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Monday, May 6
How will David Boston's off-field problems affect his future with the Cardinals? Even though the Phoenix police announced last week that Boston won't face any possession charges, he is still likely to be charged with two counts of misdemeanor DUI because of the cocaine and marijuana allegedly in his system. Such charges could expose him to league sanctions, although he probably would only be fined.
The Bidwill family personifies conservative values and can't be very happy about the publicity surrounding the Cardinals' best player. Still, the three-year veteran has become one of the NFL's most explosive playmakers. Boston is eligible for unrestricted free agency next spring and ownership has already stated publicly it wants Boston beyond this season.
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The Cardinals might have picked the wrong year to leave the NFC East. While Arizona should be much improved in 2002, they are entering an NFC West division (Rams, 49ers, Seahawks) that figures to be one of the toughest in the NFL. The Rams and 49ers won 14 and 12 games, respectively, last season and figure to be just as good this year, while the Seahawks are coming off of a nine-win campaign that saw them win six of their last nine games.
That said, Arizona appears to be heading in the right direction. After two disappointing seasons, Jake Plummer had arguably his best year as a pro, throwing more touchdown passes (17) than interceptions (14) for the first time in his five-year career and David Boston emerged as one of the top five wide receivers in the game -- although an offseason incident in which he was arrested for driving under the influence (he tested positive for cocaine and marijuana) has raised some flags in Arizona.
In the secondary, the Cardinals lost Corey Chavous and Tom Knight to free agency. However, the signing of Duane Starks, who was the best cornerback on the free-agent market, along with the maturation of third-year cornerback David Barrett (who started nine games last season) should help make up for those losses. Arizona also made an important move recently in signing safety Kwamie Lassiter, designated as their franchise player, to a one-year tender offer. The offer gives the Cardinals and Lassiter, their best defensive player last season, more time (after July 15) to work out a long-term deal.
The biggest loss this offseason could be the departure of running back Michael Pittman, who signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While Pittman had several off-field incidents during his time with the Cardinals, he was by far their most productive back over the last two years and will be missed.
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CARDINALS AT A GLANCE
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| | Jake Plummer threw for 3,653 yards last year. |
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2001 record: 7-9
Team rank: Defense (28th); Offense (18th)
Cardinals team news |
For a complete list of the players Arizona has signed and lost so far this offseason, click here.
How they drafted
Former Wisconsin defensive tackle Wendell Bryant should immediately upgrade a defensive line that ranked No. 24 overall against the run last season. Bryant is also versatile enough that he could see some time at defensive end. Third-round pick Dennis Johnson (Kentucky) should also help a push rush that finished last in the NFL with only 19 sacks last season. The return of Kyle Vanden Bosch, a second-round pick last year who suffered a season-ending knee injury, should should be a boost to the defensive line, too. The Cardinals drafted quarterback Sam McCown from Sam houston State in the third round, giving them a young signal caller to develop. McCown is big (6-3), athletic (under 4.7 in the 40) and has good makeup.
For a complete list of Arizona's draft picks, click here.
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Fantasy Focus
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Freddie Jones was the biggest fantasy bust at tight end last season in San Diego. Drafted as the third-highest tight end, he only produced as the 13th-best. However, Jones was hampered all season by an ankle injury. Returning to full health, Jones will be a factor in a better passing offense in Arizona with the chance to be the team's No. 2 receiving target behind David Boston. Contending against high-scoring divisional foes St. Louis and San Francisco, Arizona will need to throw to keep up. He's worth a gamble as tight end production is scarce. Click here for more fantasy football news.
-- Roger Rotter, Fantasy editor
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Unfinished business
The biggest question on offense, and a key to Arizona's success, is whether Thomas Jones can finally develop into the running back Arizona envisioned when it made him the No. 7 overall selection in the 2000 draft. While Jones has been a disappointment in his two NFL seasons, Arizona seems content to hand him the starting job. However, it's almost a certainty that Arizona will continue to scour the market for a veteran back like Ricky Watters or Terry Allen to play behind Jones. Despite adding Starks, Arizona could still use some depth in the defensive backfield.
Outlook for 2002
Things appear to be heading in the right direction in Arizona, but the move to the NFC West could make it difficult for Arizona to improve much on its seven-win season of 2001. However, if Plummer can get any support from the running game and the new additions made on the defensive side of the ball shore up that unit, Arizona should be competitive and a nine- or 10-win season isn't out of the question.
Peter Lawrence-Riddell is the NFL editor for ESPN.com.
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