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2007 Team Report: Arizona Cardinals
Quarterbacks
Starter: Matt LeinartBackup(s): Kurt Warner Starting QB: Matt Leinart begins his first full season as Arizona's starter after a mostly successful rookie season. Leinart lost millions of dollars when he slipped to the No. 10 pick in last year's NFL draft, but he's primed to take his revenge on the field in leading an up and coming Arizona squad. The addition of Ken Whisenhunt as head coach poses a potential concern for Leinart's fantasy production. Whisenhunt served as the offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh, where he implemented a game plan focused on running the ball extensively. Leinart should still find plenty of opportunities to get the ball to Pro Bowlers Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald, but the Cardinals may no longer approach 40-50 passes a game like they did on several occasions over the past few years. Backup QB: The Cardinals have one of the most capable backups in the league in Kurt Warner. Warner has thrown for over 300 yards in seven of his fifteen starts for the Cardinals. He still ranks as the most accurate passer in NFL history with a 65.6 percent completion rate, but he has not been anywhere near as productive since leaving the Mike Martz-led Rams offense. At this point, Leinart is the man and Warner will not challenge for the starting job and will only see time should Leinart get hurt. Warner still struggles to stay healthy, so QB depth would be a major concern should anything happen to both Leinart and Warner.
Running Backs
Starter: Edgerrin JamesBackup(s): Marcel Shipp, J.J. Arringtonrk
Fullback(s): Terrelle Smith, Tim Castille Starting RB: Edgerrin James struggled early last year but got on track later in the season. He should again see 20-22 carries a game in an offense that will morph into a more run-centric attack if the defense can stay competitive. There has been talk from the Cardinals staff of upping the team's rushing attempts to the 500-550 range (a jump from 419 last year), but that may not be realistic. Even though James will be 29 by Week One, he already has amassed over 2,500 career carries and ranks 17th all-time in that category. Rookie OT Levi Brown brings a reputation as a punishing run-blocker and should help James eke out a few more yards this year. Backup RBs: The new regime has been very complimentary of Marcel Shipp, and he could be in line for around 100 carries if the team can implement its plan to run the ball a lot more. Arrington was a highly touted rookie two seasons ago and has since become an afterthought. Once thought of as a potential starter, his value has plummeted and he will not be worth rostering in even the deepest of fantasy leagues. Fullback: Arizona added Terrelle Smith from Cleveland to help open up some holes for Edgerrin James. Several years ago, Smith was a key contributor to some outstanding seasons for Deuce McAllister in New Orleans and Smith's presence should aid James. Smith will not get many carries or receptions; he will be used primarily as a blocking back.
Wide Receivers
Starters: Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan BoldinBackups: Bryant Johnson, Sean Morey, Steve Breaston [R] Starting WRs: Fitzgerald and Boldin form one of the most exciting WR tandems in the league and are both potential top-20 fantasy receivers. In 2005, the pair became only the second duo in history to log at least 100 receptions and 1,400 yards in the same season. They could be viewed as WR1 and WR1a for the Cardinals, as Boldin typically catches more balls, while Fitzgerald has seen more red-zone targets. Both have had some minor injuries, but if they can stay healthy, they will cause fits for opposing defensive coordinators. Both are big targets and are adept at fighting for tough receptions. Backup WRs: Johnson had a mini breakout last year and flashed skills that made him a first-round NFL draft pick. He should again chip in some big plays as the third receiver in the potent Arizona offense and his fantasy value would shoot up if something were to happen to either of the starters. Given that both Boldin and Fitzgerald have missed time the past few years, Johnson may see a few games as a starter. The remainder of the Cardinals receiving corps is relatively unproven and the remaining roster spots remain up for grabs halfway through the preseason game action.
Tight Ends
Starters: Leonard PopeBackups: Troy Bienemann, Tim Euhus The Cardinals rarely utilized their tight ends in the passing game last year as Pope and Adam Bergen combined for only 31 receptions. Bergen was released while Pople remains the starter, by default. Pope has "upside" heading into his sophomore season as a 6'7", 250-pound target for Leinart with decent pass-catching skills. But he must improve as a blocker in order to stay on the field. Unheralded Troy Bienemann has been running with the 2nd team for most of the preseason, beating out uber-athletic Ben Patrick for the final spot.
