The Cards recorded just their third non-losing season in 20 years in the desert (8-8) during the 2007 campaign (’94 8-8 & ‘98 9-7). In the process several of their key players helped many Fantasy Freaks get to or win their League Championship.

This organization has stabilized considerably over the past few years. They had to watch the G-Men win the Super Bowl in their house, turned around and are putting in a bid for Super Bowl XLVII. This club is on the right track.

Coaching: No notable changes here from 2007. As is the case for all but two coaches (Clancy Pendergast & Rick Courtright) Ken Whisenhunt enters his second season as head coach. Considering they went 8 - 8 you have to call his rookie season a success. His pedigree is solid having won a Super Bowl with the Steelers as Offensive Coordinator. Russ Grimm returns as Assistant Head Coach, Pendergast as the Defensive Coordinator and Todd Haley as the Offensive Coordinator.

Stats Slant: A very solid, offensive minded group of coaches and that bodes very well for Fantasy success when drafting Cardinals.

Quarterback: It can’t get much more muddy at the QB position than it does in Arizona. Whisenhunt has repeatedly stated that no decision has been made on whether Matt Leinart or Kurt Warner will be the starter. Leinart’s collarbone has fully healed and Whisenhunt believes that starters don’t loss their starting rights due to injury. Warner has said he wants to play but would understand if he has to hold the clipboard. He won’t be happy doing it! After throwing for 27 TD’s including four straight 3 TD passing days to finish the ‘07 season, we understand where Warner is coming from. It will be bombs away in the desert so the starting Cards QB has to be considered as a mid to low-end #1 QB.

Stats Slant: We can’t, in clear conscience, tell you which QB will be the starter. Safe to say that if you ever wanted to handcuff a player, you better do it if you land either of these guys. We will be on top of this as training camps and pre-season continue.

Running Back: Edgerrin James starts his third year with the Cards and will be their undisputed #1 RB. Edge was 7th in the league in rush yards (1,222) in ‘07 but his 3.8 YPC and 7 TD’s are a concern. Edge hit the dreaded 30 years old mark this year but this guy can still play at a very high level. He is still worthy of a later round #1 selection at RB. J.J. Arrington and Marcel Shipp will continue in backup roles. Though highly touted, neither has ever shown they are consistent starters in the NFL. Arrington continues to get in trouble with the law and may face action from the league at some point soon due to a recent punch-up. One has to wonder how long the Cards will put up with this guy. The Cards drafted Tim Hightower (5th round) and he could step in and get some goal line carries…another guy to steal pay dirt from Edge?

Stats Slant: Everyone knows it will be pass first and run second in Arizona. That being said you can select Edge knowing that he will be durable and put up decent, if not great, numbers in 2008.

Wide Receiver: The Cards boast one of the most talented one-two receiver combos in the entire league. Larry Fitzgerald (100 C 1409 YD 10 TD) has a new, four-year contract but is a durable, dependable workhorse. Anquan Boldin (71 C 853 YD 9 TD) posted great numbers despite missing four regular season games. Boldin is in a bit of a contract dispute but all indications have him reaching some sort of agreement soon. Both of these guys should be on your top 20 receivers list. Bryant Johnson (46 C 528 YD 2 TD) has moved on to San Fran. Who will be the solid third WR for the Cards will be determined in training camp.

Stats Slant: If you are looking for a WR and either Fitz or Boldin are still available…grab them!

Tight End: Leonard Pope was a risk reward TE in 2007. He caught just 23 balls, but five of them went for TD’s. The Cards brought in Jerame Tuman from the Steelers. He and Coach Whisenhunt won a SB together, but we don’t see him being anything more than a blocking TE.

Stats Slant: Risk/Reward. Cards TE’s are backups at best.

Place Kicker: In the wild and wacky world of PK’s, Neil Rackers has to rate right up there. A solid 2005 season got him a four-year $6.4 million contract extension through 2009. In 2006 he was 5th in the league with 28 FG’s and a perfect 32-32 on PAT’s. 2007 was a different story though as he kicked a pedestrian 21 FG’s and finished 25th among everyday kickers.

Stats Slant: A lot of owners will be put off by his 2007 totals. We are not…he is a top 10 kicker.

Defense/Special Teams: Wow! The Cards passed on running backs of the future in Rashard Mendenhall from Illinois and then Jamaal Charles of Texas or Ray Rice of Rutgers in order to draft Tennessee State cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie with the 16th overall spot and then Miami (Fla.) defensive end Calais Campbell respectively. Both these guys have huge talent and ability but are relatively unpolished by NFL standards. Steve Beaston was a beast in the return game for the Cards with 62 KR and 42 PR in ‘07, the most of anyone in the NFL. He did however manage just one TD in 104 touches.

Stats Slant: This is a defense that is a couple years away from possibly being dominant. Special Team play isn’t anything special. If your starting DF/ST is the Cards, hopefully you play in at least a 24-team league.

Red Flag: Leinart Vs Warner. We are not particularly happy if Leinart wins unless he wins convincing in preseason. Fitz has a new contract…is he still hungry? Will Boldin get a deal he is happy with? We will be all over it…stay tuned!

Keep a pre-season eye on: It’s repetitive…but…it has to be Leinart Vs Warner.

Stats Sleeper: The Cards are pretty much what you see, is what you get. Hightower could be accelerated, but appears to be more of a work in progress. You Keeper League Freaks should keep an eye on this Marion Barber type back.

2008 Strength Of Schedule: 2nd best of 32 teams.

Last word: The Cards will post a ton of points. They don’t want to slip back, as was the case after their last two non-losing seasons. (4-12 ‘95 and 6-10 ‘99) Draft their stars with confidence!

Up Next: Baltimore Ravens On Deck: Buffalo Bills In The Hole: Carolina Panthers

StatsGuru

Picture Source: http://ballsiest.com/sportsblog/2007/10/16/