The Cardinals have no running game and haven't had one for years. The lack of an effective ground attack has held Jake Plummer back from doing anything because he cannot rely on the running game. They are hoping the running game can start to emerge with the addition of rookie Thomas Jones, who I thought was the best back in the draft. But the Cardinals have more issues on the offensive line than they have with Jones and Michael Pittman at running back. The Cardinals signed center Mike Gruttadauria to address some of their problems, but now he is out six to eight weeks with a knee injury. If the Cardinals can find a running game, that can help Plummer become more of a weapon.

This offense is built around playmakers, but it all starts with QB Jake Plummer who comes off an injury-plagued season. Plummer worked closely with offensive coordinator Marc Trestman in the offseason, trying to improve the young QB's game-management skills. The running game should be much improved with the addition of free-agent C Mike Gruttadauria and the drafting of RB Thomas Jones in the first round to complement veteran RB Michael Pittman. The passing game will be hurt by WR Rob Moore's season-ending knee injury, but Plummer still has Frank Sanders and David Boston.

At least offensively, there shouldn't be any more excuses.

Offense
Quarterbacks: Plummer struggled last year with only nine touchdowns and 24 interceptions, and for the first time in his career he dealt with a rash of injuries. After hyperextending his thumb and fracturing his ring finger, he had great difficulty gripping the ball. Plummer has worked extensively with Trestman breaking down game film and dissecting the West Coast offense in order to improve his decision-making. One of Plummer's biggest challenges is grasping the idea of letting the game come to him instead of trying to do too much. As the young quarterback enters his fourth season, he'll answer one question: Is he "Jake the Snake" or "Jake the Fake"? Veteran backup QB Dave Brown started in five games last year and was 3-2. Brown proved that he could be a valuable reserve when called upon. He knows the NFC East well from his years in New York. However, when he is in the game, the Cardinals' offense is simplified. Third-string QB Chris Greisen has shown he has a strong arm but needs to show he can play at the next level.
Grade: C+

Running backs: Last year the Cardinals' ground game produced only 75.4 yards per game. Michael Pittman showed flashes that he can be "the Man," but his durability remains a major question. When he is healthy, Pittman is a powerful back with excellent receiving skills. He rushed for 133 yards against the Lions in one of his two starts last season. With the jury still out on Pittman, the Cardinals used the seventh overall pick to select the most complete running back in the draft, Jones. He shows breakaway speed, likes to run inside the tackles and has soft hands as a receiver. Jones could emerge as the starter before it's all said and done. This will give Arizona a 1-2 punch, which is something the Cards haven't had in a while. Kickoff returner Mario Bates rushed for a team-high nine touchdowns last season. Bates will be used in short-yardage and goal-line situations. He gives the Cardinals an insurance policy. At fullback, Joel Makovicka needs to step up and become a better blocker and more aware of the blitz. Makovicka has shown improvement in training camp but needs to stay healthy. Dennis McKinley is a solid blocker but needs to improve his pass-catching skills.
Grade: B-

Receivers: This looked like the strength of the team before Moore got hurt. He emerged as Plummer's top red-zone receiver. Now Plummer will turn to Sanders and Boston. Sanders is a possession receiver who catches a lot of passes and makes plays, but finding the endzone isn't his strength (only one touchdown in '99). He will drop a few from time to time. The X-factor is still Boston, a first-round pick a year ago. After a disappointing rookie season, Boston will be called upon to be the speedy deep threat and possibly more. He must show that he can go up and get the ball in traffic. At tight end, Terry Hardy is more of a receiver than a blocker. After a year out of football due to an illness, Chris Gedney returns. Gedney gives the Cardinals some depth at the position. He will be used at times as the fourth wide receiver in the red zone. Fifth-round draft pick Jay Tant has been limited in camp because of injuries.
Grade: C

