Goal is to end desert drought

GM Graves thirsts for a return to postseason

Each year around this time, the Arizona Cardinals raise the expectations of their fans, only to raze them during the season.

The team's last winning season was in 1998 (9-7), the only time that fans in the Phoenix area have seen the Cardinals in the postseason since the franchise moved from St. Louis in 1988. The Cardinals hold their training camp in Flagstaff, Ariz., but they are the NFL's flagship for futility.

But after an eventful offseason in which the team retained linebacker Karlos Dansby via the $8.065 million franchise tag, carved out a cap-space-saving four-year, $40 million deal with Pro Bowl wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, signed free agent linebacker Clark Haggans, and drafted potential shutdown cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, there's reason for veiled optimism in the Valley of the Sun.

Maybe this really is the year that Arizona, which finished 8-8 last season, its first under coach Ken Whisenhunt, rises from the ashes of ineptitude.

"The guys have to believe in the program, and they have to believe they can be successful in Arizona, and in large part Ken has evoked a program that the players are on board with and that they feel that they can be successful with," said general manager Rod Graves.

"Organizationally, the Bidwill family has done a lot to ensure we're in a position to win and change the attitudes of not only outsiders but, more importantly, our team. They've done that through supporting our desires to sign certain players, and also the efforts to improve our fan experience."

The signings of Haggans from Pittsburgh and former Tennessee Titans defensive end Travis LaBoy bolster Arizona's pass rush and help to offset the loss of defensive end/linebacker Calvin Pace, who cashed in via free agency with the New York Jets. The defense, which ranked 28th last season in passing yards allowed (232.2 per game) and 25th in touchdown passes allowed with 26, also will be aided by the return of pass rushers Chike Okeafor, who missed all of 2007 with a torn biceps tendon, and Bertrand Berry, who sat out seven games with a torn triceps, both of whom can play 4-3 defensive end or 3-4 outside linebacker.

An improved pass rush, the addition of Rodgers-Cromartie, and the switch of corner Antrel Rolle to free safety, where he'll be paired with 2006 Pro Bowl selection Adrian Wilson, who is back from an Achilles' tear, should help improve the Cardinals' 17th-ranked defense, which Graves said will move to more of a 3-4 scheme this season.

"We're encouraged from a talent standpoint with the additions we made on that side of the ball," said Graves. "I feel like inside with Gerald Hayes and Dansby at linebacker we're as good as anyone in the conference.

"One of the things that we were concerned about as we got into the late part of last season was the lack of depth we had defensively, when we lost Okeafor and Berry. We felt we needed to focus on shoring it up. Defensively, we should be able to get after some people."

On offense, the big question is at quarterback, where Matt Leinart and 37-year-old Kurt Warner will vie for the starting job. Leinart, the 10th overall pick in the 2006 draft, is more renowned for his off-field partying than his on-field passing. After a promising rookie season, the Heisman Trophy winner played in just five games, three of which he was lifted from, last season before breaking his collarbone. A rejuvenated Warner took over and threw for 3,417 yards and 27 touchdowns with 17 interceptions.

"I think we're fortunate with two players like that," said Graves. "We would have all hoped Matt would have established himself much quicker, but I see the maturation process going forward in a strong way. He has worked his tail off, as hard as I've seen him work, this offseason. Kurt is battling him every step of the way, and it's all positive."

A week and a half ago, Graves was on vacation with his family in Boston, enjoying Faneuil Hall, the Duck Tours, Harvard Square, and some well-deserved downtime. But his work isn't done.

Graves has until July 15 to hammer out a long-term deal with the franchised Dansby and has potential holdouts in wide receiver Anquan Boldin, who is looking to redo the four-year, $22.75 million extension he signed in 2005, and defensive lineman Darnell Dockett.

Graves said he'll be disappointed if Boldin, who is scheduled to make $2.5 million this season, isn't there when the Cardinals open training camp July 25.

