NFL Preview: Arizona Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals


Key Additions:
CB Patrick Peterson (draft)
RB Ryan Williams (draft)
QB Kevin Kolb (trade)
TE Todd Heap (FA)
DE Vonnie Holliday (trade)
CB Richard Marshall (FA)
G Deuce Lutui (left for Cincinnati, but re-signed)
LB Stewart Bradley (FA)
G Daryn Colledge (FA)
WR Chansi Stuckey (FA)
G Floyd Womack (FA)
DE Nick Eason (FA) 


Key Departures:
QB Derek Anderson
CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
LB Gerald Hayes 
WR Steve Breaston 
RB Tim Hightower 


Report:
After a couple of very successful seasons including a Super Bowl appearance the Arizona Cardinals went back to what they are used to. Mediocrity. The 2010 Arizona Cardinals are a prime example of what a good quarterback can do to a team. They relied on 3 QB's who gave them the exact opposite of what they were used to the seasons before. Kurt Warner put this team in a bad position and they made a worse by releasing QB Matt Lienart. The front office and coaching staff realized this so their first priority of the offseason was to get a quarterback, and that is exactly what they did. Kevin Kolb will be suiting up for the Cardinals next season after trading CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a second round draft pick to the Eagles. This makes them instant contenders in an awful division. The offensive line looks fine after signing reliable G's Colledge and Lutui. The running game should be better with Beanie Wells, more of a physical runner, teams up with rookie Ryan Williams, a speed and finesse runner. The receiving corps look good with the always reliable Larry Fitzgerald who racked up 1,137 yard with three pedestrian quarterbacks. Fitzgerald is accompanied with Early Doucet and Chansi Stuckey at WR. They are the only experienced WR's on the roster after the loss of Steve Breaston to Kansas City. Arizona also signed veteran TE's Todd Heap and Jeff King to help Kolb. Arizona also drafted TE Rob Housler from Florida Atlantic who is big TE who I expect big things from. 

The defense was not much better than the offense which is not something to be proud of. Arizona traded away one of the bright spots of the defense in CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Luckily, the Arizona Cardinals selected one the best players in the draft in some time by drafting CB Patrick Peterson out of LSU. Arizona has corner Michael Adams and signed Richard Marshall to sure up their pass defense outside the numbers. The safeties are back with the great Adrian Wilson and consistent Kerry Rhodes. Arizona assured their linebackers to be a strong suit on paper by adding Stewart Bradley from Philadelphia and drafting LB's Sam Acho and Quan Sturdivant. They will join Clark Haggans, Paris Lenon, Darryl Washington, and Joey Porter and will make for interesting battles and depth at the linebacker position. The pass rush for the Cardinals should be good again. Calais Campbell and Darnell Dockett return to the defensive line. Arizona didn't do to much to bolster their line in free agency by adding DL Vonnie Holliday and Nick Eason. Dan Williams is the key for the defense. The former first round pick if playing to the potential that Arizona thinks he can perform the defense will be much improved. 


Arizona's special teams should be consistent again with K Jay Feely and P Ben Graham. KR LaRod Stephens-Howling is one the best kick returners in the league. They also add Patrick Peterson who was a fantastic punt returner in the tough SEC. 


Recap:
After a disappointing season Arizona got a vital position upgrade by trading for Kevin Kolb. This should help them contend in an awful division. The defense is suspect, but definitely has room and potential to improve. Although the division opponents don't have good offenses that Arizona has to worry about. On paper the best team in NFC West and if they can win the division they pose a threat with the possibility of an electrifying offense and a tough home arena.


Division finish: TBA