Offseason Analysis: Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals have a lot of question marks entering into the Offseason. Namely, what is going to happen with Kurt Warner and Anquan Boldin. Kurt Warner could jump ship or even retire. Matt Leinart hasn’t proven he is an NFL caliber Quarterback so Cardinal fans are crossing their fingers. Boldin is unhappy with his contract situation and his relationship with the team has gone sour. Despite his unhappiness, I don’t see Anquan playing anywhere else in 2009. I wouldn’t put a holdout past him though.
That’s what we don’t know. Let’s take a look at what we do know. Larry Fitzgerald will be one of the top wide receivers taken in fantasy drafts next year, and rightfully so. He’s always shown great hands and leaping ability, but in the Super Bowl he showed a new gear on his second TD. That play will give Defensive Coordinators nightmares this offseason. Another thing we know is that Edge is gone. I’m not sure where he’ll turn up, but the Cards will be in the market for a RB to compliment Tim Hightower. Darren Sproles would look great in that role, but I don’t see Arizona being a player in that sweepstakes. My guess is they address that need in the draft.
Their Offensive Coordinator Todd Haley moved on to Kansas City. Without knowing who their OC or QB is next year makes it difficult to forecast what kind of changes to expect.
On Defense, their key free agents are Karlos Dansby, Bertrand Berry, Antonio Smith and Clark Haggans with Dansby being the top priority.
** Update: The Cardinals slapped Karlos Dansby with the franchise tag. **
| Pos | Player Name | FA Status | Previous Team | Current Team |
| QB | Brian St. Pierre | UFA | Arizona Cardinals | Free Agent |
| QB | Kurt Warner |
UFA | Arizona Cardinals | Free Agent |
| RB | J.J. Arrington | UFA | Arizona Cardinals | Free Agent |
| FB | Tim Castille | ERFA | Arizona Cardinals | Free Agent |
| FB | Terrelle Smith | UFA | Arizona Cardinals | Free Agent |
| WR | Onrea Jones | Re-signed | Arizona Cardinals | Arizona Cardinals |
| WR | Lance Long | Re-signed | Arizona Cardinals | Arizona Cardinals |
| TE | Ben Patrick | ERFA | Arizona Cardinals | Free Agent |
| TE | Leonard Pope | RFA | Arizona Cardinals | Free Agent |
| TE | Stephen Spach | UFA | Arizona Cardinals | Free Agent |
| C | Lyle Sendlein | ERFA | Arizona Cardinals | Free Agent |
| DL | Bertrand Berry | UFA | Arizona Cardinals | Free Agent |
| DL | Ray Blagman | ERFA | Arizona Cardinals | Free Agent |
| DL | Keilen Dykes | Re-signed | Arizona Cardinals | Arizona Cardinals |
| DL | Gabe Watson | RFA | Arizona Cardinals | Free Agent |
| LB | Monty Beisel | UFA | Arizona Cardinals | Free Agent |
| CB | Wilrey Fontenot | Re-signed | Arizona Cardinals | Arizona Cardinals |
| SS | Dennis Keyes | Re-signed | Arizona Cardinals | Arizona Cardinals |
CK0712
February 9th, 2009 at 9:59 am #
not fantasy standpoint: warner says boldin will have a big factor in his choice to come back
i’d love to see boldin in green, but i really don’t think he’ll leave zona….he would HATE PA weather LOL!
LestersLegends
February 9th, 2009 at 10:01 am #
They will have to mend those fences, but maybe Haley’s departure will be a good thing for Boldin.
Joe Zwierzynski
February 9th, 2009 at 8:45 pm #
I could see Derrick Ward as an option in Arizona. I think the Giants could still match for Boldin if they want to. They have an extra 2nd and 5th from the Saints for Jeremy Shockey.
Besides draft picks, I could see the following guys being trade bait:
Ahmad Bradshaw (nice cheap alternative to pair with Hightower)
Mathias Kiwanuka (could be expendable with Osi coming back)
One of the younger receivers such as Domenick Hixon, Steve Smith, Mario Manningham, or Sinorice Moss
Does Bradshaw, Hixon, and the higher 2nd get it done for Boldin? They get the pairing with Hightower, Hixon adds a good 3rd with Breaston and Fitz, and the lower salaries will help them with their free agent situation.
Is this realistic, or am I just a Giant homer?
LestersLegends
February 9th, 2009 at 8:54 pm #
Trades are so rare in the NFL, but that one makes sense. I’m not sure why, but people seem to favor draft picks than guys with track records. That could be better than any offer Arizona receives, especially from a financial standpoint.
Larry
February 11th, 2009 at 7:34 pm #
The biggest problem the cards may have is it seems that the Super Bowl Loser seems to always take a huge tumble the next year, Only the Seahawks of the recent losers have been able to make it to the playoffs, Oh and the Patriots were still very good but had the bad break that the Chargers had to be in the playoffs.
LestersLegends
February 11th, 2009 at 7:38 pm #
I hear you there, but I don’t put too much stock into it. It’s a bad coincidence. I guess some of the prob is success means people want to get paid and their play could price you out. usually you’re OK with your asst coaches though because most of the jobs are gone. it was an exception this year for haley.
Arizona basketball
March 12th, 2009 at 6:32 pm #
Keep for good work, glad to be here reading your post