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