NFL 2006: Arizona Cardinals

(This is the Corners look at the upcoming NFL season. For the next 32 days we'll be previewing each team and their prospects for the 2006 season. Today we look at the Arizona Cardinals.)

Dennis Green begins season three in Arizona with a new stadium, an excited fan base and tons of optimism.

The signing of Edgerrin James in the offseason was the biggest in franchise history and with James in the fold, the Cardinals have the makings of a very potent offense indeed. If Green and his charges want to improve on last seasons 5-11 mark or make the playoffs for that matter, the defense needs to make big improvements in a hurry.

Offense: Green is slowly but surely taking the loser tag off the Cardinal franchise and a big reason that's so is the offense. Green has always been known for good offenses, he had them at Stanford and with the Vikings. The one he has at Arizona could be his best yet.

Kurt Warner returns at quarterback for a second season at Arizona. When Warner's healthy, he's a solid signal caller. The problem is, he can't stay off the DL. The former two-time MVP threw for 2,713 yards and 11 touchdowns in 10 games last season. Green needs a healthy Warner in 2006. The future of the franchise is USC star Matt Leinart. Despite winning two national championships, Leinart fell to the 10th spot in the draft. He wants to prove the scouts wrong but he better get into camp soon or the season is lost. John Navarre will be Warner's main backup.

James is an immediate upgrade to a running game that was dead last in the league in 2005. How the Colts could let him walk is beyond this writers comprehension. James (1,506 yards, 13 touchdowns) is also a receiving threat (44-337-1) and a guy who plays hard all the time. Marcel Shipp (451 yards) and J.J. Arrington (370-2) are the reserves. Obafemi Ayanbadejo returns at fullback.

The Cardinals have the best young receiving corps in the NFL with Larry Fitzgerald (103-1,409-10) and Anquan Boldin (102-1,402-7) both All-Pros. Bryant Johnson (40-432) is a capable number three, while free agent Troy Walters and LeRon McCoy will battle for the number four position. Greg Lee, Reggie Swinton and rookie Todd Watkins will fight for a roster spot.

Adam Bergen (28-270-1) is back at tight end, but rookie Leonard Pope, a physical presence at 6-7, 270 pounds, is breathing down his neck. Eric Edwards will serve as the third tight end.

Alex Stepanovich, who missed all of last season, returns and will battle incumbent Nick Leckey for the job at center. Elton Brown and Jeremy Bridges return at guard, but rookie Deuce Lutui and free agent Milford Brown will fight the starters throughout camp. Oliver Ross and Leonard Davis are back at tackle with Fred Wakefield in reserve. This was the lone weak spot on a decent offense and must improve or James will start to show his frustration and miss Indy in a hurry.

Defense: If Arizona hopes for any chance at a winning season or a playoff berth, this unit must step up and play a whole lot better than what they did in 2005. The Cardinals ranked 31st in total defense and gave up 27 points a game. With some injured players healthy and a fresh batch of new faces, Green is optimistic that this defense will be much improved in 2006.

Bertrand Berry (33 tackles, six sacks), who missed half the season last year, and Chike Okeafor (51 tackles, 7.5 sacks) lead a strong group of Arizona defensive ends. Calvin Pace, also out last season, and Antonio Smith are the reserves. Darnell Dockett is back at one defensive tackle spot with free agent Kendrick Clancy and rookies Gabe Watson and Jonathan Lewis fighting for the starting spot vacated by Russ Kolodziej. Kenny King is back from injury and will try to earn a spot in the rotation.

James Darling (88 tackles, two picks) mans the middle, while Karlos Dansby (88 tackles, four sacks, three interceptions) and Orlando Huff (69 tackles) occupy the outside. Daryl Blackstock, Lance Mitchell, Gerald Hayes and rookie Brandon Johnson provide depth.

Another Cardinal looking to bounce back from an injury is Antrel Rolle, Arizona's top pick in 2005. He'll be at one corner spot and team with David Macklin (61 tackles, two interception) or Eric Green (41 tackles), both starters last year. Robert Tate (two interceptions) will see action in the nickel or dime packages. Adrian Wilson had a stellar season at strong safety. His 109 tackles and eight sacks led the club. Free safety Robert Griffith is gone so Ernest Shazor, Aaron Francisco or free agent Jack Brewer will be in competition at free safety.

Special Team: The kicking game is a huge strength for the Cardinals with Neil Rackers, who led the league in scoring, at kicker and Scott Player (43.9) at punter. Rackers scored 140 points, making an amazing 40 field goals in 42 attempts and going a perfect 20-for-20 in extra points. Reggie Swinton returned both punts (8.0) and kicks (23.1) last season, but will be pressed by Walters.

Outlook: Arizona is loaded on the offensive side of the ball except where it matters most - the line. This is an offense that would chew up yardage between the twenties and then falter in the red zone. The running game was dead last in the NFL and even with James in the fold, the line has to block much better than it did last season. If Warner stays healthy, he could have a big year. This is the most talent he's had around him since the 'Greatest Show on Turf' days. The defense was awful and the Cardinals really didn't do much in the offseason to improve it. Injuries played a part in the ugliness and Green hopes healthy players will equal a better defense.

Prediction: The Cardinals are an up-and-coming team who may dominate in a couple of years - if the offense can stay together. However, domination isn't on the horizon just yet. The defense is just not good enough and the o-line is inconsistent. Arizona will have to score and score a lot to win games. If Berry and Rolle can come back from injury and Dockett regains his 2004 form, this team could make a playoff run. But the best bet is that the Cards are still a year or two away. Arizona will struggle on defense, ending any playoff hopes, and finish with an 8-8 or 9-7 record.

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