By Andy Benoit - www.NFLTouchdown.com

1. Seattle Seahawks

Owners of the division’s best combination of talent and experience. Having a loaded defense doesn’t hurt either.

2. Arizona Cardinals

On the rise? Perhaps. But questions at quarterback and a stagnant rushing attack present issues.

3. St. Louis Rams

Great in spots but outright porous in others. Can Linehan survive another year?

4. San Francisco 49ers

Only three significant weakness, but all of them damning: quarterback, offensive line, coaching staff.

Best Offseason Move

The Seattle Seahawks saying goodbye to Shaun Alexander.

Worst Offseason Move

The 49ers guaranteeing $20 million to solid but not spectacular defensive end Justin Smith, a 4-3 prototype who doesn’t fit their scheme.

Read more

By Andy Benoit, www.NFLTouchdown.com

Predicted: 2^nd

2007 Record: 8-8 (2^nd NFC West)

Head Coach: Ken Whisenhunt (2^nd season)

*rookie

**new veteran

ROSTER QUICK VIEW

Offense

QB: Matt Leinart

Talented passer but unproven leader. Has yet to live up to his own celebrity.

RB: Edgerrin James

Coming off a 1,200-yard season but lack of burst kept his average carry well under four yards.

FB: Tim Castille

Lacking in experience but was able to take starting job from veteran Terrelle Smith.

WR: Larry Fitzgerald

Led the NFC in receptions and yards in 2007. Not a stretch to argue that he’s the game’s best WR.

WR: Anquan Boldin

Preeminent possession receiver in football. Wants a new contract but will first have to regain his 1,000-yard form. He will.

TE: Leonard Pope

Terrific size makes him viable in the red zone. Must bounce back from a severe ankle injury.

LT: Mike Gandy

Serviceable as long as he’s surrounded by solid players.

LG: Reggie Wells

Versatility is a plus. Cards love to pull him play side in the run game.

C: Al Johnson

Decent middle-man who finishes his blocks. Lack of strength, however, can be an issue.

RG: Deuce Lutui

Technique leaves something to be desired, but the bottom line is he gets the job done.

RT: Levi Brown

Already the key to the front five. Once he figures out the pro game, he’ll be a perennial Pro Bowler.

—————

QB: Kurt Warner

Thirty-seven years old, but didn’t come back to be a No. 2.

RB: Marcel Shipp

Decent backup who can hold down the fort in a bind.

WR: Early Doucet*

Lacks speed and pizzazz. Still, Cards hope he can be Bryant Johnson’s replacement in the slot.

WR: Steve Breaston

Return specialist who may see more time on offense after an impressive offseason.

TE: Jerame Tuman

Was a blocking specialist under Ken Whisenhunt in Pittsburgh.

OL: Elton Brown

Saw time at RT last year, but his limitations give him enough problems at G.

Defense

DL: Antonio Smith

Effective when energized. Oh, and when lining up near the edges.

NT: Gabe Watson

Effort issues from college have not carried over, thankfully. Still, hasn’t been able to draw double teams at the pro level.

DL: Darnell Dockett

Career-high nine sacks in ’07 but just one in the second half of the season. Pro Bowl impact when he maintains separation.

DE/OLB: Bertrand Berry

Coming off torn triceps; has finished the last three seasons on Injured Reserve.

SILB: Gerald Hayes

Fast and decisive when he’s able to sniff a play. Underrated.

WILB: Karlos Dansby

Playing on one-year franchise deal. Not explosive, but remarkably solid all-around.

DE/OLB: Chike Okeafor

Coming back from torn biceps tendon, may have trouble keeping his job from Travis LaBoy or Clark Haggans.

CB: Roderick Hood

Has earned his money thus far but could stand to show more consistent focus.

SS: Adrian Wilson

A Swiss Army Knife-type star who should regain his form after heel surgery. This defense needs him.

FS: Antrel Rolle

Struggled at CB but has the cover skills to thrive at FS. Question is, does he have enough strength as a tackler?

CB: Eric Green

Very physical. Criticized for not registering many interceptions. Few realize how good of a stopper he is.

—————

DE: Calais Campbell*

Rare length should make him a factor as a DE in 3-4 or a DT in 4-3.

DT: Alan Branch

Carbon copy of Gabe Watson, only with slightly less power and durability.

LB: Clark Haggans**

Familiar with playing in a 3-4 after spending his first eight years in Pittsburgh.

NB: Dominique Rodger-Cromartie*

4.29 speed and nice ball skills make him the potential playmaking CB that this defense has lacked since Aeneas Williams.

