Cardinals Gab

The Cardinals addressed their impending issues at linebacker by signing Stevie Baggs of the Canadian Football League to a one-year contract. Baggs, who is 6-foot-1 and 245 pounds, tied for the CFL lead in sacks with 12 this year. Throughout his career, Baggs also made stops in NFL Europe, the Arena League, and the practice squad of the Detroit Lions.

The Cardinals hope, perhaps naively, that Baggs will add a pass rush dimension to a depleted outside linebacker core. With Berry retiring and Okeafor likely gone to free agency, the list of outside linebackers would consist of Clark Haggans, Cody Brown, Will Davis, Mark Washington (practice squad), and now Stevie Baggs.

The Cardinals will certainly have their work cut out for them if that is how they start the season. There has been some speculation that Arizona may sign Joey Porter, but given the organization’s track record with signing free agents it seems unlikely that they would be willing to pay Porter’s asking price.

After all, this is a front office that failed to reward their star quarterback with a prompt and appropriate contract after he took their hapless franchise to its first Super Bowl. It seems likely that Arizona’s young prospects will have to pan out for the Cardinals to have success at linebacker next year. Signing journeyman Stevie Baggs probably won’t get the job done.

While the Cardinals season has been over for a few weeks now, there is some heavy lifting to be done by the front office.  The Cardinals have 12 unrestricted free agents to deal with, all of which either started or saw significant playing time in 2009.

To help sort through the offseason labyrinth, here is the current state of the Cardinals’ roster.  The roster and contract expiration dates were obtained at azcardinals.com.

LEGEND

UFA is an unrestricted free agent.

RFA is a restricted free agent (and whose movement can be controlled with a tender offer, which gives right of first refusal).

ER means exclusive rights, meaning a player must accept a tender offer.

PS means practice squad.

* means free agent will become unrestricted if new collective bargaining agreement is reached by free agency.

QUARTERBACKS

Matt Leinart; contract expires in 2011; his future is calling

Brian St. Pierre; FA; viable # 3, but team needs a veteran back up behind Leinart

RUNNING BACKS

Tim Hightower; contract expires in 2010; the # 2 running back

Dan Kreider (FB); UFA; bring him back

L. Stephens-Howling; contract expires in 2011

Beanie Wells; contract expires 2013; the # 1 running back

Jason Wright; contract expires in 2010

WIDE RECEIVERS

Anquan Boldin; contract expires in 2010; trade for value while there’s still time

Steve Breaston; RFA; definite keeper

Early Doucet; contract expires in 2010; lock him up long-term

Larry Fitzgerald; contract expires in 2012; make sure he retires a Cardinal

Sean Morey; UFA; expendable

Jerheme Urban; RFA*; let him go

TIGHT ENDS

Anthony Becht; UFA; good blocker, but that’s it

Ben Patrick; RFA; only legitimate pass catcher at TE

Stephen Spach; RFA; no loss if he leaves

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN

Jeremy Bridges (G/T); UFA; if around, will battle with Brandon Keith for staring job

Levi Brown (T); contract expires in 2012; still a disappointment

Ben Claxton (C); RFA

Mike Gandy (T); UFA; should be gone, hopefully

Herman Johnson (G/T); contract expires in 2011; likely a 2011 starter

Brandon Keith (T); contract expires in 2010; possible starter if he has a good camp

Deuce Lutui (G); RFA*; don’t let him go

Lyle Sendlein (C); RFA; top o-line priority

Reggie Wells (G); contract expires in 2010; if Johnson is ready early, Wells is likely gone

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

Alan Branch; contract expires in 2010

Calais Campbell; contract expires in 2011; will probably be a star

Darnell Dockett; contract expires in 2011; will be a resigning nightmare if ignored

