With training camp looming we'll continue to break down position by position. Last week we looked the tight ends and today brings us the wide recievers. The top two spots are as solid as they can be in this league in Fitzgerald and Boldin, but behind them is plenty of unproven talent. The Cardinals have made it a point to solidify themselves at the position by drafting seven wide receivers in the draft since 2003. The picks have experienced varying levels of success but one thing is for sure, this group is dangerous, deep and talented.

 Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin: I won't waste our time breaking down either of these guys, simply because they're two of the most talented young recievers in the game today. When they're both on the field and healthy, they're truly a special duo.

Steve Breaston: Outside of the 'QB question,' the second biggest story has been the surprising progress that Breaston has made since his rookie season. He only caught eight passes last season and spent most of his time staring on the return units. He's made it clear though that he isn't content with just being a returner. By all accounts he spent the offseason adding weight to his slender frame and working on all of the finer points of recieving (route running, hands, film study). His speed and ability to stretch a defense could end up giving him an edge over Early Doucet in the battle for the #3 job.

Early Doucet: The rookie brings even more toughness to a position that is already more physical than most recieving units. He's polished for a rookie and should contribute early on, especially with Boldin tutoring him. Doucet's game should flourish in the slot where he can make the tough catches over the middle and made a defender miss. He won't run by many corners but if he can run precise, sharp routes, he'll be able to seperate with his quickness and could become another set of reliable hands. Docuet's also a decent, willing blocker who could become an asset in three wide sets when the Cardinals try to run.

The rest of the group has more questions and less upside but still a good mix of experience and potential:

  Jamaica Rector: He's not exactly young (26) for a guy still waiting to make his NFL reception, but he's still still got some intirguing aspects to his game. First, Todd Haley likes him enough that he brought him with him from Dallas. He might also be fastest receiver on the roster but he's still got to develop quite a bit to become a NFL receiver. He could have an outside shot as a kickoff returner teaming with Breaston.

Sean Morey: The veteran (32) was never much of a reciever but he's stuck around in this league by being a tremendous team leader and a stand out special teams player. He's only missed two games in the past five seasons but even that consistency has only led to 11 receptions in his career (8 of which came in 2007). He's a Whisenhunt guy and a veteran leader on an otherwise young recieving corps.

Jerheme Urban: Urban's first season in Arizona was his third team in three years and his 2007 totals were more than his previous four seasons combined. He, like Rector, followed Haley from Dallas and Haley rewarded him with 22 receptions for 329 yards and two touchdowns. Urban's never going to be a starting reciever but he's a quality depth guy and also happens to be one of the tallest wide outs (6'3) on the team.

Ahmad Merritt: Merritt is another former Cowboy who made the move with Haley but his stay in the NFL could be in danger this season. He'll have to prove that his age (31) and inability to stay healthy  won't keep him from being productive. He hasn't appeared in an NFL game since 2003 and even then was used mainly as a kickoff returner and on special teams coverage units. He's got superior athleticism but he'll have to make a significant impact on special teams in order to stick around in 2008.

Lance Long: The undrafted rookie is a long shot to make the roster but his athleticism and heart could open some eyes in camp. He'll likely have to spend a year or two on the practice squad before he makes the roster but he's got the tools to be a special teams ace in the future (think Sean Morey).

Jemalle Cornelius: Cornelius is an interesting prospect who spent time on the Bills and Colts practice squads in 2007. He was undrafted last season after three years  at Florida. He's another small receiver (5'11 185) with above average speed and agility, but he seems destined for another season on the practice squad. He could make a name for himself in the near future though either on special teams or as a legitimate wide receiver.

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Overall it's hard not to be excited with the mix of proven talent (Q and Fitz) and untapped potential (Breaston and Doucet) and as the season progresses the top four receivers could prove to be a lethal combination for opposing secondaries. The biggest battle in camp will be between Breaston and Doucet for the third spot but the bottom of the depth chart could be one of the most interesting battles in camp. Merritt, Urban, Morey and Rector should all be battling for the final one or two spots on the roster and it'll be a tug-of-war between proven veterans and younger potential. Thoughts/observations? Where would you rank this receiving corps amongst others in the NFL? For what it's worth, ESPN ranks the Cardinals group as the 2nd best in the NFL, but if you factor in age I might have to give the edge to Arizona. Agree/Disagree?

