NFC WEST - ARIZONA CARDINALS

2006 PREVIEW

This team won just five games last season, but we think the Cardinals will be the most improved team in the NFL this year with Edgerrin James now heading the backfield.

He was the biggest acquisition for any team this off-season, as he instantly transforms Arizona into a potentially explosive offense. The Cards already have one of the best receiving tandems in the league in Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald, and they ranked 1 st in the NFL in passing offense last year at 295.2 yards per game, but they never had an adequate running threat to compliment the passing game. James changes that in a heartbeat, and we are going out on a limb here and call for Arizona to snare the last wild card spot in the NFC! Quarterback Kurt Warner may turn back the clock this season now that he has an All-Pro running back to help loosen opposing pass defenses, and remember that Matt Leinart is available in an emergency, although the Cards would prefer to hold him out until next season at the earliest. Also the Cardinals bolstered their offensive line for the next decade with the selection of guard Deuce Lutui, who blocked for Leinart at USC and will be an immediate starter, in the second round of the draft.

Arizona was more than adequate defensively last year, ranked 8 th in the NFL in fewest yards allowed. We see no reason why they cannot repeat that performance this season, with the big difference being that it should translate into many more wins with a much-improved offense.

2006 Prediction: 2 nd Place NFC West, Wild Card