AZ Cardinals Preseason Report Card

September 3, 2008

Tim Hightower video “highlights” from an exciting preseason

Improved offensive and defensive line play helped the Arizona Cardinals finish the 2008 preseason with a record of 2-2, tied for second place behind 3-1 Seattle.

2008 Preseason NFC West Standings
TEAM________W L T PF PA
Seattle______ 3 1 0 103 77
San Francisco__2 2 0 94 74
Arizona_______2 2 0 75 69
St. Louis______2 2 0 61 71

The Cardinals had the stingiest defense (17.3 points per game), but finished second to last in offense (18.8 points per game). Division leader Seattle allowed a division worst 19.3 points per game, but scored a robust 25.8 points per game.

The quarterback competition between Kurt Warner and Matt Leinart was the biggest headline of the preseason, but several players made notable impacts, including six out of seven rookies from the 2008 draft class. The below is a quick recap of notable players and contributions.

OFFENSE:

Kurt Warner = B+

Warner completed 12 of 17 passes 142 yards (8.4 yard avg), 0 TDs and 0 INTs, for a passer rating of 95.7. He looked solid.

Matt Leinart = C

Leinart completed 28 of 45 passes 354 yards (7.9 yard avg), 2 TDs and 3 INTs, for a passer rating of 73.8. Leinart actually played much better than his 73.8 rating in three out of the four games played, but had one disastrous start against the Raiders, completing just 4 of 12 passes for 24 yards (2.0 yard avg), 0 TDs and 3 INTs that ultimately cost him the starting job.

Brian St. Pierre = B

St. Pierre faced third string competition in most games, but completed 24 of 37 passes 233 yards (6.3 yard avg), 2 TDs and 0 INTs, for a passer rating of 100.4.

Tim Hightower = B+

Hightower rushed 28 times for 107 yards (3.8 yard avg) with 3 TDs and 2 fumbles. He also caught 4 passes for 14 yards (3.5 yard avg) and 0 TDs. He ran with authority, displaying a good one-cut slashing style, and looks to be a fantastic 5th round draft pick.

J.J. Arrington = B+

Arrington made the most of his preseason touches and thensome. Arrington rushed 11 times for 123 yards (11.2 yard avg) with 2 TDs and 0 fumbles. He also caught 2 passes for 10 yards (5.0 avg) and 0 TDs. Arrington broke TD runs of 67 and 27 yards in his final two preseason games, displaying the quickness and straightaway speed that made him a 2nd round draft pick in 2005.

Leonard Pope = B

Pope made the most of his preseason touches, catching 4 passes for 44 yards (11.0 yard avg) for 2 TDs and 0 fumbles. Pope looks to increase on his 5 TDs from 2007, and after a strong preseason that included TD catches of 18 yards and 17 yards in back-to-back games against Oakland and Denver, he certainly seems poised for a strong season in 2008.

Brandon Keith = ?

Hard to say. The 6-5″ 343 lb rookie offensive tackle selected in the 7th round from Northern Iowa made the team, so I’m guessing that’s a good start.

Early Doucet = C

Doucet had 1 catch for 7 yards in his first three games, but ended the preseason on a high note, recording 3 catches for 45 yards (15.0 yard avg) against Denver.

DEFENSE:

Calais Campbell = A-

The first of the Cardinals two rookie DEs had a monster preseason, leading the team with 15 total tackles (12 solo), and 0 sacks. At 6-7″ and 282 lbs, Campbell looks to be an instant contributor in 2008.

Kenny Iwebema = B+

Iwebema was also a preseason rookie DE force, displayed a tremendous bull rush, and recorded 9 total tackles (8 solo), and 2 sacks (tied for the team lead with Travis LaBoy and Clark Haggans).

Chris Harrington = F

Unfortunately, Harrington did not survive final roster cut.

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie = B

The Cardinals highly touted 1st round draft choice, Rodgers-Cromartie was steady in preseason play, recording 2 solo tackles in each of the first three games, and ended with 3 solo tackles and 1 pass defensed against Denver. His preseason totals were 9 tackles (9 solo) with 0 INTs and 1 pass defensed.

Category: 2008 Season, Editorial | Tags: Brandon Keith, Brian St. Pierre, Calais Campbell, Chris Harrington, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Early Doucet, J.J. Arrington, Kenny Iwebema, Kurt Warner, Leonard Pope, Matt Leinart, Tim Hightower