Arizona Cardinals Weekly Flock: Preseason Opener Versus the Steelers Edition

by Hawkwind on Aug 12, 2009 9:32 AM MDT in 2009 Camp & Preseason Comment 10 comments

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Jerheme Urban (85) makes a catch as teammate Michael Adams (27) defends during training camp. (AP Photo/Matt York)

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Not much news came out of yesterdays one practice other than Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt updating the injury situation and informing the media which guys were being ruled out for tomorrow's preseason opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Those who were ruled out of action included Early Doucet (shoulder), Anthony Becht (hamstring), Elliot Vallejo (dislocated kneecap) and Keilen Dykes (quad strain). Whiz didn't rule out Beanie Wells (ankle sprain) but it would be a major surprise if he suits up. Wells did run sprints with the team on Monday but still had a noticeable limp and didn't practice yesterday. As for the Steelers injury report, head coach Mike Tomlin hasn't officially ruled anyone out of the game but two starters, center Justin Hartwig and guard Darnell Stapleton are not expected to play.

Here are some other stories leading up to this week's opener:

McFadden brings Steelers mentality - They say when you start your NFL career with a team such as the Pittsburgh Steelers , you are born into a fraternity that expects nothing but strength, accountability and an iron-fisted will to win. Ken Whisenhunt and the staff he brought with him have tried to instill that same feeling here. And in Whisenhunt's relatively brief time in the Valley, he has brought several players from the Steelers. One of the latest is cornerback Bryant McFadden, who helped Pittsburgh beat Arizona in Super Bowl XLIII in February. A starter for a good portion of the 2008 season for the Steelers, including the entire postseason, McFadden joined the Cardinals as a free agent, signing a two-year, $10 million deal in March.
Urban's game, role expand for Cards - On occasions when defensive backs find a way to glue themselves to Cardinals receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin, Kurt Warner isn't afraid to still thread a pass in either player's direction because he knows they will fight for their space - and the ball - and make plays. But this year, Warner is confident he and the Cardinals will be able to double that trust issue because he's seeing the same playmaking ability in training camp from Steve Breaston and perhaps more surprisingly, Jerheme Urban. "Jerheme has had an outstanding camp," coach Ken Whisenhunt said. " . . . He's really stood up and has had as good a camp as anybody.

Cards' injuries not concerning yet - Ken Whisenhunt isn't overly concerned about the injuries, and neither are Wells, Boldin or Warner.

LaRod Stephens-Howling getting a chance - LaRod Stephens-Howling deflected talk about getting more reps because fellow rookie Beanie Wells was injured, or what kind of camp he has had. "I am looking for a job just like everyone out here," Stephens-Howling said. The Cards’ first seventh-round draft pick is one of the forgotten men of the offseason. A lingering hamstring injury kept him off the field a good portion of the voluntary workouts, and the smaller (5-foot-7, 185 pounds) running back hadn’t really shown much until camp. But he has caught the eye of camp observers and coach Ken Whisenhunt, who said he has been impressed with the man who up until now was best known in Cards’ circles for his emotional draft day conference call.

Tim Hightower is satisfied - Pro Bowls aren’t a lofty enough goal, nor is 1,000 yards rushing. Winning the Cardinals’ starting running back job over Beanie Wells, in Tim Hightower’s mind, has to be a given. Hightower’s ambition forces him to seek more.

NFC West talk with Sando, Miklasz - Mike Sando addresses the turnover in the Cardinals coaching staff and Whiz felt moved to make such drastic changes after the franchise's most successful season.

