by Matt York - AP

Will Tim Hightower and Chris "Beanie" Wells carry the Arizona Cardinals ground game to new heights? (AP Photo/Matt York)

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We'll lump Tim Hightower and Chris "Beanie" Wells together for this exercise since the most likely approach utilized by the Arizona Cardinals this season will be a running-back-by-committee system. Regardless of who starts each game, it's very likely that Wells and Hightower will split their carries pretty evenly. Whisenhunt has traditionally brought rookies along rather slowly and Wells' gimpy ankle prevented him from making any serious run at the starting job. One thing that we all hope is that the Cardinals ground game is more effective this season and that this duo can outperform last year's combo of Edgerrin James and Hightower.

The rules of the game are pretty simple, post the stats that you think Hightower and Wells will accumulate over the course of the season and then after the season ends we'll look back and see right or wrong we all were. Post your projection in the comment section using this format (preferably in the comment title):

Carries, Yards (YPC), TDs

If you're feeling frogging you can add anything extra that you want such as games played or receiving stats. 

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by Matt York - AP

"This is how fast I was moving when Patrick Willis caught me in overtime." (still a great caption) - (AP Photo/Matt York)

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Normally we wouldn't waste doing projections on a third wide receiver but Steve Breaston earned the right to be mentioned after recording just over 1,000 yards in just his second season as a pro. Considering that it's a well accepted principle that receivers don't enjoy a breakout season until their third season in the league, it's quite an accomplishment that Breaston jumped from 92 yards as a rookie to 1,006 as a sophomore. It leaves you wondering just what he's capable of accomplishing once he fully grasps the demands and responsibilities of this position. Another aspect of Breaston's game will be as returner this season as he's projected to retain his position as the primary punt returner and could regain his spot at the leading kick returner.

The rules of the game are pretty simple, post the stats that you think Breaston will accumulate over the course of the season and then after the season ends we'll look back and see right or wrong we all were. Post your projection in the comment section using this format (preferably in the comment title):

Catches, Yards (YPC), Touchdowns

If you're feeling frogging you can add anything extra that you want such as games played or return stats as well as any rushing stats that you think he may accumulate.

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by Matt York - AP

Can Anquan Boldin return to his pedestal as the Arizona Cardinals best wide receiver and #1 option? (AP Photo/Matt York)

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Our list of community projections roles on to the next great wide out of the Arizona Cardinals, Anquan Boldin. Boldin's been a prolific receiver since the very first time he stepped on the field as a professional Over the past six seasons the only thing that seems to be able to slow down Boldin have been his own injuries and with the makings of another high flying offense, this should be another stat filled season for the former quarterback from Florida State. With four 1,000 yard seasons, two seasons with 100 catches and one double digit touchdown season, Boldin looks to inflict more punishment into opposing defense backs.

The rules of the game are pretty simple, post the stats that you think Boldin will accumulate over the course of the season and then after the season ends we'll look back and see right or wrong we all were. Post your projection in the comment section using this format (preferably in the comment title):

Catches, Yards (YPC), Touchdowns

If you're feeling frogging you can add anything extra that you want such as games played or fumbles as well as any rushing stats that you think he may accumulate.

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by Ross D. Franklin - AP

Arizona Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald laughs at the idea that any defense can slow him down. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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I'm sure this man needs no introduction but Larry Fitzgerald is coming off his best season as a pro and he put together the most prolific post season in NFL history. The Arizona Cardinals find themselves in quite a favorable position with a receiver who has posted three seasons of at least 1,400 yards, three season of double digit touchdowns and two seasons of at least 100 catches and best of all he just celebrated his 26th birthday. Considering his age and the experience that he gained last January, Is it really possible that Fitz could be on the verge of a career year?? You tell me....

The rules of the game are pretty simple, post the stats that you think Fitzgerald will accumulate over the course of the season and then after the season ends we'll look back and see right or wrong we all were. Post your projection in the comment section using this format (preferably in the comment title):

Catches, Yards (YPC), Touchdowns

If you're feeling frogging you can add anything extra that you want such as games played or fumbles but don't worry, we'll cover the other receivers in a different thread. 

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by Gene J. Puskar - AP

Kurt Warner had a monster year for the Arizona Cardinals in 2008, but can he repeat that performance in 2009? (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

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As the regular season nears (you realize that we're just ten days away right?) we've got to start up our annual community projections. Of course since this is only our second season in operation, it's only the second annual but hopefully this year the response will be quite a bit larger than last year. The rules of the game are pretty simple, post the stats that you think each player will accumulate over the course of the season. We'll hit a different player each day leading up to the season opener and then after the season ends we'll look back and see right or wrong we all were.

To get the ball rolling we'll start with everyone's favorite grey bearded quarterback, Kurt Warner. Warner had a great year in 2008 setting career highs in completions and attempts along with throwing for over 4,500 yards while completing 67.1% of his passes and throwing 30 touchdown passes. He set team records in attempts, completions, completion percentage, touchdowns and QB rating while also taking the Cardinals to their first ever Super Bowl appearance. The challenge for Warner this season will be not only to duplicate last year's success but also to stay healthy. He's never played two full season consecutively but he also hasn't missed a game due to injury since 2003. 

