Position Battles to Look Forward To

Never have the Cardinals been under more pressure to succeed on the field than in this upcoming season.

Having come within minutes of a Super Bowl victory last season, a return trip to the playoffs is the minimum that most fans would deem acceptable for this team next season.

Although a division title would appear to be likely once again, not all of the roster spots or starting positions are set in stone. Here is a look at some of the interesting training camp battles in 2009.

1. Right Guard- Deuce Lutui has had an underwhelming three seasons in the desert thus far. His inconsistency coupled with the fact that he is among the NFC West's most penalized players puts his stranglehold on the starting RG job into question.

Elton Brown has proven to be a serviceable backup and could be ready to take the starting job if Lutui falters once again.

2. Running Back- The Cardinals ranked dead last in rushing YPG last year with 73.6. Edgerrin James and JJ Arrington are gone, leaving Tim Hightower as the only remaining back from last season.

While showing promise, Hightower was inconsistent in the feature-back role. He seemed to be decent at everything, but not elite at anything. He did, however, seem to flourish as a short yardage and goal line back.

Jason Wright will be expected to fill the void left by Arrington, but to help address the every-down role the team drafted Chris "Beanie" Wells from Ohio State. While Wells will be given every opportunity to win the starting job, the club still believes that Hightower can be an every-down back if necessary.

3. Tight End- This position appears to be a complete free-for-all. Six players are vying for three spots. Anthony Becht, Alex Shor, Stephen Spach, Leonard Pope, Ben Patrick and Dominique Byrd are all in competition, and none of them have distinguished themselves as of minicamp.

Becht has the most experience and is an excellent blocker.

Shor is the least experienced and is probably not long for this team.

Spach played well down the stretch last year, but is coming off an ACL tear.

Pope has underachieved through three NFL seasons.

Patrick did catch a touchdown pass in the Super Bowl, but has been inconsistent in his two NFL seasons.

Byrd is looking for a second chance in the league after a tumultuous tenure in St. Louis. He will need an excellent training camp and/or preseason to make the team.

4. Nickel Cornerback- The starting spots are all but set in stone with free agent pickup Bryant McFadden expected to start opposite Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Depth, however, seems to be questionable.

Veteran Ralph Brown will be in the mix. Brown had key interceptions in the playoff victories over Atlanta and Carolina, but is now over 30, and asking him to play as a third corner may be asking too much.

The Cardinals are very high on fourth round pick Greg Toler out of St. Paul's College. Toler has tremendous upside, but is a rookie nonetheless.

Michael Adams is a great hustle player, has solid ball skills, and an excellent special teams body, but at 5'8", lacks the size necessary to be a consistent CB in the league.