'DRC' looks to become consistent at cornerback - Arizona corner back Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie made plenty of big plays during his rookie year. As he prepares for his second NFL season, the Cardinals want Rodgers-Cromartie to pay more attention to the small ones. That means relying less on his dazzling speed and mastering techniques in practice. When it comes to pure exhilaration, learning proper footwork doesn't compare to the 99-yard interception return for a touchdown that Rodgers-Cromartie turned in last season. But the coaches say an improved practice regimen will help the 23-year-old Floridian turn his potential into consistent production at one of the game's most demanding positions

Current players who should and could be in Canton someday - Kurt Warner - Warner's case for enshrinement got considerably stronger last year, when he vaulted from the second spot on the depth chart to his third career Super Bowl. But even with two league MVP awards and a Super Bowl MVP trophy on the mantle, Warner's numbers need a little beefing up. Two more seasons with Larry Fitzgerald (and, for now, Anquan Boldin) should do the trick.

Handicapping wide-open NFC race - 7. Arizona Cardinals - I've got the 2008 NFC champions at the seventh spot on this list — one place too low to make it to the playoffs — for a reason. For starters, they were only 9-7 last year. Also, they've had plenty of turnover in the coaching staff. Perhaps most importantly, for the first time since Harry S. Truman was drinking beers in the back yard of the White House, every opponent will be gunning for the Cardinals. They'll be good, and they possibly could piece together a playoff run. But it's a stretch to assume based on what we know right now that they'll get back.

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im sorry but...

putting washington and seattle ahead of the cards in those nfc rankings plus atlanta and carolina, both of whom the cards beat in the playoffs, is absurd, even when trying to be objective.

he lists us going 9-7 as a reason – well what about the hawks’ and skins’ records??

also eagles at 12?? behind packers and saints?

bizarre stuff…

by beanbaglovers on Aug 12, 2009 10:48 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

The Redskins’ D, which was already good last year, will be insanely better this go around. Combine that with Jason Campbell finally being in the same system for more than a year, and I can definitely see them in the playoffs. And, of course, there was Seattle and their injuries.

I doubt either Atlanta or Carolina make it to the playoffs, though. Neither will have much of an offense, and neither Delhomme or Smith can really be counted on to play 16 games a year every single year.

Saints are making it to the playoffs, definitely, but the Packers are definitely not. Not this year, at least. Give them at least a year to truly digest Capers’ 3-4, and they’ll be golden.

The Cards are in an interesting position right now where they can really go either way. Yes, we caught fire during the post-season, and if we can maintain that level there’s no doubt we won’t be back in the thick of things, but at the same time, our defense was also insanely inconsistent during the regular season. And what are the chances that Warner stays healthy all year? A fringe playoff/wildcard team is about right, in my opinion.

by Chg91 on Aug 12, 2009 3:21 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree with you...

Here comes the but, we are still the strongest team in the NFC west, by far the weakest division. That to me is the playoff deal sealer. The Seacocks may be healthy, but I don’t think they will be that great. SF hasn’t proven anything and has a long way to go in turning things around. And the Rams, well are the Rams.

by badmatty53 on Aug 12, 2009 3:48 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Redskins still have a tough task ahead of them in that division

I personally think that is one of the toughest divisions to predict this year. I still think the Eagles take it, but they have had a rash of injuries.

And as for the south…you say neither Carolina nor Atlanta have much of an offense? Despite both having excellent run games, better than average QB’s and a top notch receiver each, not sure I can agree with that one. Saints look like the hard ones to predict in that division. They did exactly what they needed to do by focusing on defense this offseason. If Greg Williams and a bunch of young potential can turn it around that quickly, they may be the team to beat. I say it takes a year or two for the youth on the defense to match up to the level of their offensive firepower.

The three teams in the North division may be in a competitive race within eachother, but I don’t think they scare anyone outside of themselves unless the Vikes all of a sudden develop a starting caliber QB.

And as for the NFCW…Well I’m still a little biased. ;-)

Section 135, Row 35

by AJ BirdWatcher on Aug 12, 2009 4:09 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh shit, did I say offense? I’m retarded, I meant defense. Both the Panthers and Atlanta have offense – but that’s all they have. But, I don’t trust either Smith or Delhomme to remain healthy or consistent all year, and the loss of Maake will make running on their defense far easier, so I can’t see them making it all the way. And the Falcons, on the other hand, face a much tougher schedule, and arguably downgraded their defense this year. Again, I can’t see them doing much. The Saints, so long as Brees is healthy, will always have a shot.. the fact that they DID upgrade their defense might just give them enough firepower to win the division. Tampa Bay’s a non-factor – their defense should be a mess, as should their passing game.