Now it's your turn, post your projection in the comment section using this format (preferably in the comment title):

Attempts, Completions, (Comp %), Yards, Yds Per Attempt, TDs and Interceptions

If you're feeling frogging you can add anything extra that you want such as games played, fumbles, stats for Matt Leinart, Brian St. Pierre or even Tyler Palko.

Rounding out the offense, Revenge of the Birds takes a look at the Arizona Cardinals quarterbacks and wonder, what will their numbers look like? Obviously it's nearly impossible to make any kind of accurate predictions (if there is such a thing) on what kind of numbers the quarterbacks will put up if we don't even know which QB will line up under center. We'll do our best though and if you haven't taken a second to give us your two cents on the upcoming seasons of Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, Steve Breaston, Leonard Pope and Edgerrin James, there is still time. Just click on the players name to give us your community projections, it's easy and if you're the closest, you'll have all off season to gloat.

While most around the league look at the Cardinals quarterback situation and shutter, I tend to view it as one of the strengths of the team. Are there some unknowns? Sure there are, but we do know that we've got two quarterbacks who are capable of playing quality football. Warner is the more reliable option but we all know that his age is a concern. He's an accomplished, seasoned and prolific passer who's seen everything that a defense can throw his way. With over 24,000 passing yards and over 150 touchdowns, Warner has the ability to lead this team to a high scoring, exciting season, if he wins the starting job. Matt Leinart on the other hand is a younger more conservative option. If he's the starter, the Cardinals will likely score less points but also turn the ball over less. He's been praised this offseason for his re-dedication to the game and his improved work ethic on everything from footwork to mechanics to film study. Whichever quarterback steps on the field first come September 7th, they'll have the weapons to put points on the board and defensive coordinators on edge.

This projection will be a bit different that the others that we've done because instead of doing an individual player, we're doing an entire position. So here's how it's going to work: Put the name of the player that you think will start the most games at quarterback in the subject line and then the projections for each QB in the body of your comment. If you think all three QBs will play but Brian St. Pierre will start the most games, let us know about it. Here's mine:  Warner will start 12 games

Warner: 12 games (all starts), 363 attempts, 235 completions (64.7 %), 2,867 yards (7.9 YPA), 23 TDs, 12 INTs

Leinart: 7 games (4 starts), 140 attempts, 84 attempts (60.2 %), 994 yards (7.1 YPA), 11 TDs, 5 INTs

Brian St. Pierre: 1 games (0 starts), 1 attempt, 1 completion, 3 yards (something tells me that Whiz will got out of his way to get BSP his first professional completion)

Our community wide projections shifts from those who catch the ball to those who carry the rock and where better to start than Edgerrin James. If you missed out on the opportunity to give your projections for Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, Steve Breaston or Leonard Pope then just click on the players names and put your predictions on record. 

Edge hasn't had the type of success that he or the Cardinals envisioned when he was signed as a free agent in 2006 but the table is set for his best season as a Cardinal this year. Edge, as always, is in great shape and his carries have been limited in the preseason to make sure that he's ready for the regular season. He's also got, arguably  the best line in the past three seasons and he's finally got a compliment back to give him a breather. Edge has been a workhorse back his entire career averaging over 316 carries and 46 receptions a season over the past nine years but at some point the 30 year old back needs someone else to help him shoulder the load. His monster seasons of over 2,000 combined yardage are over but there's no reason to think that he doesn't have at least a couple more seasons of productive play. His game has always been more based on great vision and quickness rather than pure speed and the Cardinals are finally incorporating some of the 'zone blocking' schemes that he used in Indianapolis. Here's a look at his career numbers:

I tend to think that Edge will be more productive this year because he won't get as many carries. The Cardinals have a legitimate #2 back and a guy who can take some of the short yardage abuse off of Edge's shoulders. You know the drill: Projections in the subject line and explanation in the body of your comment. Here's my take:

15 Games, 267 carries, 1,148 yards (4.3 ypc), 5 TDs

With the top three recievers accounted for, our community projections can now move onto another pass catching position, tight end. If you haven't made your projections for Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin or Steve Breaston, you still have time so click on each player and put your projections on record. 

Leonard Pope, third round pick in 2006, will be a restricted free agent after this season and he needs to have a career year. He had a better sophomore season in 2007 and he became a threat in the red zone where his 6'8 height is a major asset. In a league with so many great tight ends he'll need to improve his overall numbers though if he wants to step out of the shadows at his position. He's also got some internal pressure from Ben Patrick who was making a push for playing time before a high ankle sprain against the Chiefs. Pope's not a dynamic player and he won't run by many defenders but his size gives him at an advantage over anyone he's facing. Pope got stronger towards the end of 2007 before an ankle injury ended his season in week 14. He averaged nearly three receptions for 28 yards per game during his final five games and while that doesn't sound overly impressive it would project out to 45 receptions for 450 yards over the course of an entire season. Pope needs to continue improve every aspect of his game but there are signs that he's starting to put it all together. Here's a look at his career numbers:

The Cardinals need him as a consistent red zone threat and safety valve for either Warner or Leinart but if his game doesn't continue to grow he could be looking up at Ben Patrick sooner rather than later. Thoughts? Can Pope become a legitimate threat at  tight end and hold off Ben Patrick? You know the drill: Projections in the subject line and explanation in the body of your comment. Here's my take:

16 games, 40 Rec, 420 yards (10.5 yards per), 7 TDs