My enthusiasm for the Cardinals season has completely deflated. Most of us were excited for football to start when it did -- let alone Cardinals-football-- but now that the season is under way and the Cardinals have revealed their true colors, a gloomy cloud has formed over Arizona. It was originally thought that Kevin Kolbwould solve the offensive puzzle, and Ray Horton would finally push the defense to live up to their potential. Both of those changes have yet to take place. 

Kolb's late-game interception yesterday didn't sit well with his critics, and until he wins a game with his arm, they're their to stay. Let's not forget that at this time last season, Derek Anderson was making his case for worst quarterback in the league. I think it's a bit premature to say Kolb is not the Cardinals answer at quarterback. While I do agree he has much work to do, I'll wait to make my judgement until the season is over. Oh, and for those that feel his lone touchdown pass was pure Larry Fitzgerald-skill -- Kurt Warner anyone?

2011 - Kevin Kolb 812 yards, 5 Tds, 3 Ints

2010 - Derek Anderson 580 yards, 3 Tds, 3 Ints

I've had a chance to scour through the comments and get the general sense that Ken Whisenhunt has been dubbed the culprit for the team's 1-2 start. Play calling hasn't been there -- I'll give you that. The offense gets too complicated for their own good. I for one, prefer a basic offensive attack. They need to target Larry Fitzgerald more, feed the ball to Beanie Wells, and run the hurry up offense. I think the hurry up is the best bet to counter the offensive tackle struggles.

As for Whisenhunt himself, I'm not sure what to make of the situation. I know just two seasons ago we all worshipped this man like he was a god. After all, any coach that could get them same ole Cardinalsto a Super Bowl was bound for legit praise. But as they say, the honeymoon is over, and in his fifth season many fans feel Whisenhunt has worn out his welcome in Arizona -- but is that really fair? .

Kurt Warner left the Cardinals in a piss-poor situation at quarterback when he retired and Bill Davis ran the defense into the ground last year. This season is far from over and we can't determine how bad these two losses really are. Just like a draft can't be truly graded until 2-3 years later, wins and losses can't be until the Super Bowl champion is crowned. For all we know, the Redskins could win the NFC East, and while the Seahawks have done little in their same 1-2 start, they also came back to win the West last season after a slow start.

Don't get me wrong -- I loved Kurt Warner and he'll go down as one of my all-time favorites -- but he was not the lone reason for the Cardinals success for two years. He had two seasons before Whisenhunt arrived and couldn't beat out Matt Leinart while possessing an unfortunate ability to fumble the ball at the worst time. It wasn't until the Cardinals hired Whiz that Warner turned the corner and became the Cardinal we'll all remember him as. Even then, he'd have his infamous fumble or a five interception performance. I could also make the case that Larry Fitzgerald played out of his mind during the 2008 playoffs and that he is the sole reason for Warner's postseason success(see what I did there?). At the end of the day this is a team sport and both the players and coaches are responsible for the outcome -- good or bad. If I had more time, I'd tell you that I do feel Whiz needs to improve certain aspects of his coaching and his play calling. Right now however, I felt the need to come to his defense. Many of you are starting to sound like the angry mob with pitchforks and torches marching to Whisenhunt's home ready to overthrow the coach.

As for the Todd Haley cries -- is there really a garuntee that Haley was the reason for the Cardinals success? Or was it the aforementioned Warner/Fitzgerald connection? We can never be certain but I will say that the "offensive mastermind" has his Chiefs off to a 0-3 start, averaging a whopping 9 points per game. I don't know... I guess I'm not ready to welcome Haley back with open arms at this point.

As I look ahead, the only optimism I can muster out at this point is the return to University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals certainly need a home crowd to feed off of after two very disappointing losses. The Giants will be a difficult test, but the Cardinals are due for their "surprising win of the year" that we've grown accustomed to.

A one-point loss to the Redskins was a tough pill to swallow for the Arizona Cardinals, and I immediately turned off my TV after a replay showed the ball loosen from Chansi Stuckey's grasp. So what do we take away from the loss? Is Ken Whisenhunt's job at stake? No. It's very early in the season and the problems the Cardinals have faced can still be fixed. I will say that I couldn't agree with many of the decisions that were made yesterday.

For starters, why did the offense abandon the spread formation and Beanie Wells-draw after it was so successful at one point? The Redskins secondary was depleted and nothing else was working. I don't know all of the details and for all we know the Redskins could have been showing something that Whisenhunt didn't like. But after the Wells touchdown drive, the Cardinals appeared to have the momentum in their favor.

Those arguing that the Cardinals should have ran the ball more need to re-watch the first half of the game. Wells couldn't get moving. He carried the ball 3 times for 6 yards. It wasn't until the Cardinals ran the aforementioned spread offense in the third quarter that Beanie was productive on the ground. At that point however, the Cardinals were in a shoot out and stuck to the pass in the fourth quarter. The Redskins massive time of possession advantage also took the ball out of the Cardinals hands.

The defense was ridiculous. And I'm not saying individual players were, if that makes sense. But far too often Ray Horton's blitz-schemes became repetitive and predictable. He sent the defense after Grossman all day and walked away with 1 sack while leaving the secondary out to dry. And about that secondary... They made a slight improvement from the week before -- picking off two of Grossman's passes -- but they were out of position on both of his touchdown passes. The fourth-down touchdown to Santana Moss was agonizing to watch. The only thing I can say was that the defense stuck to the bend-but-don't-break motto. I was surprised that Washington was able to move the ball downfield several times in the first half but couldn't take advantage in the red zone(they were 2-7 for the day).

If Clancy Pendergast's and Bill Davis' job losses tell us anything, it's that we won't see a change at defensive coordinator this season. Some may feel I'm out of line, but Horton preached big things from this defense during the offseason. With the talent strung along the unit(Adrian Wilson, Kerry Rhodes, Darnell Dockett, Calais Campbell, Daryl Washington) this unit should be way better. For some reason, in Whisenhunt's time as head coach, the coordinators have been unable to utilize the talent along the defense.

Despite continued piss-poor protection, Kevin Kolb looked pretty damn good. The Redskins were able to consistently pressure Kolb and for the most part, he got the ball out of his hands. The interception was a poor decision on his part. The fumble could have been worse had Sendlein not caught the ball, but correct me if wrong here -- why was Beanie blocking Brian Orakpo on that play? That was a protection scheme-fail on the coaches part. Either way, the bomb to Fitzgerald was perfectly thrown and timed with a defender closing in on him. Kolb may be the only reason the Cardinals remain in the division hunt this year.

Other notes:

The Redskins converted FIVE first downs off of Cardinals penalties on Sunday. :::shakes head:::

After two games, the defense is ranked the following: 343 passing yards allowed(28th), 123 rushing yards allowed(22nd), 21.5 points allowed per game(11th), 0 ratio on giveaways/takeaways, 5 sacks(12th), and a 92.3 opponents passer rating(16th).

At his pace, Kolb is projected to finish the season with 4,480 passing yards, 32 passing touchdowns, and 16 interceptions. He'd also be on pace for 40 sacks.

Beanie Wells is on pace for 1,464 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns, while Fitzgerald is on pace for 1,560 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns.

The defensive lineman and outside linebackers have recorded just .5 of a sack(O'Brien Schofield) this year. Ouch. 

The Cowboys did us all favor by evening out the 49ers record yesterday. The Rams are playing tonight and quite frankly, they'll probably lose that game with the injuries they've recently faced. A two-way tie atop the division is the best case scenario for the Cardinals at this point.

The Cardinals head to Seattle next Sunday in a very winnable game regardless of what you want to say about it being a division foe on the road. Seattle sucks -- point blank. I'm deflated now but I'm sure by Friday I'll be pumped for more Cardinals-football.

Before I get into my post, I just wanted to say I know I've been on a hiatus for a while. I've been pretty busy and time certainly flies by when you're busy. I check in from time to time to see how the site is going and wish I could still post regularly, but I'm still here as a Cardinals fan at the end of the day. Hope everyone's doing good.

If there's one thing that the Cardinals reminded us of on Sunday, it was their continuous pattern of playing the game down to the wire. The "Cardiac-Cards" as they say, won a close game against the new-look Carolina Panthers, 28-21. Don't get me wrong -- they showed tremendous growth from their abysmal 5-11 season of a year ago. However, many issues were carried over as well.

The shortened offseason certainly threw a wrench in coach Whisenhunt's plans to turn around the team. Implementing a new quarterback in the offense was also no easy task. So I'll hold my breath before I make any assumptions about what this year's team may look like down the stretch. Be that as it may, I will provide you with my thoughts from Sunday:

1. Kevin Kolb has more to give - It would be easy for me to say Kolb met the expectations of the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. Sure, he threw for 309 yards and connected on two passing touchdowns, but it was the potential that excited me most. The Panthers gave Kolb a lot of looks defensively(they rushed 8 on Kolb's 48-yard touchdown pass to Jeff King), and the Texas product stood pat. If the protection improves and Kolb and Fitzgerald begin to gel, we'll be in store for something great at quarterback this season.
2. Turnover at defensive back sucks - Losing Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie -- at the time -- was less of a blow because Kolb addressed the Cardinals need for a franchise quarterback. They also had quite-possibly -- the best pick in the draft in Patrick Peterson. The LSU star was the shutdown defender coming out of college, but there is clearly an adjustment period, as Steve Smith's breakneck speed gave Peterson fits throughout the day. Throw in the unfortunate loss of Greg Toler and the Cardinals have much work to do in the secondary.
3. 2011 is Daryl Washington's and Beanie Wells' year - At least, that's how it looks at this point. Washington played great against the run(7 tackles) from what I could see, but it was the two interceptions that stood out the most. Never mind the phantom roughing the passer call that negated one of the picks. The fact that Washington was in position to make those plays and essentially affect the outcome of the game is what impressed. Beanie on the other hand, played surprisingly well on offense after a disappointing sophomore slump last season. He hit the hole quickly and put the Cardinals first seven points on the board. Even then, Wells will need to work on his late game carries. He may have put the game away sooner had he converted more first downs.
4. Why are we not talking about the d-line? - Rookie quarterback Cam Newton has garnered most of the spotlight from Sunday's game because he was the draft's first overall pick. But the Cardinals won the game right? Let's not forget that Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams has gashed the Cardinals D in the past. On Sunday, Williams rushed for 30 yards -- and the team was held to just 76 yards as a whole. The Cardinals defensive line recorded 9 tackles for a loss and held Panthers backs to just 2.7 YPC. You might be tempted to say that Carolina didn't run the ball, but their 27 rushes accounted for 40% of their 68 plays.

Honorable mentions:

• Early Doucet's performance was admirable -- granted, a large chunk of yardage came on his touchdown play. Please Early, can we keep that going?
• Offensive line - the good news? They only allowed 2 sacks. The bad news? Kolb was often forced out of the pocket.
• Did you really think I would overlook Peterson's punt return? The 89-yard return won the game and was the longest in franchise history.

I know this seems a bit early, but the Cardinals success -- or lack-thereof -- this past season got me thinking: how did a team that won 19 games the last two seasons manage just five after one rough offseason?

The answer is simple -- they took care of business against the rest of the NFC West. In 2008 and 2009 the Cardinals had a combined record of 10-2 versus the rest of their division. They saw the playoffs in back to back seasons as a result. That's one thing that Kurt Warner clearly understood, as he raised his game when the division record was on the line. Without him, the Cardinals forgot the value of victory.

Be that as it may, winning against the division is key because it puts W's in the win column. The six games they play are nearly half their season total. Holding a win or two over your division opponent also breaks ties. It's unfortunate to say that the Cardinals could only muster one win against the rest of their rivals in 2010. As a result, they snuggled quietly in the bottom of the standings and stood zero chance at winning the very winnable West.

Most fans know that the division games are the most important, so I'm not here to tell you that. But I do believe if the Cardinals can win at least four games against their opponents next season that they'd stand an increased chance at winning another crown. In light of the NBA All Star break coming up this weekend, think of the colored basketballs in the three-point shootout as division games, while the rest of the regular balls are the regular games. They are more important.

In the NFL however, it's usually easier said than done. The West is up for grabs for yet another year. There's little doubt about that. Ken Whisenhunt needs to prepare the team for what to expect -- competitive games. Right now this is just small talk, but we all feel a little better when the Cardinals walk away victorious against their rivals. How many wins do the Cardinals needs against the division next season in order to make another playoff appearance?

Four seasons ago, when the Arizona Cardinals stole defensive tackle Alan Branch out of the second round of the draft, many fans believed he'd shore up a need in the middle of the Cardinals defense. At the time, Branch's issues leading up to the draft had impacted his stock, as he fell to the second round. The Cardinals however, were familiar drafting defenders with character issues. Not long before Branch joined the team, the Cardinals took a chance on Darnell Dockett in the third round of the 2004 draft. He turned out to be one of the best decisions the Cardinals front office has made in recent history.

But getting back to Branch, it appeared as though he and Dockett -- paired with the rest of the talent on defense -- would develop into one of the best defensive tackle tandems throughout the league. What happened instead, was a disappointing two seasons that saw Branch at the end of a lot of criticism. Head coach Ken Whisenhunt had to call out Branch for his lack of commitment and he even used the old light bulb expression.

