Arizona Cardinals Preview 2006

For years the Arizona Cardinals have been good forovernight the Arizona Cardinals go from having a
one thing-taking up space. Their best season camenonexistent running game to being one of the best in
back in 2001 when they won seven games. Lastthe NFC.
season they were a paltry 5-11. Could this seasonReceivers
really be any different? Since the Arizona CardinalsThere's little to argue about when it comes to the
had money to spend this off-season, they went outreceiving unit for the Arizona Cardinals. First, you have
and picked up running back Edgerrin James. Will thisLarry Fitzgerald who's a big-play receiver. He made
move be enough to propel the hapless Arizonathe Pro Bowl last season, and he should play very well
Cardinals into a possible playoff scenario?again. Next, there's Anquan Boldin. While he's not going
Quarterbackto burn cornerbacks down the field, he's a solid
It's hard to believe that Kurt Warner is still around. Hepossession receiver. Finally, there's Leonard Pope. He's
had some great years, but he's highly injury prone.a rookie out of Georgia who's fast and athletic. He
When Warner is healthy and on his game he can tosscould be the next good tight end in the NFL. All of
300 yard games with the best of them. Unfortunately,these guys have one thing in common-they're young.
that doesn't happen very often. If Warner goes down,Defense and Special Teams
the Arizona Cardinals have no viable replacement. It'sThe defense of the Arizona Cardinals is lacking. It's a
really going to come down to the offense linemix of aging veterans, inexperienced starters and
protecting their quarterback. Perhaps the addition of ainjury prone players. The defensive unit really needs
superstar running back will help some.the offense to step it up, because they're not going to
Running Backstop anyone. The secondary of the Arizona Cardinals
Anyone that's been watching the NFL for a least oneis pretty bad and the team didn't draft anyone to help
year knows the name Edgerrin James. He's a formerfill the gaps. The Cardinals have a pretty decent
cog in the wheel of the Indianapolis Colts high-poweredspecial teams unit, which is anchored by a Pro Bowl
offense. Now he comes to the desert hoping to revivekicker Neil Rackers and former Pro Bowl punter Scott
a struggling offense. The Arizona Cardinals had beenplayer. During the preseason, the Arizona Cardinals will
lacking a good rushing attack. Now that James is inbe looking for a solid return man.
camp, that problem looks to be solved. Practically