Keilen Dykes; PS

Kenny Iwebema; contract expires in 2010; showed some promise to develop

Bryan Robinson; UFA; no great loss if he leaves

Gabe Watson; RFA*; if resigned great; if not, ok too

LINEBACKERS

Monty Beisel; UFA; adds depth, but nothing more

Cody Brown; contract expires in 2012; possible future asset in currently depleted LB core

Karlos Dansby; UFA; 99.9% gone; will leave a huge void behind him

Will Davis; contract expires in 2011; must fill Dansby void, tall order for green player

Clark Haggans; contract expires in 2011

Gerald Hayes; contract expires in 2011; does not deserve a new deal

Ali Highsmith; contract expires in 2010; needs to bounce back quick before contract time

Chike Okeafor; UFA; way over priced for production level

Reggie Walker; contract expires in 2010

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Hamzah Abdullah (S); RFA

Michael Adams (CB); ER

Ralph Brown (CB/S); UFA; no loss if he leaves

Greg Toler (CB); contract expires in 2011; must replace McFadden

Bryant McFadden (CB); contract expires in 2010; a mistake; bench him, then let him go

Rashad Johnson (S); contract expires in 2011; could be FS fix if this is Rolle’s last year

D. Rodgers-Cromartie (CB); contract expires in 2012; 100% resign when time comes

Antrel Rolle (S); contract expires in 2010; give him an extension or gamble on Johnson

Matt Ware (S); UFA; best nickel back right now, which doesn’t say much

Adrian Wilson (S); contract expires in 2013

SPECIALISTS

Ben Graham (P); contract expires in 2010; reward fantastic year with a contract

Mike Leach (LS); contract expires in 2011

Neil Rackers (K); UFA; if they make the smart play, he’ll be let go

With the Super Bowl just days away, we here at CardinalsGab.com are giving away a free FLO TV! All you have to do is simply answer the following 20 Super Bowl Trivia questions, and send your answers to matt@nflgridirongab.com

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1. Where was the first Super Bowl Played between the Packers and Chiefs?

2. Who scored the first touchdown in Super Bowl history?

3. Who is the leading lifetime rusher in Super Bowl history?

4. What team has won the most Super Bowls with 6?

5. Who is the youngest head coach to have ever won a Super Bowl?

6. What wide out caught the game winning TD with less than a minute to go in Super Bowl XXIII?

7. What kicker missed the game-winning field goal in the final seconds of Super Bowl XXV?

8. Where was Super Bowl XX held?

9. Name the four current Franchises that have never been to a Super Bowl

10. Who was the MVP of Super Bowl XVI?

11. What was odd about the first points scored in Super Bowl IX?

12. Where was last years Super Bowl (XLIII) held?

13. Name the four coaches to have lost four Super Bowls

14. What Falcon took back a kickoff for a touchdown in Super Bowl XXXIII?

15. What Colt kicker hit the game-winning kick in Super Bowl V vs Dallas?

16. Who was the MVP of Super Bowl XIV?

17. How many touchdowns did Steve Young throw in Super Bowl XXIX?

18. Who was the coach of the Colts when they lost to the Jets in SB III?

19. Who sang the National Anthem at last years Super Bowl (XLIII)?

20. What WR came up a yard short of the game-tying TD on the final play of Super Bowl XXXIV?

Darren Urban of the Arizona Cardinals official website put together a great compilation of Warner’s top 10 performances as a Cardinal.

By Darren Urban, azcardinals.com

1. Jan. 10 2010. Wild Card playoff game vs. Green Bay

33 attempts, 29 completions, 379 yards, 5 TD, 0 INT

Warner had to be great in a 51-45 overtime win, and he delivered his finest performance in a Cardinals’ uniform. His spectacular day was underscored by the fact he had more touchdown passes than incompletions, a fitting final game at University of Phoenix Stadium – which included a goodbye wave to the crowd when it was over.

