Cards_Recap_MagSeven 7/9/12 1:04 PM Page 5
Durability questions for Wells are definitely high. He has not been healthy a full season as a Cardinal. Look for the Cardinals to lean more toward Williams as the season stretches on; similar to the way the Cardinals would with Tim Hightower before Hightower’s final season as a Cardinal. Third-string running back LaRod Stephens-Howling continues to do be an all-around solid player for the Cardinals. Adding a pass catching dimension that was nonexistent with Wells last year, and being a reliable special teams performer. WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS: B Drafted: Michael Floyd (First Round) Addressing the needs of your star athletes is typically a good sign. It shows the commitment an organization has for that player and recognizes what its star athlete is suggesting and then making the necessary improvements. Fitzgerald’s statistics did not falter in 2011, but the offense did. If it wasn’t a big play for Fitzgerald than the offense stalled after a first down or two. Defensive coordinators realize they’re not going to shut down Fitzgerald, but they did enough to disrupt the Cardinals' offense frequently. Fitzgerald realized he needed a proper counterpart as he had before with Anquan Boldin. A big target that can stretch the field or go over the middle. Michael Floyd is the answer to that, and should provide immediate dividends. Training with Fitzgerald and learning how to be a professional should prevent the off-the-field issues that plagued Floyd at Notre Dame. Arizona wants to make Kolb as comfortable as possible. While at
#26 BEANIE WELLS
Houston and with Philadelphia, the spread offense with three capable standout receivers was key. In Philadelphia, he had the trio of DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin and Jason Avant and a tight end that thrived over the middle in Brent Celek. All of that can happen now for Kolb with Fitzgerald, Floyd, and either Early Doucet or Andre Roberts at the third receiver. Roberts really came along last season and should hold off Doucet for No. 3 on the depth charts. Roberts runs better routes and would complement the tandem on the field of Fitzgerald/Floyd better. At tight end, Todd Heap returns for his second season as a Cardinal. Injuries and hard hits have taken their toll on Heap. Counting on any performances you became accustomed to seeing from Heap as a Raven are long gone. He is a red zone and third down threat, and the same can be said for Jeff King. There will be plenty of games, though, that teams look to shut down the outside routes, which will leave the middle open for King and Heap. OFFENSIVE LINE: CDrafted: Bobby Massie (Fourth Round), Senio Kelemete (Fifth Round) and Nate Potter (Seventh Round) Free agent additions: Adam Snyder; Free agent losses: Deuce Lutui Developing chemistry with an offensive team all starts with a solid offensive line. Arizona devoted a big part of its NFL Draft in bolstering its offensive line. Three picks were used in Bobby Massie, Nate Potter, and Senio Kelemete. Most rookie offensive linemen need to adapt and take their licks on the field. Thus year one with the new tandem of offensive linemen will likely be a work in progress.
#21 PATRICK PETERSON