Arizona Cardinals
2010 record: 5-11
Last playoff appearance: 2009 (10-6, NFC West Champs) W51-45 OT GB, L45-14 NO
General Manager: Rod Graves (2002-current)
Head Coach: Ken Whisenhunt (32-32 in 4 seasons at ARI)
Offensive Coordinator: Mike Miller
Defensive Coordinator: Ray Horton
Defensive Alignment: 3-4
2010 NFL Rankings:
OFF: 18.1 PTS (27th) 269.3 YDS (31st) 182.6 PASS (31st) 86.8 RUSH (32nd)
DEF: 27.1 PTS (30th) 373.6 YDS (29th) 228.4 PASS (23rd) 145.2 RUSH (30th)
Jeremy’s Outlook:
The Cardinals have fallen pretty hard after their Super Bowl berth in 2008. Kurt Warner leaving was a huge blow to the offense, as we saw last year. I have no idea how they felt that Derek Anderson, Max Hall, or John Skelton would be legitimate starting quarterback material. That problem now has a solution however. The Cardinals gave up Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie AND second round draft pick for Eagles’ backup quarterback Kevin Kolb. In my opinion, they Cards gave up way too much for a quarterback who has shown nothing more than being average. The offense lost rookie running back Ryan Williams for the season after trading away Tim Hightower to the Redskins. Now it’s down to Beanie Wells, who hasn’t been the healthiest runner, either. If Beanie Wells is going to live up to his draft expectations, now’s the time. As for the passing game, Larry Fitzgerald is obviously going to have a great year. He’ll be able to make Kolb look better, so there’s a chance Kolb puts up some decent numbers with the help of Fitz and free agent acquisition Todd Heap at tight end. There’s nowhere for the offense to go but up after ranking 31st in yards, passing, and dead last in rushing.
As for the defense, the Cardinals made some upgrades. Patrick Peterson was taken with their first round pick. With Greg Toler out for the season, Peterson may be getting a lot of playing time. They traded Rodgers-Cromartie, but picked up Richard Marshall from Carolina. That’s a net loss, but Peterson will eventually become a great player I think. Stewart Bradley was signed from Philadelphia and improves the linebacker unit. Alan Branch and Gabe Watson were lost in free agency. With all of this being said, it’s hard to see the Cards improving much on the defensive side of the ball in 2011.
Prediction: The Cardinals have an easy schedule for the most part. Four, maybe five, teams look like they’re not winnable games, but especially in the NFC West, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Cardinals surprise…but I’m not holding my breath. I’m not very high on Kevin Kolb as the answer at quarterback and the running game clearly has a big question mark with Wells. However, Larry Fitzgerald and Todd Heap may bump up Kolb’s level of play up to an above average quarterback. With the easy schedule, I see the Cardinals going 7-9. But that won’t get them into the playoffs even though it’s the NFC West.
Projected Starters:
QB: Kevin Kolb
RB: Beanie Wells
WR: Larry Fitzgerald
WR: Andre Roberts
WR: Early Doucet
TE: Todd Heap
OT: Levi Brown
OG: Daryn Colledge
C: Lyle Sendlein
OG: Rex Hadnot
OT: Brandon Keith
DE: Calais Campbell
DT: Dan Williams
DE: Darnell Dockett
OLB: Clark Haggans
MLB: Daryl Washington
MLB: Stewart Bradley
OLB: Joey Porter
CB: AJ Jefferson/Richard Marshall
CB: Patrick Peterson
FS: Kerry Rhodes
SS: Rashad Johnson
K: Jay Feely
P: Ben Graham
Fantasy Performers:
1. Larry Fitzgerald WR
2. Kevin Kolb QB
3. Beanie Wells RB
4. Jay Feely K
5. Todd Heap TE
2011 schedule:
1 Sep 11 vs. Panthers 4:15 PM
2 Sep 18 at Redskins 1:00 PM
3 Sep 25 at Seahawks 4:15 PM
4 Oct 02 vs. Giants 4:05 PM
5 Oct 09 at Vikings 1:00 PM
6 Bye
7 Oct 23 vs. Steelers 4:05 PM
8 Oct 30 at Ravens 1:00 PM
9 Nov 06 vs. Rams 4:15 PM
