Midseason reports. (NFC).

Arizona Cardinals

www.sportingnews.com/nfl/teams/cardinals

WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED: The team's most important offensive weapons, QB Jake Plummet and WR David Boston, have not played up to expectations. Plummer has been inefficient and prone to making bad decisions. Boston, hampered by a sore foot, has dropped several passes and hasn't produced the big plays he did last season. The defense is much improved over last season. The team speed is better, thanks to the development of SS Adrian Wilson and the return to health of DE Kyle Vanden Bosch.

NEWCOMERS ANALYSIS: CB Duane Starks and TE Freddie Jones, each a free-agent addition, have not made big contributions yet. Starks missed four games because of injuries and didn't play well when he was healthy. A strong effort last Sunday shows that likely will change in the second half. Jones was supposed to help in the red zone and take some pressure off the wide receivers, but he hasn't become a consistently important piece in the offense.... The draft also hasn't produced much help. DT Wendell Bryant signed late and has been only a backup. OLB Levar Fisher has been nagged by injuries and is a backup.... Veteran OL John Fina and Raleigh Roundtree, who were signed after the season started, have helped the team survive several injuries along the offensive line.

WHAT TO EXPECT: The Cardinals should be able to continue to rely on the running game. RBs Thomas Jones and Marcel Shipp have developed into a decent duo. Jones is the starter and has breakaway speed; Shipp probably has better instincts and is an excel lent receiver. There are great concerns about the passing game. Boston is showing no signs of coming out of his funk. Plummer is making the same dumb mistakes he made when he was younger. If he doesn't improve in the next few weeks, pressure will increase on the coaches to play rookie Josh McCown. The defense has a chance to become even better. As Bryant becomes acclimated, he should make an impact. The Cardinals especially need him to become a reliable pass rusher. Wilson has recovered from a dislocated shoulder that hampered him the first month of the season. It's time for him to start making some big plays.--Kent Somers

 
MIDSEASON GRADES 
 
QUARTERBACKS          D 
RUNNING BACKS         B+ 
RECEIVERS             C- 
OFFENSIVE LINE        A 
DEFENSIVE LINE        C 
LINEBACKERS           A 
SECONDARY             B 
SPECIAL TEAMS         B 
COACHING              B+ 
OVERALL GRADE         C 

MVP LG Pete Kendall has been the steadying force on a line that has had injuries but has improved.