I see the Giants taking the East, honestly. Yes, they’re lacking Plaxico or Amani (though DO NOT sleep on Hakeem Nicks.. management is pretty high on him, he comes from a pro-style offense, and he has the skills to be a factor early), but regardless that team is built around the offensive line, the running game, and their defense.. and luckily for them, they have arguably the best defense, and the best offensive lines in the league.

The Eagles made a bunch of moves, but they’re being overrated by everybody, and they never seem to do any good when people rate them high. Though, it wouldn’t surprise me to see them take the wildcard spot over the Redskins, but I’m pretty high on the ‘Skins this year. If Haynesworth doesn’t become a complete slouch, their defense will be right up there with the Giants, Ravens, Steelers, etc. as far as dominance goes. The Cowboys, as long as Wade is coach, are a non-factor.

The Cardinals, by far, have the best offense in the division, and our defense has the most upside and potential, but we were also pretty inconsistent last year defensively (attribute this to Clancy overthinking himself, definitely, but we also lacked discipline and missed a bunch of tackles we really should not have), which is why I don’t necessarily trust us to lock up the division from the get-go. The Seahawks, if healthy, will be a force, despite their lack of a running game.. though Knapp should employ a zone blocking scheme with them, no? Zone blocking schemes tend to give backs inflated stats, so who knows? The Rams are on the right track, but they’re still a draft away from being a factor, while the 49ers certainly have potential but nothing really stands out about them right now, at least not enough to give them a chance against the Cardinals/a healthy Seahawks squad.

by Chg91 on Aug 12, 2009 5:51 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with your take on the Redskins, but it’s a brutal division to have to fight through. You can make a case for each team. As much as I dislike most of the teams, you have to respect them.

Carolina’s window is indeed closing, but they have enough left, especially with two quality running backs, to still make some noise. They also play a lot better defense then the favorited Saints, that’s the tested playoff formula.

If the Vikings don’t win their division, it will be a shock, even with questions at QB they’re too loaded everywhere else to NOT win. The Packers could be a wild-card team though, the learning curve on the 3-4 seems to be shrinking as more teams make the transition.

The Cardinals own the division until it’s take from them, that’s what you get when you not only win, but sweep the division. Warner stays as healthy as well as the O-line plays. Based on last year, and the fact that they should be better this year, there’s no reason he shouldn’t stay healthy.

The Seahawks have a lot of questions on the offensive line, but ARE switching to the famous Alex Gibbs zone blocking scheme that makes stars out of question marks, but they’re also showing a lot age in all the wrong places.

It’s the NFL though, everyone’s got a reason to be thrilled and some reasons to be concerned.

by superpsck on Aug 13, 2009 9:41 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

???

7th on the list?
Did he even look at our season lineup this year… Anyway, we were 9-7 last year because our defense was inconsistent and ironically it was enough to get a playoff spot… Once the players had an attainable goal in their faces they kicked into high gear…
The difference this year is that our defense has matured and received major upgrades not mention now they have something to prove… I will even be so bold as to say that with our new secondary that our defense will demand more respect from our opponents than our offense this season (seriously) – A-dub and Dockett arent playing around this year.. Who’s going to want to put the ball in the air with DRC and B-mac running around?
Is this for real?
That being said, our offense is still the powerhouse it was before (very little changes) with a couple of additions ;-)

The Seahawks ahead of us? Why because Hasselfag is healthy now? Come on

Barring major injuries I can’t imagine us not going back to playoffs

nuff said

Loyalty is the only Commodity

by Jwit on Aug 12, 2009 5:04 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs