Its finally here, the Arizona Cardinals kick off the 2007 NFL season/pre season against the Oakland Raiders. Althought this game is meaningless in record it still brings importance to the true Cardinal fans. First of all if the Cardinals lose we can say it doesn’t mean anything, which is always nice. Second, we get to look at the new players Arizona picked up in the off season.

I know there are too many pre season games and everyone pretty much can agree on that, but a team like the Cardinals will benefit from this. Arizona has a new coaching staff that’s trying to install new offensive and defensive plays. The more practice and time working on these plays the better, so lets be patient and enjoy watchin our team grow.

Things to watch in Arizona’s first pre season game against Oakland…

Of course the offensive line is going to be the most analyzed part of this pre season and it very well should be. The O-line has new additions such as Mike Gandy, Al Johnson, and first round pick Levi Brown. Most of us know that if the O-line does good the Cardinals do good, if the O-line does bad the Cardinals do bad.

Watch the cornerbacks this pre season, the cornerbacks might be the weak link for the Cardinals this year. Antrel Rolle and Eric Green are really gonna have to step up and play to their potential this season.

The new 3-4 defense is something I’m very excited to watch. I really like the personel the Cardinals have to run a 3-4. The Cardinals defense may not have the players the Pittsburgh Steelers had when they won the Super Bowl playing this defense but their close. I think they’ll be creating lots of turnovers in 2007.

I can’t wait to see how Steve Breaston does returning punts. The Cardinals haven’t had a dangerous return man since Terry Metcalf in the 70’s. It would be nice to have a guy that teams are affraid to kick to, Breaston just might be that guy.

All the rookies are fun to watch but make sure you keep and eye on Alan Branch and Buster Davis. Both these guys could step in real soon and contribue in a large way to this team. Both Branch and Davis have potential that’s through the roof.

I’d like to close this posting asking you all to pray for the Cardinals team to stay healthy during this pre season. An injury at any time during the season is terrible but to have a key player go down before it even starts is just devistating. If James, Fitz, Boldin or Leinart go down it will end my hopes of the Cardinals making a playoff run. So everyone do your part in making sure a tradgic injury does not happen. Thanks!

Original post by Eli Wahlstrom

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