2. Jan. 18 2009. NFC Championship game vs. Philadelphia

28 Attempts, 21 completions, 279 yards, 4 TD, 0 INT

The Cardinals achieve the improbable – a trip to the Super Bowl – as Warner has a nearly flawless performance. Three TD passes go to Larry Fitzgerald, but it’s the final drive in which Warner coolly shows his best, including a screen pass to Tim Hightower for the game-winning score in a 32-25 win.

3. Sept. 14 2008. Week 2 vs. Miami

24 attempts, 19 completions, 361 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT

The Cards opened the season with a grind-it-out win in San Francisco, and Warner clearly wanted to throw more. He got his wish the next week against the Dolphins. He, Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin were the stars as Warner achieved the third perfect passing rating (158.3) of his career , tying Peyton Manning for the most all-time in a 31-10 victory.

4. Sept. 20 2009. Week 2 at Jacksonville

26 attempts, 24 completions, 243 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT

The Cards were coming off a difficult season-opening loss to the 49ers and traveled cross country for what looked like a must-win. The Cards did – 31-17 – as Warner hit on 92.3 percent of his passes to set an NFL record for completion percentage.

5. Feb. 1 2009. Super Bowl XLIII vs. Pittsburgh

43 attempts, 31 completions, 377 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT

It’s the highest loss on the list, but despite the gut-wrenching ending, Warner – save for his one interception right before halftime, a painful step back – nearly brought the Cards a title. His postseason connection with Fitzgerald reached a zenith with what looked like the game-winning points, a 64-yard touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter that briefly gave the Cards the lead in a 27-23 loss.

6. Dec. 6 2009. Week 12 vs. Minnesota

32 attempts, 22 completions, 285 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT

Coming off a concussion that made Warner consider the end of his career, the veteran returned to the field after missing the previous six quarters and shredded arguably the best team in the NFL at the time. Working around the Vikings’ dangerous pass rush, Warner was superb in a 30-17 win in front of a national TV audience on “Sunday Night Football.”

7. Oct. 8 2009. Week 8 at Chicago

32 attempts, 22 completions, 261 yards, 5 TD, 0 INT

Warner went to play the Bears after one of his worst games as a Card (five interceptions, six turnovers) in a home loss to Carolina. The Cards were also without Boldin that day in the Windy City. All Warner did was pick apart the Bears in a 41-21 win, using the Cards’ newfound running game to balanced perfection as he turned in his first five-touchdown-pass game in Arizona.

8. Nov. 20 2005. Week 10 at St. Louis

39 attempts, 27 completions, 285 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT

Warner’s first season as a Card didn’t turn out the way he had wanted, and injuries robbed him of a four-game stretch early in the season. But Warner’s first trip back to St. Louis since he left the Rams couldn’t have gone any better, as Warner used 100-yard days from both Boldin and Fitzgerald to celebrate a perfect homecoming in a 38-28 win.

9. Sept. 23 2007. Week 3 at Baltimore

20 attempts, 15 completions, 258 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT

Matt Leinart was the starter, but then coach Ken Whisenhunt sprung something new on the Ravens – the no-huddle offense with Warner at the controls. Playing about half the game, Warner couldn’t be stopped, nearly leading the Cards to an upset before Arizona lost, 26-23. It set Warner up for partial playing time the next two games, before Leinart got hurt, and showed what Warner could mean to the offense.

10. Nov. 22 2009. Week 10 at St. Louis

19 attempts, 15 completions, 203 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT

So many emotions were wrapped up into what turned out to be Warner’s final game in St. Louis. Once again, he was unstoppable, piling up his stats before the end of the first half en route to potentially a huge day. But he suffered a concussion on a hit after a throw, knocking him out of the rest of the 21-13 win and the following week in Tennessee. It also made Warner think very carefully about his future in the game.

Punter

Ben Graham: Grade: A

Overall: There is no doubt that Ben Graham had about as good a season as a punter can have.  He was nothing short of a weapon for the Cardinals this year.  Among all punters (44 players), Graham ranked 4th in average yards/punt, 2nd in punts inside the 20 yard line (1 shy of league lead), and 8th in net yards.  Graham’s excellent play gave the Cardinals defense a significant advantage because he consistently put opposing teams in poor field position.  It is very likely that Graham will be rewarded with a contract extension for his efforts.

