It's an insider article so I won't post the whole article, but the author thinks the Cards could be fighting for the #1 pick in the draft.
http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/stor...-underrated?addata=2009_insdr_mod_nfl_xxx_xxx
Overrated: Arizona Cardinals
When you really start to break it down, this team might not only be overseeded at No. 23 in the power rankings, but also may actually be a contender for the first pick in the 2013 draft. That's how bad the Cardinals could be.
Quarterback John Skelton is erratic at best, but even worse (43 percent completion percentage) when put under pressure. Match that up with an offensive line that finished 30th in the PFF's pass blocking rankings, giving up a combined 204 sacks, hit and hurries (third-most in the NFL), and Cardinals fans should be worried. That's not even accounting for the new starters they'll be introducing in 2012. Both D'Anthony Batiste and Bobby Massie have looked poor in preseason, while Adam Snyder has long been one of the worst guards in the league (last year he was our worst-ranked RG in the league).
The defense may bridge the gap somewhat. In players like Calais Campbell, Adrian Wilson and Daryl Washington, they have talent. But the Cardinals are kidding themselves if they think a dozen sacks by Sam Acho and O'Brien Schofield combined (nearly half of which came either unblocked, as a result of beating a tight end or running back or because the quarterback held onto the ball too long) means they're ready to generate pressure consistently off the edge. Acho and Schofield managed just 31 total quarterback disruptions on 369 pass rushes last year. Recently released Clark Haggans managed 35 on 319.
That won't make life any easier for the Arizona secondary, which already has question marks around it. Patrick Peterson hasn't proved all that much at the cornerback spot, as evidenced by him having our eighth-lowest grade at the position and drawing more yellow flags (10) than all but two cornerbacks. He'll need to take a huge step forward because opposing QBs are going to have time in the pocket to test him and his teammates.
There's no doubting there's talent on the Cardinals roster. But in a passing league, they fall flat in a number of key positions. That will catch up with them.
http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/stor...-underrated?addata=2009_insdr_mod_nfl_xxx_xxx
Overrated: Arizona Cardinals
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When you really start to break it down, this team might not only be overseeded at No. 23 in the power rankings, but also may actually be a contender for the first pick in the 2013 draft. That's how bad the Cardinals could be.
Quarterback John Skelton is erratic at best, but even worse (43 percent completion percentage) when put under pressure. Match that up with an offensive line that finished 30th in the PFF's pass blocking rankings, giving up a combined 204 sacks, hit and hurries (third-most in the NFL), and Cardinals fans should be worried. That's not even accounting for the new starters they'll be introducing in 2012. Both D'Anthony Batiste and Bobby Massie have looked poor in preseason, while Adam Snyder has long been one of the worst guards in the league (last year he was our worst-ranked RG in the league).
The defense may bridge the gap somewhat. In players like Calais Campbell, Adrian Wilson and Daryl Washington, they have talent. But the Cardinals are kidding themselves if they think a dozen sacks by Sam Acho and O'Brien Schofield combined (nearly half of which came either unblocked, as a result of beating a tight end or running back or because the quarterback held onto the ball too long) means they're ready to generate pressure consistently off the edge. Acho and Schofield managed just 31 total quarterback disruptions on 369 pass rushes last year. Recently released Clark Haggans managed 35 on 319.
That won't make life any easier for the Arizona secondary, which already has question marks around it. Patrick Peterson hasn't proved all that much at the cornerback spot, as evidenced by him having our eighth-lowest grade at the position and drawing more yellow flags (10) than all but two cornerbacks. He'll need to take a huge step forward because opposing QBs are going to have time in the pocket to test him and his teammates.
There's no doubting there's talent on the Cardinals roster. But in a passing league, they fall flat in a number of key positions. That will catch up with them.