10 Nov 13 at Eagles 1:00 PM
11 Nov 20 at 49ers 4:05 PM
12 Nov 27 at Rams 1:00 PM
13 Dec 04 vs. Cowboys 4:15 PM
14 Dec 11 vs. 49ers 4:05 PM
15 Dec 18 vs. Browns 4:15 PM
16 Dec 24 at Bengals 1:00 PM
17 Jan 01 vs. Seahawks 4:15 PM
Re-signed:
Larry Fitzgerald WR – 8 yrs, 120 million
Early Doucet WR – 1 yr, 1.2 million
Stephen Spach TE – 1 yr
Lyle Sendlein C – 5 yrs
Michael Adams CB – 2 yrs
Free agent acquisitions:
Chester Taylor RB (Bears)
Chansi Stuckey WR (Jets) – 2 yrs, 3.5 million
Daryn Colledge OG (Packers) – 5 yrs, 27.5 million
Floyd Womack OG (Browns) – 2 yrs
Jeff King TE (Panthers) – 2 yrs, 5.5 million
Todd Heap TE (Ravens) – 2 yrs
Nick Eason DE (Steelers) – 2 yrs, 1.95 million
Stewart Bradley MLB (Eagles) – 5 yrs
Richard Marshall CB (Panthers) – 1 yr
Free agent losses:
Derek Anderson QB – Signed with Panthers
Steve Breaston WR – signed by Chiefs
Ben Patrick TE – signed by Giants
Alan Faneca OG – retired
Alan Branch DT – Signed by Seahawks
Gabe Watson DT – signed with Giants
Gerald Hayes MLB
Trades:
Traded Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a 2nd round pick in 2012 draft to Eagles for QB Kevin Kolb
Traded RB Tim Hightower to Redskins for DE Vonnie Holliday and an undisclosed draft pick
Picks in 2011 Draft (Draft (overall grade: B+): Getting Patrick Peterson (my top rated player) at 5 was big in my opinion. Williams may replace or push a struggling Beanie Wells at running back and Rob Housler will give whoever is the Cards’ starting QB in 2011 a decent option at TE. I’m not sure how well Acho can play outside linebacker, but his value was a decent option at where they got him. Quan Sturdivant apparently had too many flaws in his skillset, which caused him to drop so far, but I really think he can reward Arizona for picking him up late.
(! Indicates draft pick who was interviewed, had a private workout, etc. prior to the draft)
Rd 1, Pick 5 (5) Patrick Peterson CB, LSU – Analysis: My top rated player this year. Great value at a premium position.
Grade: A+ Rated: 1
Rd 2, Pick 6 (38) Ryan Williams RB, Virginia Tech! – Beanie Wells is disappointing so far.
Grade: B Rated: 48
Rd 3, Pick 5 (69) Robert Housler TE, Florida Atlantic – Good speed and height, but lacks the bulk teams look for in a complete tight end. Luke Stocker still on the board.
Grade: C+ Rated: 138
Rd 4, Pick 6 (103) Sam Acho OLB, Texas – A bit of a ‘tweener, at 6-3, 260. I liked him better as a 4-3 end. The Cardinals are looking to replenish their outside linebackers.
Grade: B+ Rated: 93
Rd 5, Pick 5 (136) Anthony Sherman RB, Connecticut – Surprised Sherman was drafted ahead of Jordan Todman. With the pick of Ryan Williams in round two, the running game was focused on more in the draft. It appears the Cards will be addressing QB in free agency or trade.
Grade: C+ Rated: NR
Rd 6, Pick 6 (171) Quan Sturdivant LB, North Carolina – Good speed, but apparently teams saw him bite on play action too easily and miss too many tackles for their liking. He falls hard here.
Grade: A+ Rated: 89
Rd 6, Pick 19 (184) David Carter DT, UCLA – David Carter DL, UCLA – used a great week at the Senior Bowl to raise his stock to draftable.
Grade: B Rated: 227
Rd 7, Pick 46 (249) Demarco Sampson WR, San Diego State – inconsistent catching the ball, but creates separation well.
Grade: C Rated: NR
2010 Stat Leaders
Derek Anderson 169-327 2065 51.7% 6.3 YPA 7 TD 10 INT 65.9 RTG
Tim Hightower 153 ATT 736 YDS 4.8 AVG 5 TD
Larry Fitzgerald 90 REC 1137 YDS 12.6 YPC 6 TD
Jay Feely 24-27 88.9% 55 LNG
Paris Lenon 125 TCK
Calais Campbell 6 SCK
Kerry Rhodes 4 INT
Out of Season Storylines (Because there is no offseason)
Ray Horton Hired As Defensive Coordinator
Kevin Kolb acquired from Philly for DRC and 2nd rounder