ARIZONA CARDINALS
2009 RECORD: 10-6-0
(1st in NFC West)
HEAD COACH: Ken Whisenhunt
Key Additions: QB Derek Anderson (FA/Cleveland), G Alan Faneca (FA/NY Jets), LB Joey Porter (FA/Miami), Kerry Rhodes (trade/NY Jets), CB Justin Miller (FA/NY Jets), K Jay Feely (FA/NY Jets)
Key Losses: WR Anquan Boldin (FA/Baltimore), WR Jerheme Urban (FA/Kansas City), CB Bryant McFadden (FA/Pittsburgh), LB Karlos Dansby (FA/Miami), S Antrel Rolle (FA/NY Giants)
Offense: The Cardinals' offense is getting a big makeover after the retirement of quarterback Kurt Warner. Matt Leinart, who was the starter when Warner arrived in the desert, will get a look as will Derek Anderson, who had a big year in 2007 for the Cleveland Browns, but has since fallen off and came over to the Cards via free agency.
The wide receiving corps took a hit when Anquan Boldin opted for free agency and went to the Baltimore Ravens. However, the Cardinals have one of the absolute best receivers in the NFL in Larry Fitzgerald, who made 97 catches in '09 for 1,092 yards and scored 13 touchdowns.
Steve Breaston (55 catches, 712 yards, three TD) and Early Doucet (17, 214, one TD) will be available as well. The tight ends are Ben Patrick and Anthony Becht.
Beanie Wells played well as a rookie for Arizona in 2009, gaining 793 yards with a 4.5 ypc average and scored seven touchdowns. Tim Hightower ran for 598 yards (4.2 ypc average) and scored eight touchdowns. In addition, Hightower caught 63 passes for 428 yards.
The offensive line has center Lyle Sendlein, guards Alan Faneca and Deuce Lutui and tackles Brandon Keith and Levi Brown.
Defense: The opportunistic Arizona defense had 43 quarterback sacks a year ago along with 21 interceptions. However, the team allowed 325 points and ranked 20th overall on defense, giving up 346 yards per game.
The 3-4 defense has nose tackle Dan Williams and ends Darnell Dockett and Calais Campbell, who led the Cards with seven sacks a year ago.
The linebackers are Gerald Hayes and Daryl Washington inside with Clark Haggans and Joey Porter on the outside.
Porter had nine sacks with Miami last season, and along with the other front seven, should put pressure on opposing quarterbacks all season.
The secondary features safeties Adrian Wilson (five INT in '09) and Kerry Rhodes, who comes over from the New York Jets. The corners are Greg Toler and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who led Arizona with six picks last year, including one for a touchdown.
OUTLOOK: How the Cardinals fair this season, after winning back-to-back NFC West division titles, will depend on the quarterback play.
If Leinart or Anderson can do the job consistently and the running game continues to improve, then Arizona can be a factor once again in the West.
The defense is one that can get pressure on the quarterback, but they cannot give up the big plays as often as has happened in the past.
Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt knows the team is capable of winning a third straight NFC West title, but the San Francisco 49ers are closing in fast.
There are questions to be answered as the new quarterbacks take over and the receiving corps try to fill the void of Boldin's departure. If opposing defenses can double up on Fitzgerald and the other receivers don't come through, then Arizona will be battling on offense this season.
An 8-8 season appears likely for the Cardinals in 2010. How it goes from there will be interesting to watch.
TEAM SCHEDULE:
Week 1- at St. Louis
Week 2- at Atlanta
Week 3- vs. Oakland
Week 4- at San Diego
Week 5- vs. New Orleans
Week 6- Bye Week
Week 7- at Seattle
Week 8- vs. Tampa Bay
Week 9- at Minnesota
Week 10- vs. Seattle
Week 11- at Kansas City
Week 12- vs. San Francisco
Week 13- vs. St. Louis
Week 14- vs. Denver
Week 15- at Carolina
Week 16- vs. Dallas
Week 17- at San Francisco
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