FanHouse Gabe Watson

Because the NFL season never ends, we present our 2009 Offseason Roadmaps for front offices to navigate through the summer.

After astonishing everyone and heading to the Super Bowl last season, the Arizona Cardinals now face truly raised expectations for the first time in memory. We all remember the magical postseason run, when Larry Fitzgerald established himself as the NFL's premier wideout (even if Andre Johnson wants to argue), Kurt Warner polished his legacy, and the defense showed its capability -- one we had not seen much in the regular season.

Every week this season we've analyzed some aspect of line play for Between the Lines. So for the Super Bowl, we are analyzing all aspects of the battle at the line of scrimmage.

When you watch the Cardinals defense and try to discover tendencies, or pick out stars and weak spots, you can't help but get tripped up by one glaring problem -- if you go back and watch the Cardinals during the regular season, you feel like you're watching a different team than the one that cruised through the NFC playoffs.

Every week this season we've analyzed some aspect of line play for Between the Lines. So for the Super Bowl, we are analyzing all aspects of the battle at the line of scrimmage.

When you watch the Cardinals defense and try to discover tendencies, or pick out stars and weak spots, you can't help but get tripped up by one glaring problem -- if you go back and watch the Cardinals during the regular season, you feel like you're watching a different team than the one that cruised through the NFC playoffs.

Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Gabe Watson is out of commission until at least the start of training camp after he suffered a knee injury when he slipped and fell while running on a treadmill, Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic reports (via PFT).

Watson was working out on his own at a health club when he suffered the injury. He underwent surgery to repair a fractured kneecap and will be less than 100 percent when training camp opens in July, although the team is optimistic that he will be ready to go when the regular season starts in September.

Losing weight has been a major priority for Watson, and Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt praised Watson for running on the treadmill on his own, even if the workout obviously didn't go as planned.

"The thing that's disappointing is that Gabe has shown such great progress and he's getting it," Whisenhunt said. "Just the fact that he was working to get himself in shape after he had done his workout here is a testament to him.

"One thing that's an advantage for him is that he's in such better shape at this point than he's ever been in, it gives him a much greater chance at getting back quickly."

While Watson is sidelined, Alan Branch is first in line to take his place in the starting lineup at defensive tackle. But Branch, too, has had trouble staying in shape. The Cardinals will need Branch to hit the treadmill, and to watch his step while he's on it.

The 3-4 defense that the Arizona Cardinals will switch to this season has caused a ton of changes to their front seven. In fact, almost every single player other than Gabe Watson and Antonio Smith will be moved.

Watson will continue to battle Alan Branch for the starting nose tackle spot, while Smith will assume a familiar role at right defensive tackle. From there, things get a little trickier.

Darnell Dockett will now move from defensive tackle to left defensive end, with Chike Okeafor moving to outside linebacker. Bertrand Berry will join Okeafor on the outside as Karlos Dansby moves to an inside linebacker position. Rounding it out is Gerald Hayes, who will fill the last inside linebacker spot.

Most of those players are talented and athletic enough to perform well at their new positions, but Dockett will carry some question marks. While he does move well for having such a big frame and weighing about 300 pounds, he seems best suited for playing under tackle. He's really going to have to step it up in order for the new 3-4 defense to be successful.

Overall, I like the alterations. I'm excited to see what this unit can do.

Weight loss seems to be surrounding the Arizona Cardinals all of the sudden. First it was Ken Whisenhunt and Russ Grimm looking for the offensive line to trim down and now it's a report that defensive tackle Gabe Watson lost 30 pounds over the winter.

Watson, who at times has weighed more than 360 pounds, came to camp in significantly better shape and weighing somewhere around 310-315 pounds.

"I'm gonna get him [Matt Leinart] soon," Watson said.

"No way," Leinart said. "He was moving pretty good though."

Watson seems to have had an attitude change over the winter. Not only does the weight loss indicate he's serious about his job, his fun-loving attitude hints that he's here to win.

There were some questions and concerns about the Cardinals defensive tackles -- hopefully the new and improved Watson can ease some of those doubts.