Who are you man-crushing on this year?

[Zeno]

I think that's asking a lot of a rookie 3rd rounder...

And, while I don't believe they are starters by any stretch, I think both Urban and Morey add great depth!

I saw enough dropped balls and getting caught from behind by a LB when you had a 10 yd head start to have seen enough of those 2. great depth? not in my mind. I'm seriously hoping Doucet, Breaston and Rector/Merrit/UDFA are the WR depth chart behind Q & Fitz.

I don't think Doucet 1 on 1 with a teams nickel or dime CB is any stretch to have 5 or 6 TDs with all the attention Fitz & Boldin will get. Plus I have to figure Q or Fitz will miss at least some time this season and Doucet will get a start or 2.

 

[cgolden]

Leinart for me. I hope we finally have a franchise QB.

My thoughts exactly. If he's as good as we hope or even half as good, the future is bright. If he's a bust, this team has to go back to square one.

It's all about the quarterback.

 

[cgolden]

I don't think it will matter if he starts...he will play a lot and be on the field at crunch time.

I've watched a ton of Steelers football over the past few year (favorite AFC team) and Haggans need a limited number of snaps to be effective. He can be somewhat of a team leader but he will get worn down and be virtually ineffective he plays too much.

 

[BACH]

A TE with enormous potential in his third year.. Pope will develop into one of the best TEs in the NFL this season

 

[cardsfanmd]

We are going to win 12 games this year. There I said it.

 

[Mulli]

I love me some me!!

 

[Garthshort]

This Is The Year

If we don't do it this year, we will never do it. At least not in my lifetime. We just have sooooo many weapons, and a nice blend of vets and youth. I know that injuries can wreck havoic, but I feel that is the only way we can fail to make the playoffs, and do some post season damage. You can always find warts, but IMO, this is the deepest and most talented team, since the move to Arizona. It is a special team.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

We are going to win 12 games this year. There I said it.

It is not that I don't agree.......just shocking!

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Whom does he unseat to start IYO?

First off. I will say this first.

Our defense will have A LOT of rotational positions. But the starters for our base defense, at least on paper and IMO, should be:


DE: Dockett
NT: Watson
DE: A.Smith

OLB: Okeafor
ILB: Hayes
ILB: Dansby
OLB: Haggans

CB: Green
CB: Hood
FS: Rolle
SS: Wilson

*** I would not be surprised to see, at some point this season or pre-season, to see A.Smith split time with C.Campbell, a rotation of LaBoy, Haggens, Berry and Okeafor, Green to split time with DCR, and Watson be rotating with Branch.

My wildcard? Matt Stewart gives Hayes a run for his money.

 

[DaisyCutter]

If we don't do it this year, we will never do it. At least not in my lifetime. We just have sooooo many weapons, and a nice blend of vets and youth. I know that injuries can wreck havoic, but I feel that is the only way we can fail to make the playoffs, and do some post season damage. You can always find warts, but IMO, this is the deepest and most talented team, since the move to Arizona. It is a special team.

I'm going to respectfully disagree with this. The Cards make a number of East Coast road trips this season. Apparently some people here are worried about a "much improved" Miami team, but I'm more worried about the New York Jets being the underperforming 2008 team that we lose to.

Like it or not, it's going to be immensely difficult to even meet the record that the Cards set last season, much less exceed it.

I think the Cards' best chance of contending for the division and the Super Bowl comes in 2009, when the Cards face the NFC North and the AFC South. It'll be tougher playing against the AFC South than it would be the AFC East (maybe), but the Cards will host Houston and Indy that year (huge season ticket sales that year, hopefully--Green Bay, Minnesota, Indy, and Houston are the non-division opponents).

 

[DaisyCutter]

Rugby, why would the Cards move Okeafor to the weakside when he was apparently unblockable from the strong side last year? Both Berry and LaBoy are probably superior pass rushers right now, but Okeafor is the more versitile player.

 

[joeshmo]

Rugby, why would the Cards move Okeafor to the weakside when he was apparently unblockable from the strong side last year? Both Berry and LaBoy are probably superior pass rushers right now, but Okeafor is the more versitile player.

I agree. As a base defense only (it could change with different looks though) Okeafer and Haggans stay on the strong side. We need to remember that in our base 3-4 the weakside OLB is pretty much just a glorified DE, while the strongside needs people who excel more with their hands off the ground.

I think Okeafer would only ever go to the weakside in our base defense if Berry and Laboy are both injured.

 

[DaisyCutter]

I agree. As a base defense only (it could change with different looks though) Okeafer and Haggans stay on the strong side. We need to remember that in our base 3-4 the weakside OLB is pretty much just a glorified DE, while the strongside needs people who excel more with their hands off the ground.

I think Okeafer would only ever go to the weakside in our base defense if Berry and Laboy are both injured.

I wouldn't mind seeing a "heavy" package that featured DEs Dockett and Branch, NT Watson, ILBs Hayes and Dansby, and OLBs Haggans and Okeafor, with Okeafor on the weakside then. I think that would be a surprisingly effective pass-rushing unit, and nearly impossible to run against. But you can only use it 10 plays or so a game.

 

[D-Dogg]

On offense, Levi. He looked great on the videos I saw...fantastic shape and "nimble."

On defense, Rolle. This move to FS is going to be great for him...he will be on his toes instead of his heels, and have time to see the field and plays develop. He's going to have a stellar year, and the net gain from Holt to Rolle is going to be dramatic.

 

[Shane]

On offense, Levi. He looked great on the videos I saw...fantastic shape and "nimble."

Boy did he ever!

 

[Heucrazy]

Antrell Rolle. He WILL break the record for most interceptions returned for touchdowns in a season.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

We are going to win 12 games this year. There I said it.

ohh yeahhh

Glad your back

 

[Arizona's Finest]

It will probably take a couple years but I'll be following my man DRC closely this season.

And I agree with everyone who thinks Rolle is going to break out.

But if your asking who most do I want to see have a PRO BOWL year.....

Thats easy.....Matty boy.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Rugby, why would the Cards move Okeafor to the weakside when he was apparently unblockable from the strong side last year? Both Berry and LaBoy are probably superior pass rushers right now, but Okeafor is the more versitile player.

Cause I didn't take into account strong and weak side. I just threw the players up there, and gave them the relative position.

 

[Shane]

SHANE!

 

[bigredjane]

That's an easy one--

My boy Matt.

 

[D-Dogg]

Doncha know it.

:winkwinkhonkhonk:

 

[Jersey Girl]

Antrell Rolle. He WILL break the record for most interceptions returned for touchdowns in a season.

I'm with you on Rolle. I am hoping for big things from him this year.

 

[PoolBoy]

since i can't pick one....

offense- pope (obviously), leinart, and hightower

defense- antonio smith, rolle, and DRC

special teams- rackers (shuttin ya'll up, me included), francisco, and punter TBA

 

[daytripper]

The oline. With a year together under their belts, they will be very efficient giving us the running attack we've lacked for years.