For the entire month of August, the Sportable Staff will look at one National Football League team a day. We?ll look at their offense, defense and in the end, assess their playoff chances. Previews will be done by division, starting with the NFC East. Each new division will also feature a new podcast devoted entirely to that division.

Can Whisenhunt Change Arizona’s Culture of Losing?
There’s a few things in Arizona that are a given: Heat, cactus, a city that’s spread out far too much and a shitty NFL team. For the last few years, we’ve been hearing that the Arizona Cardinals are the team that will break out and win the NFC West. Although there’s been a better product on the field, not much has changed in Arizona. In the last five years, the Cardinals haven’t won more than six games in a season. But things could be changing with the hiring of former Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisehunt, who becomes the 8th head coach in Arizona since 1988. Will things be any different?

Offense
It’s been a gradual build but the Arizona Cardinals look like a team set to be very tough on offense. In 2006, rookie quarterback Matt Leinart started 11 games and showed why he won a Heisman Trophy at USC. And he’s in a great situation. Leinart should blossom under the tutelage of Whisehunt, who helped turn Ben Roethlisberger into a Super Bowl winner. Leinart sits ahead of veteran Kurt Warner on the depth chart. Warner has been as supportive of Leinart and appears willing to play the role of mentor. Leinart threw 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in his rookie season.

Much like his time at USC, Leinart is blessed with a number of weapons. Veteran running back Edgerrin James had a disappointing first year with the Cardinals. However, look for him to find his feet during his second year in the NFC. James ran for 1150 yards and six touchdowns but gained just 3.4 yards a carry. He didn’t have a run over 20 yards all year. Look for that to change in 2007. Whisehunt shitcanned a good number of Cardinal linemen from 2006. He even used the 5th overall pick on a lineman, offensive tackle Levi Brown. The Cardinals also signed center Al Johnson and Bills lineman Mike Gandy. Unlike most teams’ infatuation with the left tackle, the Cardinals’ pivotal position will be right tackle because of their lefty quarterback.

You can’t discuss Arizona’s playoff chances without looking at their wide receiver core, which is impressive to say the least. Anquan Boldin (83 catches for 1203 yards) and Larry Fitzgerald (69 for 946) are two of the best in the league. Third receiever Bryant Johnson (40 catches for 740 yards) isn’t bad either. But it’s going to take balance in the Desert if the Cardinals are going anywhere. Despite all their weapons, they ranked just 18th in total offense and 19th in scoring. They were also 20th in red zone touchdown percentage. None of that is good for a team that’s been dubbed playoff contenders for the last few years.

Defense
In a division with four pretty solid offensive teams, you’re going to need a defense to get over the top. The problem? The Cardinals’ defense sucks ass. They were the 29th ranked defense in the league, allowing about 350 yards a game, 230 of which came in the air (30th in the NFL). They also allowed 389 points, good for 29th in the NFL. Usually, those awful numbers get a defensive coordinator fired. But Clancy Pendergast is still in charge of things. A big thing to watch here is whether or not Whisehunt’s Pittsburgh influences change the Cardinals to more of a 3-4 defense. This is a strange unit. They get some interceptions (17) and plenty of sacks (38). They just allow way too many points.

Chike Okeafor led the team with 8.5 sacks last year and returns to his position on the Cardinals’ defensive line, where he’ll be joined by Kendrick Clancy, Darnell Dockett and Antonio Smith. Not exactly fear-inducing. Look for rookie defensive tackle Alan Branch to play a big role in Whisehunt’s defense, especially if they move to a 3-4. He’s big enough (6-4, 330) to be a tackle in that system. He’s also big enough to bankrupt the Sizzler franchise.

Aside from Karlos Dansby and his eight sacks, the Cardinals’ linebackers are trash. Gerald Hayes, last year’s tackle leader, and Darryl Blackstock aren’t worth writing home about. Buster Davis, a third round pick from Florida State, should find plenty of playing time. I don’t like this front seven shutting down Stephen Alexander, Steven Jackson or Frank Gore. I just don’t. The secondary has some talent but it doesn’t show on the stat sheet. Pro bowler Adrian Wilson is coming off a career season in which he had five sacks, four interceptions, two fumble recoveries and two touchdowns. Antrel Rolle will need to step up in his third season in the pros. The team also added Terrence Holt and Roderick Hood.

Outlook
It appears the NFC West contender Kool-Aid has passed from the Cardinals to the 49ers. But maybe that’s a blessing in disguise because there won’t be as much pressure on Leinart and Whisenhunt. This team has the potential to contend in the division. But it’s going to take great play from Leinart, great coaching from Whisenhunt and great defensive improvement. Unfortunately for Zona, I only see two of those things happening.