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That may have been the best approach, as Branch gradually received more playing time the last two seasons. 2010 was statistically Branch's best season to date. The same motor he displayed at Michigan finally started to show in flashes, but is it too late?

Entering the 2011 offseason, Branch will be an unrestricted free agent. Veteran defender Bryan Robinson will become a free agent as well, and is expected to retire. With second year man Dan Williams the only option, the Cardinals will need to make a decision. Does Branch stay and continue to improve? Or does he walk? There's also no guarantee that the light bulb will continue to shine. It may come down to the money. If Branch feels that he's worth more then what the Cardinals may offer him, he'll see out his options. After all, his stay in Arizona hasn't been the best and many teams will be in need of a defensive tackle. His experience, paired along with the depth he can bring may entice the Cardinals front office enough to sign the dotted line. Do you believe Branch should stay? If so, what can he bring to the table that a rookie won't?

Poll

Should Alan Branch stay or go?

67%

Stay

328 votes

32%

Go

158 votes

486 votes | Poll has closed

Now that the Cardinals are on the brink of signing a new defensive coordinator, it sparks interest with the direction that the team could head. Billy Davis couldn't get the job done with a plethora of talent and now he's out of a job. Steelers defensive backs coach Ray Horton is the current candidate tgetting the most consideration to take Davis' place. Will he change the scheme? Or will he utilize the players differently? These questions are difficult to answer at this point but it leaves the door open for many possibilities.

This past season the Cardinals defense drastically struggled at the hands of their opponents. If they weren't giving up a ballooning score, they were allowing opponents to run wild.

The eye-opening part is that before the season even began, the fans were anticipating a "complete" defense. Finally. At least it seemed that way. With an ideal defensive line that housed Darnell Dockett, Calais Campbell, and rookie Dan Williams, an experienced line backing corps, and a secondary with three potential Pro Bowl'ers, anything less then a top-10 defense would be a failure. Unfortunately that's exactly what they became. Before the year began, Kerry Rhodes even gave a prediction that nearly became true:

Of course I think we have improved. We have added experience and play making. I think as a unit we will be stronger if we all buy in. If I am making 100 tackles this year, we're not a good defense with all the talent we have.

Rhodes finished the season with 90 tackles and the Cardinals defense allowed 373.6(4th most) total yards and 27.1(3rd most) allowed points per game.

The Cardinals need to keep the talent they have, but the linebacker unit needs a spark of youth. Clark Haggans, Joey Porter, and Gerald Hayes don't have the athleticism or speed to keep up with the quicker talent throughout the NFL. A change needs to be made to convert the Cardinals defense from a collapsing mess, to a well-oiled machine. Do you believe the new coordinator can turn around the Cardinals defense? What changes will need to be made?

When I posted the midseason awards a few months ago, Daryl Washington ran away with the polls. At the moment it was completely justified based on his production the lack of by the other rookies. This time around the race may not be as one-sided. The rookie class played admirably better through the second portion of the season.

The Cardinals completed one of the better drafts in the league last April when they stole Dan Williams and Washington in the first and second rounds. They didn't quit when they drafted Andre Roberts, O'Brien Schofield, and John Skelton in the later rounds. Here are the nominees for rookie of the year:

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Dan Williams(1st Round) - It took half a season but when Williams cracked the code he displayed the abilities that made the Cardinals draft him in the first round. He boasted a low center of gravity and uncanny speed during college that he applied to the NFL once he got the game down. During the second half of the season Williams played extremely well and was part of the reason opposing rushers only topped 100 yards three times in eight games. 

 

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Daryl Washington(2nd Round) - It's fascinating that a rookie linebacker coming out of the second round could rank fifth on the team with 78 total tackles while playing as well as Washington did. It helped that veteran Gerald Hayes landed on the PUP list for the first half of the season. That's not saying Washington started by default however. He impressed the fans and the coaching staff with his football smarts and speed in the offseason before winning the job. With a full year now under his belt, it's clear to give this man the starting nod next season.  

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Andre Roberts(3rd Round) - Roberts didn't begin the season like fans had hoped, as he struggled through camp and couldn't handle punt-return responsibilities. But like Williams, Roberts stepped into a bigger role when Steve Breaston and Early Doucet missed time at wide receiver later in the year. In that place he caught 20 passes for 142 yards and 2 touchdowns in the second half of the year. In the previous eight games Roberts recorded just 4 catches for 49 yards. With a lack of clarity at receiver next season, Roberts potential gives the Cardinals front office something to work with.

If you feel anyone should be added, just leave a comment listing who and why.

Poll

Who is the Arizona Cardinals rookie of the year?

16%

Dan Williams

36 votes

78%

Daryl Washington

172 votes

5%

Andre Roberts

11 votes

219 votes | Poll has closed

During the Cardinals 2010 offseason, I began a post looking at the upcoming unrestricted free agents and their future with the team. This year will be no different as I begin the weekly post with back up running back Jason Wright.

When Wright was signed during the 2009 offseason, there was little reason to think he would become a significant presence on offense. Up until that point he had only rushed for 588 yards in his five year career. Outside of Tim Hightower, he was also the second string running back with Edgerrin James requesting his release from Arizona. Fortunately for the Cardinals, both Beanie Wells and LaRod Stephens-Howling were drafted that offseason -- pushing Wright down the depth chart.

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Be that as it may, it wasn't the offense that would later benefit from Wright's contributions. After joining the team it was clear that Jason brought leadership to the Cardinals special team's unit, as well as solid coverage on kick offs. He recorded over 20 tackles on special teams the last two season but also played well on offense when needed.

At just 28-years old Wright's experience, hard work, and commitment make him an ideal fit on a team in dire need of leadership. What he can bring to the team in the future is continued mentorship over the Cardinals other running backs that are all 24-years old or younger. He's also a special teams ace and brings added depth at running back. Perhaps the only drawback to Wright returning to the team is the fact that he's a fourth string running back and won't break ankles rushing the football. Why do you believe Jason Wright should either stay or go?

Poll

Should Jason Wright stay or go?

62%

Stay

176 votes

37%

Go

106 votes

282 votes | Poll has closed

The Arizona Cardinals saw a five win change in the matter of a year. After winning 10 games in 2009 -- the most since 1976 -- five wins defined the team in a rough 2010 season. Like any disappointing time however, there are some players that shine despite the gloomy weather. The following list are the players that have improved their stats, performance, and overall ability a one year span:

Paris Lenon - +82 tackles, +2 INT, +2 Sacks, + 5 PD

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After longtime middle linebacker and leader Karlos Dansby departed for a bigger payday last offseason, Lenon was brought in to ease some of the pain. It didn't take long for the Cardinals fan base to doubt the pick up. Despite the fear of a drop off in production, Lenon played his butt off in 2010, becoming one of the Cardinals best defenders while improving his numbers from the previous season.

