2007 Results: 8-8
\n2008 Projected Cap Status: $1,160,080 under the cap <\/p>\n
2007 Season Recap: <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
Team Needs: <\/p>\n
1. Cornerback\u2013 Marty Roderick Hood and Eric Green are the starters when Arizona\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n
2. Linebacker \u2013 Chike Okeafor is coming off of an injury and Arizona can\u2019t 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 <\/p>\n
3. Running Back \u2013 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\u2019t been effective since coming over from the Colts. <\/p>\n
2008 Draft Picks: <\/p>\n
1st Round \u2013 16th overall
\n2nd Round \u2013 50th overall
\n3rd Round \u201381st overall
\n4th Round \u2013 116th overall
\n5th Round \u2013 150th overall
\n6th Round \u2013 188th overall
\n7th Round \u2013 228th overall <\/p>\n
Free agency status: <\/p>\n
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED <\/p>\n
TE Troy Bienemann
\nOT Elton Brown
\nCB Ralph Brown
\nS Oliver Celestin
\nCB Eric Green
\nLS Nathan Hodel
\nWR Ahmad Merritt
\nWR Sean Morey
\nDE Bo Schobel
\nDE Antonio Smith
\nDE Joe Tafoya
\nWR Jerheme Urban
\nS Matt Ware <\/p>\n
UFA <\/p>\n
DL Rodney Bailey
\nP Mitch Berger
\nQB Tim Hasselbeck
\nS Bhawoh Jue
\nDT Ross
\nQB Tim Rattay
\nTE Tim Euhus <\/p>\n
PLAYERS ACQUIRED <\/p>\n
CB Michael Adams : ERFA
\nLB Clark Haggans: Steelers
\nP Dirk Johnson : ERFA
\nDE Travis LaBoy: Titans
\nWR Jamaica Rector: ERFA
\nQB Brian St. Pierre: Steelers
\nTE Jerame Tuman: Steelers <\/p>\n
PLAYERS LOST <\/p>\n
LB Darryl Blackstock
\nDT Chris Cooper
\nS Terrence Holt
\nLB Brandon Johnson
\nWR Bryant Johnson
\nOLB Calvin Pace
\nOT Oliver Ross
\nOG Keydrick Vincent<\/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":"