QB - Warner
RB - Edge
WR - Fitzgerald
WR - Boldin


hmm... how will they be stopped on offense... unreal.




EDIT: My apologies to Koop, I didn't see your thread about this.

No problem.....nothing wrong with the Cards getting a little extra love.

That being said..their O-line is supposedly pretty terrible (I haven't seen many of their games...but that's what I hear), so until they get that taken care of their O will only be decent.

Offensive line article.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cheapseats...o/1107rant.html


Edit: If this link takes you to a site that asks for information, you don't need to give them your e-mail address. Just hit submit.

No they aren't.

I really hope they do well this year. If any team in the NFL deserves good things to happen to them, its the Cardinals. Aren't they moving into their new stadium this year too?

As others have said, their offensive line is terrible. There could be one decent starter on that line....at best. WR's, RB's, and QB's don't mean anything without an O-Line. That's why the Chiefs and Seahawks offenses are so good.

Prime example - Green Bay Packers. They had a line in tact for years and their offense was consistantly good and the team consistantly made the playoffs. The last two years, the Packers have allowed 3 (I think) starters to walk to other teams. That, and the injuries of last season, is the reason the Packers stink now.

Arizona will do the same thing they did last year - suck.

100 says they win 2 playoff games. We can up it if you want.

The Cardinals? This coming year? I'm about 85% sure I'll take that bet. I'd like to see how the rest of the offseason plays out, though.

Are you saying the Cardinals will either make the conference championship or possibly even the super bowl next year?

I'm 200% sure I'll take that bet. The game is won in the trenches, and the Cards line would need to be much improved for that to happen. I don't see them taking that many steps forward. They may challenge for a playoff spot but I don't see them making it.

I'll make it $500

I would at least want to see who they take in the draft before making that kind of wager on this team.

the main reason that the cards aee gonna suck like always in ownership. their owner has run that franchise into the ground.

And we have years more of it to come when Michael "takes over" from Bill Bidwell!

oh yeah cardinals will go 16-0 this year for sure.. count it!

There two big receivers each went over 1,000 yards with no running game and a flat footed QB. What will they do with a real backfield threat? 1200 a piece, maybe even 13.

Look for 2 things. One, they need a real tight end and 2, they need one more shut down corner.

The offensive line is not that bad as is- they were decimated by injuries and coached by Everett Linsday- dude got cut the year before because he couldn't hack it, now all of the sudden he can coach? Now, they have a proven OL coach, 1 or 2 halfway decent guys and were solid.

It works both ways- the OL made holes last year, watch film- the backs just didn't hit em. James will do that, and be a guide for the young fella, and you stil have Shipp, who will play a key role in punch- guy has power, just no lateral movement.


Another player who will benefit in a big way is Bryant Johnson, who is a solid receiver but the third option with the talent they have- because of the running threat he will be used as a blocker alot and will also be used in situations where it's not really a pass play, fake the block, step 2 yards, catch, gain 3, tackled. I look for him to have 60 to 70 touches.

Anybody who thinks that all of the sudden they will be a running team is sorely mistaken. Denny loves to pass- I think one of the reasons Denny took a dislikng to Mc Cown is he showed a little to much willingness to run. This team will be solid. Super Bowl? Maybe. It's completely possible.

BTW, there next signing will be Larry Allen, a sort of Emmit Smith type singning to attract Cowboy fans. All good things.



O

as long as a bidwell owns that franchise, they will never be good

Expect James's numbers to go down in comparison to his stats as a Colt.

Remember that he ran behind one of the best, if not the best offensive line in the NFL today. Now he's behind a crap offensive line so he won't be as effective in a Cardinal jersey.

I would take this bet against ANY team in the NFL.

You forgot that you also have to play defense in this league and to say again the Cards O-line is garbage is an understatement. Sure Edge is a great runner but he was also running in the Colts offense who played against zone defenses to defend the passing abilities of one Peyton Manning and the Receivers he had to throw to, not to mention the Colts O-line is just a wee bit better than that of the Cards. I will go on record as saying the Cardinals will be improved this year I think but i say 7-9 and no playoffs, but they do have the advantage of playing in the worst division in the NFL. We'll see how it unfolds.

Players on the rise, on the slide



Aug. 17, 2006
Dave Richard
Senior Fantasy Writer
Tell Dave your opinion

If you're like me, you'll be lying on your couch watching preseason football non-stop this weekend thinking about your own Fantasy leagues with a big bowl of cereal resting on your belly while your wife's yelling at you to get off your rear and clean the garage.

OK, maybe you won't be exactly like me.
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Point is, there's a lot to look for in the second week of preseason games. The starters will play more -- some up to one half instead of a few reps -- and NFL head coaches will begin the process of mentally keeping and cutting players based on what they've done on the field. A lot can be learned here.