Key Acquisitions

CB Michael Adams (FA)

LB Clark Haggans (Pit)

DE Travis LaBoy (Ten)

DL Bryan Robinson (Cin)

QB Brian St. Pierre (Pit)

LB Matt Stewart (Cle)

TE Jerame Tuman (Pit)

Key Losses

DL Rodney Bailey (FA)

P Mitch Berger (FA)

LB Darryl Blackstock (Cin)

DT Chris Cooper (Sea)

S Terrence Holt (Car)

LB Brandon Johnson (Cin)

WR Bryant Johnson (SF)

LB Calvin Pace (NYJ)

QB Tim Rattay (FA)

OT Oliver Ross (NE)

G Keydrick Vincent (Car)

The 31-year-old Haggans is a downgrade at OLB, but the cap-strapped Cardinals couldn’t afford to overpay Pace. It’s unlikely that LaBoy––who has been a 4-3 DE his entire career––will have a huge impact. Vincent and Ross were both former Steelers whom Russ Grimm and Ken Whisenhunt allowed to leave. This puts a dent in Arizona’s depth up front, but neither player had been performing well enough to start. Holt was mediocre and became expendable when Antrel Rolle moved from CB to FS. They’ll miss Johnson early on.

Neither Antrel Rolle nor Eric Green has become a playmaker at CB, so the hope is that Rodgers-Cromartie can validate the old saying, “third time’s a charm.” Campbell needs to improve his technique in order to start. He’s 6’8” and has the wingspan of a Pterodactyl, which, at the very least, should enable him to disrupt passing lanes. Doucet lacks glamour, but they only need him to fill the slot. Coaches like Iwebema and Hightower, though neither is likely to make a significant contribution in ’08.

Rd Sel # Player Position School

1 16 D. Rodgers-Cromartie CB Tennessee State

2 50 Calais Campbell DE Miami (Fla.)

3 81 Early Doucet WR Louisiana State

4 116 Kenny Iwebema DE Iowa

5 149 Tim Hightower RB Richmond

6 185 Chris Harrington DE Texas A&M

7 225 Brandon Keith T Northern Iowa

Neither Antrel Rolle nor Eric Green has become a playmaker at CB, so the hope is that Rodgers-Cromartie can validate the old saying, “third time’s a charm.” Campbell needs to improve his technique in order so start. He’s 6’8” and has the wingspan of a Pteranodon, which, at the very least, should enable him to disrupt passing lanes. Doucet lacks glamour, but they only need him to fill the slot. Coaches like Iwebema and Hightower, though neither is likely to make a significant contribution in ’08.

2008 Arizona Cardinals Preview Report

Try all you want…you won’t succeed. It can’t be done. You can be a fan of the game, student of the game, historian of the game, whatever. It doesn’t matter. You still can’t figure out these Arizona Cardinals. Nobody can. It’s impossible. They’re too ambiguous. They’re football’s embodiment of the word maybe. They’re the 20 minutes of time you have to kill. They’re the girl who gives you her number and then never returns your call.

Start with Arizona’s record from last season: 8-8. Their PR department touts it as the team’s first non-losing season since 1998 (actually, they’re calling it their first “.500 or better season” since 1998). The plain-speak department touts it as the epitome of mediocrity. The Cardinals were 3-3 against clubs with winning records last year and 5-5 against everyone else. They went 2-2 in the first quarter of the season and 2-2 in the fourth quarter.

Given this team’s pathetic history, 8-8 is probably a building block. But still, what are they building? Second-year head coach Ken Whisenhunt is the project manager––we know that. But are we looking at groundbreaking construction or a remodeling project? Are the Cardinals building for this year or for years to come?

Starting quarterback Matt Leinart is only 25 years old and in just his third season. This makes him the foundation, right? Okay, so then what is that 37-year-old former Super Bowl champion and league MVP doing over there? Don’t say he’s a veteran backup or mentor––everybody saw Kurt Warner lead this team with 3,417 yards passing last season. And everybody knows that not all of those yards came after Leinart’s season ended with a dislocated shoulder. No, the young and the old were sharing snaps last season. And look at these recent minicamps….they’re still sharing snaps! What do we make of that?

Never mind––we’ll discuss it later. What about the defense? Defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast’s unit ranked 17^th in yards last year––more ambiguity, by the way––and heads into this season as both a 4-3 and 3-4 unit. When the Cardinals are in a 4-3, you notice how callow their run stoppers are (mainly Gabe Watson and Alan Branch). When they’re in a 3-4, you notice how worn their pass-rushers look (mainly Bertrand Berry and Chike Okeafor). Put all this together and you get a bundle of questions that the front office has been frantically trying to answer these past few years. Again, we’ll discuss this in more detail later.

One thing that isn’t ambiguous is that this franchise’s problems––four playoff appearance in 47 years––have come from the top down. Bill Bidwell has long been vilified as the worst owner in football. For decades, Bidwell refused to fully invest in the franchise that he once inherited from his father. Recently, revenue from the palatial University of Phoenix Stadium, and tighter rules against thriftiness brought forth by the NFL’s latest Collective Bargaining Agreement, appear to have sparked some life into Bidwell and his organization. Including the preseason, the Cardinals have played in front of 20 consecutive home sellout crowds. They just set a new attendance record last year. Bidwell has written more checks, which is why the team no longer has such an embarrassing free agent deficit.

