2009 Arizona Cardinals Football Preview

2008 Record: 9-7, First AFC West; 3-1 in postseason, lost Super Bowl to Pittsburgh Steelers

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Head Coach: Ken Whisenhunt; Third Year

Key Additions: CB Bryant McFadden, TE Anthony Becht, S Keith Lewis

Key Losses: DE Antonio Smith, LB Monty Beisel, CB Rod Hood, RB Edgerrin James

1st Round Draft Picks: Chris Wells – Running Back

2nd Round Draft Picks: Cody Brown – Defensive End

2009 Arizona Cardinals Schedule

Arizona Cardinals 2008 NFL Season in Review

What a great year for the Arizona Cardinals, one that few envisioned and looked all the more impossible after some late season stumbling. The Cardinals were able to advance all the way to the Super Bowl, putting up a great fight against the Pittsburgh Steelers before eventually succumbing. Veteran quarterback Kurt Warner led the team as first round draft pick Matt Leinart watched from the sidelines. Larry Fitzgerald established himself to be one of the best, if not the best, wide receiver in the National Football League. The receiving corps was sensational, with Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston.

The defense was flimsy for most of the season, although managed to show up large in some postseason outings. For the year, the Cardinals finished 28 th in points allowed. They finished 3 rd in points scored however, and outscored their opponents by just one point over the length of the season, 427-426.

Arizona Cardinals 2009 NFL Season Preview

Is there anyway that the Cardinals can repeat the magic they had for their playoff run last year? The team didn't make many large off season moves, but did resign Kurt Warner to a new deal, which means he is very likely to be the starting quarterback for the coming season. Besides resigning Warner and drafting Beanie Wells, the best news for the Cardinals is that their division is still wide open and should be theirs for the taking.

2009 Arizona Cardinals Offense:

Kurt Warner is still a Cardinals player, which is great news for the offense that soared in 2008. Leinart will really need to be spectacular to win the job away from Warner, and even then it might not be readily given up. With the cast of wide receivers the attack is lethal, although Anquan Boldin is still unhappy with his contract situation and was nearly traded during the off season. The arrival of rookie running back Chris Beanie Wells from Ohio State should make the offense more complete and versatile. The Cardinals will definitely be able to put points on the board in big numbers, but will the defense be able to hold opponents down?

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2009 Arizona Cardinals Defense:

There isn't much of a difference between last year's Cardinals defense and this year's, which is not a good thing for the club's chances. The offense can outscore most opponents and should be even stronger than last year with Wells, but the defense needs to show some of the buckling down ability they flashed at times during the playoffs. Adrian Wilson, Antrel Rolle and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie make for a sensationally gifted and athletic defensive backfield. But more consistency in coverage is needed. Linebackers Karlos Dansy and defensive end Chike Okeafor need to step up, as the team lost defensive end Antonio Smith to free agency.

2009 Arizona Cardinals Prediction: First NFC West

By Jake Emen
ProFootball-fans.com Staff Writer

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