Arizona Cardinals 2010 Season Preview
Football Betting Lines
08/30/2010 -
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - With Kurt Warner having ridden off into the glorious sunset
of retirement, the Arizona Cardinals were planning on once again handing Matt
Leinart the keys to the Porsche.
But as he has done twice before, Leinart is already in danger of crashing and
burning the vehicle.
Since being drafted 10th overall by Arizona in 2006, the 27-year-old Leinart
has twice lost his starting job to Warner, who guided the Cardinals to their
first Super Bowl appearance following the 2008 season and a 10-6 mark last year
that included a playoff win over the Green Bay Packers and a divisional round
loss to the New Orleans Saints.
Now, coming off consecutive playoff appearances for the first time since
1974-75, the safety net known as Warner is no longer an option and Arizona was
planning on coming out of the chute with Leinart under center. However,
struggles by the offense over the first two preseason games prompted head
coach Ken Whisenhunt to try planned backup Derek Anderson at the start of the
third exhibition game.
Both quarterbacks responded with a touchdown pass in a win over the Bears,
leaving the quarterback situation in Arizona cloudy.
"I don't have to make any decisions right now," Whisenhunt said of his
quarterback spot after the game against Chicago on Aug. 28.
Arizona's final preseason game comes Sept. 2 versus Washington, but how both
quarterbacks perform on that day won't be the only thing that determines the
Week 1 starter.
"This evaluation covers more things than just the game," the Cardinals' head
coach said. "We've had a lot of practices, we've had a lot of reps. There's a
lot of things that are involved with this decision."
While Anderson has attempted 53 passes to Leinart's 23, the former Browns
signal-caller has just a 70.2 QB rating to Leinart's 110.3. It should also be
noted that both have been operating without star wide receiver Larry
Fitzgerald, who suffered a sprained MCL in the preseason opener.
Uncertainty under center is the last thing Whisenhunt's club needed. While
Warner's offense was nearly the same heading into the '09 campaign, Arizona
this past summer lost one of its top playmakers in wide receiver Anquan
Boldin, whose season-long campaign for a new deal came to an end with a trade
to the Baltimore Ravens.
While Boldin's exit is perhaps the biggest, behind maybe only Warner, he didn't
mark the end of the turnover either. Arizona also lost two of its top defensive
players to free agency in linebacker Karlos Dansby and safety Antrel Rolle.
Even kicker Neil Rackers, who had spent his previous seven seasons in the
desert, couldn't avoid becoming a roster casualty.
To Arizona's credit, each departure was addressed. Anderson now has a shot at
replacing Warner, while veteran linebacker Joey Porter and safety Kerry Rhodes
step in as well. Defense was also addressed with the first-round selection of
defensive lineman Dan Williams and linebacker Daryl Washington, who the Cards
traded up to get at 47th overall as the eventual replacement to Dansby.
Boldin's stand-in, though, is a little more uncertain.
Whisenhunt doesn't seem likely to try and continue Arizona's past success in
the air with Warner and Boldin gone, so general manager Rod Graves went out
and signed guard Alan Faneca. That move seems to signal that Cardinals'
offensive balance may shift a little more towards the run this year.
"When you look at what we've done to address our losses, I feel very good
about that," Whisenhunt said early in camp. "We have, to me, a good combination
of experienced veterans that are good leaders, good young players, a good core
group of players and we've got some exciting draft picks."
Whisenhunt better feel good about his new mix of players, because things are
about to get tougher around town with Warner now spending his time with the
family and not nose-first in a playbook.
Below we take a capsule look at the 2010 edition of the Arizona Cardinals,
with a personnel evaluation and prognosis included therein:
2009 RECORD: 10-6 (1st, NFC West)
LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: 2009, lost to New Orleans, 45-14, in NFC Divisional
Playoff
COACH (RECORD): Ken Whisenhunt (27-21 in three seasons with Cardinals, 27-21
overall)
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Whisenhunt
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Bill Davis
OFFENSIVE STAR: Larry Fitzgerald, WR (97 receptions, 1092 yards, 13 TD)
DEFENSIVE STAR: Adrian Wilson, S (74 tackles, 5 INT, 2 sacks)
OFFENSIVE TEAM RANKS: 28th rushing, 12th passing, 11th scoring
DEFENSIVE TEAM RANKS: 17th rushing, 23rd passing, t14th scoring
KEY ADDITIONS: QB Derek Anderson (from Browns), QB John Skelton (5th Round,
Fordham), FB Charles Ali (from Ravens), WR Andre Roberts (3rd Round, The
Citadel), G Alan Faneca (from Jets), OL Rex Hadnot (from Browns), DT Dan
Williams (1st Round, Tennessee), LB Daryl Washington (2nd Round, TCU), OLB
Joey Porter (from Dolphins), LB Paris Lenon (from Rams), S Kerry Rhodes (from
Jets), K Jay Feely (from Jets)
KEY DEPARTURES: QB Kurt Warner (retired), QB Brian St. Pierre (not tendered),
FB Dan Kreider (not tendered), FB Justin Green (not tendered), WR Sean Morey
(to Seahawks), WR Jerheme Urban (to Chiefs), WR Anquan Boldin (to Ravens), T
Mike Gandy (not tendered), DE Jason Banks (released), OLB Chike Okeafor (not
tendered), OLB Karlos Dansby (to Dolphins), CB Bryant McFadden (to Steelers),
CB Ralph Brown (not tendered), S Antrel Rolle (to Giants), K Neil Rackers (to
Texans)
QB: For the second time, Leinart is in danger of playing himself out of the
starting role. While injury and great play by Warner kept Leinart on the bench
in 2007, he did fail in a subsequent chance at unseating his former mentor.
