Arizona Cardinals Training Camp Preview: The Secondary Finally Has Some Depth

The main story going into training camp pertains to Adrian Wilson, a long time Pro Bowl safety for the Arizona Cardinals, and the new four-year deal he just signed. That will keep him under contract through 2015 and likely have him retiring as a member of the Birdgang.

So Wilson is there for the long haul, but how about the guys joining him in the background this season? Luckily for the Cardinals, they have plenty of depth and a nice mix of youth and veterans in the secondary this year.

Wilson and Kerry Rhodes figure to be the starting safety duo once again this season. Behind them on the depth chart is Rashad Johnson, a player that still has yet to find his true way in the NFL. Then there is the recently acquired James Sanders, a player that has seen plenty of time as a starter with the Falcons and Patriots. Justin Bethel was drafted in the sixth round, but due to his inexperience and raw ability, he doesn't figure to see all that much playing time this season.

Cornerback is an area that the Cardinals have vastly improved upon in the past couple of seasons. Patrick Peterson, a phenomenal player as a rookie in 2011, will be the team's (hopefully) shutdown man. Across from him, things are a bit undecided still. Greg Toler is coming back from an ACL injury and figures to be the starter across from Peterson, but A.J. Jefferson, William Gay and newly drafted rookie, Jamell Fleming may have something to say about that. Regardless, all of them will be hitting the field plenty given the pass happy NFL they play in.

Aside from the aforementioned names, Michael Adams, Marshay Green and Crezdon Butler will be joining the team once again as well. The team is likely only to carry five or six on their final roster, so one or two of these guys could find themselves on the outside looking in.

The Cardinals' pass rush was much improved last season, which did help the secondary tremendously. However, the Cardinals have plenty of pass heavy teams on their schedule this season with stellar quarterbacks, including the Patriots, Packers, Lions and Bears. The secondary will need to stay injury free and will have to cover plenty of talented receivers in order to keep the Cards in playoff contention.

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