Still, there’s something a little unsettling about the whole thing. There is no evidence suggesting the new stadium isn’t doing for the Cardinals what oil is doing for the Russians. Fresh money––man’s greatest masking agent––is pouring in. But it’s still going to largely the same people who are operating under the same bleak history. Who’s to say they know what they’re doing?

The Cardinals were one of the few teams to be financially strapped under the inflated $116.8 million salary cap this past offseason. They wanted to sign guard Alan Faneca but lacked the funds to give the idea any realistic consideration. They saw former first-round pick Calvin Pace finally blossom after learning a new hybrid outside linebacker role. Then they saw him leave for $22 million in guarantees from the Jets. They wound up paying $7.5 million in guarantees to Pace’s replacement, Travis LaBoy (a downgrade, as the less athletic LaBoy is essentially in the same position Pace was prior to last season).

These are just the small potatoes. Look at Larry Fitzgerald’s situation this past March and you’ll see the meat of a real potential problem. Fitzgerald agreed to a new four-year, $40 million deal. Prior to his new contract, he was due to count an astronomical $16.4 million against the cap. Unlike most clubs, Cardinals management does not put voidable years at the end of contracts for their early-round rookies. Instead they use escalator clauses. This means the Fitzgerald problem will repeat itself when Antrel Rolle’s contract nears its end, and again when Levi Browns’s deal starts to run out.

In the meantime, four of Arizona’s best players––Darnell Dockett, Anquan Boldin, Adrian Wilson and Karlos Dansby––all requested new contracts this past offseason. The team wasn’t able to accommodate any of them. (Dockett and Boldin are both Drew Rosenhaus guys and eschewed the offseason workouts.) Chances are, at least one of these four, and probably two, will have to wait until next year as well, unless Arizona is willing to lose starting cornerback Eric Green and starting defensive end Antonio Smith in free agency.

But keep in mind, these are all talented players that we’re talking about. Maybe things aren’t so ambiguous. General Manager Rod Graves has done a pretty decent job of drafting during his six-year tenure. And don’t overlook the respect that Whisenhunt and his staff have garnered since arriving last winter. All in all, maybe 8-8 isn’t so bad. Maybe it is a good building block. Recall the words of capitalism father Adam Smith: “On the road from the City of Skepticism, I had to pass through Ambiguity.”

Of course, Smith lived in a time before quarterbacks.

Offense

The only way Matt Leinart can have any less job security is if they somehow find a way to outsource quarterbacking. In his third year out of USC, the former Heisman Trophy winner is currently known more as a celebrity than as a quarterback, especially after taking a step back in 2007. Prior to separating his left shoulder in Week 5, Leinart was completing just 53.6 percent of his passes. He had four interceptions and two touchdowns and was so uncomfortable in Ken Whisenhunt’s new offense that the head coach actually pulled him in two-minute situations. Being a quarterback and sitting out the hurry up offense is akin to being a lawyer and sitting out the closing arguments.

No matter how many “right things” Leinart might say, there is nothing powerful enough to hide the look of self doubt and angst that riddles his face every time he’s told to ride the bench. A remedy for the situation––and all of Leinart’s struggles, for that matter––is for the quarterback to a.) gain a better understanding of the offense, b.) do a better job of reading defenses and c.) become more of a leader. All three are hard to do from the sideline.

Whisenhunt––who, keep in mind, was with Pittsburgh when Leinart was drafted––is notoriously hard on young passers (ask Ben Roethlisberger). This isn’t lost on Kurt Warner. The 11^th-year veteran refrained from retiring and told friends that he wanted to continue his career as long as he has an opportunity to start. Since leaving St. Louis, the issue with Warner has been his lack of escapability and poor ball security. However, under new offensive line coach Russ Grimm, the Cardinals surrendered just 24 sacks last season, ranking sixth in the NFL in fewest sacks allowed per play. Not under constant pressure, Warner produced a passer rating of 89.8.

If given time to throw, Warner is obviously capable of picking apart a defense. In order to keep his job, Leinart must prove himself in this sense. It helps having Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin as his targets. The fifth-and sixth-year receivers are in the heart of their prime. Fitzgerald is coming off his second 100-catch season in three years after leading the NFC with 1,409 yards receiving. Aside from needing to be more physical––something the coaching staff has been on him about––Fitzgerald is without a serious flaw. The same is true for Boldin, a superlative possession receiver when healthy. Both men have great size and football IQ, which makes them a frightening duo that can hurt you anywhere on the field.