LaRod Stephens-Howling - +1 Ret TD, + 291 Ret yards, +98 Rec yards

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Since he was drafted in the 7th round last season, LaRod Stephens-Howling stock has risen dramatically. The Cardinals kept LSH as the primary kick returner this past season and he ran away with it -- literally. He increased his return average by three yards and returned two touchdowns to the house(a third was called back due to a holding penalty). Outside of his contributions on special teams, which included coverage on kick offs and punts, he also increased his role on offense.

Kerry Rhodes - +27 Tackles, +1 sack, +1 INT, +2 Ret Tds

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One offseason acquisition with improved stats is one thing, but two players makes the signings of Lenon and Kerry Rhodes significant to the future of the Cardinals. When Antrel Rolle bolted last offseason, Rhodes came to Arizona in a trade. There were worries about his commitment to football, but that quickly vanished when Rhodes reminded us that Rolle wasn't the only big-play safety in the league. Actually, Rhodes played better than Rolle in every aspect of the game and was even robbed of a Pro Bowl appearance. He was second on the team in total tackles, caught six interceptions, and ran two fumbles to the house in 2010 -- making his 2009 numbers look amateur.

Greg Toler - +79 tackles, +7 PD, +1 Sack, +1 INT

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After a quiet rookie season, Greg Toler won the starting cornerback position in training camp and played a solid 2010 season, improving all of his stats. With the drastic increase in production in just one season, the potential and expectations for next season are on the rise.

Cast your vote below for the most improved player of the year. If you think anyone should be added just list a comment with who and why and me or Joe will add them to the poll.

Poll

Who is the Arizona Cardinals most improved player of the 2010 season?

26%

Paris Lenon

71 votes

20%

LaRod Stephens-Howling

55 votes

32%

Kerry Rhodes

88 votes

19%

Greg Toler

53 votes

267 votes | Poll has closed

The recent Carson Palmer-to-the-NFC-West-talk got me thinking what the Revenge of the Birds community thought about the subject. In case you missed it, several sources reported that Palmer wanted a trade out of Cincinnati or he would contemplate retirement after growing financially secure throughout his career. It's no shocker that Palmer wants out. The Bengals finished this past season with four wins and have surrounded Palmer with diva-like wide receivers throughout his career.

Palmer's agent David Dunn confirmed the report:

Carson met with Bengals owner Mike Brown recently. Because of the lack of success that Carson and the Bengals have experienced together, Carson strongly feels that a separation between him and the Bengals would be in the best interest of both parties.

Originally the first overall pick in 2003, Palmer has lead the Bengals to just two playoff appearances -- losing both. Despite the lack of success, he boasts a career quarterback rating of 86.9, completion rating of 62.9%, and a 154/100 TD/INT ratio. Numerous reports list the NFC West as Palmer's likely destination, with the 49ers, Seahawks, and Cardinals all in dire need for an upgrade to the quarterback position.

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Out of the three, the Cardinals hold an advantage over the others with All Pro wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald. The 31-year old quarterback would have the benefit of throwing the ball to the best receiver in the league in one of the best stadiums. Despite the enticing idea of Palmer in a Cardinals uniform, Matt Williamson from Scouts Inc. listed his thoughts on the for Heisman Trophy winner:

That[Bengals] organization is dysfunctional. But in the end, he doesn’t throw the ball as well as he has in the past. I am pretty comfortable with the evaluation of the guy that he is more the problem than the answer. His decision making was bad. If there was a stat for near-interceptions or dropped interceptions, he would have been near the top of the league this year. He had a ton of them.

As of now these ideas are a mere water cooler discussion since Bengals' owner Mike Brown dismissed Palmer's request. But should the Cardinals make an offer they can't refuse, would you approve?

Poll

Do you want to see Carson Palmer in an Arizona Cardinals uniform next season?

65%

Yes

193 votes

34%

No

101 votes

294 votes | Poll has closed

The 2010 season hasn't quite come to an end, but for the Arizona Cardinals their plans are already geared towards next year. It's justifiable considering the only teams that matter at this point are the Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers. Soon we'll witness the 45th Super Bowl and than quietly forget about this season. When that time comes and goes, every team will begin scrambling to name which players they will keep, and those they will part ways with.

For Ken Whisenhunt and Rod Graves, they have the uneasy task of dealing with the free agents and more importantly -- their personal agents. They have the reputations of blood-sucking vampires their client's best interest in mind during contract negotiations. They also want to hear offers from every team in order to get the best deal out there, also making the signing period frantic for both the teams and their fans. This offseason the Cardinals have their work cut out for them. The offensive line, quarterback, and linebackers are all the areas in need of a change. Determining who fits the bill and who can hit a home run makes for an interesting opening week to free agency. The following is a list of players that will become free agents this offseason that could be viable options for Arizona:

LaMarr Woodley

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Woodley had a down year in terms of his and the Steelers expectations. That's not to say that he was a disappointment. He finished the season with 10 sacks and 2 interceptions at outside linebacker in the Steelers 3-4 defense. At just 26-years of age, he could be a stalwart on the Cardinals defense for many years. With familiar faces in Ken Whisenhunt, Russ Grimm, and possibly Keith Butler at defensive coordinator, the desert may be appealing to Pro Bowl'er. Yanking Woodley from the Steelers' grasp will be easier said than done however. Pittsburgh loves what he brings to the table and will be prepared to keep the pass-rush specialist in black and yellow.

Jermon Bushrod

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The Saints have experienced the most and best success of their franchise history in just the last two seasons. A large part of that is due to the consistency along the offensive line. After spending big money on their Pro Bowl guard Jahri Evans last offseason, keeping the consistency won't be an easy task. With fellow guard Carl Nicks also making the Pro Bowl, the Saints would be hard-pressed to pass on re-signing him. Bushrod anchored the Saints offensive line this past season -- a unit that allowed only 26 sacks. It wasn't his best year, but after only four seasons in the league, he has a lot of room to grow and would allow Levi Brown to convert to offensive guard.

Michael Vick

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Scheduled to become a free agent this offseason, Vick will draw the attention of many teams in dire need of a quarterback. Of them, the Eagles will be the likely candidate to re-sign the revitalized star. As they say however, it ain't over till it's over. If Vick does hit the market, the Cardinals should and will likely contend to bring him to the desert. Regardless of what happens, it will shape the Cardinals quarterback needs. If Vick re-signs with Philadelphia, Kevin Kolb will request a trade, also drawing the Cardinals' interest.

