steve Breaston

Speedy, wiry third-year pro posted 1,006 yards in ’08.

TE: Leonard Pope

Massive size (6’8”, 258) is a plus, but he can’t seem to stay healthy or fully grasp the playbook.

TE: Anthony Becht*

Long-armed blocker who has a chance to carve out a small niche in this offense––especially with Ben Patrick being suspended the first four games.

LT: Mike Gandy

The epitome of solid. Probably closer to “average” than “good”, but when your quarterback has a release as quick as Warner’s, that’s fine.

LG: Reggie Wells

Brings excellent mobility to the ground game, and can be counted on to neutralize most pass-rushers.

C: Lyle Sendlein

Yes, regularly gets blown up by bull-rushers. But my goodness, have you seen this 300-pounder run out in front? He’s like a deer!

RG: Deuce Lutui

Decent run-blocker, but must be more consistent in pass protection. Wavering technique can leave him vulnerable.

RT: Levi Brown

Pro Bowl potential for sure. Has the requisite tools to be a monster––just needs to play with more fury.

6 OL: Elton Brown

If he hangs around the second string long enough, maybe people will forget that he was originally supposed to blossom as a starter.

Defense (coordinator: Bill Davis)

LDE: Calais Campbell

Built like a Pterodactyl. Is ready for his elevated role, though must learn to close the deal on the big-play opportunities he creates.

NT: Bryan Robinson

Playing time is almost a direct result of Gabe Watson and Alan Branch’s injuries and underachievement. Doesn’t shed blocks quick enough.

RDE: Darnell Dockett

When he decides to bring it, he’s darn near unstoppable.

3 DE: Kenny Iwebema

Developing second-year pro who shows good athleticism for his size. Must bounce back from offseason surgery that removed a tumor from his chest.

2 DT: Gabe Watson

Gifted enough to be an upper-echelon NT, but hasn’t shown the fire. Incredulous Cardinal coaches want him to drop from 340 to 325.

ROLB: Bertrand Berry

Signed a bargain-rate one-year contract after the brutally-honest free agent market indicated that no other teams want a soon-to-be 34-year-old with a history of injuries.

SILB: Gerald Hayes

When he recognizes a play, he’s vigorous. When he doesn’t, he’s barely relevant.

WILB: Karlos Dansby

Arizona’s best front seven defender was franchise-tagged for a second consecutive year. Strong, fast and versatile.

LOLB: Chike Okeafor

Can turn the corner and also hold his ground as a playside run-defender. That said, he wouldn’t start for most teams.

5 LB: Clark Hagans

Simply a source of raw speed off the bench.

CB: Domonique Rodgers-Cromartie

Absolutely tremendous––especially considering he’s a second-year player from tiny Tennessee State. Already bordering on shutdown status.

CB: Bryant McFadden*

Classic case of overhyped veteran from a Super Bowl team. If he were really that great, Pittsburgh wouldn’t have let him walk. Won’t be as good as Rod Hood.

NB: Ralph Brown

Won’t see a whole lot of action as Arizona is expected to slide former CB Antrel Rolle into the slot in passing situations.

SS: Adrian Wilson

Swiss-army knife of a star. His best work comes in the box.

FS: Antrel Rolle

Evolving into one of the better on-ball playmakers in football.

6 DB: Aaron Francisco

Plays physical but lacks great anticipation skills. Best served on special teams.

Special Teams

K: Neil Rackers

Swaggers a little more than you’d like a kicker to swagger. But hey, at least he has a big foot.

P: Ben Graham

Distance numbers aren’t great, but his ball gets good placement.

RS: Steve Breaston

Nice speed, but didn’t have a kick return over 40 yards or punt return longer than 25 yards last season.

Offseason Quick Glance

Draft

RD PK (OVR) NAME POS SCHOOL

1 31 (31) Beannie Wells RB Ohio St

2 31 (63) Cody Brown OLB UConn

3 31 (95) Rashad Johnson S Alabama

4 31 (131) Greg Toler CB St Pauls Col

5 31 (167) Herman Johnson OG LSU

6 31 (204) Will Davis DE Illinois

7 31 (240) LaRod Stephens-Howling RB Pittsburgh

7 45 (254) Trevor Canfield OG Cincy

KEY PLAYERS ACQUIRED

TE Anthony Becht: FA Rams; $745,000/1 yr.

FB Dan Kreider: FA; $745,000/1 yr.

S Keith Lewis: FA 49ers; 2 yrs, terms unknown.

CB Bryant McFadden: UFA Steelers; $10M/2 yrs, $1M RB/5M guaranteed; 2009 cap: $5M.

OT Oliver Ross: FA; terms unknown.

RB Jason Wright: UFA Browns; $2M/2 yrs, guarantees unknown.

KEY PLAYERS LOST

RB J.J. Arrington: UFA Broncos; $10M/4 yrs, guarantees unknown.

LB Monty Beisel: UFA Chiefs; terms unknown.

CB Eric Green: UFA Dolphins; terms unknown.

LS Nathan Hodel (released/failed physical).

CB Rod Hood (released).

RB Edgerrin James (released).

DE Travis LaBoy (released/failed physical).

DE Antonio Smith: UFA Texans $35.5M/5 yrs, $12.5M guaranteed.

FB Terrelle Smith: UFA Lions; 1 yr, terms unknown.

Analysis

The Cardinals’ top priority over the offseason was re-signing their own guys. They did this with Kurt Warner, who had to swat away several lowball offers before agreeing to a two-year, $23 million deal. SS Adrian Wilson also got a long-term deal, and LB Karlos Dansby was slapped with the franchise tag for a second straight year.

Of the players Arizona lost, only energetic DE Antonio Smith will be truly missed. The hope is that second-year pro Calais Campbell can fill his shoes. CB Rod Hood will be replaced by Bryant McFadden, which is a breakeven move at best. RB Edgerrin James was a smart leader, but his skills have virtually disintegrated. Finding his replacement, Beanie Wells, in Round One was very serendipitous. Wells must elevate his passing game aptitude if he wants to contribute on a regular basis.

Second-rounder Cody Brown was a DE at Connecticut. He’ll move to OLB in Arizona’s 3-4 and replace either Chike Okeafor or aging Bertrand Berry in the near future. Safety was not an area of need, but Rashad Johnson was too enticing a talent to pass up in the third round. Fourth-rounder Greg Toler is a 4.3-speed CB from St. Paul’s College; the Cards are hoping to recreate the small school-fast athlete magic that they found in Domonique Rodgers-Cromartie last season.