Cardinals season preview | 1azsportsfan's Blog

In less than 48 hours the Arizona Cardinals will open up the 2009 preseason against the Pittsburgh Steelers. I just wanted to go through and give a position by position breakdown and things to watch for.

Quarterback: The biggest question in camp may be who will back up Kurt Warner? Matt Leinart who is the 1st round heisman trophy winner or Brian St Pierre, who has thrown 1 career NFL pass? I would hope Leinart would win it and I cant imagine that management would be thrilled having their 1st round pick of the future be a third stringer, but Whiz is an honest guy and if he says their is a QB battle then their is a QB battle. It will be intriguing to watch throughout the preseason.

Running Back: Can Tim Hightower be a 20-25 carry guy? We know he can score, but he averaged only 2.8 yards a carry and that is not getting it done. Chris "Beanie" Wells was a big time player at Ohio State when he was on the field and I see him being the 20 to 20 guy and Timmy being the goal Line guy like last year. They are saying though that Timmy is having a GREAT camp and with Beanie out for now he will have every shot to prove himself as the number one guy. Jason Wright is a nice upgrade of JJ Arrington and will be a very nice addition.

Wide Receiver: Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, Steve Breaston is set in stone and will dominate the NFC West like always!!! The battles for the last two jobs are between Jerahme Urban, Sean Morey, Early Doucet, and Lance Long. Urban seems to have the number four spot locked up, so here is what it comes down to. The special teams pro bowler who does not carch many balls, the high draft pick from last year, or the undrafted player that they kept around and is having another great camp? My guess is Long will finally make the team with Doucet going to the practice squad and Morey being released. If it is Long that will be released expect Todd Haley to be in the front of the line to pick him up.

Offensive Line: Gandy, Wells, Sendlein, Lutui, and Brown are all back after starting every game last year together. Whisenhunt said the other day that he has the most depth at the offensive line that he has ever had and that is saying something. They have a bunch of young guys and it will be interesting to watch them play.

Defense to come.....