ChiefsPlanet - Arizona Cardinals running the Chiefs offense....

http://cbs.sportsline.com/nfl/fantasy/story/8627703/rss

Cardinals chirping up 2005

There used to be an unwritten rule about drafting Arizona Cardinals players in Fantasy Football: Proceed at your own risk.

For years, the Redbirds would field a football team that never excelled offensively. Sure, a David Boston or Ronald Moore would come along and catch our eyes, but for the most part there were better Fantasy options at every position.

That has drastically changed. Starting with the surprise emergence of Anquan Boldin in 2002, the Cardinals have become an intriguing and franchise, specifically on offense. Arizona signed Kurt Warner in the offseason, added running back J.J. Arrington via the draft and made ex-Kansas City tight ends coach Keith Rowen its new offensive coordinator.

Suddenly, the Cardinals look like a team that could have at least four players make Fantasy rosters, all of which could be major contributors if what Larry Fitzgerald's feelings on the new offensive system holds true.

"We're pretty much doing what Kansas City does in terms of moving around and going to different formations," Fitzgerald told CBS SportsLine.com at the Rookie Symposium earlier this offseason. "Anquan and I are going to be lined up in different positions so we won't be identified as much, and J.J. is so versatile out of the backfield in terms of catching and running the ball. He has terrific hands and open-field ability, so it's going to be a difficult matchup for any linebacker out there."

Fantasy owners are all too familiar with the Chiefs after Priest Holmes exploded in 2001, and any system that can duplicate that success would be welcomed in every Fantasy league. Trent Green has posted some incredible statistics over the past few seasons. To see that kind of output from Warner in 2005 would be equally amazing.

It also sounds like Fitzgerald knows what to expect from Arrington in 2005.

"J.J.'s going to get the ball a lot," he said. "We've put a lot of stuff in (the playbook) for him so far in minicamps, so there are high expectations for him. ... J.J. will be a big part of (our offense) this year."

Arrington confirmed that while he has not heard anything about being a starter, he has been told to expect to see the football a lot.

"They said they were going to give me a lot of touches," said Arrington, who said he worked with both the first and second teams during offseason minicamps and OTAs and hopes to complete studying the playbook before training camp. He also appeared to have added a little weight to his upper body.

Fitzgerald was equally optimistic about his own play in 2005.

"Personally, I want to go out there and play a full season at the level I know I am capable of playing at," he said. "Last year I was unable to do that for different reasons, but this year is going to be a lot better for me. ... I think I am light years ahead of where I was last year."

As for their new quarterback, both Fitzgerald and Arrington spoke highly of Warner, who should provide a boost in the passing game.

"He looks sharp," Fitzgerald said. "He's a total leader and a class act in the locker room and he's been a great asset for us so far. ... I haven't had many quarterbacks in my life -- Josh McCown and my college quarterback were good, but Kurt is a champion."

Arrington agrees: "Kurt's looking real good. I've been working on my blocking and will block for him as much as I can. As long as we block for him, he should do well."

Fitzgerald was also complimentary of first-round pick CB Antrel Rolle, while Arrington touted seventh-round selection WR LeRon McCoy.

It’s been hard to get excited about the Cardinals, both on Draft Day and on Sundays, but now they have the potential to be major players in 2005.