"Anquan is a member of our core and we're going to do whatever we can to keep that guy," said Graves, who said he's not shopping Boldin. "The challenge is the timing of those deals. Obviously, we can't get to everyone at one time. The fact we're talking about it as a critical issue is a bit astonishing given the fact he has three years left, but we did acknowledge the fact that we did want to address his contract."

It's never easy for the Cardinals, but Graves believes success in Arizona is in the cards.

"This is no longer your dad's Arizona Cardinals," said Graves. "We feel like we have a new approach, a new outlook."

Mayo gets taste of NFL

The NFL held its annual rookie symposium last week in Carlsbad, Calif. The four-day workshop, which the league has conducted since 1997, is designed to ease the rookies' assimilation into NFL life on and off the field by educating them on such topics as personal finance, substance abuse, sex education, and how to deal with the media.

All 252 players selected in April's draft were required to attend. Patriots first-round pick Jerod Mayo described the symposium as "great." The linebacker, selected 10th overall, said the biggest lesson imparted was don't be afraid to say no to hangers-on looking to benefit from your newfound fame and fortune.

"To be honest, I just started experiencing people coming to me for things," said Mayo, who hasn't even signed a contract yet. "While I was at the symposium, somebody I haven't talked to in years was asking me for something. You got people coming to you now for financial favors. It let me realize just how helpful something like [the symposium] is."

One other thing Mayo took out of the experience was the importance of reporting to training camp on time. Patriots camp starts July 24, and rookies are expected to report by July 21. Mayo said he hopes to be on time.

"I definitely do. Hopefully, it works out. That's between the Patriots and my people," said Mayo. "I feel like that's one of the major things they talked about coming into the league, is to come into camp on time."

Before he reports to camp, Mayo plans to go to Atlanta to work out with another former University of Tennessee standout, Browns running back Jamal Lewis, as well as a few other NFL players, including Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward and Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora.

"When I was at Tennessee, they invited me to come down and work out," said Mayo. "Those guys have years of experience. It's better than me working out on my own."

Chiefs fans take stand against policy

The Kansas City Chiefs didn't give their fans much reason to stand and cheer last season with a 4-12 record, but Chiefs fans, who are among the most vocal in the NFL, won't stand for not being able to support their team.

That's why some found it puzzling when the Chiefs recently released a fan code of conduct, found on their website, that initially stated that standing and/or obstructing the view of other fans was not allowed at Arrowhead Stadium.

After blogs and message boards interpreted the team's policy literally, saying the team was forcing fans to sit still during games and had set up a text-messaging system for patrons to tattle on those who didn't comply with the sitting-room-only policy, the Chiefs changed the language to "excessive standing" and then "continuous standing."

There was never any intent to keep fans in a sedentary state, according to Chiefs director of stadium operations Steve Schneider, who blamed a "hiccup" in the dissemination of the policy for the misunderstanding.

"We do have a very strong fan base. They do enjoy being labeled as one of the loudest stadiums, if not the loudest stadium, in the league," said Schneider. "Our fans are a part of our organization and do like the notoriety that they get. If any of them looked at that and said the team is saying, 'Get in here and sit on your hands,' that's not the case."

Schneider said the aim of the text-messaging service is strictly to improve and quicken customer service for everything from a broken seat, to a security issue, to a sick fan. He said other teams, including the Philadelphia Eagles, already use it.

Etc.

Welker's comments on the money
At a football camp for kids held last weekend in his home state of Oklahoma, Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker was asked about New England losing cornerback Asante Samuel, who signed a six-year, $57 million deal with the Eagles on the first day of free agency.

"Asante's a great player, so it hurts not to have a guy like that. But then again, it's part of the business of the game," Welker said. "He chose money over championships, and that's the way it goes sometimes."

Sure, the Patriots are overwhelming Super Bowl favorites, but it's not as if Samuel will be backpedaling for big bucks for a team with no shot at Super Bowl XLIII (see: Dolphins, Miami). The Eagles, coming off an 8-8 season, have one of the game's best running backs in Brian Westbrook, a good coaching staff, led by Andy Reid, and legitimately harbor NFC title aspirations as long as five-time Pro Bowl quarterback Donovan McNabb stays healthy.

