NFL Football Preview 2009: Arizona Cardinals
Team Looks To Make Second-Straight Super Bowl Appearance In 2009
Jul 23, 2009
There are many questions surrounding the team about they have what it takes to represent the NFC in Super Bowl XLIV.
Will We See The Same Kurt Warner In 2009?
Before the start of the 2008 season, Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt made the decision to start Kurt Warner at quarterback over Matt Leinart, who signed a six-year, $50.8 million contract in 2006. In 2009, Leinart will make the big bucks once again as a No. 2 quarterback.
After losing four of their last six regular season games, all hope seemed lost for the Cardinals in the playoffs with many analysts predicting an early first-round exit. Against all odds, Warner turned the team around and led them to a surprise birth in Super Bowl XLIII before losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Despite the loss, Warner helped lead the team past the Falcons, Panthers, and Eagles to win their first ever NFC Championship game in franchise history.
Warner's successful season last year, in which he threw for 4,583 yards and 30 touchdowns, led him to a two-year deal worth $23 million, with $19 million guaranteed. Despite his age (he turned 38 in June), Warner should have another successful 2009 season, as long as he can stay healthy, with a dynamic wide-receiver duo of Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin.
As long as everyone can stay healthy, there is no reason not to believe that Warner can play this upcoming season the way he did last year. Even though he underwent arthroscopic surgery hip surgery in March to repair a torn labrum, he participated in the Cardinals' organized team activities this offseason, meaning he should be good-to-go for 2009.
Will The Cardinals Return To The Playoffs?
The worst part about the Cardinals loss to the Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII is the common pattern of missing the playoffs the following season for the losing team.
Since 2000, only one team (Seattle Seahawks, 2006) has made the playoffs the year after they lost the Super Bowl. Considering the Cardinals played in a weak last season, there is a good chance they may be able to clinch a second-straight NFC West Championship.
However, the NFC West should be more competitive this season, making it more difficult for the Cardinals to run away with the division like they did last season. The Cardinals clinched the NFC West title in Week 14 last season and had a 6-0 record within their division.
One of the teams that the Cardinals may struggle with is the Seattle Seahawks, who will have Matt Hasselbeck returning at quarterback after a back injury kept him out for most of the 2008 season. Before last season, Hasselbeck helped lead the Seahawks to five consecutive playoff appearances and four straight division titles.
Along with the Seahawks, expect the St. Louis Rams and San Francisco 49ers to give the Cardinals and Seahawks a run for their money in 2009. Both teams have head coaches entering their first full season with the team (Steve Spagnuolo with the Rams and Mike Singletary with the 49ers) who are hungry for their team to bounce back after a disappointing 2008 season.