Here are some players -- some hot, some cold -- to keep tabs on for the week's slate of games:
Five on the rise

Steven Jackson, RB, St. Louis: Jackson looked great against the Colts in the first week of the preseason and now gets a re-tooled Houston D to chew on. Watch the Rams' starting O-line in this game; if they're as good as they were last week, they should maul the Texans' front four and make lanes for Jackson to run through. Jackson is a dark horse to become the No. 4 overall Fantasy pick thanks to his early play and Clinton Portis' hurt shoulder (more on that later).

Tatum Bell, RB, Denver: Mike Bell may be the starter, but he looked pretty lost in his first preseason game. Tatum Bell didn't look much better, but the time for him to strike has to be now as his rookie competitor for the starting job continues to learn the game and his veteran competition, Ron Dayne, could miss Denver's match vs. Tennessee with turf toe. Moreover, Bell should cruise against a Tennessee defense that is strong at linebacker but shaky elsewhere.

Kurt Warner, QB, Arizona: Warner looked strong in his first preseason game vs. Pittsburgh, hitting 9-of-13 passes and not getting sacked once. Doing most of that without Edgerrin James running the ball and using Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin just four times total makes his outing even more impressive. Now he'll face the Patriots in New England, who are actually a step down from the Steelers defensively but will pressure the Cards' O-line. If Warner posts another good game, his stock could rise even more.

Alex Smith may take the next step in his NFL career soon. (AP)
Alex Smith may take the next step in his NFL career soon. (AP)
Alex Smith, QB, San Francisco: Smith had an admirable effort vs. Chicago last week, throwing for 137 yards in a half of play (he exceeded that total in just two full games in '05). It really looked like he was fluent in Norv Turner's offense, which had more of him being mobile in the pocket and throwing shorter routes. He'll play at Oakland and better put up nice stats against that rag-tag defense or else fall back into the pack of No. 3 Fantasy QBs nobody will draft.

Any rookie running back: Just about every rookie rusher you've heard of is worth a look this weekend. The most interesting one, of course, will be Reggie Bush playing vs. Dallas. Bush had that highlight-reel run at Tennessee last week and could be used more this week in an attempt to test him against a much better defense. Saints head coach Sean Payton could use Bush to show his former boss, Bill Parcells, how far he's come. The bonus rookie to follow is Carolina's DeAngelo Williams, who will face the Jags in Jacksonville.
Five on the slide

Tom Brady, QB, New England: Brady completed three passes at Atlanta -- two to RB Kevin Faulk -- and has got to be feeling the heat of not having ol' reliable Deion Branch at his disposal. Playing the Cardinals at home, what owners should hope to see is a good game from Brady against a fair defensive squad. If he can make Reche Caldwell and Troy Brown look like Branch and David Givens, he'll retain his spot on our QB rank list. Otherwise, a tumble could be in his future.

Kevin Jones, RB, Detroit: Take away Jones' long run of 12 yards last week, and he had six carries for 13 yards. When Arlen Harris is outperforming you, something's not right. Jones looked a little lost out there in Detroit's new offense -- he got hit in the back with a pass on one play. Moreover, the Lions have liked what they have seen in camp from rookie Brian Calhoun, and he could play more in their game at Cleveland. With Harris and Calhoun on his tail, Jones better get moving. Note: He hasn't had a 100-yard rushing game since Dec. 12, 2004.

Jerry Porter, WR, Oakland: We just need to see this guy on the field! Forget the fact that he has the reputation of slacking until late October, Porter is a man without much support right now as he nurses a calf injury while trying to get dealt out of Oakland. The Raiders play vs. the 49ers in preseason action, and it would be bad news for Porter's Fantasy value if he doesn't suit up.

Randy Moss, WR, Oakland: Speaking of disgruntled Raiders, Moss is antsy to prove that Oakland's offense isn't as anemic as it has looked in two preseason games. Upset he was pulled during a preseason drive last week, Moss is mostly interested in getting QB Aaron Brooks to be a better passer and for Oakland to win games. Moss remains a quality Fantasy WR, but if Oakland's offense struggles, how can he pile up the stats?

Brett Favre, QB, Green Bay: Rumors circulated around the country Wednesday that Favre could be close to calling it quits. There's no chance of that, but it might not matter since Favre looked like he did in 2005 against the Chargers last week. Favre's game vs. Atlanta will be telling: It'll be his first action in Green Bay, but it will be against an opponent that will find ways to pressure and challenge him. This will read strange, but Favre is starting to get close to being a No. 3 Fantasy QB -- totally unheard of, I know, but he could be very unproductive for most of the season.
Five you need to know

Tony Romo, QB, Dallas: Romo played a full game for the Cowboys last week and is expected to get a lot of time this week at New Orleans. He should do well, especially if he's playing against the Saints' reserve players. Could he really challenge Drew Bledsoe for the starting job with another big game? It's doubtful, especially since he probably won't play four quarters, but Romo could end up getting drafted in deeper leagues as insurance for Bledsoe. Whomever is throwing to Terrell Owens is worth owning in Fantasy Football.