The Cardinals have made a consistent habit of picking up former Pittsburgh Steelers since Coach Whisenhunt moved to Arizona from the Burgh. The list includes the likes of Sean Morey, Chukky Okobi, Brian St. Pierre, Clark Haggans and Jerame Tuman among others. Their dedication to becoming the 'Steelers of the West' could be tested with the Steelers most recent cuts though. The Steelers made news over the weekend when they cut backup running back Najeh Davenport, along with three other rarely used players. Since we've looked at nearly every other free agent running back, here's a quick look at whether or not Davenport would thrive in Arizona.

Why he'd be the right guy: Make no mistake about it, Najeh Davenport is the definition of a career backup. In six NFL seasons, he's started a total of 3 regular season games (one playoff game) and hasn't ever really even pushed a starter for playing time. He's almost a 'tweener' type of back because of his mix of size (nearly 250 pounds) and his speed (had at least one 40 yard carry in 5 of 6 seasons). During the 2007 season, he flourished as the Steelers change of pace back and short yardage/goal line specialist. He ended the season with a career highs in carries (107), yards (499), rushing  touchdowns (5), receptions (18), and receiving touchdowns (2). He also contributes on special teams and was even was the Steelers top kickoff returner in 2006. All of that and he's still not 30 years old (turned 29 in February). I'll grant you that nothing he does is spectacular but just consider that the backup duo of Shipp and Arrington have combined for 179 yards in 2007 & 2006 combined.

Why he'd be square peg in this round hole: Even though Davenport would be an upgrade over either Shipp or Arrington, the problem with him coming to the desert is that his game closely resembles both Edge and Hightower. He excels when running between the tackles and has the size to get two yards when you need one, but that's also what Edge and Hightower do well. Najeh excelled in Pittsburgh because he was a complimentary change of pace back to 'Fast' Willie Parker, but that wouldn't be his role here. The Cardinals may also want to keep away from Davenport because him coming in would take snaps away from Tim Hightower and at least to this point, they sound very encouraged by his abilities. 

In the end, I doubt that the Cardinals make a serious run at Davenport, but if they did it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. Signing Davenport would mean that either Shipp or Arrington would simultaneously have to be cut (which I'd be all for), but I'd want his role to be clearly defined and somewhat limited. If they brought him in I'd hope that his role would be limited to kickoff returns (partnered with Breaston) and a third down back. That wouldn't cut into Hightower's development too much and would allow the Cardinals to upgrade their running back stable. So I pose the question to you, are you interested in yet another Steeler? Would he be a good fit here and where would rank on your 'wish list' of free agent backs?

Much is often made of a team 'learning how to win' and even though I typically think that is used too often as an excuse for mediocrity, the Cardinals have been stockpiling guys from one of the most successful franchises of the past 15 years or so. It's gotten to the point where some are starting to nickname the Arizona Cardinals, the 'Steelers of the West.'

In the past two seasons Coach Whisenhunt has brought a handful of former players with him to the desert including Chukki Okobi, Keydrick Vincent, Sean Morey, Brian St. Pierre, Jerame Tuman and most recently, Clark Haggans. Three of those guys are owners of a Super Bowl ring and even though nearly every one of them isn't much more than a role player, Whisenhunt thinks that bringing in proven professionals will help mentor younger players. Not to mention they can provide some much needed playoff experience, should the Cardinals finally kick that door down. Clark Haggans is ready to bring that culture to Arizona:

"I have been fortunate to be in the playoffs a lot and I know that’s what Whiz wants here," Haggans said. "I know everyone wants that here. Mr. Bidwill wants that. The state of Arizona wants that. We’re just trying to plug in."

Tuman on the other hand is ready to help his new teammates learn the 'little things' that go into to being a perennial playoff contender:

"The thing you bring from a program that has been successful is a lot of the little things," said Tuman, a tight end in his 10th season. "The biggest thing I took away from Pittsburgh was the group of guys we had and the way we got along. When you have a group of guys who want to be here and want to work, you can get a lot of things accomplished. All the years we were good, that’s what we had."

Picture source

What does the addition of players who've been part of a winning tradition mean in the long run? Probably not a whole lot but these guys are familiar with the system and if nothing else can lead the younger players down the right path. Tuman Haggans and Morey may never start a game for the Arizona Cardinals but should the Cardinals happen to find themselves playing a game in the middle of January, they'll be there to help keep everyone focused on the prize.

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What better way to spice up an otherwise mundane organized team practice? How about a punt catching competition between the offensive and defensive linemen or a field goal kicking competition between various members of the team. Granted in September no one will care which 300 pound lineman caught the punts or which receiver or running back had the best kick, but for now Coach Whisenhunt is using every opportunity to breed not only competition but also camaraderie. Given how long the season and off season are, it's encouraging to see the team having so much fun at a relatively meaningless practice.

