Check out all of our 2009 NFL team previews.
Offseason Additions: Bryant McFadden (CB); Anthony Becht (TE); Jason Wright (RB).
Offseason Losses: Edgerrin James (RB); Eric Green (CB); Terrelle Smith (FB); J.J. Arrington (RB).
Player to Watch: Chris “Beanie” Wells, RB.
The Cardinals hope that Wells, who was the team’s first round pick this year, can solve their running woes. Despite their Super Bowl appearance last year, Arizona finished dead last in rushing and are leaning on Wells to stabilize the running back position. After stating that Tim Hightower would be his starter for most of the summer, head coach Ken Whisenhunt has since softened his stance and is now open to Wells being his No. 1 back. But the Ohio State product has to stay healthy, which is one thing he’s had trouble with. Wells sprained his ankle in preseason and admits that he still isn’t completely healthy yet. When he is 100%, “Beanie” is a 240-pound bulldozer with 4.5 speed. He’s athletic, tough and dangerous when he gains some momentum. But again, he must stay healthy.
Team Strength: The Cards will once again have one of the more explosive passing attacks in the league, assuming of course that quarterback Kurt Warner has protection and can avoid turnovers. Arizona’s passing attack relies heavily on its wideouts, Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston. The trio comprises the best receiving corps in the NFL and will keep defensive coordinators sleepless come Saturday night. The Cards will again rely on the shotgun formation to help Warner read defenses and get the ball out of his hands quickly. The Cardinals promoted receivers coach Mike Miller to passing game coordinator and hope that he can fill the shoes of Todd Haley, who was hired as head coach of the Chiefs this offseason.
Potential Weakness: The running game will be under the microscope again this season unless Wells and Hightower can step up. One would think that the offensive line is a huge problem, but the Cardinals actually have a decent run-blocking unit. Guards Reggie Wells and Deuce Lutui, as well as center Lyle Sendlein are quick and agile, while left tackle Levi Brown has impressive strength and is knocking on the door of a Pro Bowl appearance. Mike Gandy might be long in the tooth, but he’s a solid veteran and offers stability at the right tackle position. So what’s the problem? Hightower needs to hit the hole with more authority and avoid tiptoeing while trying to find holes that aren’t there. Brown also needs to play with more of a mean streak and the interior of the line can’t get blown off the ball when they straight up run block. If Wells can produce right away, the Cards should be fine. But this is still Arizona’s biggest question mark heading into the season.
Outlook: Some are going to look at this ranking and scream lunacy. But think about it, if the Cardinals didn’t make a trip to the Super Bowl last year (and almost win it for that matter) would they be considered a contender? Maybe they would because they play in a weak division and the Seahawks still have issues, but don’t forget that many considering Arizona one-and-done before the playoffs started last year. Yes, the passing game is outstanding and this team is fun to watch when the offense is firing on all cylinders. But don’t forget that the Cards lost both of their coordinators from a year ago, including Haley, who called all of their plays. The running game is still a question mark, as is the team’s overall depth. The defense has some quality pieces in Adrian Wilson, Karlos Dansby, Darnell Dockett, Domonique Rodgers-Cromartie and Antrel Rolle. But ‘Zona benefited from their opponents turning the ball over in the playoffs last year and it probably made the unit look better than it did (which is why, along with the fact that he was a holdover from the Denny Green era, Clancy Pendergast was let go in the offseason). Can the defense be as opportunistic as it was in the postseason last year?
The Cards are still the team to beat in a brutal NFC West and again, they’re going to be tough to stop. But unless it’s the Patriots, a team doesn’t replace two coordinators in the offseason and not take a step back. (Especially not one that finished 9-7 last year.)
2009 Prediction: 1st, NFC West.