Whisenhunt and offensive coordinator Todd Haley do not use as many spread formations as Denny Green, which is why the Cardinals felt they could allow Bryant Johnson to walk. Third-round rookie Early Doucet will be given an opportunity to claim the No. 3 wideout job, though his lack of speed makes him essentially a vanilla version of the two starters. Don’t be surprised if return specialist Steve Breaston winds up capturing the slot duties.

Tight end Leonard Pope is a monstrous target (6’8”, 258) but it’s uncertain whether he’ll be able to bounce back from a dislocated ankle sustained last December. With former Steeler Jerame Tuman being brought in strictly for his run-blocking, it’s possible you’ll see second-year pro Ben Patrick, a fluid seventh-rounder from Delaware, crack the starting lineup this fall.

What makes Arizona’s aerial prowess all the more impressive is the absence of threat presented by the rushing attack. Running back Edgerrin James, a consummate professional, is coming off a 1,200-yard season. However, at 29 and having logged 2,849 carries in his career, James has the explosiveness of an incense stick. He has only four runs over 20 yards since arriving in the desert, his longest going for only 27.

Don’t expect Arizona to improve their 29^th-ranked rushing offense much in ’08. James will handle another heavy load. Backup Marcel Shipp has been around for years and has never been a huge difference-maker. Disappointing former second-round pick J.J. Arrington lacks the patience to be a reliable contributor, particularly in the passing game. Fifth-round rookie Tim Hightower is tenacious but doesn’t offer the game-changing speed that this offense still needs at running back.

The front five has long been Arizona’s bugaboo. However, with Russ Grimm’s guidance and a finally-stabilized starting unit, signs of actual, positive change have started to flicker. Most of the flickers are coming from the right side, where second-year monster Levi Brown mans the tackle position. The fifth-overall pick from Penn State is the lynchpin up front. Blessed with 6’5”, 322-pound size and conceivably every natural gift they say you can’t teach, Brown could begin attracting Pro Bowl consideration as soon as this season. Right now, the Cardinals are being cautious about throwing too much on his plate. If they thought Brown was mentally prepared to handle a complex load, they’d play him next to versatile veteran guard Reggie Wells (the fulcrum of their run-blocking efforts). Instead, Brown is next to sloppy but effective third-year pro Deuce Lutui, while Wells occupies the left side, next to the serviceable but unspectacular Mike Gandy. In between everyone is center Al Johnson, a player who seems to typify Arizona’s offensive line. Johnson is a hard worker who can play multiple positions, but he’s hindered by a lack of power.

The Cardinals will be especially dependent on having a cohesive starting five in 2008. One injury could fell them. The only experienced backup is Elton Brown, and he’s not a player you want to rely on.

Defense

If ever there was a flex defense, this is it. Clancy Pendergast has the schematic knowledge and personnel to alternate between a three-and four-man front. The addition of Clark Haggans might be an indicator of which direction the Cardinals are headed in 2008. Haggans spent the first eight years of his career in Pittsburgh, the leading source behind today’s 3-4 movement. At 31, he no longer has great oomph to his game, but he understands the system Arizona is trying to run.

Recent history suggests that fate will push Haggans into a starting role at some point. Eleventh-year veteran Bertrand Berry usually gets injured around November––he’s finished the last three seasons on IR––and ninth-year pro Chike Okeafor will likely be rusty after having missed virtually an entire year with a torn biceps tendon. Both men will not only be fighting off Haggans but also free agent pickup Travis LaBoy and fourth-round rookie Kenny Iwebema. The Cards hope it doesn’t come to that. LaBoy has been a 4-3 defensive end his entire career and will likely need a year to transition to a two-point stance. Iwebema has impressed coaches in camp, but not enough to dispel the opinion that he’s still a bit too raw. Still, he could see spot duty in ’08.

The drafting of Miami Hurricane Calais Campbell in the second round is more evidence of a deeper commitment to a 3-4 scheme. Campbell is a multi-purpose defensive lineman who will be asked to play outside in the 3-4 and inside in the 4-3 (likely as a pass-rusher). It’s imperative that he make an early contribution; last season, Antonio Smith manned these responsibilities alone and wore down around Thanksgiving. Smith can be a force when fully energized, but he tends to loaf when fatigue sets in and double teams arrive.

Double teams also present problems to under tackle Darnell Dockett. The fifth-year pro is coming off a career year in which he registered nine sacks and 6.5 tackles for a loss. However, eight of those sacks came in the first eight games. Dockett can be dominant when he’s able to use his quickness and win the battle of initial positioning. However, he becomes an enormous liability when blockers get their bodies into him.

It’s important that Dockett play next to someone who can demand attention, preferably in the form of their own double team. Arizona recognized this when they drafted 332-pound Gabe Watson in ’06 and 331-pound Alan Branch in ’07. Both players came from Michigan and both had seen their draft stock fall amidst concerns over their commitment and motor. Thus far, effort has been a non-issue with both, but the same can’t be said for their outright effectiveness. Watson is yet to frighten opposing guards, let alone overpower them enough to command help from centers. The same goes for Branch, who showed little explosiveness as a rookie. There is still time for both to develop, but there’s no guarantee that either will step up. Before all else, Watson must ensure he is healthy. He broke his kneecap on a treadmill back in April and had to have surgery.

