Were the Arizona Cardinals Lucky or Just Getting Started?

Now that that is over, the Cardinals can finally get back to business.

That being the loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Super Bowl. That also being the loss of offensive coordinator Todd Haley.

Oh, and lest I forget, the recent re-signing of their savior, Kurt Warner.

Yes, now that all of that is over, they can begin looking forward to the future. Or can they?

Despite only going 9-7 and going on an unprecedented run to the Super Bowl, the Cardinals are not necessarily an elite team. They're not the New England Patriots or the Indianapolis Colts. Quite honestly, they're not even the Philadelphia Eagles.

They are (until they prove otherwise) a team with a great offense that over achieved, won our hearts, and ended the season with their heads hanging just about as low as they can hang.

And if it weren't enough of a slap in their face to downgrade their season to being borderline "lucky", they now get to face next season with a potential "Super Bowl hangover" tag-line attached to it.

But what if we're missing the truth through all of this?

Two years ago, the New York Giants came out of nowhere to beat the Patriots in the Super Bowl, and then built on their success, becoming the team to beat for much of last season. They didn't win it all again, but they did reach the playoffs, and they were fairly dominant during the regular season.

They did this despite off-field distractions such as Jeremy Shockey and Plaxico Burress, the retirement of their star defensive end, Michael Strahan, while also surviving a slew of injuries.

And what I am suggesting is, aside from actually winning the Super Bowl, the most unlikely story of the year (your Arizona Cardinals), are poised to do the same exact thing.

But if you're a true fan and student of the game, you have to think like the front office does. What do we do now that can propel us to that point again?

It starts with ridding of distractions, establishing and keeping chemistry, and putting it all together with something the Cardinals have grown to be very familiar with—a little luck.

Oh, and you know, the draft and free agency. Aren't you glad you're not a NFL GM?

Now that Kurt Warner is the Cardinals poster-boy for at least the next two seasons, we move on to the remaining distractions and issues heading into next season:

1. Anquan Boldin

Even though Warner tried to take a pay-cut to help keep his buddy around, the Cardinals didn't bite. They have bigger birds to fry (Karlos Dansby), and with one All-Pro receiver and another rising one (Steve Breaston) it seems more likely by the day that Boldin is on his way out. Unless there's some magical fairy dust left over from last season, a trade is imminent.

2. Edgerrin James

When the guy flat-out asks for the team to release him, it's pretty clear what his intentions are. But we already knew this. James has wanted out of the desert since Tim Hightower took his starting job. The Cardinals were gracious enough to use him in the playoffs, however, allowing the rest of the league to see that James can still play.

The Cardinals don't want him anymore, so the only reason they're holding onto him is probably because they hope they can get something for him in a trade. That won't happen, and he should be released shortly after the draft.

3. Matt Leinart

Leinart should be ecstatic that Warner is coming back. After shady play over the past few seasons, even he has to be curious if he's still the guy for the job when No. 13 is done for good.

Either way, the Cardinals will at least entertain offers before and during the draft. A trade for some picks to Detroit is not impossible, and while it's not likely, a three-team trade involving Jay Cutler (going elsewhere-not AZ) is something to watch for. And yes, Josh McDaniels does appear to be that dumb.

4. Free Agency and the Draft

After losing starting end Antonio Smith, the Cardinals are in desperate need of depth on their defensive front and a dependable starter at that. While they're addressing the position, they might want to gauge just how much trust they have in their other defensive end, Travis LaBoy, as well.

If they're smart, their top two priorities will be retaining safety Adrian Wilson and linebacker Karlos Dansby. Their offense, with or without Anquan Boldin can win at least five games all on it's own, but to get back to the post-season they will need a steady defense.

They'll almost certainly lose one of them, but losing both would be a huge blow, and it would wind up leaving a hole that wold unlikely be filled by this year's draft.

5. Timing is Everything

The fact remains that the Cardinals have a lot of questions when it comes to what they want to do with three of their star players, and until we have those answers, the prospects for the 2009 season are forever "up in the air".

If they can unload Boldin, appease Leinart, and retain enough defensive prowess, they should easily win their division, and could even contend for one of the top two seeds.

However, they're behind schedule. They just signed their quarterback, are still in transition mode from Todd Haley to their new offensive coordinator, and are at a stand still as far as chemistry goes.

As much of the NFL world was saying to them before they battled against the Atlanta Falcons in their first playoff game in over 10 years, I say, "Good luck".

Because even if everything goes according to plan, they're going to need it.