Between now and the 2007 NFL Draft, THN will be taking a look at all of the NFL teams’ offseason needs. Up next is the team with the fifth overall pick in the draft, the Arizona Cardinals.<\/p>\n
2006 Results:<\/b> 5-11 (4th in NFC West)<\/p>\n
2007 Projected Cap Status:<\/b> $105,330,000 or $3.67 million under the Cap<\/p>\n
2006 Season Recap:<\/b><\/p>\n
The Arizona Cardinals opened the season to a packed and sold out Arizona Stadium to start what everyone expected to be a playoff run. Despite newly signed RB Edgerrin James only running for 73 yards on 26 carries, the Cardinals beat the 49ers 34-27 and looked to be on their way. Then they lost eight in a row and playoff talk obviously stopped. The team changed the offensive coordinator, then benched Kurt Warner for Leinart. When this didn\u2019t work they changed offensive coordinators again. When all was said and done they fired Head Coach Denny Green after three losing seasons<\/p>\n
Team needs:<\/b><\/p>\n
1. Offensive Line:
\nThe Cardinals may not spend an early selection to help this spot, but they will have to either re-sign Left Tackle Leonard Davis, who will be a free agent, or find a replacement in free agency. The offensive line is a young group and Russ Grimm will look to upgrade this area.<\/p>\n
2. Defensive Back:
\nThe safety position will need to be upgraded during the off-season since Adrian Wilson had trouble in coverage last year, with David Macklin and Robert Griffith hitting the market in March (Griffith is more likely to move on), a defensive back maybe the first position addressed if the Cards don\u2019t find someone in free agency to replace Griffith.<\/p>\n
3. Linebacker
\nThe MLB position is set with Gerald Hayes recent extension, but Orlando Huff will more than likely not be back next season, and the weak-side will need an upgrade. The Cardinals could really use a LB with cover skills.<\/p>\n
2007 draft picks:<\/b>
\nRd. 1 (5th)
\nRd. 2 (38th)
\nRd. 3 (69th)
\nRd. 4 (101st)
\nRd. 5 (132nd)
\nRd. 6 (165th)<\/p>\n
Free Agency Status:<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n
Exclusive Rights Free Agents:<\/b>
\nTE Adam Bergen
\nOG Rolando Cantu
\nS Aaron Francisco
\nWR Carlyle Holiday
\nDT Jonathan Lewis
\nRB Roger Robinson<\/p>\n
Un-Restricted Free Agents:<\/b>
\nLB Monty Beisel
\nS Jack Brewer
\nDE Chris Cooper
\nLB James Darling
\nOT Leonard Davis
\nS Robert Giffith
\nLB Orlando Huff
\nOG Chris Liwienski
\nCB David Macklin
\nS Hanik Milligan
\nRB Marcel Shipp
\nCB Robert Tate
\nTE Fred Wakefield
\nWR Troy Walters<\/p>\n
Restricted Free Agents:<\/b>
\nC Nick Leckey
\nQB John Navarre
\nDE Antonio Smith
\nC Alex Stepanovich<\/p>\n
Edit: This blog was archived in May of 2016 from our original articles database.It was originally posted by Bernie Marshall<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"