Leinart has made just six starts since his 2006 rookie season and threw for 435
yards with three picks and no touchdown passes in limited time last year. Plan
B is Anderson, a Pro Bowl selection in 2007 when he threw for 29 touchdown
passes. Anderson's career in Cleveland fizzled afterwards as he managed just 12
touchdown passes over the last two seasons with the lackluster Browns, as he
and Brady Quinn constantly traded the starting spot. Fifth-round choice John
Skelton out of Fordham and undrafted rookie Max Hall (BYU) will compete for the
third spot on the roster.
RB: The good news for Arizona is that unlike 2008, its run game a season ago
didn't rank last in the NFL. The bad news is that it only jumped up four spots
and averaged just 93.4 yards per game. Tim Hightower (598 rushing yards, 63
receptions, 8 TD) played well enough as a rookie in 2008 -- 10 touchdowns in
16 games and seven starts -- that the club cut ties with Edgerrin James, but
not well enough that the Cardinals didn't pass on Chris "Beanie" Wells (793
rushing yards, 7 TD) with the 31st pick of the 2009 draft. Wells had 176
carries a year ago to 143 by Hightower, but both should be leaned on more this
season. Jason Wright offers good hands as the third back, while fullback
Reagan Mauia could owe a roster spot to what looks like a season-ending knee
injury for Nehemiah Broughton.
WR/TE: Though Leinart won't have Boldin to throw to, he still has one of the
top targets in football in Fitzgerald, who led the team with 97 catches, 1,092
yards and 13 touchdowns a season ago. Fitzgerald has caught at least 96 balls
in four of his first six NFL seasons and already owns 59 touchdown catches. He
should be ready for Week 1 despite his injury. Steve Breaston (55 receptions,
3 TD) and Early Doucet (17 receptions, 1 TD) will move up the depth chart and
try to replace Boldin's 84 catches and four touchdowns from 2009. Breaston
will start opposite of Fitzgerald. Andre Roberts, a third-round pick out of
The Citadel, will help out on special teams and likely be the fourth receiver.
Arizona's offense doesn't usually involve tight ends, as Ben Patrick, Anthony
Becht and Stephen Spach combined for just 23 catches last year.
OL: One of the Cardinals' biggest additions comes in the form of the 305-pound
Faneca, who takes over at left guard. Faneca's addition will shift Reggie
Wells to the right spot alongside tackle Brandon Keith, who appeared in just
four games off the bench last year and now protects Leinart's blind side. The
rest of the line remains the same from last year, though former first-round
pick Levi Brown moves from right tackle to left due to the departure of free
agent Mike Gandy. Lyle Sendlein remains at center. Former starting guard Deuce
Lutui, who came into camp overweight, tackles Jeremy Bridges and Herman
Johnson, as well as center Ben Claxton offer options off the bench for
offensive line coach and recent Hall of Fame inductee Russ Grimm.
DL: The Cardinals finished sixth in the NFL last year with 43 sacks, and a pair
of star ends are to thank. Both right end Darnell Dockett (51 tackles) and
fellow starter Calais Campbell (48 tackles) finished with a club-best seven
sacks and will lead a Cardinals defensive line that could be one of the best
in the conference. Dockett has made 81 straight starts, and thankfully for the
Cardinals he appears to have decided to earn the new contract he is seeking on
the field rather than complain about it off. That's good news for Campbell,
who could use the help as he aims to take another step forward. Arizona appears
to have three capable players to plug in at nose tackle, with veteran Bryan
Robinson (28 tackles, 1 sack) likely to get the first shot at starting.
