2007 Arizona Cardinals

While Arizona’s climate has produced its fair share of sunny skies off the field, the Cardinals have been the lone rain cloud in the desert sky. It looks like sunny skies lie ahead on and off the field in Arizona with exciting young talent in place, but likely a couple more seasons of maturity is what it will take for this franchise to challenge for a title in the NFC West.

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Out goes Dennis Green and in comes offensive genius Ken Whisenhunt who was the mastermind behind the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive attacks the last three years. Whisenhunt gets a young QB with star potential in Matt Leinart, an established feature back in Edgerrin James, and two of the NFL’s best wide receivers in Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. I have no doubt in my mind that these boys are going to put some points on the score board in 2007 and that they will emerge into one of the best offenses in the NFL, unfortunately a poor defensive unit will likely keep this team at the bottom of the barrel this season. This defensive unit that I’m referring to was ranked 29th in yards allowed last season.

The theme of this division is all offense and no defense. The fact that Seattle has the best defense in the West is really what gives them the edge again. Whisenhunt will likely install a power run game like the one we saw in Pittsburgh. I would like to see him open things up a little more to keep the aging James fresh and to cater to his talented receiving duo. I can’t deny that his 39-15 track record as the Steelers’ play caller is impressive. I just feel that the backs in Pittsburgh were more suited to a run-oriented game plan as was the defense. Defenses have to be very strong for running teams as these teams rely on field position to score. However, Whisenhunt should be able to do better than the five wins this team has tallied each of the last two seasons.

Not only will Whisenhunt call the offensive plays, but it also appears that he will have his hand on the defense as well. Defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast’s 4-3 scheme could be a thing of the past as Whisenhunt has tossed around the idea of installing a Steelers-like 3-4 system. Expect to see both defenses used and a variety of disguised coverages to try to help out this side of the ball. Mixing defenses constantly is a good way to get blown out on occasion as blown assignments are more likely, but it is also a good way to make up for a lack of talent.

Another couple drafts and offseason’s to play in the free agent market are sure to improve the defensive side of the ball so that it contains rising stars the same way the offense does. We have this team losing a lot of close games in the second half in 2007 because of its weak defense, but if for some reason in these close games the ball bounces in Arizona’s favor, the offense has the talent to challenge the Seahawks. It’s not likely, but it could definitely happen.

2007 Arizona Cardinals

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