Continue reading this post »

Now that the season has been over for the last two weeks, it's about that time to start recapping. The playoffs aren't over, but for the Cardinals, that means little. To make things run a little more smoothly, I wanted to start with some positive surprises -- more or less -- from the season we just witnessed. Next week, we'll look at the top disappointments. Here's the list:

1. Matt Leinart is released - The Cardinals season began with a surprise when former first round pick -- Matt Leinart -- was abruptly released. Many believed he didn't fit the bill at quarterback for head coach Ken Whisenhunt. That may be correct, but given how bad the quarterbacks performed for the Cardinals this season, Leinart could have been a valuable option. Instead, he joined the Houston Texans in a back up role and may never have another opportunity to start for an NFL team again. 
2. Beginning the season 3-2 - Even after two blowouts, the Cardinals led the NFC West and all signs pointed to another division crown. The 3-2 start saw the Cardinals defeat three good teams in the Rams, Raiders, and Saints. The start to the season also proved at the moment that the Cardinals weren't seeing the side effects of the turnover they faced in the offseason -- yet.
3. Max Hall leads victory over Saints - In a game they weren't supposed to win, with a quarterback that wasn't supposed to play, the Cardinals shocked even their own fans with a win over the defending champion Super Bowl Saints. The defense did it's job, intercepting three Drew Brees-passes and returning a fumble to the end zone. What pushed the team over the hump was the heart of undrafted rookie Max Hall. He sacrificed his body throughout the game and led the Cardinals offense on a scoring drive that featured offensive tackle Levi Brown leaping into the end zone with the football.
4. The Cardinals drop seven straight games - All season long, we heard about how open the NFC West was for the taking. Even after the Cardinals fell well below the .500 mark, they remained within the race for the title. It wasn't till a seven-game skid that made everyone realize just how disappointing the Cardinals were in 2010. 
5. Giving the fans a Christmas gift - It wasn't the final game of the season, but it came on Christmas day. The Cardinals squeezed one last shocker out of the deflated team that defined this season. Against the favorite Dallas Cowboys, the Cardinals got out to a 21-3 lead. Even after Dallas stormed back and threatened to steal back the victory, the Cardinals kept their composure and won on a late field goal. With a win like this coming so late in the season, let's hope that it was enough to boost the team-chemistry heading into the offseason.

What were your surprises from the Arizona Cardinals 2010 season?

Assuming he lands in the desert this offseason.

Manuskyinterviewed with the Cardinals' brass Tuesday as the first candidate for the vacant defensive coordinator position. The Cardinals began the offseason by relieving former coordinator Bill Davis of his duties just a week ago. In 2010, the defense showcased the 29th-worst overall ranking in the league. They also surrendered 29.7 points per game to opponents. The release of Davis was inevitable.

Now Ken Whsienhunt faces the task of picking a coordinator that fits with the scheme he will be running. Manusky has spent the previous four seasons with the Cardinals hated rival -- the San Francisco 49ers. As the fans are well aware, the 49ers defense has been one of the most improved throughout the league with each passing season. Much of that credit goes to Manusky, who crafted the 49ersdefense into the strengthof their team and one of the large reasons they were considered the favorite to win the NFC West this past offseason.

Manusky is not expected to return in San Francisco, and reportedly has interviews scheduled with the San Diego Chargers and Dallas Cowboys. If the Cardinals are serious about improving the embarrassing 5-11 record from this past season, all they need to do is say the right things to put Manusky in the Cardinals attire.

During his four year stint in the bay area, Manusky coached Pro Bowl players Justin Smith, and arguably the best middle linebacker in the league in Patrick Willis. The revitalised careersof Smith and veteran linebacker Takeo Spikes are also a testament to what Manusky accomplished while in San Fransisco.

The same result can occurin Arizona, with veterans like Joey Porter, Clark Haggans, and Paris Lenon on the defense. His tough attitude could translate onto the field, and his commitment to the game may be what the Cardinals defense needs. The 49ers website had the following to say after the 2009 season:

Under Manusky’s guidance, the 49ers defense has significantly improved in each of the past three seasons. In five games in 2009, Manusky’s unit did not allow a single touchdown, marking a franchise record and ranking t-1st in the NFL (NY Jets). San Francisco’s defense went on to rank among the top 5 NFL teams in several statistical categories, including forced fumbles (21, t-1st), sacks (44, t-3rd), rushing yards allowed per attempt (3.6 avg., 3rd), opponent red zone scoring (40.4 pct., 3rd), points allowed (17.6 ppg., 4th) and takeaways (33, t-5th). The 44 sacks, 281 points allowed and 1,552 rushing yards allowed marked the best totals by the team since 1997. In addition, the 49ers ranked 6th in the NFL in yards allowed per play (4.97), run defense (97.0 ypg.) and first downs allowed per game (17.4).

A well-regarded teacher and communicator, Manuskydeveloped the Chargers linebacking corps into one of the NFL’s stingiest units. They were part of a defense that finished the 2006 season ranked 7thagainst the rush and 3rd in turnover margin with a +13 balance. The unit alone accounted for 42.5 of the defense’s 61 total regular season sacks.

In 2010, the 49ers defense posted an overall ranking of 13th. They were individually ranked 16th in points allowed, 6th in rushing yards allowed, and 24th in passing yards allowed. The Cardinals also have an unspecified candidate interview later this week and have also reportedly expressed interest in Pittsburgh Steelers linebackers coach Keith Butler -- who is unavailable for interview due to the Steelers obligation to the playoffs.

Only time will tell, but if Manusky joins the Cardinals coaching staff, it could be the first of many right decisions this offseason.

Immediately after the Philadelphia Eagles fell 21-16 at the hands of the Green Bay Packers this past Sunday, back up quarterback and former starter Kevin Kolb wasted little time voicing his thoughts on the future.

"I love it here, as everybody knows. My family's settled in here. I would love to be starting here. But I want to be starting somewhere."

Kolb, who previously sat behind former Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, lost his job the first week of the season, ironically against the same Packers. Clay Matthews ended Kolbs first start of the season when he tackled the 27-year old from behind, forcing his helmet into the dirt. He walked out of the game with a concussion, and opened the door for Michael Vick.

The Eagles didn't unfairly bench Kolb. Vick played out of his mind throughout the season and won back the hearts of the fans as he was elected to his first Pro Bowl in five seasons. Kolb patiently waited on the sideline, doing and saying all the right things as he watched Vick lead Philadelphia into the playoffs. Even now, as their season ended, he's continued to speak professionally.  

"Whatever happens, you want to know the answer so you can prepare one way or the other. Our communication will be fine. .... And I'll be looking to starting here, hopefully. Obviously, there's a chance for a lot of things. So I'll just wait and just talk to these guys and see what happens."

Should the Eagles re-sign Vick, Kolb would presumably be traded. Where to, remains to be seen. Considering that the Cardinals are gunning for a drastic improvement at quarterback, they may be willing to pay the price to bring Kolb to Arizona.