The Regular Season Numbers: 86 punts; 4,033 yards; 64 yard long; 46.9 yards/punt; max hang time 5.36 seconds; 42 punts inside 20 yards; 43.8 net yards/punt.  Best Performance: Week 12 against Tennessee: 5 punts inside 20 yards, including 2 inside 5 yards.

Place Kicker

Neil Rackers: Grade: C

Overall: Let’s first discuss Rackers’ season before the Wild Card Round against the Packers.  Among all place kickers (41 players), Rackers ranked 1st in FG percentage made with at least 10 attempts, 11th in number of touchbacks, and tied for 29th in average kickoff distance.  Rackers only missed one FG attempt during the regular season in week 2, which was from over 40 yards; Rackers did not miss an extra point.  Based on the regular season, therefore, Rackers had an outstanding 2009 campaign.  Statistically, he was the most reliable kicker in the NFL; a sure-fire A season.  Having said that, we must talk about the postseason.  While these grades do not take into account postseason play in 99% of the cases, if a player had an extremely strong or extremely poor postseason effort, it must be considered.  Rackers’ 34-yard miss on a sure game winner significantly damaged his standing with the team and probably soured his entire season.  Although the argument can be made that he was battling a groin injury, this is no excuse.  In addition, there was speculation by team insiders that the coaching staff mishandled the play clock before the kick, which forced Rackers to rush his preparation and attempt; this is no excuse.  This analysis may seem harsh.  After all, Aaron Rodgers clearly missed a wide open Greg Jennings in over-time that would have won the game, but no one would give Rodgers a C grade for that game or the season.  Kickers, however, unlike quarterbacks, have only one job.  Also, unlike quarterbacks, kickers don’t have to contend with an entire field of defenders.  All a kicker has to do is trot onto the field and put the ball through the uprights; this should be near automatic from inside 40 yards, which is how Rackers performed, except when it mattered most.  Whatever the reason may be, Rackers might have kicked himself through the doors by failing to kick it through the uprights.  A kicker that fails to convert on the most important attempt of the season from a near automatic distance is mostly worthless, regardless of his regular season stats.

Kick Returners

LaRod Stephens-Howling (Rookie) [Kickoff Returns]: Grade: B+

Overall: Stevens-Howling had a great rookie campaign.  His contributions to special teams were invaluable this season and he continued to impress from beginning to end.  Among all players with at least 1 kickoff return (146 players), he ranked 7th in return yards, tied for 38th in average yards/kick, and was 1 of 14 players that returned a kickoff for a TD in 2009.

The Regular Season Numbers: 52 kickoff returns; 1,257 return yards; 99-yard long; 24.2 yards/kickoff return; 1 TD.  Best Performance: Week 12 against Tennessee: 99-yard kickoff return for TD.

Steve Breaston [Punt Returns]: Grade: B

Overall: Aside from his stand out play at wide receiver, Breaston turned in an average year as the team’s primary punt returner.  Among all players with at least one punt return (84 players), Breaston ranked 15th in return yards and 47th in yards/return; Breaston failed to return a punt for a TD, but he did manage a 67-yard return against Minnesota that was stopped just short of the goal line.

The Regular Season Numbers: 38 punt returns; 253 return yards; 11 fair catches; 64-yard long; 6.7 yards/return; 0 TDs.  Best Performance: Week 13 against Minnesota: 67-yard punt return.

Kick Coverage Stand-Out Players

Sean Morey

Overall: Morey, the special teams captain, continues to earn his title.  He played very well in punt/kickoff coverage and led the team in tackling in those categories.  Among all special teams players that played in at least 8 games this year (136 players), Morey tied for 7th in tackles with 15 solo tackles.

