2010 Arizona Football Preview:
The Arizona Cardinals underwent a lot of changes this offseason, and with and improved San Fransico 49ers team favored to win the division, it may be difficult for them to match their recent level of success.
One of the most noticeable absences will be quarterback Kurt Warner. The former Super Bowl MVP, who guided the Cardinals to the franchise's first Super Bowl appearance and brought them back-to-back NFC West championships, retired shortly after the end of the season. Warner will be replaced by Matt Leinart, who has yet to show the skill in the pros that made him a Heisman Trophy winner at USC.
Also gone from the offense is wide receiver Anquan Boldin, who signed with the Baltimore Ravens in the offseason, leaving Leinart with Larry Fitzgerald and Steve Breaston as the leading targets. In the backfield, Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower will likely get the majority of the carries, but will need to show more than they have.
The defense lost one of its leaders as well, as linebacker Karlos Dansby signed with the Miami Dolphins. The secondary lost standout safety Antrel Rolle, was picked up by the New York Giants, and a lot of pressure will be on third-year cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie to perform.
2009 Arizona Football Preview:
It will be hard for the 2009 Arizona Cardinals to match the magical season the Cards had in 2008. Unless Arizona can play its way back into the Super Bowl in Miami in February 2010. And returning to the Super Bowl might not be as difficult as it sounds because the Cardinals return the bulk of their roster from '08. Quarterback Kurt Warner is resigned and back to lead the Red Birds offense. Alongside Warner is mega stud wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, who often looks unstoppable against the best defenses in the NFL, and WR Anquan Boldin. The Cards will be searching for a reliable running game, something that they have not yet been able to get from Edgerrin James. The Arizona defense will probably be overlooked again by most experts, but they have a salty crew that should help keep them in close NFC West games. The Cardinals had the dream season in 2008, but fell one game short of their goal. The 2009 season will give the chance to add the title of "Super Bowl Champions" to their list of franchise accomplishments.
2008 Arizona Football Preview:
The Arizona Cardinals are an exciting team to watch this year in the NFL. The Arizona Cardinals are looking for their first winning season since 1998 this year, and with last year's 8-8 record, it is looking like a possibility. However, 25 year-old Matt Leinart, the Heisman Trophy winner from USC and starting quarterback for the Cardinals, is going to have to prove he can be comfortable in a hurry-up offense. So far, Leinart has failed to impress, and has needed backup from Super Bowl winning veteran Kurt Warner. Things are looking up in Arizona, with former Colts star running back Edgerrin James at the helm for moving the ball on the ground, and Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin preparing to make some big catches no matter who is throwing the ball. Also, the defense is going to have to step up their passing coverage, ranking near the bottom of the league in pass defense for the last two years. All in all, this team is going to be adjusting its lineup for the better (or at least they hope), and we should be seeing some quality football in Arizona this year. A game in Phoenix will be a slugfest as the Arizona Cardinals fight to climb the stats board.