Offensive linemen: After holding out all of last training camp, first-round OLT L.J. Shelton did a solid job protecting Plummer's blind side. Shelton, who is very athletic at 6-6, 340 pounds, has quick feet and could be the cornerstone of the line for years to come. At the ORT position, the big fella, Anthony Clement, is even more mammoth than Shelton. Clement weighs in at 6-8, 355, but he doesn't have Shelton's athleticism. Clement's long arms make it tough to get around him. Chris Dishman struggled in '99 but has shown vast improvement so far this year and is battling veteran Matt Joyce for the OLG spot. At right guard, veteran Lester Holmes is back after having both of his knees operated on during the offseason. Yusuf Scott and Noberto Davidds-Garrido will provide depth at the OG positions. Arizona signed Gruttadauria from the Super Bowl-champion Rams to anchor the line. Gruttadauria is an upgrade and will help out on the field and in the locker room. He had his knee scoped during training camp but should be ready by Week One or Week Two. With Gruttadauria sidelined, backup Mike Devlin has taken the majority of the snaps in camp.
Grade: C

Defense

	Arizona's Andre Wadsworth has just seven sacks in two seasons.

Defensive linemen: This was supposed to be the strength of the Cardinals, but that's when they thought the line would feature Simeon Rice, Andre Wadsworth, Eric Swann and Mark Smith. When the season begins, Wadsworth still could be out with a knee injury, and Rice could remain a holdout. Swann was released and now is with Carolina, and Smith is trying to wipe off the rust from missing most of last season with a knee injury. The only experienced starter is undersized DT Tony McCoy, a free-agent acquisition. He was a backup for Indianapolis most of last season. The Cardinals hope to use Smith and McCoy at the tackles and rotate several players elsewhere. In the mix are three rookies -- third-round pick Darwin Walker of Tennessee, fifth-rounder Mao Tosi of Idaho and sixth-rounder Jabari Issa of Washington. The team likes all of them but isn't sure which position each should wind up playing. Until the rookies are ready, veterans Brad Ottis and Jerry Drake and second-year pro Thomas Burke will get more time in the rotation.
Grade: D

Linebackers: A year ago, the Cardinals didn't know how they would replace Jamir Miller. Now they consider his replacement, Rob Fredrickson, the best of their LB corps. Fredrickson, who had off-season knee surgery, is a cerebral player who always seems to be in the right spot at the right time. Veteran MLB Ronald McKinnon, who had 223 tackles last season, is undersized. But when the line does its job and allows McKinnon to get away from blockers, he makes plays. The Cardinals thought they had found a keeper at the other OLB spot. Zack Walz, a sixth-round pick from Dartmouth three years ago, won the starting job in training camp last season. Walz was having a solid season when he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in mid-November. He still isn't fully recovered. Until he returns in late September or early October, the job is up for grabs. Second-year pro Johnny Rutledge began training camp as the starter but hasn't secured the job and hurt his knee in the preseason. Rookies Sekou Sanyika, a seventh-rounder, and Raynoch Thompson, a second-rounder, could see playing time here, as well as ex-Raider James Folston.
Grade: C

Defensive backs: Injuries could hurt this unit. SS Tommy Bennett is still recovering from a knee injury. Six-time Pro Bowl performer Aeneas Williams and Tom Knight are the projected starters at corner, though Knight has a hand injury and was being pushed by third-year pro Corey Chavous. Underrated Kwamie Lassiter will be at free safety. Until Bennett returns in October, third-year pro Pat Tillman, a converted linebacker, will start at strong safety. If Tillman fails, the Cardinals could move Chavous there. He was drafted as a safety. The versatile J.J. McCleskey is expected to see action as a nickel back.
Grade: B

Special teams
The Cardinals believe they upgraded the PK position when they brought in Cary Blanchard to replace Chris Jacke. Blanchard is consistent on field goals from 45 yards and in, but he doesn't have a booming leg on kickoffs. Then again, neither did Jacke. A couple of years ago, P Scott Player seemed to be a liability. But he is coming off a solid season and seems to have found a home. PR Mac Cody was a late camp pickup in '99 from St. Louis and quickly won the job. He finished the season as the NFC's leading punt returner. Bates is an underrated kickoff returner who has deceiving speed.
Grade: B-

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