Linebacker Karlos Dansby’s dependability is impressive, especially considering how much he’s been moved around throughout his career. Dansby produced his customary smorgasbord of statistics last season, leading the team in tackles (99), collecting 3.5 sacks, forcing four fumbles, breaking up eight passes and intercepting three more. As a reward, he was slapped with an $8.065 million franchise tag, a tender he signed after negotiations for a long-term contract generated no traction.

The Cardinals are set to play Dansby on the weak side this season, though his so-so speed yet laudable strength make him a better fit at the Sam position. He’s good in coverage and can handle most tight ends. Middle/inside linebacker Gerald Hayes is a demon when instincts are running his show. At full force, Hayes is an augmented version of Monty Beisel, the longtime Chief who joined the team midway through 2006. Between Dansby, Hayes and Beisel the Cardinals have three good inside linebackers to fill two spots.

After ranking near the bottom in pass defense for the second straight year, Arizona has once again shaken up its secondary. Cornerback turned nickel back Antrel Rolle has been moved to free safety, where the team hopes his propensity to peek at the quarterback will naturally morph from a weakness into a strength. Rolle should do well at centerfield from a coverage standpoint, but he may not have the requisite tackling abilities.

Replacing Rolle at cornerback will be first-round rookie Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. The only thing about him that isn’t fast is the time it takes to say his name. Rodgers-Cromartie––who is not related to the league’s ’07 interception leader, Antonio Cromartie––has the ball skills that are missing from Eric Green’s game. Still, Rodgers-Cromartie hails from tiny Tennessee State, which is why it’s doubtful that he’ll be able to capture Green or Roderick Hood’s starting job right away. Hood is a decent cover corner but he surrenders more receptions than you’d like––including some downfield. He also tends to drop interceptions. He did, however, post 21 pass breakups last season, which tied with Terence McGee for the most in the NFL.

There isn’t a better player for Rolle to learn the safety position from than eighth-year veteran Adrian Wilson. A Pro Bowler in ’06, Wilson is a multifaceted strong safety in the same class as a Troy Polamalu or a Bob Sanders. He does most of his damage near the line of scrimmage (13 sacks from ’05-’06) though his speed and agility make him viable in the open field as well. Wilson is coming back from season-ending heel surgery but is expected to be 100 percent by training camp. With he and Rolle starting, Aaron Francisco is now undoubtedly a reserve.

Special Teams

When he’s right, kicker Neil Rackers is one of the best in the business. He has excellent range and lethal accuracy. Last season, Rackers’s confidence and comfort were rattled by his unfamiliarity with holder Mitch Berger. He missed nine of his 30 field goal attempts (Berger was eventually shown the door…Arizona’s ranking dead last in net punting also contributed to his departure).

This year, Dirk Johnson takes over the punting duties. He lost his job in Philadelphia in part because he doesn’t hold on field goals. Thus the Cardinals will still be looking for someone to handle the holding duties come training camp. Whoever it is, they’ll be catching snaps from the dependable Nathan Hodel, recipient of a four-year contract extension over the offseason.

Second-year pro Steve Breaston was drafted for his return skills. Breaston averaged 22.4 yards on kickoffs and 9.4 yards on punts last season. Such production is acceptable, though more big plays––like, say, his 73-yard touchdown return in Week 4––are expected.

Bottom Line

What happens with the quarterback situation will go a long way toward erasing the ambiguity that encompasses this team. If an identity can be established under center, and if the offensive line can stay healthy, the Cardinals offense has enough pieces to top the 400-point plateau for a second consecutive year. Defensively, a healthy unit and an upgraded secondary would give Arizona their best opportunity at overcoming the weaknesses laced throughout the front seven. Playing in the moribund NFC West certainly helps their chances. Then again, the Cardinals have teased us before.

Myth Buster

Myth: Eric Green is not a good cornerback

The fourth-year pro from Virginia Tech has taken heat for years. That’s what happens when you start 24 games and post just one interception. Fans in this numbers-oriented era label Green as a disappointment, but what many don’t acknowledge is his physicality, quickness and attitude. These are the traits that make him Arizona’s only true cover corner, and enable him to be a fierce tackler.

True, Green could stand to make more big plays, and he’s not entirely immune to giving up a few as it is. But the first job of a cornerback is to stop the opponents’ passing game, and that’s something he has done a noble job at when healthy. Green signed a one-year, $2.017 restricted free agent tender this year, which means he’ll hit the free market in 2009. It would be a mistake for Arizona to not prioritize re-signing him.

