Arizona’s defense will determine its fate in ‘06

By Connor Byrne  |   Monday, June 05, 2006  |  Comments( 1 )

Arizona Cardinals
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Nobody can deny that the Arizona Cardinals have a championship-caliber offense. After all, they're led by one-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Kurt Warner, one of the league's best runners in Edgerrin James, as well as perhaps the NFL's best receiving tandem, which is made up of Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald. Adding onto that list is slot wideout Bryant Johnson and uber-talented tight end Leonard Pope, who was picked up by the Cardinals in the third round of April's draft.

The Cardinals' offense looks outstanding, but many are discounting their defense as little more than second-rate. On the contrary, Arizona's defensive unit finished eighth in yardage surrendered last season, which is obviously in the upper-class. However, that same defense finished 26th in points allowed, and that's clearly in the league's lower-echelon.

If the Cardinals wish to find the postseason for the first time since 1998, they'll need to get the defense's point ranking raised up to a respectable number. With an offense as good as theirs, the Cardinals' defense won't exactly have to be reminiscent of the '85 Bears. Thus, the task isn't all that daunting for Arizona's defenders, who are led by their coordinator, Clancy Pendergast.

Judging by outward appearances, the Cardinals' defense seems more than capable of rising to respectability next season.

On the defensive line, Arizona brings four solid defenders for the first time in a long time. Chike Okeafor and Bert Berry form one of the NFL's foremost tandems at the defensive end position, as they've shown time and again their ability to terrorize opposing quarterbacks. Meanwhile, the Cardinals mix solid veteran experience with a terrific youngster at the defensive tackle position, with free-agent signee Kendrick Clancy and third-year man Darnell Dockett penciled in as starters.

Despite their obvious strength on the defensive line, the Cardinals' have a pair of concerns in their linebacking corps. Starting middle linebacker Karlos Dansby is developing into a magnificent player, but the strong and weak-side 'backer positions are causes for apprehension in Arizona.

The 270-pound Calvin Pace is currently on the strong-side; however, he's been nothing but a bust in his three previous seasons, where he was originally a defensive end for the Cardinals. The former Wake Forest standout has accumulated just 6 ½ sacks in 35 games. Arizona's best bet might not be Pace, but Darryl Blackstock. The second-year man from Virginia barely played last season, but he likely has more upside than Pace, who has been a first-round disappointment. At the moment, the job seems like Pace's to lose, and he could very well lose it.

The weak-side starter, Orlando Huff, has been serviceable throughout his career, but would probably be better off as a dependable reserve. Unfortunately for Arizona, he's the only player capable of starting at that particular position right now. Rookie fifth-rounder Brandon Johnson might be in the Cardinals' future, but it's not his time yet.

The success of Arizona's secondary might depend on second-year man Antrel Rolle, who only played in five games last year as a rookie. The ex-eighth overall pick has all the tools to be one of the league's best cornerbacks, if he can get his knee intact. Right now, the Cardinals are hopeful he can regain optimum health and be their No. 1 corner.

If Rolle's knee holds up, it would take a lot of pressure off the team's main starter from last season, David Macklin. The former Indianapolis Colt has experienced some nice success with the Cardinals the last two years, picking off six passes. The 27-year-old has also piled up 125 tackles and 27 pass deflections in the process. Although he's been solid as Arizona's No. 1 man, it would be in Macklin's best interests to defend the opposition's second-best receiver, rather than the elites of the league.

The Cardinals' strong safety, Adrian Wilson, has quietly emerged as one of the NFL's premier playmakers at his position. Wilson came out of his shell last year, racking up a whopping 109 tackles and a jaw-dropping eight sacks. It's tough enough for a lineman to accumulate that many sacks, so when a defensive back does it, it's a major boost for the entire unit. Arizona's certainly lucky to have the underrated Wilson.

Accompanying Wilson is free safety Robert Griffith, who showed some signs of decline in 2005, his first campaign with the Arizona Cardinals. In 2004, Griffith, a 12-year veteran, tallied 118 total tackles with the Cleveland Browns, who then promptly sent the veteran his walking papers. He signed with Arizona and appeared in all 16 games last year, but made just 64 tackles. In the past five seasons, Griffith has only come up with a solitary interception, so he's never been the greatest of impact players. Truthfully, Griffith might be the only concern in the Cardinals' defensive backfield.

Outside of a couple obvious weaknesses, the Cardinals' defense looks like an above-average unit. If it can rise from No. 26 in points allowed to the top 15, Arizona will probably be looking at its first playoff berth in just under a decade. Without question, the offense can certainly hold its own.

--Connor J. Byrne can be reached at cbyrne@realfootball365.com

Get more on the Arizona Cardinals' defense at Realfootball365.com
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