Derek Anderson, coming off his first season in the desert, will do little to convince the coaching staff that he's the guy. The Cardinals poor play on offense throughout most of the season was a direct result of Anderson's play. With a year remaining on his current deal, 2011 would be the year he takes a seat on the sideline as an emergency option.

Rookie quarterback's John Skelton and Max Hall are both coming off below-par seasons and will need to impress Ken Whisenhunt during offseason activities. Their lackluster play did little to woo the fans as well as the coaching staff. Entering their second season, both will battle head-to-head to determine which will move on to another year in the NFL.

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In the NFL, when one door closes another opens. In this case, it could be the acquisition of Kolb. Partnered with Larry Fitzgerald and possibly Steve Breaston, the trio could combine to become one of the most lethal offensive attacks in the NFC. At this point, that possibility is still months away. For now, the Cardinals will continue planning on how they can repair the damage that was done this past season. What are your thoughts on Kevin Kolb in a Cardinals jersey?

One thing I'd like to get going this offseason is a community poll regarding all things Cardinals. This week's poll is regarding the future in Arizona.

Things didn't go the Arizona Cardinals' way in 2010. The fans wanted more after two glorious offseasons behind the arm of Kurt Warner. They were licking their chops at a third NFC West division title. After the Seattle Seahawks won the division last Sunday following their 7-9 record, some pain from this season may never go away.

To think that the Cardinals only needed an 8-8 a record to win the West is a punch straight to the gut. Even in a season filled with agony, it remained entirely possible to win the division and host another playoff game. When crap hit the fan midway through the season -- the Cardinals still had a chance. As sickening as that sounds, the Cardinals and their fans are on the outside looking in for this year's playoffs. 

There's no argument that the Cardinals don't deserve to be in this position, but there are plenty of ifs, ands, or buts that swirl throughout fan's heads. With the Cardinals sights set on a fifth overall pick, the future is all there is to look forward to. 

Ken Whisenhunt, who did the impossible by leading these Cardinals to three straight .500 seasons and a Super Bowl appearance, has the difficult task at hand at fixing a sinking ship. He vaguely expressed some offseason plans that consisted of the idea at cleaning house if the players won't get the job done. Many people are with the 'Whiz' and are ready for immediate change. 

This offseason it all starts with the quarterback position. Derek Anderson will likely see the writing on the wall when the team relieves him of his duties. That still leaves two young quarterbacks coming off a season filled with yawns. Beyond the quarterback stands the offensive line. The trio of Levi Brown, Jeremy Bridges, and Brandon Keith give the Cardinals experienced youth at tackle. It's the interior that may need the makeover. Alan Faneca is at the end of his amazing career. Lyle Sendlein, while dependable, is no mauler and is a bit undersized. 

On defense, the Cardinals desperately need a pass rusher that can wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks. The obvious solution is to switch to the 4-3 defense, move Darnell Dockett back to defensive tackle with Dan Williams, and pick up a defensive end that can compliment Calais Campbell. The starting linebackers would likely be Daryl Washington, Paris Lenon, and Gerald Hayes. Everyone already knows that the secondary is only lacking depth at cornerback. 

The Arizona Cardinals have several pieces aligned in place through their team. With youth evenly spread out and several stars-in-the-making, they are a few drastic changes away from another playoff appearance. Can it be done in just one offseason? I'll leave that up to you.

Poll

Will the Arizona Cardinals return to the playoffs in 2011?

60%

Yes

246 votes

39%

No

163 votes

409 votes | Poll has closed

For the final game ball of the week, I found it only necessary to award the invisible ball to wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald for obvious reasons. After the 38-7 shellacking at the hands of the San Francisco 49ers, Fitzgerald emerged from the ashes with 11 receptions, 125 receiving yards, and the game's only touchdown. It's something that Fitzgerald has done all season despite the glaring weakness at quarterback. Maybe he hasn't dominated each and every game, but through everything he finished the final contest with convincing numbers:

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It's a shame that John Skelton discovered his All- Pro wide out so late in the season -- it really is. However, later is better then never. 

Be that as it may, the future is growing increasingly cloudy in the desert. Fitzgerald will be a free agent after next season and if recent history repeats itself, you'd have to wonder if he'd hear out offers from other teams. Those in the mix will be gunning for the star receiver that will only be 28-years old when the 2012 offseason begins. 

Although Larry has reportedly expressed his desire to finish out his illustrious career with the Arizona Cardinals, continuous losing may have an impact on his future decision. For now he'll keep impressing us with performances like the one he displayed this past Sunday. 

The final poll of the season is up. It was a creative poll considering it was a SBNation-wide poll. The only drawback was that the Cardinals rarely showed up.

Poll

Which team had the Victory of the Week?

29%

Seahawks over Rams

2643 votes

38%

Packers over Bears

3503 votes

4%

Colts over Titans

383 votes

25%

Bucs over Saints

2317 votes

2%

Giants over Redskins

186 votes

9032 votes | Poll has closed

On a brighter note, let's kick off the offseason by reviewing some of the sickest single performances from the Arizona Cardinals 2010 season, brought to you by Vicks. The first performance we'll look at comes from the Cardinals very first game of the season.

In the opening week, the Cardinals held on at St. Louis to defeat the Rams 17-13. It was Sam Bradford's debut to the league, but against any rookie, the rest of the league will not hold back. That became evident when Adrian Wilson took the field. The Cardinals held on late to defeat the much-improved Rams, but a lot of the credit went to Wilson, who performed admirably. The following  are Wilson's numbers from the win:

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What doesn't appear here is the blocked field goal he recorded as well. The block came after the Rams first drive of the game, when the momentum was heavily shifted in their favor after Tim Hightower lost a fumble. After the Rams got the ball back, Wilson recorded his first interception of the game -- single handily ending the Rams' second drive of the contest.

The two sacks and one interception also put Wilson one step closer to the 30 sack/30 interception club. Although his performance didn't set the tone for the remainder of the season, it showcased why Wilson has been one of the best strong safeties throughout the league. At 31 years of age and three years remaining on his current deal, Adrian Wilson will have many more performances similar to the one referenced above.

Four months ago, the pundits declared the NFC West would be a division race between the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals. At the time it seemed like the most logical assumption. The St. Louis Rams had shown zero signs of life. The Seattle Seahawks were going through a coaching change and did little last season to prove they were improving. 

It came down to the back-to-back division winning Arizona Cardinals, who seemed like they patched up the losses they endured in the offseason, and the 49ers, who gradually improved in 2009. Perhaps the biggest believer in both these teams were the fans.

