2007 Results: 8-8
2008 Projected Cap Status: $1,160,080 under the cap
2007 Season Recap:
In 2007, under new coach Ken Whisenhunt the Cardinals went 8-8, their best record in a decade, and just the third time in the twenty years since moving to Arizona. The .500 record didn’t get them to the playoffs although they finished second in the NFC West standings behind the Seahawks. Quarterback Kurt Warner threw 27 TD passes, completed 62.3% of his throws in relief for Matt Leinart (who coach Whisenhunt says is his likely starting QB in 2008) and running back Edgerrin James ran for more than 1200 yards last season. The pre-season injury to Chike Okeafor and mid-season injury to Bertrand Berry really hindered the team as it switched to a hybrid 3-4 defense and produced almost no pass rush, the Cardinals also had the worst net punting average in the NFL and ranked 30th in gross average.
Team Needs:
1. Cornerback– Marty Roderick Hood and Eric Green are the starters when Arizona’s Training Camp open but will need to be challenged; they also need insurance behind them because Antrel Rolle has moved from corner to the free safety position.
2. Linebacker – Chike Okeafor is coming off of an injury and Arizona can’t take the chance of going into the season without adding depth at this position. The Cardinals lost out on Rams linebacker Brandon Chillar, who ended up in Green Bay so they still seek a linebacker who can apply pressure in blitzing situations. Clark Haggans, who inked a one-year, $1.5 million deal once Arizona freed up cap space but he has been on the decline the last few years
3. Running Back – A young franchise running back is needed to bring the Cardinal ground game out of the dark ages. J.J. Arrington and Marcell Shipp are serviceable back ups but neither can be the featured back if Edgerrin James goes down, James is pushing 30 and hasn’t been effective since coming over from the Colts.
2008 Draft Picks:
1st Round – 16th overall
2nd Round – 50th overall
3rd Round –81st overall
4th Round – 116th overall
5th Round – 150th overall
6th Round – 188th overall
7th Round – 228th overall
Free agency status:
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
TE Troy Bienemann
OT Elton Brown
CB Ralph Brown
S Oliver Celestin
CB Eric Green
LS Nathan Hodel
WR Ahmad Merritt
WR Sean Morey
DE Bo Schobel
DE Antonio Smith
DE Joe Tafoya
WR Jerheme Urban
S Matt Ware
UFA
DL Rodney Bailey
P Mitch Berger
QB Tim Hasselbeck
S Bhawoh Jue
DT Ross
QB Tim Rattay
TE Tim Euhus
PLAYERS ACQUIRED
CB Michael Adams : ERFA
LB Clark Haggans: Steelers
P Dirk Johnson : ERFA
DE Travis LaBoy: Titans
WR Jamaica Rector: ERFA
QB Brian St. Pierre: Steelers
TE Jerame Tuman: Steelers
PLAYERS LOST
LB Darryl Blackstock
DT Chris Cooper
S Terrence Holt
LB Brandon Johnson
WR Bryant Johnson
OLB Calvin Pace
OT Oliver Ross
OG Keydrick Vincent
Edit: This blog was archived in May of 2016 from our original articles database.It was originally posted by Bernie Marshall