ProFootballWeekly reports that the Cards are excited about TE Ben Patrick and what he could bring to the team in 2009:

Our Cardinals sources believe third-year pro Ben Patrick was shaping up as the leading contender for the team’s starting TE job before getting hit with a four-game suspension to start the 2009 season for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy. “When you consider all the attributes, he looked like the top guy,” a daily team observer said of Patrick, who tested positive for the amphetamine Adderall after taking the drug last October.

“He’s got good receiving skills — he made that great TD catch in the Super Bowl — his blocking has steadily improved and he’s smart. His only problem was his inability to stay healthy.” There’s reason to believe the recent signing of ex-Rams TE Dominique Byrd was in part due to Patrick’s suspension, which the team might have seen coming.