After all, the 49ers and their fans felt like they already reached their first postseason berth since 2002 before any games had taken place. With Alex Smith finally taking over at quarterback, a very good trio of Michael Crabtree, Frank Gore, and Vernon Davis were at his disposal on offense. Meanwhile, the defense was already stacked. They owned the best middle linebacker in the league in Patrick Willis, who played behind a well-groomed pass rush and an experienced secondary. 

Soon after, they 49ers realized their hopes were mere dreams when they began the season 0-5. Alex Smith was not the clear-cut answer at quarterback. They didn't bring the smash-mouth running game that head coach Mike Singletary preached. In the big games, they also realized that they didn't have the composure to hold onto a lead. 2010 was the season that could've been for the 49ers.

At the other end, Ken Whisenhunt and the Arizona Cardinals could never prove they could hang with the best teams in the league. In fact, the Cardinals rank at the bottom of the league in just about every stat-category. It started with the instability at quarterback. Derek Anderson quickly dissipated into nothing after a horrible beginning to the season. Although he went through hell to keep his starting position, his determination could not win over the hearts of the fans -- and justifyibly so. As an offense, the Cardinals rushing game failed every attempt to -- rush -- the football. Beanie Wells, Tim Hightower, and the offensive line never meshed as the season progressed, and now the Cardinals are ranked 31st running the football. 

One of the biggest disappointments for Arizona this season has been the defense. With an all around deep defensive line, a core of veteran linebackers, and one of the top secondaries in the league on paper, it still isn't clear why the defense couldn't muster solid play this season. Much of the blame can fall on defensive coordinator Bill Davis, as the defense became predictable and lackluster at times. With a lack of an offense and defense, the Cardinals proved in 2010 that their problems are far worse then a few offseason losses.

Sunday's game shows just how quickly a division stranglehold can change in just one season. The Cardinals reign at the top was cut down miserably. After so many seasons looking up at the rest of the league, Arizona appears to find themselves back in a familiar position. The 49ers have capped off a four season span in which they and many NFL analysts declared them the team to beat in their division. Ironic as it sounds, Sunday's game will determine who the division's last  place team is, rather then who will be headed to the playoffs. Game on. 

It's not easy to pull a positive note out of a losing season, but for the Arizona Cardinals their secondary has played considerably well. Granite, they haven't been a shutdown defense in all of 2010. There's been both high and low points throughout the year. If you're going to build a good secondary however, you'd want a true strong safety, a play-making free safety, and two fast and athletic cornerbacks. The Cardinals have all the right makings of a dominant NFL secondary. I can't tell you why they haven't smothered the competition, but I do believe defensive coordinator Bill Davis has something to do with it. There's also a lack of a pass rush that makes life in the secondary difficult for any team. Either way, these four men give hope for the 2011 season:

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Wilson was selected to the fourth Pro Bowl of his career this past Tuesday after the play he put forth this season. Although Wilson admittedly disagreed with the selection, he and the fans hold increasingly high standards for the ten-year pro. Adrian Wilson has done more for the Arizona Caridnals then most players ever will. At 31 years old and three years left in his deal, he's here to stay. This season hasn't showcased his greatest moments. Considering that the Cardinals have been one of the worst teams in the league, it hasn't shown great moments for most of the team. Fortunately for Wilson, he pushes himself to become better and he keeps himself in phenomenal shape. Since his game isn't built around speed, I see no reason to think his production will decrease drastically in the next few years.We all know what we're getting out of the most beloved Cardinals in franchise history.

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I don't know what more I can say about the play of Kerry Rhodes in 2010. One of the best moves Rod Graves ever made was trading for Rhodes, regardless of the Antrel Rolle fiasco. In the secondary, he's provided solid coverage while allowing little to no big passing plays this season. What's really amazing is the big plays he's recorded himself. This season Rhodes has been a Johnny-on-the-spot with the interceptions and fumble recoveries he's recorded. He also returned two fumbles to the house in back-to-back weeks earlier this season. At 28 years old and a low-priced contract signed through 2013, he gives the Cardinals defense a valuable asset for the future.

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When the Arizona Cardinals schedule was released before the start of the season, I chalked up the Christmas day game against the Cowboys as a loss. When the Cardinals got off -- and continued -- their horrible start to the season, I didn't change my mind. Yet somehow, just as the Cardinals do every year, they defeated a team they weren't supposed to beat. That wouldn't be possible without a rookie quarterback with a good head on his shoulders and a strong arm.

John Skelton led the Cardinals past the Dallas Cowboys this past Saturday with all eyes on he and the rest of the team. It helped when starting cornerbacks Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Greg Toler both returned interceptions to the house in the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Fordham product connected on a 74-yard touchdown pass with fellow rookie Andre Roberts. As we know, the touchdown was the first of his career. 

That's not what stood out however; it's the play of the rookie in the final minutes of action that made the difference in the ball game. After the Cowboys made the improbable comeback, the Cardinals found themselves staring a two-point deficit in the face with 1:41 left on the clock. On the ensuing drive, Skelton and the offense were in a 4th and 15 whole, with virtually no chance to win the game. The next play revived the fans and the rest of the team. Skelton found Larry Fitzgerald in the deep right field, completing a 26-yard pass. The following four plays show just how much he's grown in three starts this season: 6-yard pass to Tim Hightower, 5-yard scramble out of bounds, spiked the football, and a 19-yard pass to Max Komar. In field goal range, Jay Feely knocked in a 48-yard boot and won the game. 

For Skelton's efforts this past Saturday, he earns the game ball of the week. 

Today was Christmas and the Arizona Cardinals delivered to us a present. They defeated the Dallas Cowboys 27-26 in thee most exciting game of the season. After picking off two early passes and returning them for interceptions, the Cardinals added to their lead when rookie quarterback John Skelton threw the first touchdown of his career to fellow rookie Andre Roberts. 

The Cowboys did the improbable and overcame the early deficit by throwing a touchdown to Jason Witten, rushing a touchdown with Marion Barber, and finally throwing another touchdown to Miles Austin late in the game. Despite the push, the Cardinals offense put kicker Jay Feely in prime position to kick two 49 and 48 yard field goals to win the game. The most impressive play came from Skelton, who threw a 26-yard pass to Larry Fitzgerald on 4th and 15, and then another pass to put Feely in field goal range.

Although the win hurts the Cardinals draft position, it certainly feels good coming on Christmas day. What are your thoughts on today's win?

I just want to start off by wishing everyone here a Merry Christmas. I know the Cardinals season hasn't went exactly how we expected but it's certainly nice to watch them play today. I'd also like to let everyone that I have found employment starting at the beginning of January that will have me sitting at a computer -- giving me a good opportunity to work on the site. Unfortunately it comes as the season closes. With that being said, let's move on to three keys to a Christmas day miracle.

