Arizona Cardinals 2005 Preview

By John Onan  |   Sunday, August 07, 2005  |  Comments( 0 )

Arizona Cardinals
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2005 will be a crucial year for the present and future of the Arizona Cardinals franchise. Anyone who is familiar with this failed organization can tell you the story of Bill Bidwell. The Cards under Bidwell have been one of the most laughed at and ridiculed teams in all of pro sports. This season, the second in the Dennis Green era, is pivotal. Bidwell has seems to be turning over a new leaf, by bringing in an established coach, and signing quality free agents and draft choices. If this team can make a playoff run, it will boost the perception of Arizona Cardinals football, but if this team struggles out of the gate, we could witness yet another overhaul by the hands-on owner.

Strengths: Wide Receivers Anquan Boldin (currently nursing a broken nose) and 2nd-yr man Larry Fitzgerald form a dangerous combination. Both are big targets, who along with former MVP QB Kurt Warner, could bring back memories of Warner's days in St. Louis. Fitzgerald caught 58 passes and Boldin had 56 receptions, which are impressive considering both battled injuries in 2004.

One area Arizona excelled in last season was in the kicking game. Place kicker Neil Rackers and punter Scott Player are both quality performers who should continue to pay dividends. Josh Scobey's job as kick returner could be in jeopardy as Green looks to overhaul the disappointing return game, which ranked near the bottom of the league last season. First-round pick cornerback Antrel Rolle could emerge as a starter in Scobey's place.

Green has overhauled the offensive line since his arrival, and the signing of former Pittsburgh Steelers tackle Oliver Ross will add a boost to the running attack. It will be important for the rest of the line to protect the immobile Warner and give him enough time to find Boldin and Fitzgerald downfield. This is the most talented offensive line Arizona fans have seen in a long time.

Weaknesses: The Arizona Cardinals must improve at stopping the run. The pieces are in place with the emergence of Bertrand Berry and the acquisition of LB/DE Chike Okefor from Seattle. Green added speed guys to the line backing corps, which he helps pursuit. OLB James Darling had a career year in 2004, emerging as a leader on defense. Second-year man Karlos Dansby from Auburn looks like a All-Pro in the making. If this unit comes together quickly, it could easily become a strength.

The big question on offense all season will be the health of KurtWarner. Green will be satisfied with good numbers and no serious injury setbacks. Otherwise, the coach could have another revolving door at that position as he did last season, with former starter Josh McCown and former Michigan quarterback John Navarre. It will be hard to establish any consistency in the passing game if this is the case.

The Cardinals haven't had a legit running back in years, but that could change shortly with the arrival of 2nd-round pick J.J Arrington from California. He will be given every opportunity to win the starting job, but the Cardinals could boast great depth at the position in former starters Marcel Shipp and Troy Hambrick. However, both are still nursing injuries and are on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list. Shipp should be ready to go shortly, while Hambrick is still a question mark. Former Cleveland Browns RB James Jackson is also in the fold this season.

The young cornerbacks are talented, but untested. 1st-rd pick Rolle will start at one corner spot from day one, but with the trade of Duane Starks to New England and Renaldo Hill leaving via free agency to Oakland there is plenty of uncertainty. 5'9 David Macklin will most likely line up opposite Rolle, and third-round pick Eric Green will see significant playing time also. SS Adrian Wilson is as good a playmaker as they come in the defensive backfield. He'll be teamed with solid Ifeanyi Ohalete.

Outlook: Like stated earlier, this is a key season in the Dennis Green era. Either Bidwell will continue to build this team to respectability, or resort to his old ways and tear it apart again. Hopefully for the long suffering fans, this team will take a step to the next level.

If Warner stays upright, they could challenge the Rams and Seahawks for the NFC West crown. If not, McCown will have to toughen up and do the job. Hopes are high in the desert as they should be. The defense is solid and forces turnovers. I believe Rolle and the rest of the young corners will survive the early tests they get on the outside. In my humble view, the Arizona Cardinals will be there late for a wild card spot, and the leg of place kicker Neil Rackers may decide whether they get in or not.

I see them going 8-8, but 9-7 and a wild card is possible.
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