2007 Arizona Cardinals Preview

2007 Arizona Cardinals preview from MadduxSports.com. Once the NFL season underway be sure to purchase Maddux's Expert NFL Picks. We have also have a live NFL lines page so all visitors can compare multiple odds from the best sportsbooks on the net.

New Offense Brings New Hope
By Adam Barone

Even with a new head coach and a new system in 2007 the Cardinals will likely still be building for the future. The “future” may just be easy enough to see with a small pair of binoculars rather than the enormous high-powered telescope they've needed to this point. Early last season I think my grandma was on this team's bandwagon along with anyone who had anything to do with sports betting, sports books, or just had an opinion. Donavan McNabb's mom was there too giving everyone soup. They were obviously a disappointment, but this year, even with limited draft picks, things should start to look up.

Matt Leinart is a year older and a more mature NFL quarterback and should see success in Ken Whisenhunt's offense- an offense that had 6 receivers catch over 30 balls last year in Pittsburgh. Whisenhunt should spread things out and utilize his entire arsenal in the passing game. Expect to see four receiver sets including Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald, Bryant Johnson, Troy Walters or even Steve Breaston in the slot with Edgerrin James catching more balls out of the backfield than his 2006 total of 38. Leonard Pope is inexperienced but should see action in what will likely be something of a wide open/power offense. Edgerrin James, J.J. Arrington and Marcel Shipp's ability to establish an improved running game will be vital.

The Cardinals selected tackle Levi Brown out of Penn State in the first round of the draft because of his tenacious work ethic and ability to play on the right side. This will bode well for Matt Leinart, who will certainly appreciate having such a large man on his blind side whose only job is to make sure that Leinart doesn't have his head ripped off when he's looking another direction.

Don't research Arizona's ‘06 defensive statistics without something to throw up in. They ranked in the bottom five in the NFL in almost every major defensive statistic. Clancy Pendergast's defense showed signs of life at times last year, but needs to show major improvement this season for anyone to pay them any serious attention. They have a solid pair of linebackers in Carlos Dansby and Gerald Hayes and a promising secondary including Antrel Rolle, veteran Robert Griffith and one of the league's best safeties, Adrian Wilson. The selection of Michigan nose tackle Alan Branch in the draft will give them a space eater who will draw blockers from Hayes and Dansby.

2007 Arizona Cardinals Predictions

The role of NFC West doormat will likely be left vacant if the Cardinals do not claim it, especially with all he noise that the 49ers have made this offseason. If Arizona can mature quickly and adjust the their new offensive system however, the division is certainly winnable. The weapons on offense are definitely there, but the stability of the defensive line needs to be addressed. Things in Phoenix could be looking up, but stay off that crowded bandwagon until further notice.

If you enjoyed reading our Arizona Cardinals preview read up on the rest of the NFC West division teams like the Seahawks, 49ers, and Rams team previews from Maddux Sports.

Related Pages:
Cardinals Draft Preview
Official Site
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