Ron Borges

It's not easy to be in the top 10 in both total offense and total defense and still be at the bottom of the barrel in the NFL standings, but the Cardinals did it last season. That should change this season if newly acquired running back Edgerrin James can find some running room behind a line that has looked suspect.

A year ago the Cardinals had the No. 1-rated passing offense in the league and the worst running game, causing a shocking imbalance that had much to do with their 5-11 record. They could not run the ball when they wanted to or, more importantly, when they needed to. Realizing this, the Cardinals shocked the league when they came up with enough inducements to convince James to leave the perennial AFC contending Colts for a team that has had two winning seasons in the past 18 years.

James has rushed for over 4,300 yards the past three seasons, including 1,506 last year. That's nearly 400 yards more than the entire Cardinals team ran for a year ago (1,138). James rushed for 13 touchdowns in 2005 while the Cards ran for only two. That ineptitude around the goal line helped Neil Rackers break league records with 40 field goals in 42 attempts. Coach Dennis Green likes Rackers' consistency, but he'd love to see less of him because a dropoff in his production would probably mean the running game had improved greatly.

Problem is the line in front of James didn't look much better inthe preseason than it did in 2005, despite some changes in personnel. Green didn't do much to shore up that line except draft guard Deuce Lutui out of USC in the second round and sign free-agent guard Milford Brown. They're upgrades, but this is still not the Seven Blocks of Granitie. It's not even the Colts' line, which opened holes for James with such effectiveness.

What helps is that the passing game should again be one of the most dangerous. Quarterback Kurt Warner is 36 and has played all 16 games only once the last six seasons, which is a worry, and No. 1 pick and former Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart already has had some injury woes, but before he did he showed he might be ready to take over sooner than anyone, including Warner, expected.

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Defensively, the Cardinals have question marks at linebacker and lack depth at the position on an otherwise solid defense. Weakside linebacker Orlando Huff was a disappointment last season after arriving in free agency so he'll have to elevate his play to hold onto his job. Karlos Dansby has been hurt, forcing the shifting of former defensive end Calvin Pace to linebacker. Time will tell if Pace is better suited to that position that he was as an under-productive edge rushing end.

Hot seat
Dennis Green. The Cardinals coach has won only 11 games in his first two seasons in Arizona. This year he spent a ton of owner Bill Bidwill's money to try to turn that around, which could be the kiss of death if the Cardinals don't find a way to become competitive in the NFL's weakest division. Arizona has had losing seasons in 16 of its 18 seasons since heading West. You can't blame them all on Green, but if he has a third straight disaster after paying Kurt Warner and Edgerrin James big money by Bidwill standards, he's likely to join a growing list of ex-Cardinals coaches.

Overheard
Concerns remain that the offensive line is too slow and unathletic to play effectively in front of James, who still gets to the line of scrimmage in a hurry. In Indianapolis, the line was far from overwhelming, but its skills were well suited to James'. It has not appeared to be that way in Arizona. Center Alex Stepanovich, for one, has to be more effective ,but the problems so far have seemed to range from tackle to tackle, even though James keeps insisting everything will be fine.

Maybe he knows better than anyone else. Cardinals fans have to hope so.

Outlook
It's the brightest it's been in years, which is saying a lot. The Cardinals are opening their new retractable dome stadium, will finally be playing in front of sellout crowds for the first time in years and have an explosive offense that should be far more balanced than a year ago. If the defense holds up, Arizona could surprise because two of its first three games will be played at home for only the fourth time since the franchise moved to Phoenix from St. Louis. If they can jump out to a fast start an era of good vibrations may have begun.

Prediction
Second.

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