1998 Team Preview: Cardinals
Posted: Wednesday July 29, 1998 11:28 AM
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If Arizona's offensive line can give Plummer time, he could sneak the Cardinals into a wild-card spot in 1998 Otto Greule Jr./Allsport |
There is more optimism and excitement in the state of Arizona about the
Cardinals than in many years. Nobody doubts Vince Tobin and his staff's
ability to do a solid coaching job, but the real story here are the
personnel decisions made by this struggling franchise led by GM Bob
Ferguson.
The Cardinals have made all the right moves in the off-season and appear to
be on a very positive mode, heading into 1998. Young QB Jake Plummer is
the franchise player, and he has a better surrounding cast in 1998 than he
did a year ago. As a result, he should continue to show improvement and the
Cardinals should be a fairly efficient scoring offense, although the
offensive line is still a major area of concern in terms of depth, talent
and experience.
If that unit plays better in 1998 and the run game improves, with the
addition of free agents Adrian Murrell
and Mario Bates,
and Michael Pittman in the draft, this could be a fairly balanced offense
that could score a lot of points.
Defensively, all the excitement revolves around the defensive line, which
should provide a lot of frustrating days for opposing QBs. Rookie Andre
Wadsworth, arguably the best the player in the 1998 draft, will team with
Eric Swann, Mark Smith, and Simeon Rice to give
the Cardinals one of the most talented and potentially dominating defensive
lines in the NFL.
However, all of that production is still on paper and the Cardinals must
live up to their press clippings. This unit better play well because
Arizona is still struggling at linebacker, in terms of depth and
experience, and while the secondary appears to be upgraded with the
addition of 2nd-round pick safety Corey Chavous, it is still not a group
that strikes fear in opposing offenses and it will take time to develop.
The kicking game is also a huge area of concern, as the Cardinals go into
the 1998 season without a clear-cut punter on the roster and a kicker, Joe Nedney, who has
not proven he can get the job done on a regular basis. This does not bode
well for this team, as they have a look of a squad that may be in a lot of
close games that could be decided by a field goal. There is hope on the
horizon with the addition of veteran return specialist Eric Metcalf, who
gives the Cards their best big-play guy in several years, and he will also
fill a dual role as a No. 3 WR in nickel situations.
Arizona is lucky to be playing in the balanced, but mediocre, NFC East and
they should be an improved football team that will play some exciting
games, but it is a young team that must learn to crawl before it walks.
With any luck at all, a new attitude of optimism will creep into the Valley
of the Sun and this team will start to show improvement. Off-season
Acquisitions
RB-Mario Bates (UFA, Saints) - He will battle for the starting job with
Murrell-has speed but not a lot of productivity-provides depth.
QB-Dave Brown
(FA, Giants) - Cards needed a backup desperately and got a good
one-change of scenery may help him and with weak Cardinal OL, he may have
to play if Plummer gets hurt.
RG-Lester
Holmes (UFA, Oakland) - The only significant free-agent signing on the
line. A good run blocker and average pass blocker - not a long term
solution and only mild upgrade at right guard.
MLB-Mark Maddox
(UFA, Buffalo) - He will back up McKinnon and perhaps push for a starting
job -- not real flashy but steady fill-in guy and adequate on special
teams.
KR/WR-Eric Metcalf (T, San Diego) - Gives the team a solid returner as well
as another third-down threat -- really upgrades special teams and gives
Plummer a quality third receiver.
RB-Adrian Murrell (T, N.Y.Jets) - Great off-season pickup, he's a
1,000-yard rusher who can break a big play and is very underrated as a
receiver out of the backfield. Best Off-season Moves
1) Hiring Mark Trestman as offensive coordinator ... he will be a great
mentor to QB Jake Plummer as he was to Steve Young and he
will bring his version of the West Coast offense that will concentrate on a
short, rhythmic passing game which will take pressure off the offensive
line. It should open up more scoring opportunities for these young
Cardinals.
2) Veteran RS/WR Eric Metcalf comes over in a trade from San Diego and
gives the Cardinals their first legitimate return specialist in several
years and as an added bonus, he should fit nicely as the No. 3 WR behind
Moore and Sanders. This also gives the Cardinals a legitimate nickel
package on a team badly needing big plays and Metcalf may be the perfect
answer. 1998 Team Needs
1) OLB - Need true starter at right outside linebacker ... marginal depth
in backups ... no big-play guy in coverage and pass rush.
2) MLB - McKinnon is talented, but lacks experience, and is undersized ...
no real depth ... must stay healthy.
3) DS - Rookie Chavous helps the Cards ... need two starters ... they must
improve in man-to-man matchups in 1998.
4) OT - Lomas
Brown (left tackle) is near the end of a nice career & right tackle is
up for grabs...need quality young guy to develop.
5) PT - Veteran Jeff Feagles is
gone & there is not an experienced guy in the wings ... scary going into
1998 season.
6) WR - Eric Metcalf will help as No. 3 WR, but lack of depth & deep speed
in nickel is still problem.
7) OL - Young players may be overrated ... need quality depth, with size &
athletic ability at guard & tackle...weak unit in 1997.
8) PK - Disaster area in 1997 ... incumbent Nedney has talent, but Cards
may be in several close games ... scary. 1998 Keys To Success
1) Questionable OL must protect franchise QB Plummer and keep him healthy,
while opening run game.
2) Talented DL must put pressure on QB to compensate for marginal back
seven and matchups.
3) Offensive coordinator Trestman must design quick rhythm passing game to
cover offensive weaknesses.
4) Cardinals must solve kicking game problems, as close games are
anticipated...no experience at punter.
5) "Big Red" must get off to a good start to build fan base and excitement
level in Valley of the Sun. War Room Forecast
The Cardinals are lucky to be playing in the weak NFC East and almost any
team can emerge as a division winner. It is certainly conceivable that they
could finish as high as 8-8 and be in the playoff hunt well into December,
but they have too many holes to consider a serious playoff contender in1998
... however, they are moving in the right direction.
The War Room is offering up a
daily team preview for CNN/SI from now until August 28. Check back tomorrow
to read about the new-look Dallas Cowboys.
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