Pass the ball to Larry Fitzgerald -- I've finally concluded that the Cardinals offensive game-plan needs to be to put the ball in Larry Fitzgerad's hands all the time. It doesn't matter which way they do it. 'Fitz' generally picks up positive yardage off the wide receiver screen, but I'm also ready for an all-out hail mary. We all know what he is capable of once the ball is in the air. Very few cornerbacks can out-muscle the All-Pro in a jump ball situation. The Cowboys defense is ranked 28th in the league, allowing 271.9 receiving yards per game. That should be an enormous red flag to Ken Whisenhunt and the rest of the offense to put the ball in number eleven's hands.

Control the ball and convert third downs -- Obviously with this team that's easier said than done. Last week the Cardinals only converted 4 out of 15 third downs and were out-possessed by 13:52 to the one-win Panthers. Here's what I think -- they need to successfully rush the football. The Cardinals have had little luck converting third downs all season and it's largely due to Derek Anderson and a poor rushing game. Anderson is out of the picture now and Skelton was able to complete 7 first downs on his own last week. That means Ken Whisenhunt and Russ Grimm need to draw up some plays that bounce the football to the outside. Jeremy Bridges and Levi Brown are both big and can get a good push for Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower. Both running backs explode well once they reach the edges. Although the Cardinals fullback Reagan Maui'a isn't a Pro Bowler, I'd like to also see him shuffled in the mix. If the Cardinals can stick to their guns against a Cowboys rush-defense ranked 14th, I believe it will improve the time of possession and third down conversions. 

Keep an extra eye on Jason Witten -- In his last four games, Jason Witten has caught 32 passes for 350 yards and 4 touchdowns. In the three games prior to that, he caught just 8 passes for 99 yards with no touchdowns. He has heated up down the stretch of the season and veteran quarterback Jon Kitna has learned why he and Tony Romo are best friends. We all know that Adrian Wilson has a weakness covering All-Pro tight ends, which is why they must double team the 6-6, 263-pound tight end. If they can't control Witten, we could be in for a long game. 

Once again from Revenge of the Birds, I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and happy holidays. What are your three keys to a Christmas day miracle today?

Arizona Cardinals rookie outside linebacker O'Brien Schofield tackles Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart in the photo above. Schofield has come into his own the last half of the season. He's recorded five tackles in the last two games coming off the bench.

Considering that he could've missed the entire year due to a devastating knee injury he suffered during Senior Bowl practices last January, Schofield has exceeded many expectations. Before the injury, O'Brien was projected to land as high as the first round because of his pass-rushing abilities. He was used to play with a hand in the grass in college and made the switch to outside linebacker entering the draft. The knee injury severely lowered his stock, but the Cardinals saw potential.

With the turnaround at linebacker this past offseason and the dwindling ages of Clark Haggans and Joey Porter, Schofield provides relief for the future.  

After beginning the season on the PUP list, Schofield returned for the eighth week of the season and has played eversince. He may not blow any fans away during the final two games of the season, but it will prepare him for a full season in 2010. He'll be able to take part in all of the Cardinals offseason workouts and OTAs. With a full offseason under his belt, can Schofield provide the pressure the Cardinals defense desperately needs next season?

When push comes to shove, you know things are spiraling out of control. For the Arizona Cardinals, success feels as though it didn't come the previous two years. The 2010 season has reminded us that experiencing success shouldn't be taken for granite. Witnessing one of the greatest wide receivers in NFL history shouldn't be either. 

Larry Fitzgerald has always done the right thing in his seven-year career. He's made the big plays, said the right things, and has put up with many grueling seasons in the desert. It wasn't that long ago when the Cardinals won back to back division titles. Now with a division-worst 4-10 record, the team would be thrilled to get back that illusterous 9-7 record that propelled them to the Super Bowl in 2008. 

Heading back to that season, Larry was the MVP of the postseason and was living on cloud nine. He shattered all of Jerry Rice's playoff records as a receiver and nearly did the improbable by leading the Cardinals to their first Lombardi Trophy. The following season he came close again when the Cardinals made it to the divisional round of the playoffs and lost. Fitzgerald talked to the Arizona Republic last week and discussed this thoughts on this season:

"When you're playing on a team that isn't having any success, it isn't a lot of fun," Fitzgerald said. "This year has been physically grueling and psychologically grueling. The toughest year of my career, hands down."

Those are powerful words for a player that strives to be successful. Fitzgerald has molded his game around perfection and winning. It doesn't take an expert to know that. Although most players in the league make it their goal to win, some stand out more than others. 

Fitzgerald will play the final year of his contract next season when he earns $7 million. That year is stemming from the contract he received in the 2008 offseason that made him the highest paid receiver in the league at the time. The Cardinals can give him the franchise tag in 2012, but would need to shovel out $23 million to do so. Be that as it may, Fitzgerald doesn't come across as a guy in it for the money. He also talked about his financial situation: 

"I've made tons of money," Fitzgerald said. "Money comes and goes. If I don't play another snap, I won't have to work another day in my life. Making another dollar is not that important. I want to be a winner. I have to win."

He's 27-years old and is in the prime of his career. He's experienced five losing seasons out of seven total years in the league. This season is clearly a lost year. It's next season that becomes the most crucial. Larry Fitzgerald will be in the aforementioned final year of his contract and it's the Cardinals time to let him know they mean business. If they want to remain competitive in the contract talks with him following the 2011 season, it will be pivotal for the Cardinals to experience success next season. As we learned this offseason with the players that left the team, no one is guaranteed to stay in Arizona. 

The Cardinals will always have more worthy players then unworthy players after a 30-point victory. Considering that, it makes my job easier to pick a player that has earned the game ball of the week. Tim Hightower performed impeccably on Sunday as he ran for 148 yards on 18 carries and two touchdowns -- by far the best game of his career.

The amazing play of Hightower made it easier for rookie quarterback John Skelton in his first NFL start. Hightower took over in the second half to seal the dominating victory over the fellow struggling Denver Broncos. This kind of play reminds me what potential the young running back has to become an every down back in this league. We've seen it before throughout his career. Although Sunday's game was only his fourth 100-yard rushing output, he was forced to play behind the pass-happy Kurt Warner-led offense the first two years of his career. His production has also taken a considerable blow with Beanie Wells in the line up. 

Nevertheless, he remains consistently under the radar to opposing teams and fans while producing solid games as well. I'll admit at times that I argued against those who thought he was a starter, especially considering his constant willingness to put the ball on the ground -- he lost one fumble against the Broncos on Sunday. But his immunity to injuries and hunger for more playing time makes his worth as a former 5th round pick something to admire. 

For snapping a seven game losing streak and running for the best game of his career, he earns the game ball of the week.