Place Kicker
Neil Rackers : After a stellar 2005, Rackers came back down to earth in 2006. He had nearly as many scoring opportunities, but wasn't nearly as effective from long range. He missed three FGs between 40-49 yards, and missed six 50+ yard attempts. Overall he finished 28 of 37 on FGs, and added 32 PATS for a very respectable total of 116 points. He still has the range for the longer kicks, and still piles up touchbacks on kickoffs. For 2007 he'll hope to regain the 2005 magic, and hope that the new coaching staff can guide the offense to set him up with continued opportunities. CAMP UPDATE: Neil Rackers spent the off-season working out and trying to lose a few pounds, in an effort to improve his long range accuracy which faltered last year. According to him, he was "a little overweight last season ... which might have caused my plant foot to be back. I wasn't getting through the ball quite as well. Now I'm sitting right at 198-200. I feel great, I'm a lot stronger, so I don't need to kick the ball quite as hard."Kick and Punt Returners
Kick Returners: J.J Arrington; Marcel Shipp; Steve Breaston; Sean Morey RB J.J. Arrington emerged from preseason last year as the teams kickoff returner, and was kept very busy during the 2006 regular season. His 67 returns with a 22.7 yard averaged ranked him third in the NFL in kickoff return yardage. He also scored once. RB Marcel Shipp spent last year blocking, but is expected to line up deep with Arrington this year. The wild card in the competition will be fifth round draft pick Steve Breaston. He had a strong 2005 season (23 returns, 28.1 avg., 1 TD) at Michigan, but his numbers declined as a senior last year (21 returns, 22.2 avg.). Punt Returners: Steve Breaston; Bryant Johnson When the Cardinals elected not to re-sign Troy Walters, it created an opening for the PR spot. Rookie Steve Breaston won the job. Breaston is one of the fastest players among this year's draft class. As a senior at Michigan, he averaged 11.5 yards on 29 returns and scored once. Bryant Johnson never stepped up to become the return threat the Cardinals hoped he would be. He's had only three punt returns (4.0 avg.) and six fair catches during his four years in Arizona.Offensive Line
Projected Starters: LT Mike Gandy, LG Reggie Wells, C Al Johnson, RG Deuce Lutui, RT Levi Brown [R]Key Backups: Nick Leckey, Elton Brown OL coach Russ Grimm -- formerly with the Steelers -- was hired to whip this group into shape. He is regarded as one of the finest offensive line coaches in the NFL. The Cardinals will start a pair of new tackles as free agent Mike Gandy will man the left side while rookie 1st rounder Levi Brown will handle right tackle duties. Reggie Wells had a pretty good 2006 season at right tackle and should be even better playing inside at left guard. At center, newcomer Al Johnson, a free agent pickup from the Cowboys, appears ready to shake off an injury plagued start to his career and start on this rebuilt line. Second-year player Deuce Lutui played well when called upon last season and will likely start at right guard. The wild card for the Cardinals is Elton Brown who has the talent to start at several positions along the line. This group is headed in the right direction.
Team Defense
The Cardinals are going to be using both a 4-3 and 3-4 defensive front this year, as new HC Ken Whisenhunt appreciates the flexibility a 3-4 front can give the team from his days in Pittsburgh. What remains to be seen is how well and how quickly the players can adapt. The coaching staff had hoped to move undersized 4-3 ends Bert Berry and Chike Okeafor to OLB but Okeafor suffered a torn biceps tendon during the preseason and is lost for the year. A pair of Michigan alums, Gabe Watson and Alan Branch are set to man the nose tackle spot while under tackle Darnell Dockett could be headed for a career season. The incoming coaching staff has a prized asset in incumbent DC Clancy Pendergast who has been tasked with shifting the base defensive from the previously entrenched 4-3 to the new scheme. The big question looming as the '07 season rapidly approaches is whether the Arizona roster as it currently stands has adequate personnel to pull off such a conversion successfully. The secondary won't be impacted much by the potential transformation but there is a battle to watch between Terrence Holt and Aaron Francisco for the starting free safety job.Defensive Line
Starters: DE Darnell Dockett, DE Antonio Smith, NT Gabe WatsonBackups: NT Alan Branch [R], DE Joe Tafoya, DE Rodney Bailey, DT Chris Cooper Starting DL: Darnell Dockett will transition from tackle to end when the club uses the 3-4. He is an athletic big man who has the physical talents to be very successful in either alignment. Were it not for off-field issues, he would have been selected considerably higher than 3.01 of the '04 draft. He just signed a lucrative extension last season. Antonio Smith was an undersized marginal starter as a 4-3 tackle but may prove to be a very good fit as a 3-4 end. He's only an average pass rusher but hold his ground well for his size and plays with intelligence. Gabe Watson has, for now, held off fellow Michigan alum Alan Branch and will anchor the nose tackle position in the 3-4 alignment. Backup DL: At 330 pounds Alan Branch is the prototypical 3-4 nose tackle with exceptional strength and good mobility. The new staff clearly made this draft pick with the 3-4 in mind. He can be a difference maker and a key piece of the puzzle in the implementation of the new scheme. He has the physical tools to be another Casey Hampton. Tafoya is a fourth year former 7th rounder already with his third team. That kind of pedigree doesn't have NFL superstar written all over it. If the Cards DEs prove to need upgrading, it won't likely be forthcoming internally, and Tafoya won't be riding in with the cavalry. Bailey was brought over from PIT by Whisenhunt. He has 40 lbs on Tafoya, and while 6'3" 305 pounds may be more DT-like than prototypical 3-4 DE size, he could be stouter in run support and more effective at tying up blockers than Tafoya, and therefore better able to carry out his responsibilities in the scheme. Both these guys will be in the rotation.