LaRod Stephens-Howling

Overall: Stephens-Howling contributed every game as a punt/kickoff coverage specialist.  In week 12 against Tennessee, he downed two punts inside the five-yard line, giving the Titans awful field position.

Ends: Average of Player’s Grades: A-

Calais Campbell:  Grade: A-

Overall:  Campbell rewarded the Cardinals by turning in an outstanding year after being given his first shot as a starter.  He was constantly pressuring opposing quarterbacks and is currently the best pass rush threat the Cardinals have on their roster.  Among all defensive ends in a 3-4 scheme (39 players), he was 1st in sacks, 2nd in quarterback pressures, 7th in hits on the quarterback, 2nd in batted passes, and 3rd in tackles.  This production is remarkable, considering Campbell is young and has a lot of room to improve.  Campbell, however, loses an A because his play against the run doesn’t match his pass rushing efforts.  Unfortunately, Campbell suffered a fractured thumb in week 17 against the Packers and was of limited value during the postseason.  Calais should return at full strength and as a force to be reckoned with in 2010.
The Regular Season Numbers: 7.0 sacks [tied for team lead]; 29 QB pressures [team leader]; 6 QB hits (didn’t result in sack); 37 solo tackles (not including sacks); 11 assists; 5 batted passes [team leader]; 1 forced fumble.  Best Performance: Week 6 against Seattle: 2.0 sacks; 3 tackles; 1 batted pass.

Darnell Dockett: Grade: A- (Pro Bowl)

Overall:  Dockett achieved his second straight Pro Bowl bid in 2009.  Among all defensive ends in a 3-4 scheme, he tied for 2nd in sacks, ranked 4th in quarterback hits, 4th in quarterback pressures, 3rd in batted passes, 5th in tackles, and even notched 1 interception.  Dockett, therefore, was a well above average pass rusher that consistently disrupted opposing teams’ blocking schemes.  From week 9 to week 12, Dockett totaled an impressive 6 sacks.  Unfortunately, he didn’t get his next sack until 9 weeks later against Green Bay in the Wild Card Round.  Dockett missed an A because he was a below average run defender the majority of the time, although he made the occasional tackle for a loss due to his quick hands and feet.  Regardless, his value as a pass rusher and emotional leader necessitates that the Cardinals consider signing him to a long term contract before his current deal expires in 2012.
The Regular Season Numbers: 7.0 sacks [tied for team lead]; 22 QB pressures; 9 QB hits [tied for team lead]; 42 solo tackles; 9 assists; 4 batted passes; 1 INT.  Best Performance: Week 12 against Tennessee: 3.0 sacks; 4 tackles.

Tackles:  Average of Player’s Grades: B-

Gabe Watson: Grade: B

Overall:  As a run stopper, Watson was the most productive defensive tackle for the Cardinals in 2009.  He actually piled up a relatively impressive number of solo tackles (22) considering the amount of snaps he played (359).  In other words, Watson made a solo tackle in 6.12% of his snaps.  For some context, Kelly Gregg (Ravens) posted the best tackle/snap percentage (8.20%), while Kevin Williams (Vikings) posted the worst (1.95%).  As a pass rusher, however, Watson was well below average; he failed to post a sack and only pressured the quarterback twice in 2009.
The Regular Season Numbers: 0.0 sacks; 2 QB pressures; 0 QB hits; 22 solo tackles; 6 assists; 0 batted passes.  Best Performance: Week 14 against San Francisco: 3 tackles; 3 assists.

Bryan Robinson:  Grade: B

Overall:  Made decent use of his opportunity to play.  Robinson compiled 17 solo tackles in 421 snaps for a 4.03% tackle/snap percentage.  Robinson seems to be right in the middle of the pack as a run stopper.  Like Watson, however, Robinson was a well below average pass rusher, though he did get one sack.
The Regular Season Numbers: 1.0 sack; 4 QB pressures; 0 QB hits; 17 solo tackles; 11 assists; 4 batted passes.  Best Performance:  Week 10 against Seattle: 1.0 sack; 1 tackle; 2 assists.

