It’s early in camp but my first indications are that the Arizona offense
with Matt Leinart will be one which takes what the defense gives.

There
was a lot of thought that the Cardinals would go from a predominantly
passing oriented team to a ground it out attack focusing mainly on the
run. But that may not be the case. Arizona will run more, especially when
you consider how well Beanie Wells played at the end of last season.

Wells,
who missed last year’s OTA’s after being drafted out of Ohio State and then
had the high ankle sprain in the first practice which set him back, could
have a huge season behind what appears to be the Cardinals best offensive
line in years. Running the ball will take pressure off of Leinart, but if
defenses decide to pack the box and stop the run the Cardinals will open
up the aerial attack. So the offense may change week to week depending
on what opposing defenses game plan will be. In the passing attack look
for Steve Breaston to be the deep threat as the Cardinals believe he can
stretch the field.

What you won’t see is a lot of four wide receiver sets like the Cardinals
liked to run with Warner. The Cardinals will focus mainly on 3-wide
receiver sets, two tight end formations with Anthony Becht and Ben Patrick
and Arizona really likes fullback Nehemiah Broughton, whom they signed
last year for the playoffs off the Giants practice squad. Broughton could
really ignite the running game.

So look for the Cardinals to put more emphasis on the run this year, but to
let Leinart loose when teams decide to put eight in the box.

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