Cards: position by position
excerpt:
Quarterback
Starter: Matt Leinart wasn't sharp in early practices this off-season but he improved in the final weeks. He needed to use this off-season to get stronger, polish his fundamentals and learn a new offense. So far, so good.
Backups: Kurt Warner looked like a kid again at practice. Every day, he showed up with a different tape job on his shoes and ankles. On the final day of the last minicamp session, he had tassels hanging from them. Some people think Warner is finished, but he's better than most of the backups in the league. And he's a perfect mentor for Leinart.
Concerns: Leinart suffered injuries to both shoulders last year, and Warner has fumbled too much when he's played. Still, that tandem is playoff caliber.
Running back
Starter: Edgerrin James attended about half of the off-season work, which is a lot for him. He'll have to make some adjustments in style in 2007, because he'll be running behind a fullback for the first time in a long while.
Backups: Whisenhunt liked Marcel Shipp even before taking the Cardinals job. J.J. Arrington has the speed the top two guys are missing.
Concerns: James is not a threat to break many long runs. Neither is Shipp, and Arrington has to prove he's tough enough to warrant being the third-down back.
Fullback
Starter: Terrelle Smith has blocked for 1,000-yard rushers before, but he'll be pushed by some young players.
Backups: There's a score of rookies eager for a shot. Tim Castille from Alabama made an early impression, but Roshon Vercher and BranDon Snow will get long looks, too, as will A.J. Schable.
Concerns: Smith needs to come through in a big way. If he doesn't, the Cardinals will be relying on an undrafted free agent.
Receiver
Starters: Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald should continue to form one of the best duos in the league. Boldin will be moved around the formation to create favorable matchups.
Backups: Bryant Johnson and Sean Morey have the experience. Rookie Steve Breaston will be the fifth receiver if he proves he can handle the punt return job.
Concerns: If Fitzgerald refines his route-running skills, he'll be unstoppable. Johnson dropped too many passes last year, and Morey's receiving skills were spotty in summer drills. Breaston looks raw as a receiver.
Tight end
Starter: Leonard Pope has the athletic ability to be a serviceable player, but he has to prove he can block.
Backups: Troy Bienemann, who hasn't played a down in the NFL, made an impression in voluntary practices but will he continue when the pads are on? Tim Euhus is an effective blocker but he's not the all-around player the club needs.
Concerns: They're big. Pope has to come through. Bienemann could be a major surprise, but it's impossible to count on him at this point. The club will look to upgrade this position throughout the summer.
Offensive line
Starters: LT Mike Gandy, LG Reggie Wells, C Al Johnson, RG Deuce Lutui, RT Oliver Ross. Only Lutui played the same position for the Cardinals last year. Gandy and Johnson are free agents, Wells is moving over from tackle and Ross was benched last year.
Backups: First-round pick Levi Brown is behind Ross at right tackle, and it would be a surprise to see him stay there all year. Elton Brown has lost weight and is backing up at guard. Nick Leckey has starting experience at center. Gandy and Ross can also play guard.
Concerns: The group hasn't played together. Ross has been a disappointment in his two years with the Cardinals, and Wells is moving from right tackle, where he played well last year, to guard. Gandy is not a dominating left tackle.
Defensive line
Starters: The move to a 3-4 has brought about personnel changes. Darnell Dockett moves from tackle to left end, and Gabe Watson or Alan Branch will start at nose tackle, with Antonio Smith at right end.
Backups: Chris Cooper can play both tackle and end, as can Ross Kolodziej and Jonathan Lewis. Bertrand Berry could move back to end from outside linebacker, as could Calvin Pace.
Concerns: Dockett is playing a new position. Watson and Branch are unproven, and Smith has been an adequate backup most of his career.
Linebackers
Starters: Berry and Chike Okeafor, former ends, move to outside linebackers in the 3-4. Karlos Dansby moves from the outside to inside, where he'll play next to Gerald Hayes.
Backups: The development of Darryl Blackstock will be key. He has the skills to play both linebacker and end, and he'll get a chance to rush the passer in nickel situations. Calvin Pace is a solid backup on the outside. ILB Brandon Johnson needs to prove he belongs in the NFL. Veteran Monty Beisel and rookie Buster Davis provide depth inside.
Concerns: Okeafor, Berry and Dansby are playing new positions. Berry didn't participate in off-season drills as he recovers from a torn pectoral muscle. He's the team's best pass rusher, so look for coaches to use him in that role.
Cornerbacks
Starters: Antrel Rolle has the left side spot nailed down. Eric Green and Rod Hood are competing for the other spot.
Backups: Hood or Green will be the team's nickel corner, with Rolle possibly moving in to cover the slot in that alignment. Veteran Ralph Brown provides depth. Darrell Hunter could move into the mix with a good performance at camp.
Concerns: There is no proven elite player. Rolle and Green gave up too many big plays last year, and Hood has been a nickel corner for most of his career. Rolle needs to step up and prove worthy of being a first-round pick in 2005.
Safeties
Starters: Adrian Wilson is a fixture at strong safety, and he's joined by free safety Terrence Holt, a former college teammate.
Backups: Aaron Francisco has the skills to be a starter, and coaches are looking at moving Matt Ware from cornerback. Hanik Milligan is mainly a special teamer but he wants to be more.
Concern: Not many. Wilson and Holt should be a solid tandem, and Francisco is pushing Holt for playing time.
Cards: position by position
Cards: position by position
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