Alan Branch: Grade: B-

Overall:  Except for a great two sack performance against the Giants, Branch had an unremarkable season.  Branch was the Cardinals best bet for a pass rush from a defensive tackle this year, which doesn’t say much.
The Regular Season Numbers: 2.0 sacks; 13 QB pressures; 3 QB hits; 10 solo tackles; 1 assist; 2 batted passes. Best Performance: Week 7 against the New York Giants: 2.0 sacks.

Linebackers: Average of Player’s Grades: B

Continue reading Cardinals Defensive Player Grades for 2009

PFW says look for a possible battle this offseason between CB’s Greg Toler and Bryant McFadden:

Keep a close eye on Cardinals CB Greg Toler, a fourth-round pick this year who team insiders think could give the disappointing Bryant McFadden a real run for his money as the starter on the right corner opposite Pro Bowler Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie next season. Toler improved as the season wore on, and Pro Football Weekly hears there are some in the organization who believe he could turn out to be as good as, if not better than, Rodgers-Cromartie.

It was a storied career that included bagging groceries, playing in the Arena League, NFL Europe, and finally winning a league MVP award, a Super Bowl, and losing two others. Finally on Friday, the 12-year storied career of Kurt Warner has come to an end.

Friday afternoon at a press conference in Tempe, Arizona, Warner announced his retirement from pro football. With his large family of his wife and 7 children by his side, the 38-year-old walks away with once heck of a story and a career that was filled with plenty of ups and downs.

Warner leaves with a year left on a two-year, $23 million contract, and stated that he knows he still had the skills to play at the highest level, but felt that this was the right move and the right time. “There’s no question in my mind that I am doing what I am supposed to do,” Warner said.

In 124 regular-season games, Warner completed 65.5 percent of his passes for 32,344 yards and 208 touchdowns. He and Fran Tarkenton are the only NFL quarterbacks to throw for 100 touchdowns and 14,000 yards for two teams.

He has the top three passing performances in Super Bowl history. His 1,156 yards passing in the 2008 playoffs broke the NFL record of 1,063 he set with St. Louis in 1999.

“I prayed about it, I talked to my wife about it, and I believe it’s the right time,” Warner said.  “These last three years (as a member of the Cardinals), has really finished the story.”

Now all that’s left is to wear a jacket on the steps of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

Quarterbacks: Players Combined Grade: B

Kurt Warner: Grade: A

Overall: The 38 year-old gray bearded veteran made another strong Hall of Fame push with a fine 2009 season.  He threw for over 300 yards four times during the regular season, had seven games with a passer rating over 100, and had four straight games with a passer rating over 120.  He minimized interceptions (for the most part) and threw over 120 attempts without a pick at one point during the season.  His performance against the Packers in the Wild Card round only aggrandized his legend as one of the best big game quarterbacks in history.  His one black mark this season was a forgettable performance at home against the Carolina Panthers, during which he threw 5 of his 14 interceptions.

Regular Season Numbers: 339/513; 3753 yards; 66.1% completion rate; 26 TDs; and 14 INTs; 93.2 passer rating.  Best Performance: Wild Card Round against Green Bay: 29/33; 87.9% completion; 379 yards; 5 TDs; 0 INTs.  Worst Performance: Week 8 against Carolina: 27/46; 58.7% completion; 242 yards; 2 TDs; 5 INTs.

Matt Leinart: Grade: B-

Overall:  There isn’t much with which to evaluate Leinart.  The most action he saw this season was a start against the Tennessee Titans due to Warner’s concussion.  Leinart played decently in that game, but really just kept his team in a position to win, though it didn’t work out that way.  In addition, Leinart played terribly in limited action in the season finale against the Packers.  In his defense, however, he did have a decent showing towards the end of the Divisional Round game, though the Saints conceded almost every throw underneath their soft coverage after they had already established an insurmountable lead.  This off-season will undoubtedly be the most important of Leinart’s professional career so far.

