2006 Arizona Cardinals Preview

The Arizona Cardinals may be the most hyped team in the NFL this off-season.  The Cardinals, who struggled last year at 5-11, improved their squad greatly over the off-season with several big named signings.  It wasn’t like the Cardinals had no talent last season; they were just a few pieces short of being a playoff contender, and they filled those pieces this off-season.  The biggest signing for the Cardinals over the off-season was running back Edgerrin James from the Colts.  James gives the Cardinals the game-breaking running back they needed.  Arizona ranked 32nd in the league in rushing a season ago, and James will give them the back they need to improve.  If Arizona’s rushing attack can be anywhere close to average, their offense will surely be one of the best in the NFL.  Arizona’s passing attack was the best in the NFL last year, at close to 300 yards per game.  Their one-two punch of Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald is arguably the best receiving tandem in the league.  And these two were as excited as anyone when Matt Leinart slid to the Cardinals at #11.  Leinart is one of the best college quarterbacks ever, and will surely be a Pro Bowler for years to come.  It is obvious that the Cardinals will have one of the most explosive offenses in the league in 2006, and if their defense, which ranked 10th in the NFL last season, can continue to improve, Arizona will surely be a playoff contender. 

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