DW '09 Season Preview: Arizona Cardinals

Last Year: 9-7

Key Additions: CB Bryant McFadden, RB Chris Wells

Offense: The Cardinals boast the best wide receiving core ( 3, 1000 yard receivers) in the NFC and an accurate QB to get them the ball. Beanie Wells will take departed Edgerinn James carries and split time with Tim Hightower. Word is that Matt Leinart is fighting to keep his job as backup QB. An adequate enough O-line should give Warner enough time to complete passes from the shot-gun formation. The O-line did not miss a start due to injury last year, how will they react if/when that does not happen this year?


Defense: The Arizona defense should rival last years unit which was one of the worst in the league. Newcomer Bryant McFadden will replace former Eagle Rod Hood at one corner spot but it remains to be seen, if he is an upgrade. Darnell Dockett and Bertrand Berry will provide the pass rush and Adrian Wilson remains as one of the top safeties in the game. Last year the Cardinals allowed 35 or more points, 5 times! If the defense improves, the Cards could sneak into the playoffs.

Fantasy Studs: I am not sold on this being a playoff team again but am sold on this team being fantasy gold. Larry Fitzgerald: 96 rec, 1431 yds, 12 tds. Two straight 1400 yards season will double digit tds, Fitzgerald as is much of a sure thing as there is in fantasy. Anquan Boldin: 89 rec, 1038 yds, 11 tds. A legitimate fantasy #1 receiver who just happens to be the Cards #2. Only downside is he only managed to play in 12 games in each of the last two seasons. Keep an eye on his behavior during camp as he is unhappy with his contract. Kurt Warner: 4583 yds, 30 TDs 14 Ints. The beneficiary of the skill position talent, Warner may have one of the best jobs in football, as it is difficult to incomplete passes in this offense.

Prediction: 8-8. Super Bowl hangover. This team should get to 8 wins due to a cupcake division but will find it tough to be as fortunate as they were last year.
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DW '09 Season Preview: SF 49ers

Last Year: 7-9

Key Additions: WR Michael Crabtree, CB Dre Bly

Key Losses: CB Walt Harris (out for season), WR Bryant Johnson

Offense: Shaun Hill and Alex Smith are battling for the starting QB job in Niners camp this year. Neither player is going to win the MVP anytime soon, but Hill did help the team win 4 out of their last 5 games in 2008 and looks to have the edge. If Michael Crabtree can ever get a contract worked out, the Niners actually have a pretty deep WR corp. Lining up along with Crabtree will be veteran Isaac Bruce and 2^nd year widout Josh Morgan. Morgan showed some promise last year as the No.3 option. RB Frank Gore is coming off his third straight 1000+ yard season rushing and there is no reason to think he’ll slow down this year.

Defense: The defense hopes to improve on their 23.8 PPG given up last year, good enough for 23^rd in the league. The injury of Walt Harris won’t help though, Harris was their leading CB with 3 INT’s in 2008. The team brought in Dre Bly to fill Harris’ spot, but what impact the 11^th year CB will make remains to be seen.

Fantasy Studs: RB Frank Gore: 240 car, 1036 yds, 6 TD in 2008. Not much else on this team to talk about. Gore is a beast, though. WR Michael Crabtree may be a decent pickup, but the longer he holds out the longer it will take for him to catch on.

Prediction: 6-10. They stink.

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DW '09 Season Preview: St. Louis Rams

Last Year: 2-14
Key Additions: HC Steve Spagnuolo, OT Jason Smith, C Jason Brown, LB James Laurinaitis
Key Losses: Orlando Pace, Torry Holt

Offense: The Rams brought in longtime Eagles QB coach Pat Shurmur to run his version of the West Coast offense. Stephen Jackson will continue to shoulder the load and second year receiver Donnie Avery will replace Torry Holt as the # 1 receiver. Second overall pick Jason Smith will replace Orlando Pace as the bookend tackle. Kyle Boller was brought in to push Marc Bulger, but Boller has proven in the past to a pretty bad QB. Bulger must improve on his 22 TD's and 28 Int's over the last 2 seasons.


Defense: Steve Spagnoulo will bring the defensive scheme that he learned under Jim Johnson and implemented with the Giants to the St Louis Rams. One minor difference could be the personnel. Second round pick James Laurinaitis will look to start at MLB, allowing Will Witherspoon to move outside. Former first round pick Adam Carriker will start on defensive line. Howie's kid Chris looks to have a big second season at DE. This Unit will struggle due to years of bad drafting but they are headed in the right direction with Spags.

Fantasy Studs: Stephen Jackson: 253 car, 1042 yards, 7 Td's in '08. Donnie Avery: 53 rec, 674 yards, 3 Td's. He could be a sleeper moving to the Rams # 1 WR spot.



Prediction: 6-10. If the new offensice line can protect Bulger and open lanes for Jackson, this team could surprise but the fact is that they are young and will be lucky to win 6..
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