There are always positional battles in training camp and in early May there are just too many variables to figure it all out. But we can preview the positions heading into camp.

Quarterback: The top two spots are set. Leinart would have to lose the job in camp to not be the opening day starter, but Warner is ready and waiting should Matt experience any hiccups. The spot to watch though is the #3 job. If the Cardinals chose to carry a third QB on the 53 man rosters it'll be St. Pierre (some teams carry just two). If they chose to carry only two, St Pierre would have to be released because the former Steeler has too much service time to be relegated to the practice squad. In that case, undrafted free agent rookie, Anthony Morelli would be the third QB but wouldn't count against the 53 because he'd be on the practice squad.

Running Back/Fullback: The drafting of Hightower and the projection of Castille (spent last season on the practice squad) means at least one of the current players has to go, if not two. At RB, the group includes Edge, Arrington, Shipp and Hightower. It is possible that the team could keep all four but it would be odd. Arrington offers something in the return game not to mention that he's younger (25) and cheaper than Shipp (30 years old). If the team decides to keep just three running backs, Shipp would look like the lowest on the totem pole. At fullback, Castille is a second year, undrafted free agent who's been praised by the coaching staff for bulking up in the off season. The coaching staff could have a difficult decision on their hands if it comes down to cutting veteran Terrelle Smith in favor of Castille. Smith hit 30 years old this year and he's considerably more expensive his counterpart. I'd look for Shipp and Smith to cut released before the start of the season.

Wide Reciever: We've already talked about the battle for the #3 WR job, but the competition will likely stretch all the way to the #5 job as well. The guys that stick around will have to contribute on special teams. Steve Breaston's roster spot should be safe considering he was one of the best punt returners in the league in 2007. Jerheme Urban is the most accomplished receiver outside of Fitz and Q, and he'll have to show continued improvement to keep his job. The group of Sean Morey (special teams standout), Ahmad Merritt (missed all of 2007 with injury), Jamaica Rector (speedster from Dallas), and undrafted free agent rookie, Lance Long will have to stand out above the rest in order to stick around. Obviously Fitz, Q, and Doucet's jobs are safe, so that leaves probably three other jobs among the six. Breaston will have fall on his face in order to not make the roster and Urban would have to prove he doesn't belong. That really leaves just one spot for the Morey, Merritt, Rector, and Long.

Picture via azcardinals.com

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The top 3 names on the wide receiver depth chart has been the same since 2004, but that all changed when Bryant Johnson signed with division-rival San Fransisco. The hole at the #3 spot seemed to be filled when Arizona took Early Doucet in the third round of the draft, but receivers coach Mike Miller is quick to say, not so fast. Doucet won't be handed anything and there's quite a list of guys competing for roster spots at receiver. The list includes the likes of second year Steve Breaston, veteran Jerheme Urban and a couple of other guys, if you believe the coaching staff (Sean Morey, Ahmad Merritt and Jamaica Rector).

Steve Breaston - He didn't provide much in terms of receiving in 2007, but he was one of the better return men in the league. Breaston averaged 9.4 yards per return and took one back for a score, not bad for a rookie drafted in the 5th round. According to reports, Breaston used the off season work on his receiving skills and seems dedicated to becoming more than a return specialist.

Jerheme Urban - The most accomplished of the candidates for #3, Urban grabbed 22 passes in 2007 for 329 yards. Last season was by far his best in the league, after two seasons in Seattle. He was un-drafted in 2004.

Sean Morey - Morey hangs his hat on special teams and is one of many former Steelers on the current roster. Morey is an unaccomplished receiver but does a bit of everything, returning kicks and playing special teams.

Ahmad Merritt - He missed all of 2007, his first year with the Cardinals, after dislocating his ankle in the pre-season. Merritt hasn't had an NFL reception since 2003, but the highlight of his career was a 47 yard run for a touchdown on a reverse for the Bears in a playoff loss to the Eagles. It was the last offensive touchdown scored in the old Soldier Field (yea you can win a ton of bets at your local bar with that little known fact).

Jamaica Rector - A speedster who has yet to record his first NFL reception. Rector was with Dallas for the previous two seasons, as was offensive coordinator Todd Haley.

Granted, it would be a significant surprise if Doucet doesn't win the #3 job, but competition always brings the best out of players and that seems to be the case with Early:

“That’s why you come to the NFL and play football, is to get a chance to get on the field,” Doucet said. “I don’t expect them to give me that third-receiver spot but I want to show I am capable of being that third guy.”

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Also if you're looking for some sunshine this weekend, check out Bleacher Report and see why they think the Cardinals will win the NFC West.