Philadelphia won the NFC East in 2006 and has gone to four conference championship games since 2001. The Eagles pushed the Patriots to the limit last season, losing a game, 31-28, that Samuel sealed with an interception. It will be interesting to see if Welker does some backpedaling of his own prior to the teams' exhibition Aug. 22 at Gillette Stadium.

Cat changing his stripes?
The Minnesota Vikings dropped the ball in 2005 when they used the seventh overall selection in the draft on drop-prone wide receiver Troy Williamson, who was supposed to replace Randy Moss but had just 79 catches for 1,067 yards and three scores in three lackluster seasons.

The Vikings shipped Williamson to the Jaguars for a sixth-round pick in February and he's looked like a different receiver.

"He caught everything," said Jacksonville quarterback David Garrard of Williamson's performance during minicamp. "He did a great job. He's so smooth and fluid that he barely looks like he's running, but he's always running right by somebody."

That's good news for the Jaguars, who brought in Williamson and free agent Jerry Porter to augment a mediocre receiving corps.

Still best of the pack
You can't blame Brett Favre for considering coming out of retirement. He probably looks around the NFC North and realizes he's still the best quarterback in the division. The Bears elected to bring back Sybil-like signal-caller Rex Grossman to compete with Kyle Orton. The Vikings are trotting out Tarvaris Jackson, who completed 58.2 percent of his passes last season for nine touchdowns and 12 interceptions. And the Lions enter camp with Jon Kitna atop the depth chart.

However, Favre's reported desire to play could be setting up an awkward showdown between the Packers and their iconic quarterback. Following Favre's retirement in March, the Packers put him on the reserve/retired list April 25.

According to the NFL Network's Adam Schefter, all Favre has to do to get off that list is send a letter to the Packers and the NFL stating his desire to play. Green Bay would then have 24 hours to activate Favre or release him. The Pack also could activate him to the 80-man roster and do the unimaginable - trade him.

Plenty of company
Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden collects quarterbacks like coffee mugs. With star running back Cadillac Williams still working his way back from a career-threatening knee injury, Gruden is loading up on running backs, too.

The Buccaneers signed Earnest Graham, their leading rusher last season, to a three-year, $10.5 million deal last week. Graham was set to make $605,000 this year and boycotted offseason workouts until the Pewter Pirates redid his contract.

Graham, who rushed for 898 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, will compete with Warrick Dunn, who returned to Tampa as a free agent, and Michael Bennett, whom the Buccaneers traded for midway through last season, while Williams tries to work his way back from a torn patellar tendon in his right knee. Williams has said he thinks he can return this season, which would give the Bucs a full house at tailback.

It may be Big Ben's time
Here's a scary thought for opponents of the Steelers: Ben Roethlisberger, who set a Steelers' record with 32 TD passes last season and finished second to only Tom Brady in the NFL in quarterback rating, could be even better this season. Roethlisberger, entering his fifth season, recently told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that he expects to have a better grasp of the Steelers' offense because it will be his second season in offensive coordinator Bruce Arians's system.

"Because it was a new offense [last season], it's kind of hard to be too vocal as a leader when you're not sure what's going on all the time on offense," Roethlisberger said. "This year I think I'll be able to develop even more, and hopefully just be able to continue to grow into my leadership role."

Did you know?
The Patriots open the season Sept. 7 at home against the Chiefs. If Kansas City's Brodie Croyle starts that day, he would be the first quarterback drafted by the Chiefs to start a season opener in more than 20 years. The last home-grown Kansas City quarterback to get the nod on opening day was Todd Blackledge, who started the 1987 opener against the Chargers. Entering his third season, Croyle has yet to win as a starter (0-6).

Christopher L. Gasper can be reached at cgasper@globe.com; material from personal interviews, wire services, other beat writers, and league and team sources was used in this report.