2007 Outlook:

This year looks to be a season of change for the Arizona Cardinals after a tumultuous 2006 campaign. After an embarrassing defeat to the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football and the departure of former head coach Dennis Green, change is a welcome sight for Cardinals fans. In comes new head coach Ken Whisenhunt, who heads west after three successful years as the offensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Almost immediately Whisenhunt has placed his stamp on the organization by trying to upgrade the historically pitiful Cardinals offensive line. The team chose not to re-sign guard Leonard Davis and instead acquired lineman Mike Gandy through free agency and offensive tackle Levi Brown with the 6th pick in the NFL draft. Whisenhunt will have his work cut out for him to build a top-flight football team to put in their newly constructed, state-of-the-art stadium.

2007 Draft Review:

This year's draft turned out to be a draft of necessity for the Cardinals. They didn't always select the most talented player available, but they nearly always picked a player that can fill a major hole in their football team. Thus, the 2007 draft was a success for Arizona. Levi Brown from Penn State is a cornerstone left tackle who will be protecting Matt Leinhart's flank for many years to come. If he has the motivation to push himself, second round pick Alan Branch, a defensive tackle out of Michigan, has the talent to become one of the best at his position and a real steal as the 33rd overall pick. WR Steve Breaston can also become a big-time return threat for the team with his tremendous speed and athleticism.Draft Grade: B

Key Acquisition:

First round pick Levi Brown was definitely the key addition to this squad. At times last season RB Edgerrin James must have felt like he was trying to run through a brick wall and, at others, QB Matt Leinhart probably thought the dam had broke after picking himself up off of the ground following another sack. Brown is a supreme talent and he should quickly jump into the starting lineup during his rookie season.

Key Departure:

Although he had become the target of a lot of criticism from fans, offensive lineman Leonard Davis is going to leave a big hole to fill in his absence. Should the run blocking and pass blocking once again prove to be sub-par, then the anger of the fans will quickly shift its direction towards the coaching staff.

Offensive Preview:

This offense is flooded with talent. Quarterback Matt Leinhart now has a year of experience and he still has plenty of passing targets. This team has a wide receiver tandem in Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald that rivals the very best in the entire NFL. Number 3 WR Bryant Johnson and TE Leonard Pope are potent passing options as well. RB Edgerrin James will be looking to return to the Pro Bowl for the fifth time in his illustrious career behind the revamped Cardinals offensive line. Nearly every starter at a skill position in this lineup is a prime fantasy option.

Defensive/Special Teams Preview:

The defense is as much to blame as any other portion of this team for the poor results of previous seasons. Defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast, a hold-over from the previous coach staff, will find himself in hot water if the defense doesn't improve from its 29th overall ranking from 2006. Free agents S Terrence Holt and CB Roderick Hood will look to bolster the secondary while 2007 draft picks DT Alan Branch and ILB Buster Davis will attempt to add depth to the front seven. Kicker Neil Rackers will look to return to his record-setting form after an off year in 2006. The return game will have an interesting new face as well with the selection of WR/return specialist Steve Breaston in the fifth round.

Season Prediction:

This offense will be one of the most exciting to watch in the NFL, but there just doesn't seem to be enough of an improvement on the defensive side of the ball for this team to make a playoff push, especially when you look at the other three high-powered offensive units in the NFC West (San Francisco, Seattle, and St. Louis). Expect the Cardinals to once again bring up the rear in their division.

Projected Finish

7 Wins, 9 Losses (4th in the NFC West)