Open Thought

How many teams in the NFL are not as big as their own stadium? In other words, how many teams play in a stadium that is famous but not because of its home team? The Cardinals are one of three that come to mind (the others are the Saints and Texans). The University of Phoenix Stadium has already hosted the greatest college football game in this era (Boise State’s upset of Oklahoma in the ’07 Fiesta Bowl). It has also hosted the ’07 BCS championship and Super Bowl XLII. Considering the stadium is a popular convention center and will be the site of the 2009 NCAA Men’s Basketball West Regional, it’s unlikely that the Cardinals’ second-tier status at home will change any time soon.

As for the other two teams previously mentioned…

The Saints play in the Superdome, which will forever be remembered for Hurricane Katrina, and then for all the Super Bowls, Sugar Bowls, and Final Fours. Reliant Stadium is yet to host a Texans playoff game, but it has been the site of Super Bowl XXXVIII and is now in the rotation of venues for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. It is also the regular home of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, which regularly draws over 70,000 fans.

Looks as if Najeh Davenport had dreams of heading to the desert, he’s going to have to change his mind. AZCentral.com today is reporting that the Cards have no interest in bringing in Davenport, who’s been looking for a new team since his release from the Steelers last week.

Davenport had said in an interview with NFL Radio that there were a few teams that peeked his interest, with the Cardinals being on the top of the list due to the fact he was use to the offense after playing under coach Ken Whisenhunt in Pittsburgh. GM Rod Graves of the Cardinals said to reporter Kent Sommers via text message today that the team has not interest in Davenport.

The other team that Davenport pointed out in the interview that he wouldn’t mind going to is the Lions, who look like they could use a back right now, and even attended the workout of former back Kevin Jones. The Detroit Free Press picked up our story from earlier in the week that talked about Davenport wanting to go to either Arizona or Detroit.

Now it looks as if the Lions may be the #1 destination of Davenport, as it’s one team that more than likely would have some interest in the now former Packer and Steeler.

What a difference a week makes. It was just over a week ago that it looked like the Cards and LB Karlos Dansby were headed for a heated battle over a new deal. It was reported that the two sides had not spoken in the past few weeks, and that it looked as if Dansby was going to have to play out his one-year tender as the teams franchise player.

Things now seem to have turned around quickly with the clock ticking before the July 15th deadline. A report from the Arizona Republic indicates Cardinals GM Rod Graves and Dansby are now nearing a new long-term contract deal, as they have gotten on the same page in terms of what each side wants.

The paper puts out there that the offer on the table is more in the range of what Lofa Tatupu received from Seattle (six year extension, $40 million of new money, $18 million guaranteed), or that Lance Briggs received from the Bears (six years, $36 million, $13 guaranteed, $21.6 million over the first three years). Both sides have talked openly that they want to get something done by the 15th. Getting Dansby signed means that it will help the Cards cap this season, and not only that will keep him in the desert for years to come.

Now that he’s free to go anywhere, where would free agent RB Najeh Davenport like to play? How about Arizona with the Cardinals? Davenport made an appearance today on NFL Radio, and spoke about the desire to play with the Cards because of the relationship he has with Ken Whisenhunt, now Cards coach and former offensive coordinator of the Steelers before moving to desert.

Another team that Davenport mentioned was Detroit, which looks like they still may be in the market for a back after attending the workout of the RB they dumped just recently, Kevin Jones, over the weekend. Davenport would fit their need for a “power back” well. Davenport even said he’d go back to the Steelers, the team that released him.

Last season Davenport filled in late in the year for an injured Willie Parker, and set career highs for yards with 499 and rushing attempts with 107. Against the Rams in week 16 when Parker went down, Davenport ran for 123 yards and a score, then in week 17 at Baltimore ran for 27 yards. He rushed for 25 yards in the playoff loss to the Jags.

It looks as if the talks to try and get a new deal done for QB Kurt Warner are not exactly hitting the track at 100 MPH.  The East Valley Tribune is reporting that the agent for quarterback Warner has indicated little progress has been made in talks with the Cardinals about an extension. The QB is coming into the final year of his contract, and has said he wants to stick around in Arizona for two more seasons.  “I wouldn’t say it’s gotten to the point where it’s getting serious,” Mark Bartelstein, Warner’s Chicago-based agent, said of the talks.

The one issue for Warner is the fact he wants to get paid as a starter, and the team wants to make sure that Matt Leniart wins the job this summer.  Warner did help the Cards get to 8-8 last season, playing in 14 games and playing hurt after he got hurt right after Leniart went down with a broken collarbone.  Last season Warner threw for 27 touchdowns and 3417 yards.  The TD totals were third most in the NFC, and second most in Cards history.

Warner wants to get this deal done before the start of training camp, and while I wouldn’t think he would hold out if a new deal is not reached, it’s in the best interest of the team to make sure he’s on board if Leniart gets hurt again or has another meltdown and gets the QB a new deal before the team reaches camp.