Williams has also impressed since being drafted, while Gabe Watson and end
Alan Branch both came into camp lighter in an effort to keep roster spots.
LB: Whisenhunt has plenty of options to go with at linebacker, but
unfortunately none of them are named Dansby, the team's leader with 109
tackles a year ago. Gerald Hayes (62 tackles) started alongside Dansby last
year, while free agent signee Paris Lenon (43 tackles with Rams) impressed in
camp and could lead a thin inside rotation that also features Monty Beisel,
Reggie Walker and the rookie Washington. The Cardinals are also reloaded at
the outside spot, where Porter (41 tackles, 9 sacks with Dolphins) joins
returning starter Clark Haggans (74 tackles, 5 sacks). Porter is 33 years of
age, but is just two seasons removed from a 17 1/2 sack campaign in 2008. Will
Davis (19 tackles, 2 sacks) and Cody Brown, who missed his rookie year last
season due to a wrist injury, are in line to come off the bench.
DB: The Cardinals lost two starters this offseason in corner Bryant McFadden
and Rolle, but the two returners are both Pro Bowl players in defensive back
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (50 tackles, 6 INT) and strong safety Adrian
Wilson (74 tackles, 5 INT). Rodgers-Cromartie's development has been swift
since being selected by the Cardinals 16th overall in the 2008 draft, while
the hard-hitting Wilson is the defense's leader. Stepping in for McFadden will
be either Greg Toler, who played in 13 games last year as a rookie without a
start, or Trumaine McBride. McBride, though, played in just one game with the
Bears a season ago. Michael Adams (40 tackles, 1 INT) is also an option.
Arizona traded for Rhodes (63 tackles, 3 INT with Jets) to replace Rolle, a
converted corner who never lived up to his billing as the eighth overall pick
of the 2005 draft. Matt Ware and Rashad Johnson back up.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Rackers attempted just 17 field goals in the regular season
last year, hitting all but one, but his 34-yard miss in overtime versus Green
Bay in the playoffs nearly cost Arizona that game. So, in is veteran Jay
Feeley, who connected on 30 field goal attempts last year with the Jets but
struggled in an AFC Championship loss to the Colts. Ben Graham tied an NFL
single-season record with 42 punts inside the 20-yard line and his 47.0 yard
average per punt was a club record. Entering his 11th season, Mike Leach is in
his second as Arizona's long snapper. With Breaston's elevation on the depth
chart, Roberts should take over returning punts, and he took three to the house
during his college career. RB LaRod Stephens-Howling will field kickoffs after
posting a 24.2 return average with a touchdown.
PROGNOSIS: The Cardinals have never before posted three straight seasons of
finishing in first place, and don't appear to be in a favorable position to
achieve that goal this year. The loss of Warner and Boldin definitely knocks
Arizona down a few pegs in the conference pecking order, and the Cards have yet
to show they can consistently run the ball to take some pressure off
Leinart/Anderson. The club is very strong defensively, but a lack of depth in
the secondary, especially at the corners, will hurt when it plays the likes of
San Diego, New Orleans, Minnesota and Dallas. Add in an up-and-coming 49ers
team and the hungry Seahawks, and the Cardinals look like a middle-of-the-pack
club that will finish outside of the playoff picture.
<< Van Persie suffers minor ankle injury
London, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Arsenal and Netherlands striker Robin van
Persie is set to miss a few weeks because of an ankle injury, according to the
Dutch football federation.
Van Persie missed five months last season because of
<< Arena to extend schedule to 18 games
Tulsa, OK (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Arena Football League will extend its
regular-season schedule from 16 to 18 games next season.
A 16-game schedule had been in effect since 2003.
"There has never been a better time for the Aren
<< Boston downs Philadelphia to edge closer to playoff berth
West Chester, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Boston Breakers closed the gap on the
Philadelphia Independence in the race for second place in the Women's
Professional Soccer table with a 2-1 comeback win at John A. Farrell Stadium
on Sund
<< Walcott putting World Cup snub behind him
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The biggest decisions most 16-year-old
boys have to make involve a choice of which car to buy, which girl to ask to
the dance, or what their Facebook status will be.
But Theo Walcott was not your typic
<< Prosecutors charge Mizzou RB with assault
COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) -Prosecutors have charged suspended Missouri running back Derrick Washington with sexual assault.Assistant Boone County prosecutor Andrea Hayes says a single count of felony deviate sexual assault was filed Monday. She says she wi
Ronaldo to miss three weeks with ankle injury >>
Madrid, Spain (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is
expected to miss the next three weeks because of an ankle problem, the club
confirmed on Monday.
