NFL Preview Show Extravaganza: Arizona Cardinals

To say that I was only a little surprised to see the Cardinals make it to a Super Bowl, is truly the understatement of the year. I was stunned, shocked, stupefied, aghast (and anything else I could find in the thesaurus).

The Cardinals indeed showed that on "any given Sunday," a team has an opportunity to win. They certainly proved so in the Super Bowl game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Had it not been for a Santonio Holmes touchdown catch with less than a minute left, we might have called the Cardinals Super Bowl champions. This situation can be described as the following:

• Hell freezing over
• Pigs flying
• Ross really ending up with Rachel
• Susan Lucci winning an Emmy
• Paris Hilton winning an Oscar
• Me winning Powerball
• Me dating a Supermodel

I think you get the point though.

The Cardinals have one issue working against them. In the past 10 seasons, only the 2006 Seattle Seahawks have made the playoffs the season after losing in the Super Bowl. However, the Cardinals do have a shot of making the playoffs again, given how weak the NFC West is.

First and foremost, they still have Kurt Warner, even though he's 38. Warner threw for more than 4,500 yards and 30 touchdowns last season, his highest total since the 2001 season. If Warner struggles, the Leinart pressure could be on him.

However, if Warner has another 4,000 yard passing season, he could be the first player in NFL history to pass for back-to-back 4,000 yard seasons after the age of 36. (Note: Jon Kitna and Warren Moon had back-t0-back 4,000 yard passing seasons when they were 34 and 35).

The Cardinals also have Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin (despite the contract issues). Fitzgerald is coming off back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons. Fitzgerald is indeed coming into his own as one of the top receivers in the NFL. This season should be another good one for the young receiver.

Now it's time for those yearbook questions (Predictions):

Most Defensive Guy (Defense MVP): Karlos Dansby
Most Offensive Guy (Offense MVP): Larry Fitzgerald
Best New Guy (Rookie of the Year): Beanie Wells
Favorite Coach: Not Todd Haley
Coolest Twitter Page: Darnell Dockett
Most Team Spirit: Any regular Cardinals fans?
Coolest Names (Top 3): Early Doucet, Wilrey Fontenot, Deuce Lutui
Most Likely To Succeed (Team MVP): Larry Fitzgerald
Record for 2009: 8-8

Tomorrow, I'll cover the Philadelphia Eagles.