Wali Lundy may be this year's version of Samkon Gado. (AP)
Wali Lundy may be this year's version of Samkon Gado. (AP)
Wali Lundy, RB, Houston: Lundy is not an explosive back with downhill speed but more of a smart, between-the-tackles bowling ball who could be a nice change-of-pace back for Houston (better than what Antowain Smith could be, anyway). Playing at St. Louis, Lundy should have the platform to play often. If he does well, he could wind up as the unlikely backup to an already-ailing Domanick Davis (knee).

Hank Baskett, WR, Philadelphia: The undrafted rookie who made a pit stop in Minnesota on his way to Philly appears to have a tight grip on starting. Eagles head coach Andy Reid told the media that if the season would start today, Baskett would be out there with Reggie Brown. Unproven and inexperienced? Definitely. But, he's worth a look when Philly plays at the Ravens. After all, he is tied for the team lead in receiving yards through two games.

Johnnie Morant, WR, Oakland: We talked earlier about how Jerry Porter's days in Oakland are long and not prosperous; Morant could be his replacement. Morant, who is 6-foot-4, owns the only 100-yard receiving game this preseason, and even though one of his catches was for 67 yards, every pass but one was for 10 or more yards. He has an obvious understanding of the offense and could be an answer for Oakland offensively if he shows some consistency.

Marcus Robinson, WR, Minnesota: Alright, you already knew of Robinson, but every Fantasy owner would admit that he was an afterthought. That is, until Koren Robinson got arrested for several charges including two DUI counts and now faces a year out of the NFL. Marcus Robinson, a veteran who has displayed serious inconsistency over his career, is the front-runner to start at receiver in Minnesota. One or two good preseason games could catapult him into No. 3 Fantasy WR status.
Three and out

I actually took Clinton Portis with the second overall pick in my draft, and now I'm about to jump off a cliff. Luckily, nobody drafted Ladell Betts in my league and I snagged him off the waiver wire. Was this a good move, and what should I know about Betts?
-- Andrew K., Syossett, N.Y.

First of all, it's always a good idea to pick up the backup of your most valuable Fantasy stud, and the reasons should be obvious. It's akin to protecting your biggest investment (like home insurance). So nice job picking up Betts; he reminds me of a slower version of Edgerrin James -- a consummate running back capable of doing anything you need him to do, but not with exceptional speed. Can the Redskins get by with him as their running back? For a week or two, yes, but not for an entire season.

Betts is to the Redskins what he is to Fantasy owners who have Portis: Terrific insurance. On top of that, Betts will get a few reps even when Portis is healthy, particularly at the goal line. That could be a must now that Portis' shoulder will be tender when he gets back on the field. Betts is one to watch this preseason; he's got a sore hamstring right now and isn't necessarily a lock to play vs. the Jets.

By the way, if you need advice on how to gauge Portis' value before your draft, check out my latest blog.

I currently own Steven Jackson in a keeper league and have been offered Rudi Johnson and the sixth overall pick for Jackson and my second-round pick. My other keeper is Shaun Alexander. It seems like Jackson has more upside, catches more passes and doesn't have a clear third-down back to steal carries, but I'd love to have two picks in the top 10. What do you think?
-- Benjamin Stiers, Chicago, Ill.

We've made no secret about how much we like Jackson for 2006, and he recently leaped ahead of Johnson on our RB rank list. However, moving into the top 10 for two picks with Alexander and Johnson already on board seems like a dream come true. In fact, it sounds too good to be true.

Before pulling the trigger on any trade in a keeper league, you have to think about what you're really getting in the draft. If everyone is keeping a bunch of desirable players, then the talent pool will be shallow to pick from. It sounds like everyone can keep two players in this league, so there will still be some real nice receiving talent out there to pick from, not to mention quality quarterbacks. If competing teams focus on running backs, this owner could end up starting Alexander, Johnson, Peyton Manning and T.O. If that has a real chance of happening, you have got to make this trade.

I belong to a 12-team league where we are allowed to keep one player from the previous year. We have a new owner who took over an expelled owner's team. A heated debate has dominated our message board in the last few days: Should the new owner be allowed to keep a player off of the roster he took over or should all of the players on that roster return to the draft pool? Please remedy this problem for us ASAP as it is tearing our league apart!
-- Todd Smith, BVC Machine, Edwardsville, Ill.

Oh the drama! How about letting the new owner decide? If he doesn't like anybody on the team, let him pick someone from free agency to keep. Just keep in mind that he's the guy who's taking over a team so shaky that the old owner had to be ousted from the league. Be happy to have him, and let him do what he wants with the team he's got.

QFT

I was also going to mention defense. Everyone is talking about the offense when the defense is more important in the NFL these days. Anyways no matter what the "experts" are saying I'd be very suprised if Warner is going to be good. He's probably going to get injured because of the O'line not protecting him, and the USC golden boy is probably going to have to play this year as a backup.