Shocked?

Surprised?

Don’t be.

I will say this many times, even though it seems like an oxymoron: the Arizona Cardinals know what they’re doing now.

These aren’t your Daddy’s fumblin’, bumblin’ losers. The Cardinals of the last three years have turned into a respectable team in the NFC. Teams don’t look at their schedule and mark a “W” next to Arizona anymore.

With that being said, our offseason has been busy. There’s been a lot of bad things that have happened:

1. Anquan Boldin: Traded to the Ravens.

2. Antrel Rolle: Gone. Signed with the Giants.

3. Karlos Dansby: Gone. Signed with the Dolphins.

And 4. Kurt Warner: Retired.

I’m not going out on a limb here when I say that the last one is the most deadly. Everyone, including Kurt himself, knows he could’ve played at least another year. But for what it’s worth, I thoroughly stand behind Warner and his decision to retire.

But it does hurt. However, it’s the only reason the Cardinals don’t get an A in my book for their offseason transactions.

Disagree? Prove it. What many people forget about this offseason is the good. And there’s a lot of good this offseason:

1.  Kerry Rhodes: Traded from the Jets. He is perhaps a better cover safety, which is what the Cardinals really need. No offense to Rolle, but we don’t need someone who can make spectacular plays with the ball in his hands. We need someone who can keep the opponents’ receivers from getting the ball in their hands.

2. Joey Porter: Signed as a free agent. Is Porter a long term answer? Maybe not.

But he’s a defensive force. He can get to the QB. If nothing else, he can come in on third downs to just put some pressure on an opponents quarterback.

3. Derek Anderson: Signed from Cleveland. No, he’s not “ideal.” But if you think about it, what quarterback would do well in the system in Cleveland?

Hmm? You think you could?

For that matter, could Joe Montana?

The point is, the one time Anderson was given good weapons, he did well. He should provide a great push to Leinart.

3. Paris Lenon: Signed from St. Louis. Again, not ideal. Dansby was great, no doubt. But great didn’t stop the defensive letdown in the playoffs.

They could’ve gotten Foote, sure. But what if the injury to his foot is serious? Foote signed on with Pittsburgh…as a backup. Remember that.

Lenon, meanwhile, did well in Detroit. If one can do well in Detroit, why the heck not in the desert?

4. The Offensive lines and tight end positions were shored up. We probably will still draft an offensive lineman at some point, but Rex Hadnot provides good depth. Again not “ideal,” but smart. Remember, Herman Johnson looks like a good draft pick from last year that could make an impact this year.

As far as the tight ends go, mark my words: Ben Patrick will have the best year a tight end has had for Arizona for years. He’s a solid, underutilized tight end. But with the offense changing, he’ll get used more often.

5. Players they didn’t sign (i.e players they didn’t waste money on). Besides Foote, there’s also Whitehurst. Do you really think he was worth that money?

Um, no.

6. Stevie Baggs. That’s right. If you haven’t heard of him, it’s because he played in the CFL last year.

Wait what? Why did the Cards get him?

Because he led the league in sacks.

And 7. Most importantly, the Cardinals saved some money. Sure, they could’ve signed Rolle to the biggest contract for a safety in the history of the NFL. But is he really worth that?

Think about it.

And we could’ve thrown a lot of money at Dansby. But was he worth all that money that Miami gave him?

Let me answer for you: 45 and 45. That’s how many points the Cards gave up in their last two games.

Changes had to be made. Sure, they happened quickly. But what could Arizona really could have done differently?

Think about it.