The 25-year-old Ronaldo sustained the injury in Real's 0-0 dr
Monty did fine, though Ryder Cup system is flawed >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Monty couldn't win.
There were five players vying for three spots on the European Ryder Cup team.
Technically, there might have been six golfers for three spots, after Colin
Montgomerie himself floated Ber
Ibrahimovic completes Milan move >>
Milan, Italy (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic completed
his season-long loan move to AC Milan on Monday after passing a medical.
Ibrahimovic will spend the upcoming season with Milan, which will then have
the option
Wie up to seventh in world rankings >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Michelle Wie's victory Sunday at the
Canadian Women's Open vaulted the 20-year-old up to No. 7 in this week's world
rankings.
Wie, who collected her second LPGA Tour win, moved up five spots this wee
Fabiano signs Sevilla extension >>
Seville, Spain (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Luis Fabiano pledged his future to Sevilla
through June 2013 on Monday when he signed a two-year contract extension,
which brings to an end any speculation about a move away from the club.
Fabiano's p
Marlins could start season without No. 2 starter Johnson
JUPITER, Fla. -- The Foorida Marlins are preparing for the likelihood that right-hander
Josh Johnson won't be ready when the season starts April 2.
Grapefruit League action starts Wednesday, but Johnson, penciled in as the No. 2 starter, hasn't even thrown off a mound at full speed since September. He's experienced some soreness in his right forearm.
MySportsbook.com have the Marlins listed with baseball betting lines at +800 to win the NL East this season .
''You guys know the math. If he's not on the hill then he becomes an opening day roster issue,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said Saturday. ''We're borderline now.''
Johnson, who finished 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 2007, was supposed to throw on flat ground Saturday. That was canceled when he woke up with pain.
He played catch on Wednesday with no pain but felt discomfort in a throwing session on Thursday. He's expected to try again Sunday.
''Like we always said from the very beginning, we're going to take it easy on him,'' Gonzalez said. ''He didn't feel right, so we shut him down. We're going to take it back to step one and see where we're at.''
Among the candidates to take Johnson's spot in the rotation are left-hander Chris George and right-handers Yusmeiro Petit and Jose Garcia.
Right-hander Sergio Mitre, who missed most of last season with arm and shoulder problems, also is behind.
With Johnson's status doubtful, Gonzalez said right-hander Ricky Nolasco will stay in the rotation and no longer will be considered a candidate for closer.
Additional basbeall odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.
your source for online betting
As the web was just getting it's footing in the business world in 1997, My Sportsbook was breaking new
ground in the online sportsbook arena. Offering over 20 Las Vegas Games and backed by Sporting Bet UK,
the largest publicly traded Internet gaming company in the world today, My Sportsbook offers betting lines
on every major sporting event in the world, including Online MLB Baseball Betting. With a wide array of bonuses including a 10% Free Money bonus
to all new customers, My Sportsbook is a top online sportsbook, poker room, casino and racebook -- join today!For those that feel that a site like My Sportsbook is only a sportsbook we would like to introduce you to
a place where a single login allows you to not only bet on every major sporting event in the world but also
to bet on horses at over 90 different tracks or play at over 20 Las Vegas style table games in their top online
casino. My Sportsbook has won many awards for it's site design and ease of use as well as it's 24/7
customer support. Get all your gaming done in one spot - try My Sportsbook Today!
|
Bonds nearly hits HR 751, SF wins
4 and drove in
a pair of runs, and Barry Bonds nearly hit homer No. 751 as San Francisco beat
1, in the middle contest of three at AT&T Park.
6) allowed five hits and one run over 6 2/3 innings, fanning
eight and walking three.
game slide.
Bonds, who came within five homers of Hank Aaron's record on Friday, went
1 with three walks, an RBI double and scored twice. The double ...
read more
|
online sportsbook and casino
Since 2000, Best eCasino has maintained a 98.5% payout rate on all their more than 20 Las Vegas style games.
Each of their award winning games including, blackjack (and blackjack super 7s), Baccarat, Roulette and Craps are
available as either a downloadable program or as java programs that can be played directly within your browser. Don't
know how to play a certain game? Read the details and strategy here and start with their Play for Fun section which
allows you to practice a game before taking on the casino. Let's see any Vegas casino do that... Best eCasino doesn't stop there, they now offer horse wagering and sportsbook lines to round off all the online
gaming industry have to offer. They are consistently at the forefront of the industry with new innovations consistently
starting with their site. These guys are the entrepreneur's of the online gaming world and they set the standard for others
to follow. So bet with a leader that's backed by the largest online gaming company in the world with 24 hour customer support,
Best eCasino.
|
