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Quarterbacks Backup Quarterback(s): This is one of the situations in the NFL where the backup may end up playing more than the projected starter. If the Cardinals start out slow (most believe they will) then the team may decide to give McCown an opportunity to show what he can do at the NFL level. Regardless of his playing time though, any quarterback that starts in Arizona this season has 'major risk' attached to his name. Let somebody else draft from this team in 2003. Update - 8/28: Blake tweaked an ankle last week in practice, but he'll be fine. In a large league (where all of the starting QBs get drafted), Blake looks like a viable pick. He appears to be a lock to start all season long (barring injury of course) as McCown has struggled at times. Running Backs Backup Running Back(s): Shipp totaled 1,264 yards and nine touchdowns last season, remarkable considering he had less than 200 carries, and no other Cardinal reached three scores. As a rookie, the 5-11, 226 lb Shipp did more with less than perhaps anyone last year, and is a dangerous player both on first and ten (5.0 yards per carry) and as a third down back. Shipp won't get as many touches this year unless Emmitt Smith falters, but his presence will hurt Emmitt's fantasy value. A combination of Smith and Shipp might surprise some folks this year, and give the Cardinals a strong running game. Depending on how much playing time he receives, Shipp could end up with a lot of catches this season, as Arizona doesn't have many established targets for new quarterback Jeff Blake. Shipp will be one of the top backups to grab, as he has shown he can have fantasy value in Arizona. Damien Anderson, an undrafted rookie, got his first NFL experience in a start against Carolina. The Panthers, who were tops in the league in yards per carry allowed, contained Anderson to the tune of 23 carries for 63 yards. Anderson (5-11, 217) will be competing with Josh Scobey for the third RB spot. Fullback(s): Joel Mackovicka has been the lead blocker in Arizona the past four years, but Arizona continued their roster overhaul by signing Hodgins, who over that same time was with the Rams. At least six teams were interested in signing the 6-1, 270 lb fullback, but the Cards inked him to a four year deal worth five million. Here's what Coach McGinnis McGinnis had to say about Hodgins: "He's a very versatile player who has played in the same type of offense that we run here. He can swab out a hole for a runner, catch the ball out of the backfield, and line up in a variety of positions. He's done a little bit of everything, and that kind of fullback is a position we wanted to address." We're not sure if McGinnis was able to liken the Rams and Cardinals offenses without laughing. Hodgins has no fantasy value, but can tell his grandkids he played with Marshall Faulk and Emmitt Smith. Update - 8/28: It still appears that Smith will be the main rusher for this team while Shipp will get some carries and be more involved in the passing game. It seems that Damien Anderson should be the #3 RB (if that matters). Wide Receivers Starting Receiver(s): It's somewhat of a misnomer to list the Cardinals' starters and backups at this juncture because even the team's coaching staff doesn't know which two receivers will earn the starting nod; and they won't until we're in the thick of training camp. For the uninitiated, the Cardinals lost their top three receivers from a year ago: David Boston, Frank Sanders and MarTay Jenkins. As a result, the team will field one of the least experienced receiving corps in modern football history this year. To give you an idea, the six receivers vying for roster spots have a combined 49 receptions for 640 yards and 4 touchdowns in their entire NFL careers! The latest reports suggest that new OC Jerry Sullivan plans on using a lot of multiple receiver sets, and you can expect the top four receivers all to receive a fair amount of work. We currently expect Brian Gilmore to be the most productive of an ordinary bunch, followed by Bryant Johnson, a rookie first round draft choice out of Penn State. Backup Receiver(s): Assuming Gilmore and Johnson start the majority of the time that leaves Jason McAddley, the most productive receiver remaining from last year's team, as the third receiver. Kevin Kasper, the speedster who produced reasonably well after coming over to Arizona mid-season is also likely to see a fair amount of action. The dark horse is another rookie, Anquan Boldin, a converted QB from Florida State who has a ton of athletic ability, but is raw having played the position for only one full season in college. Update - 8/28: Exiting training camp, Brian Gilmore and Larry Foster were listed as the starters. While we wouldn't be surprised to see that change as the season moves along, we do expect Foster and Gilmore to provide the team's best fantasy production this year, albeit not enough to consistently help your team. The depth chart remains uncertain, but 'dark horse' rookie Anquan Boldin certainly appears to have a role. Specifically, he is expected to be featured in a multi-faceted role according to Jeff Blake, "We have tons of stuff with Anquan (Boldin) that we run and all of the things we do with him on 3rd down, we haven't shown any of that stuff." First round draft pick Bryant Johnson has been slow to acclimate himself and looks to be a spot contributor to open the season. Marquise Walker, acquired from Tampa Bay in the Thomas Jones trade, was waived. Tight Ends Update - 8/28: Jones has mentioned that he was not satisfied with his 2002 performance and hopes for improvement this season. He is definitely the most experienced receiver on the team. Place Kicker Offensive Line |
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