Kurt Warner proved last season that he still has a lot left in the gas tank.  Warner still has a lightning quick release and he has uncanny touch on passes despite not having a rifle.  But Warner’s greatest asset is that he’s a leader on the field and you could see that in the Super Bowl last season when he almost brought the Cardinals all the way back against the Steelers.  Look for Warner to have another outstanding season for the Cardinals in 2009.  Lefty Matt Leinart might still be the QB of the future for the Cardinals but he will be holding a clipboard until Warner slows down.  Leinart often looks a little puzzled on the field so here’s to hoping that Warner can teach him a few tricks before he retires.  Brian St. Pierre (a Ken Whisenhunt favorite) will battle lefty Tyler Palko for the #3 job in training camp.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON:  B+

The Cardinals have released RB Edgerrin James, CB Roderick Hood and OLB Travis LaBoy.  The 30-year old James played in 13 games for the Cardinals last season and he carried the ball 133 times for 514 yards (3.9 ypc) with 3 TD runs.  He also caught 12 passes for 85 yards (7.1 avg).  James’ fate was sealed when the Cardinals drafted Chris Wells in the first round of the NFL Draft in April.  James played in 45 games in three seasons for the Cards and he carried the ball 794 times for 2,895 yards (3.6 ypc) with 16 TD runs.  He also caught 74 passes for 506 yards (6.8 avg) with the Cardinals.  He never lived up to expectations in Arizona.  27-year old Rod Hood played in 15 games for the Cardinals last season and he made 40 tackles, defensed 14 passes, forced a fumble and intercepted 1 pass.  Hood played in 31 games in his two seasons in Arizona and he made 97 tackles, defensed 35 passes, forced 1 fumble and he intercepted 6 passes (2 returned for TDs).  Hood was quickly snapped up by the Cleveland Browns where he will likely serve as the nickel back.  27-year old OLB/DE Travis LaBoy only lasted 1 season in Arizona playing in 13 games and making 31 tackles, defensing 1 pass, intercepting 4 passes and forcing 1 fumble.

The Cardinals have signed 25-year old TE Dominique Byrd to a 1-year deal.  The 6′2″, 254 pound Byrd last played in the NFL with the Rams in 2007.  He has played in 14 games in his NFL career catching 6 passes for 83 yards (13.8 avg) with 1 TD grab.  This might be Byrd’s last chance to prove himself in the NFL and the Cardinals have a need at TE so this signing might just work out.

The Cardinals have brought back OT Oliver Ross on a 1-year deal.  The 34-year old Ross brings good size at 6′4″, 327 pounds and he knows the Cardinals’ system having played 2 years there appearing in 23 games (17 starts).  Ross has now played in 89 games (53 starts) in his NFL career to date.  This was a good signing for the Cardinals as Ross will provide depth if nothing else.

The Cardinals wanted a pass rusher to back up the veteran outside linebackers they have and Cody Brown should be able to help them with that.  Brown is on the small side as a DE at 6′2″, 242 but he’s fast enough (4.69 40) to convert to outside linebacker.  Brown played in 42 games (32 starts) in 4 years at U Conn and he made 150 tackles, had 45.5 tackles for a loss, 24 sacks, batted down 13 passes, forced 6 fumbles and he recovered 2 fumbles.  This was a good pick for the Cardinals as Brown has a decent upside for the future.