Regular Season Numbers: 77/51; 435 yards; 66.2% completion; 0 TDs; 3 INTs; 64.6 passer rating.  Best Performance:  Week 12 against Tennessee: 21/31; 220 yards; 67.7% completion; 0 TDs; 0 INTs Worst Performance: Week 17 against Green Bay: 13/21; 96 yards; 61.9% completion; 0 TDs; 2 INTs.

Running Backs: Players Combined Grade: B

Tim Hightower: Grade: B-

Overall:  Hold onto the ball, Tim.  Fumbles were a major problem for the Cardinals this year, Tim Hightower especially.  He put the ball on the ground 5 times while only carrying it 143 times, which is to say that Hightower fumbled 3.49% of the time he touched the ball this year.  That is simply unacceptable, especially for a third year running back.  There were bright spots, though.  Hightower had an excellent yards/carry and was decent in pass blocking situations.  Also, he caught a career high 63 receptions.  Hightower made limited progress this year, but it seems to be Beanie Wells’ job to lose next year.

Regular Season Numbers: Rushing: 143 carries; 598 yards; 4.2 yards/carry; 8 TDs; 5 fumbles; Receiving: 63 receptions; 428 yards; 0 TDs.  Best Performance: Week 11 against St. Louis: 14 carries; 110 yards; 7.9 yards/carry; 0 TDs;  Worst Performance:  Week 3 against Indianapolis: 9 carries; 22 yards; 2.4 yards/carry; 0 TDs; 2 fumbles.

Beanie Wells (Rookie): Grade: B+

Overall:  Wells had a great rookie campaign.  First, he put to rest the lingering doubts about his physicality and durability; his brutal stiff-arm and ability to finish runs aggressively were on display all season.  In addition, 544 of his 793 yards were gained after contact.  Further, Wells avoided/broke 24 tackles while only carrying the ball 176 times (league lead was 50 on 315 carries by Adrian Peterson).  Only Ronnie Brown and Michael Turner broke/avoided more tackles with less than 200 carries.  Wells added a viable third and short presence in a backfield that desperately needed someone that could fall forward for at least three yards when needed; Wells does that.  Also, Beanie has big play potential, which he exhibited on a 42-yard run against the Packers in the Wild Card round.  Finally, he gave the Cardinals hope for a balanced offense in the future.  While Wells did have some fumbling issues (4 fumbles) this season, he should get that straightened out.  Also, Wells needs considerable work on his pass blocking.  There’s time; it’s easy to forget that he was only a rookie.

Regular Season Numbers: Rushing: 176 carries; 793 yards; 4.5 yards/carry; 7 TDs; 4 fumbles; Receiving: 12 receptions; 143 yards; 0 TDs.  Best Performance: Week 15 against Detroit: 17 carries; 110 yards; 6.5 yards/carry; 1 TD; Worst Performance: Week 2 against Jacksonville: 7 carries; 44 yards; 6.3 yards/carry; 2 fumbles.

LaRod Stevens-Howling (Rookie): Grade: B

Overall:  Stevens-Howling saw limited action as a running back this year and it’s unlikely he’ll see many carries in the future with both Hightower and Wells ahead of him.  That is not to say, however, that he wasn’t a valuable cog in the Cardinals collective wheel.  Stevens-Howling’s B grade was earned as an effective kick returner, which he proved by returning a kickoff for a touchdown against Tennessee.  When coupled with Ben Graham, the pair proved to be a special teams weapon by downing a number of punts within the 5 yard line.  If Stevens-Howling is to have a future with the Cardinals, it will almost certainly depend on him maintaining his high level of special teams play.

Regular Season Numbers:  6 carries; 15 yards; 2.5 yards/carry; 0 TDs.

Continue reading Cardinals Offensive Player Grades for 2009