Arizona Cardinals 2008 Season Preview

Arizona Cardinals Preview: Overview

The Arizona Cardinals finished the 2007 season with an 8-8 record, good for second in the NFC West behind the Seattle Seahawks. The Arizona Cardinals proved capable of playing with the best when they handed the Seattle Seahawks a 23-20 loss in week two. Plagued by an inability to complete third-down plays, the Arizona Cardinals also led the NFC in penalties, giving away 1,128 yards on 137 offensive penalties. With 25.2 points per game, the Arizona Cardinals offense proved that they could score with the top teams in the NFC. Unfortunately, the Cardinals defense gave up 24.9 points per game and led the NFC with 118 penalties.

Arizona Cardinals Preview: Moves

The Arizona Cardinals began the offseason with a solid draft. The Arizona Cardinals addressed the problems they had on defense with three of their first four picks. The Arizona Cardinals also nabbed WR Early Doucet in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. Early Doucet entered the 2007 season at LSU as the elite wide receiver in college football but was sidelined with a groin injury. Early Doucet was able to return and complete his final college season. Early Doucet is noted as being a speedy player and an exceptional leaper, both qualities he’ll need when going up against the elite pass defenders in the NFC. The Arizona Cardinals also drafted Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, the CB who dominated college football in his senior year at Tennessee State. Rodgers-Cromartie’s speed and shut down abilities should tighten up the Arizona Cardinals pass defense and help the team win some games.

This off season the Cardinals also made key acquisitions on the defensive side of the ball. The Arizona Cardinals signed LB Clark Haggans who had 71 tackles and three sacks with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Arizona Cardinals also signed free-agent Matt Stewart who missed all of last season with a shoulder injury. In 93 career games, Matt Stewart has 355 tackles and eight sacks. The Arizona Cardinals hope that Matt Stewart can return and deliver some effective numbers for the Cardinals’ porous defense.

Arizona Cardinals Preview: Offense

Matt Leinart is returning injury free and ready to take his place atop the Arizona Cardinals depth chart at QB. However, the Arizona Cardinals coaching staff seems to prefer the older Kurt Warner’s approach to the game as Kurt Warner is currently working out with the first team. Early Doucet will join a receiver core that includes elite WR Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. Last season, Larry Fitzgerald averaged 14.1 yards per catch and scored 10 touchdowns for the Arizona Cardinals. Larry Fitzgerald seems to play better with Kurt Warner at the helm as all of his touchdowns were scored after Kurt Warner took over for Matt Leinart who went down with a broken collarbone. It will be interesting to watch how Larry Fitzgerald’s numbers look in 2008 because Matt Leinart will likely be the Arizona Cardinals starting QB.



Another interesting development to watch on the Arizona Cardinals offense will be the running game. Edgerrin James is expected to return with a limited role in the Arizona Cardinals offense after rushing for 1,222 yards in 2007. Edgerrin James started 2007 on fire, scoring four of his seven touchdowns in the first six games and then slowed down considerably. Age could be a factor; Edgerrin James will be 30 at the start of the 2008 season. The Arizona Cardinals don’t expect that to slow them down and hope to reclaim their spot as one of the highest-scoring teams in the NFC.

Arizona Cardinals Preview: Defense

The Arizona Cardinals defense is anchored by franchise player LB Karlos Dansby. Last season Karlos Dansby made the switch from outside linebacker to inside linebacker and responded with big numbers, cementing his position as one of the most versatile linebackers in the NFL. Though Karlos Dansby has yet to play a full 16-game season, he has nonetheless posted strong numbers. Karlos Dansby finished last season with 97 tackles, 3.5 sacks, three interceptions and four forced fumbles. The Arizona Cardinals hope that injuries will be a non-issue for Karlos Dansby in 2008. Rookie CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is expected to compete for a starting spot. Rodgers-Cromartie’s health may be a minor issue for the Arizona Cardinals as there is concern about the fact that he has only one kidney, but there is no arguing that he is a talented defender. If the Arizona Cardinals defense is able to give their offense some breathing room in 2008, opponents in the NFC West should look out!

Arizona Cardinals: Special Teams

Inconsistency may be an issue for the Arizona Cardinals on special teams. The Arizona Cardinals are likely to return iffy K Neil Rackers. Neil Rackers has missed 18 field goals since a spectacular showing in 2005 including nine misses in 2007. Despite struggling, Neil Rackers remains a kicking threat and an effective supplement to the Arizona Cardinals beefed up offense. P Dirk Johnson comes to the Arizona Cardinals from the Chicago Bears where, in the 2007 season, he only completed four punts. WR Steve Breaston has worked on his upper-body strength this off season, hoping to play a bigger part in the Cardinals offensive scheme. What Steve Breaston remains is an efficient kick returner and punt returner, giving the Arizona Cardinals offense the field position to score at will.

Arizona Cardinals Preview: Outlook

With a talented core of receivers and a good solid draft class if the Arizona Cardinals can stay healthy and limit their penalties this season, the Cardinals have a shot at contending in the NFC West Division. There are concerns about the off-the-field conduct of young QB Matt Leinart but with veteran Kurt Warner pressing for the starting spot, Matt Leinart has taken his off-season training very seriously. If the Arizona Cardinals can correct their penalty woes and find rushing yards, it will be an electrifying season at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Phoenix, Arizona!