The Arizona Cardinals are less than a week away from their first preseason game so things are starting to get exciting. The first official depth chart was just released, there weren't any huge surprises but some things that should be noted.

Alan Branch, as Mark told us in his last post is behind Bryan Robinson on the depth chart. That's obviously a little disappointing with Gabe Watson being out and the fact that Arizona traded a 4th round pick to grab him with their second round pick in the 2007 draft. Hopefully Branch gets things together and starts playing like the player he was touted to be. 

Right now the depth chart for running backs in order reads Edgerrin James, Marcel Shipp, J.J. Arrington, Steve Baylark, and Tim Hightower. No one should read into this too much when they see this, J.J. Arrington has a very good chance of being cut and this years 5th round draft pick Tim Hightower will likely be the third RB by the time the season starts. Eventually Hightower should take over the back up roll but he'll have to prove himself before that happens. 

Steve Breaston and Jerheme Urban are listed as the back up wide receivers behind Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald. I expect rookie Early Doucet to be more in the conversation for the number 3 WR spot as the preseason goes on. 

The offensive line is looking very thin as usual. The Cardinals did make a nice pick up getting OT Kelly Butler  to add some depth but Arizona is still lacking in the area. If either Mike Gandy or Levi Brown go down with injury you have two unproven players in Elliot Vallejo and Pete Clifford to back them up.

It looks like center Al Johnson will be out for all of preseason and maybe some of the regular season due to knee surgery. 3rd string center Scott Peters also injured his knee and doesn't look like he'll be coming back. This leaves back up center Lyle Sendlein to carry the load for at the very least the preseason. Lyle did a great job in his rookie season last year replacing Johnson for a few games. I don't feel there's a drop off in talent between Johnson and Sendlein but the depth at the position scares you a little. Lyle is tough and durable so I don't think there is much concern during the season at the center position especially once Johnson comes back.

Right now things are going pretty well. No huge injuries and lots of good play from what I've seen and heard. Mark will be coming back Sunday from Cardinals training camp and he'll be giving his input on what he saw up in Flagstaff.

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