Cards seek to go one better

The question was enough to cause the normally self-assured coach Ken Whisenhunt to pause for just a moment: What are the Cardinals' goals for this season?

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Whisenhunt hesitated for an instant because he's intimately familiar with the Cardinals' difficult 2008 schedule, one that's a world away from the one rated the NFL's easiest last year.

There are late-season games that seem to scream "L" in the cold at Philadelphia (on Thanksgiving night) and just before Christmas at New England.

There are home games vs. the Super Bowl champion New York Giants and another one vs. Dallas, the team seen as maybe the NFC's best.

So the Cardinals will have to play better than last season just to equal last year's 8-8 record, a mark that was among the three best in the franchise's 20 seasons in Arizona.

That's probably why Whisenhunt said, cautiously, "I think a successful season for us would be an improvement over last year."

And what does that mean?

"Maybe ... some of the closer games that we didn't win last year, we find a way to win those," he continued. "Maybe in some situations, we run the ball better in the fourth quarter."

Reiterating what he's been saying for months, the Cardinals coach said, "Obviously our goal is to win the division and make the playoffs. That doesn't change. If we do those, yes it would be a successful season.

"I would like to think we would be better than our record last year, if you had to put a number on it. But if we make the playoffs at 7-9, I would say that's successful, too."

The bottom line: 9-7 is a successful season, but making the playoffs would make for a great one.

Preseason prognostication

The Cardinals will make the playoffs if …

1. They increase their ground game from 90 to 110 yards per game. 

2. Rookies Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Calais Campbell blossom immediately.

3. Their defense turns out as good as it looked in the preseason.

The Cardinals will have a long season if …

1. The quarterback soap opera ends up dividing the team.

2. Kicker Neil Rackers can’t bounce back from last season.

3. They have injuries along the offensive line.

5 key players

Anquan Boldin: Can he remain healthy and stay a positive, or at least neutral, influence by refraining from his trade-me campaign once the season starts?

Adrian Wilson: He needs to bounce back from his modest 2007 season, stay healthy and have a Pro Bowl year.

Karlos Dansby: If he can continue to blossom, the Cardinals have a shot at a truly dominant defense.

Antrel Rolle: He needs to make the transition from cornerback to safety while continuing to make the big plays.  

Neil Rackers: He needs to make the clutch kicks again and a few more of the long ones, too.

5 key games

Sept. 7 at San Francisco

When the Cardinals opened at San Francisco last season, the 49ers were thought to be among the league’s most improved teams. They weren’t, as it turned out. But the Cardinals still allowed a long, last-minute drive to beat them, capped by a failed attempt to fall on a loose ball in the end zone in the final seconds. This was the first of two losses to the 49ers last season that sealed their fate. A loss here would bring on the age-old cat-call: “Same old Cardinals.”

Sept. 21 at Washington

This is the sort of toss-up road game the Cardinals managed to lose last year. In fact, they managed to lose in this same place in the final seconds. As with the season opener, a win here would signal that Cardinals are starting to figure things out.

Oct. 12 vs. Dallas

The Cowboys are widely viewed as the NFC’s best team. A win here and the Cards can say they can play with anybody and everybody. 

Nov. 16 at Seattle

The Cardinals worked all last season to put themselves in a position for a meaningful game in December for the first time since 1998. They couldn’t handle prime time as the Seahawks won easily. This year, the trip comes a bit earlier. A Cards’ win may signal a long-term shift.

Nov. 23 vs. New York Giants

On paper, the Giants don’t seem as dominant as last season, especially with Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora out for the season and Michael Strahan retired. Certainly, they shouldn’t be as hot as they were at the end of last season, when they won a series of harrowing road games to advance to the Super Bowl. By the end of this game, the Cardinals’ 11th of the season, their fate should be fairly clear.

Noteworthy

DOWN TO THE WIRE

The Cardinals played 12 games last year that were decided by eight points or fewer — more than any team in the NFL. Six were decided by three points or fewer. Two games went into overtime.

EDGE AN ALL-TIME GREAT

Edgerrin James ranks No. 13 all time in rushing with 11,607 yards. A 1,200-yard season would move him into the No. 5 spot.

BOLDIN IN HISTORY

Anquan Boldin has 21 career games with 100-plus yards receiving. If he gets two more, he’ll move past Hall of Famer Jackie Smith for the top spot in this category in franchise history.

IN PRIME TIME

The Cardinals will play twice in prime time for the first time since 2000. They’ll host a Monday night game vs. San Francisco on Nov. 10, and they’ll visit Philadelphia on Thanksgiving night, Nov. 27.

Quotable

“If I’m not in the Hall of Fame in 25 years, I’ll feel like my career was a disappointment.”

Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals receiver

“I used to speak Tongan to Levi Brown. All this time I didn’t know he didn’t speak Tongan. I’ve learned English in the offseason. I’m able to catch up with him.”

Deuce Lutui, Cardinals guard, joking about the improved communication between the two young players on the right side of the offensive line.

“At the beginning of camp, I hadn’t asked for a trade. But… recently we did. My whole thing is if I’m not going be treated fairly and my hard work and loyalty isn’t going to be rewarded here, then let me go somewhere where it will be rewarded. That’s how I feel, and I’ll continue to feel that way.”

Anquan Boldin, Cardinals receiver

“It puts pressure on us as coaches to make the right decisions.

Ken Whisenhunt, Cardinals coach, on how the team’s improved depth made for some tough choices to cut the roster to 53.

By the numbers

29

NFL ranking last year in rushing.

17

NFL ranking last year in team defense.

12

NFL ranking last year in team offense.

9

Number of field goals missed.

2008 Schedule

Sept. 7at San Francisco 49ers1:15 p.m.

Sept. 14 Miami Dolphins 1:15 p.m.

Sept. 21 at Washington Redskins 10 a.m.

Sept. 28 at New York Jets 10 a.m.

Oct. 5 Buffalo Bills 1:15 p.m.

Oct. 12 Dallas Cowboys 1:15 p.m.

Oct. 19 BYE

Oct. 26 at Carolina Panthers 10 a.m.

Nov. 2 at St. Louis Rams 11 a.m.

Nov. 10 San Francisco 49ers 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 16 at Seattle Seahawks 2:05 p.m.

Nov. 23 New York Giants 2:15 p.m.

Nov. 27 at Philadelphia Eagles 6:15 p.m.

Dec. 7 St. Louis Rams 2:15 p.m.

Dec. 14 Minnesota Vikings 2:05 p.m.

Dec. 21 at New England Patriots 11 a.m.

Dec. 28 Seattle Seahawks 2:15 p.m.