Linebackers
Starters: OLB Calvin Pace, OLB Bertrand Berry, ILB Gerald Hayes, ILB Karlos DansbyBackups: OLB Daryl Blackstock, OLB Brandon Johnson, ILB Monty Beisel Starting LBs: Bert Berry may have the biggest learning curve in the transition to a new scheme. The general responsibilities of a 4-3 hand on the ground DE and those of a stand up 3-4 OLB, are similar in many ways but the there are a lot of differences when it comes to blitz packages and especially technique. Berry is quick and athletic but undersized for a 4-3 end. On paper Berry has the skills to be a successful stand up linebacker but this is a transition that many have failed to make. Berry actually began his career as a LB for the Colts. When healthy he can be an elite pass rusher. He totaled 26 sacks between the '03-'04 seasons. Unfortunately he's missed 14 games over the past two years. Gerald Hayes is a thumper in the middle with more than adequate range. While not as athletic or instinctive as some, he plays with great intensity. Hayes stepped up at MLB last season and should have no problem with the scheme change. If he should struggle for any reason, he could be looking over his shoulder at third round pick Buster Davis who was selected with the 3-4 in mind. The coaching staff plans to use Karlos Dansby at ILB but he is a questionable fit at that position and may eventually be moved outside where his outstanding pass rush skills can be better used. Dansby is at his best in space and it is unclear how adept he will be slipping blocks and evading traffic on the inside. He could be shuffled back to a more natural OLB position, especially if either Berry or Calvin Pace struggle. Calvin Pace is a former DE whose skill set seems well aligned with the 3-4. He is an above average pass rusher and a solid run defender. Backup LBs: Daryl Blackstock was a touted underclassman with a lot of raw skills, who may have come out too early and hasn't matured into the player the previous coaching staff expected him to become. If he doesn't make an impression as a rush OLB his roster spot could be in jeopardy. Brandon Johnson could emerge in the OLB picture in the future, but is basically a project. Monty Beisel is a heady vet and decent role player but not much more.
Defensive Backs
Starters: SS Adrian Wilson, FS Terrence Holt, CB Rod Hood, CB Eric GreenBackups: FS Aaron Francisco, CB Antrel Rolle, CB Ralph Brown, CB Matt Ware Starting DBs: Adrian Wilson may be the top safety in the game though only recently has the received overdue Pro Bowl recognition. At 6'3" 230 pounds he has linebacker size and a linebacker mind set with DB speed and cover skills. Wilson broke the NFL record for DBs with a staggering 8 sacks in '05, has been at or near top 5 in tackles for his position three years in a row and has at least 3 INTs, 2 FFs and 1 TD in three of the six pro seasons. The Cardinals added free agent Terrence Holt to upgrade a seriously hurting free safety position. Over the hill veteran Robert Griffith was the starter much of last season and left plenty to be desired. Holt is an experienced veteran player who showed serious upside at times but due to injury and inconsistency, was never able to secure a full time role during his 4 years with the Lions. He's not an elite player by any stretch but did hold off a challenge from Aaron Francisco this preseason. Roderick Hood played his first four seasons with the Eagles, getting a lot of snaps as the nickel CB, but showed he's more than capable of being a full-time cover corner this preseason. Eric Green has flashed potential in the past and appears to have one starting CB job locked up for now. Backup DBs: Antrel Rolle has top-10 pedigree. Partly due to a rookie season knee injury and rumblings of misuse in the old scheme, his career has not unfolded so far with the greatness he once seemed destined for. If the new coaching staff can help him get on track, he has the makeup and tools to be a great one. Rolle tied for the team lead in tackles with MLB Gerald Hayes (79), and only Pro Bowl caliber CBs Ronde Barber and Antoine Winfield had more tackles league-wide at the position. After struggling during the preseason, however, he lost his starting job to free agent pickup Roderick Hood. Aaron Francisco saw considerable action last season when Robert Griffith struggled. He is expected to compete with Holt for the starting FS slot all season long. He is a decent backup option with marginal upside and little chance of being a long term answer. Brown is a journeyman that has bounced around with the Giants, Vikings and Browns. He is not a play maker and hasn't intercepted a pass in over three seasons. Last modified: 2007-09-03 07:30:30
