Kurt Warner had a great season in 2008
Credit: John Trainor | ©Wikimedia Commons
The 2009 Arizona Cardinals Will Not Return to the Super Bowl
In this preview of the 2009 Arizona Cardinals I will tell you if they will return to the Super Bowl. Last season they were the most unlikely Super Bowl team possibly ever. The Cardinals didn't improve much over what was really an average team in 2008. So no I don't see the Cardinals returning to the Super Bowl for the 2009 season.Arizona got lucky with playing in a terrible division and getting a playoff game with Carolina who had a deer in the headlights look as Jake Delhomme melted down. Winning the NFC Championship game was indeed impressive but the team overall was not.
Arizona rode the arm of Kurt Warner and the talents Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin and a defense just peaking at the right time. Warner is a year older, the defense is worse and Anquan Boldin is always unhappy about something.
Adding Chris "Beanie" Wells in the draft may have helped the biggest offensive weakness. Edgerrin James was satisfactory at the end of 2008 and Tim Hightower is a good short yardage back, but that was all. Wells adds some young legs and talent to replace the released James. Look for Wells to get the bulk of the carries in a rotation with Tim Hightower. J.J. Arrington left as a free agent and joined the Denver Broncos, as you can see here.
The average at best defense lost starting end Antonio Smith and will try to replace him with rookie (2nd round pick) Cody Brown. Adrian Wilson was resigned and this was a good move for both the safety and the team. But my preview of the 2009 Arizona Cardinals does not indicate that the defense is improved at all.
Coach Ken Whisenhunt is still in charge of the 2009 Arizona Cardinals but there are new coordinators. Todd Haley the former offensive coordinator is the new head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs. Apparently Whisenhunt will act as the offensive coordinator for the 2009 Arizona Cardinals. Defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast was fired and replaced with linebacker's coach Billy Davis.
- Kurt Warner is back but a year older
- Anquan Boldin is always unhappy about something
- The NFC West should be slightly improved in 2009
Comments
I think maybe they make wild card, but that's barely:-) Nice review!
Very detailed work as always!
Great overview of offseason changes and updates on the team.
I have read every one of these previews (though only commented on this one), and they all rock. Randy, you sure know yer noize about football!
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