Arizona Cardinals' Growing Pains

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GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 10: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie #29 of the Arizona Cardinals during warms up against the San Francisco 49ers before the game at University of Phoenix Stadium on November, 10 2008 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Im

Is the Super Bowl curse upon us? Wherein the SB loser plays less than stellar ball the following year and misses the playoffs altogether? I am not bailing on my team, I'm jus' sayin'.

DRC looked set to take over the world at the end of last year and this preseason in back to back games he has struggled mightily. Sure, its preseason. A preseason when the Cardinals are out of sync and not playing disciplined ball.

With minutes left to go in their final tuneup for the regular season, they are scoreless and about to be 0-4. Not reason for panic, but certainly reason for concern.

Captain Old Hip

GLENDALE, AZ - AUGUST 22: Quarterback Kurt Warner #13 of the Arizona Cardinals talks on the phone during the preseason NFL game against the San Diego Chargers at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on August 22, 2009 in Glendale, Arizona. The Chargers def

Captain Old Hip even outplayed himself last season. He is 38, can he do it again? If he gets hurt, does Matt Leinart have the moxy to lead this team? I am not convinced. Please, prove me wrong Matty.

New DC

FLAGSTAFF, AZ - JULY 31: Defensive coordinator Bill Davis of the Arizona Cardinals gives instructions during the team training camp at Northern Arizona University on July 31, 2009 in Flagstaff, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Mr Bill Davis does not have a successful Defensive Coordinator resume. Fired DC Clancy Pendergast had the D playing lights out in the playoffs last season, so Davis has a lot to prove. Hopefully he can inspire the Cards to play with more consistency, but it is not a done deal.

New OC

GLENDALE, AZ - AUGUST 22: Head coach Ken Whisenhunt of the Arizona Cardinals walks the field during the preseason NFL game against the San Diego Chargers at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on August 22, 2009 in Glendale, Arizona. The Chargers defeated

Ken Whisenhunt now takes over play calling duties for the departed Todd Haley. Whiz has performed well in this role in the past, notably with the Steelers in Roethlisberger's rookie season when they won their last Super Bowl. But the importance of losing Haley cannot be overlooked despite that.

Remember, the Cardinals did not start playing incredible football until last postseason, and part of the reason that came together so fantastically was with calculated risk big time play calling by Haley. Flea-flicker to Fitzgerald anyone?