It looks as if things between Cardinals LB Karols Dansby and the franchise are not going well in terms of getting him a new deal done that will make both sides happy. The Arizona Republic is reporting that Dasnby’s agent and GM Rod Graves haven’t talked in the past couple of weeks, which is not a good sign with training camp about a month away.

Dansby is signed to a one-year tender as the teams franchise player, which will garner him $8.025 million this season, but both sides want to get a long-term deal done before the season starts to avoid any sort of distractions. When Dansby signed the franchise tender back in late April he said “I feel pretty good about it.” Now it remains to be seen how he feels about the deal with no talks going on.

The LB and the Cards have until July 15th to get a long-term deal done, if they don’t, they will have to wait till after the season to talk again. Last season in 14 games Dansby had 99 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 3 picks and four forced fumbles. He’s a big part of the Cards defense, and this could be a problem if they don’t start getting some dialouge going soon on both sides.

It’s been an offseason filled with what seems more players refusing to practice or show up for OTA’s and minicamps than those that are there doing there jobs. Below we give a quick breakdown of 10 players that have chosen the stance to stay away and/or practice and where they may be come training camp come July.

1. Albert Haynesworth, Titans - The All-Pro DT is a big reason the Titans defense played so well last season, and word is a long-term deal that he hoped to get from Tennessee seems not likely to happen by July 15th. Expect Haynesworth to sign the teams one-year franchise deal during training camp and play out his last season before hitting free agency in 2009 and moving elsewhere.

2. Chris Simms, Buccaneers - The QB hasn’t played since a spleen injury in 2006, and his relationship with the Bucs seems to be over. Simms is not even listed on the depth chart, and with a bunch of QB’s on the roster, it seems like a slam dunk that Simms will eventually get his wish to be released and move on to another team. He has said if he’s still a Buccaneer in July, he’ll report to training camp.

3. Jason Peters, Bills - The teams best O-lineman wants a new deal, and won’t show up till he gets one. He’s watched lesser players on the O-line get bigger contracts then him, and simply wants what he feels he’s owed to him. He deserves a new deal, and look for he and the Bills to get on the same page before training camp starts.

4. Ryan Grant, Packers - Grant came out of nowhere in 2007 and saved the teams floundering running game, and now wants a deal that will pay him like a feature back. He showed up to minicamp, but refused to practice. Reports say the two sides are close, and a deal may even take place before the end of the camp for he and the Packers.

5. Chad Johnson, Bengals - C.J. should simply realize that the Bengals are not going to move him, and he’s not going to get a new deal, pure and simple. He did man up a little bit by showing up to minicamp last week, and after some early drama did practice and make some grabs. He’d be smart to put on a happy face and be at camp on time and try and be the best player he can be for the stripes.

6. Earnest Graham, Buccaneers - The back came in for the Bucs last season and kept their running game afloat when injuries hit hard. Now he, like Ryan Grant, wants a deal to fit what he did in 2007. He’s already showed up to the Bucs fanfest and now minicamp, so look for something to be done for him rather soon.

7. Terry Glenn, Cowboys - The veteran WR is being asked to sign an insurance policy since he’s prone to injuries, and Glenn is using that as a sounding board to demand a trade or release to play elsewhere. He should realize that he’s damaged goods at this point, and his best shot at getting some playing time and a ring is in Dallas, but for whatever reason he wants no part in signing that policy.

8. Plaxico Burress, Giants - Another unhappy WR that wants a new deal based on gutting it out on one foot last season for the Super Bowl champs. It was poor timing on his part to complain last week in the middle of Michael Strahan retiring and Jeremy Shockey also playing whinner. Burress said on WIP in Philly Tuesday he feels a deal will get done before camp. If so, they why make a scene like the one made last week?

9. Anquan Boldin, Cardinals - Our 4th WR on the list, Boldin saw Larry Fitzgerald get a big deal from the Cards, and now he wants one too. I can understand his desire for more money, but he had just gotten a deal not that long ago, and the Cardinals can’t overpay two WR’s when they have other concerns. He says he hasn’t decided if he’ll be at training camp, but if he is smart he’ll avoid fines and be there.

10. Jeremy Shockey, Giants - The mouthy tight end probably should be in a Saints uniform today, and likely he and and the Giants will regret not making that deal on draft day. While the team has said from day one that he’s the starting TE, Shockey claims the Giants are leaking info about him not being happy and demanding a trade. Not so. Seems that the TE may have pushed the button too far, and he’d better be careful what happens next as Kevin Boss seems more than ready to be the Giants starting TE.

Franchise Player: LB Karlos Dansby (tendered at $8.065M; signed tender April 17).

TRANSITION PLAYER: None.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

• DL Rodney Bailey has the ability to play inside and out adds to his value.

• P Mitch Berger didn’t secure the job in the final weeks of ‘07.

• QB Tim Hasselbeck is probably out of the picture after the addition of Brian St. Pierre.

