Game Plan: Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals are not much better than they were last year (2006 Arizona Cardinals Preview). The signing of Edgerrin James was basically their only offseason move. The only other additions even worth mentioning are RG Milford Brown and DT Kendrick Clancy. Milford Brown comes from Houston, which is not exactly a hotbed for offensive lineman. Clancy is decent, but not a difference maker. He is not an upgrade over Russell Davis. In short, the Cardinals are still terrible.

The offensive line is firmly entrenched as one of the worst in the league. Edgerrin James is not someone that can overcome that. It might be different if the Cardinals had signed Barry Sanders in his prime, but James is not an elusive back. He averaged a pathetic 2.8 yards per carry against a poor San Francisco 49ers defense in Week One. That is on par with the Cardinals did in the two games against the 49ers last year (2.9 and 2.8 yards per carry, respectively). That means the front seven does not need safety help. The Seahawks can get away with nickel packages without worrying about giving up big gains on the ground.

The extra men in coverage will be needed to cope with Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, and Bryant Johnson. The Seahawks managed to keep that trio of receivers to a single touchdown over both games last season. In fact, the Cardinals only scored one touchdown against the Seahawks, but did manage 8 field goals. Kurt Warner put up 334 yards and a touchdown in the Week 9 game. However, he also threw 3 interceptions, lost a fumble, and was sacked 4 times. Ken Hamlin was out of the line-up and Julian Peterson wasn't on the roster. It should be another tough outing for Warner. The Seahawks can blitz and pressure him and watch the the sacks and take-aways pile-up.

When the Seahawks have the ball, all eyes should be on Shaun Alexander. Alexander only had 313 yards and 6 touchdowns in the two games against Arizona last year. If you figure the loss of Hutchinson means Alexander will produce at only two-thirds of the level he did last year, then he should still be good for over 100 yards and two touchdowns. Alexander should run all over the Cardinals. He could put up impressive numbers against this defense even if he was running behind the Arizona Cardinals offensive line.

The Cardinals will need to put extra men in run support. CB Antrel Rolle might be ready to become a shutdown corner, but he is the only player in the secondary worth mentioning. Bobby Engram and Nate Burleson should have big days (assuming Rolle will be covering Jackson). In the one game when Jackson and Rolle lined-up across from each other last year, D-Jack got the better of it anyway, grabbing 8 balls for 125 yards. The Seahawks should just run it down Arizona's throat, and then throw it to the open receiver when Arizona commits to stopping the run.