Professor

Things to watch in tonight's game

excerpt:

Cardinals offensive line: Can it open holes for Edgerrin James and protect Matt Leinart? The biggest questions are at tackle, with Mike Gandy on the left side and Oliver Ross on the right. Rookie Levi Brown, the fifth overall pick in the draft, will play right tackle with the second unit.

The Cardinals running a 3-4 defense: They'll likely be in this alignment on first and second downs. Middle linebacker Karlos Dansby has had an excellent camp, but the key will be how well nose tackles Gabe Watson and Alan Branch play.

The new coaches: The Cardinals' Ken Whisenhunt and the Raiders' Lane Kiffin are in their first seasons as NFL coaches. There could be some rough edges to smooth when it comes to managing the game.

The tight ends: Leonard Pope has a firm grasp on the starting job, but he needs to become a better blocker. Backup Troy Bienemann has caught everything in practice, but he has to prove he can block, too.

Punt returner: Steve Breaston was drafted for his return ability, but he'll be challenged by Micheal Spurlock and Rod Hood. Keep an eye on Spurlock, who has some quickness in the open field.

The cornerbacks: Hood and Eric Green are battling for one spot, with Antrel Rolle holding down the other one. The Cardinals struggled in pass coverage last year.

The backup receivers: Everyone knows what Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin can do. Bryant Johnson is entrenched as the No. 3 receiver. There will be room for two or three more receivers on the 53-man roster.

Former Cardinals QB Josh McCown: He's starting tonight for the Raiders. McCown is mobile and he'll need to be if the Raiders' line is as bad as last year.

Cardinal defensive end Bertrand Berry: He's slimmed down and has looked fast in training camp. See if he can take advantage of Raiders' left tackle Barry Sims early.

The Cardinals IQ factor: Whisenhunt has emphasized playing with intelligence. Let's see if the players are getting the message.

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Serrated Shadow

If only we got this on T.V. I'd be all over it right now. I hardly ever get to see Cards games during the season.

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BeastJacobs

I never, ever see the Cardinals.

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Serrated Shadow

the only time i ever saw them last year was the Chicago game...yeaaaahhhh....

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Professor

well, they have never had a team worth watching before, LOL

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Serrated Shadow

yeah, but i love to watch Boldin and Fitzgerald, and now Leinart. My 3 favorite NFL players are Fitz, S-jax and Javon Walker(I own a piece of a jersey he wore), so whenever their teams are playing i just have to watch them..I rarely get Rams and Cards games in Virginia.

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Professor

but Im sure you get a ton of broncos games, LOL

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Serrated Shadow

yeah lol..I'll have fun time with those games cause i'm big on Travis Henry, Cutler and Walker.

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gruntbygod

I think ultimatly its gonna be Branch at DE, Dockett at DE Watson at NT and Berry will be an OLB. I think that front 7 has a solid foundation, but the youngun have to step up and gel.

I think in the long run their 3-4 will be better than SF's

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Serrated Shadow

Very well could be..not to mention Buster Davis could be real good as well.

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