• S Bhawoh Jue could provide depth.

• DT Ross Kolodziej was banged up last year, and he probably won’t return.

• QB Tim Rattay is a solid backup but is trying to seek a No. 2 job elsewhere.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (not tendered offers)

• TE Tim Euhus (not tendered as RFA) is average at best and could return as a camp body.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.

EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: None.

PLAYERS ACQUIRED

• CB Michael Adams: ERFA; terms unknown.

• LB Clark Haggans: UFA Steelers; $1.5M/1 yr, SB unknown.

• P Dirk Johnson: FA; 1 yr, terms unknown.

• DE Travis LaBoy: UFA Titans; $22M/5 yrs, $7.5M guaranteed.

• WR Jamaica Rector: ERFA; terms unknown.

• DL Bryan Robinson: UFA Bengals; 2 yrs, terms unknown.

• QB Brian St. Pierre: UFA Steelers; 1 yr, terms unknown.

• LB Matt Stewart: UFA Browns; 1 yr, terms unknown.

• TE Jerame Tuman: FA Steelers; 2 yrs, terms unknown.

PLAYERS RE-SIGNED

• TE Troy Bienemann: ERFA; terms unknown.

• OT Elton Brown: RFA; $927,000/1 yr.

• CB Ralph Brown: UFA; 1 yr, terms unknown.

• S Oliver Celestin: UFA; terms unknown.

• LB Karlos Dansby: Franchise FA; $8.065M/1yr.

• CB Eric Green: RFA; $2.017M/1 yr.

• LS Nathan Hodel: UFA; 4 yrs, terms unknown.

• WR Ahmad Merritt: Not tendered as RFA; 1 yr, terms unknown.

• WR Sean Morey: FA; had been released by Cardinals; terms unknown.

• DE Bo Schobel: Not tendered as ERFA; 1 yr, terms unknown.

• DE Antonio Smith: RFA; $2.017M/1 yr.

• DE Joe Tafoya: UFA; 2 yrs, terms unknown.

• WR Jerheme Urban: Not tendered as RFA; 2 yrs, terms unknown.

• S Matt Ware: UFA; 2 yrs, terms unknown.

PLAYERS LOST

• LB Darryl Blackstock: Not tendered as RFA/Bengals; $560,000/1 yr, $40,000 SB.

• DT Chris Cooper (released).

• S Terrence Holt (released).

• LB Brandon Johnson: Not tendered as ERFA/Bengals; 1 yr, terms unknown.

• WR Bryant Johnson: UFA 49ers; $2M/1 yr, SB unknown.

• OLB Calvin Pace: UFA Jets; $42M/6 yrs, $22M guaranteed.

• OT Oliver Ross (released).

• OG Keydrick Vincent: UFA Panthers; $2M/2 yrs, $400,000 SB.

The Cardinals have been going through growing pains for the past few years as they try to round themselves into a contender in the NFC West, and this year they feel they have all the makings of making that happen. They went 8-8 last season, and with some solid draft picks, a emphasis on a defense that should be better, the Cards will be in the mix for sure in the weak West. The team has a solid group of talent on offense, but needs to finally commit to Matt Leniart at QB, or simply give the role to Kurt Warner. Last year first-year coach Ken Whisenhunt shifted between the two before Leinart got hurt, and while it showed some success, it is not a plan to win games long term.

They also looked to establish a running game like Whis and Russ Grimm had with the Steelers, with Edgerrin James being the workhorse. The plan started well, but James wore down and the O-line got banged up, so they want to work on plan again in 2008. The defense also is an area they want to make better, as they allowed 24.9 points per game, and 232 yards per game in the air. That’s why they drafted CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in the first round, and gave a big deal to DE Travis LaBoy, to put more pressure on QB’s. The Cards have the makings of a solid team that can win 9-10 games, now the question is will they reach that potential?

Offseason Grade to Date: B-

Cardinals wide out Anquan Boldin wants to make one thing clear.  He does not want to be traded from the Cardinals.  Taking part in the Cardinals mini-camp, Boldin went on record and made sure to tell reporters that he wants to stick with the Cards, and hopefully be part of a franchise that is ready to take a step to the next level.  “I went to sleep one night, woke up the next morning and was disgruntled, I wanted out of Arizona and all this stuff,” Boldin said.  “And I hadn’t even talked to anybody.  It was funny to see the reports going around, especially around the draft time.

“We were under the impression the whole time that [we were] just keeping things under wraps, like we usually do,” Boldin said.  “I don’t feel like going to the media every time something happens because I think the business between me and the ballclub is between us and that’s how it should stay.”  The first report said that it was Boldin that wanted a deal out of Arizona, but now it seems that things have been smoothed over between he and the team.

Boldin’s current deal is signed through 2010 at salaries of $2.5 million, $2.75 million, and $3 million over the next three seasons.