The Cardinals will listen to trade offers for QB Matt Leinart, provided there are any. The phone doesn't appear to be ringing off the hook at midweek when reports broke about the former first-round pick being put on the trade block.

The club would be taking a risk dealing Leinart because that would leave a rookie, either John Skelton or Max Hall, backing up Derek Anderson.

But coaches are very high on the youngsters, especially Hall, who they think has many similar qualities to Warner. Tough. Mature. Quick release. Smart.

--DL Darnell Dockett signed a four-year extension through 2015 on Wednesday. Dockett can earn up to $48 million over the lifetime of the contract with $30 million in guarantees. Dockett was entering the last year of his contract but took a hushed approach -- as opposed to Anquan Boldin and Karlos Dansby's public pleas, and both are noticeably former Cardinals -- that pleased the team and for which he was rewarded. Of course, he's also considered the anchor of a defense that experienced plenty of personnel changes in the offseason.

PLAYER NOTES

--RG Reggie Wells has started throughout preseason but could be replaced by Deuce Lutui. Lutui has struggled with his weight but has played well.

--FB Reagan Maui'a apparently will be the starter. He's also the only FB on the roster. The club obtained Charles Scott from the Eagles in a trade this week, but he's more of a running back. They gave up CB Jorrick Calvin, also a sixth-round pick.

--TE Ben Patrick has returned to practice after missing nearly a month with a displaced kneecap. He should be able to play in the opener.

--WR Larry Fitzgerald is running with a smaller brace on his left knee and should be ready for the opener. He's been out with a sprained MCL.

--ILB Gerald Hayes is likely to miss the season opener after undergoing back surgery in July.

--OLB O'Brien Schofield is on the reserved/non football injury list. He is recovering from knee surgery and is hoping to play this season.

DRAFT PICKS TO STICK

Rd. 1/26, NT Dan Williams, Tennessee -- He hasn't passed Bryan Robinson on the depth chart but he should see plenty of action.

Rd. 2/47, ILB Daryl Washington, TCU -- Moved into the starting lineup on the weak side. Fast and tough, he'll be a playmaker once he learns the system.

Rd. 3/88, WR Andre Roberts, The Citadel -- Struggled to catch the ball in camp but did a decent job on punt returns. He's out with a sprained shoulder and has been a bit of a disappointment so far.

Rd. 4/130, OLB O'Brien Schofield, Wisconsin -- He's recovering from knee surgery and will start the year on the reserve/non-football injury list.

Rd. 5/155, QB John Skelton, Fordham -- He's played well in the preseason and is competing with Max Hall for a roster spot.

UNIT BY UNIT ANALYSIS

QUARTERBACKS
Starter -- Derek Anderson. Backups -- Matt Leinart, John Skelton, Max Hall.

Leinart thought he was finally going to get a shot after two years as Kurt Warner's backup. But Whisenhunt elected to go with Derek Anderson midway through the preseason. Now Leinart could be traded or released. Skelton and Hall have looked good in preseason, but it's a risk having one of them as the No. 2 quarterback.

RUNNING BACKS
Starters -- Tim Hightower, FB Reagan Maui'a. Backups -- Beanie Wells, Jason Wright, LaRod Stephens-Howling.

Hightower could well hold on to the starting job but have considerably fewer carries than Wells. Hightower has great versatility, but Wells has more big-play ability. They should form an effective tandem. Stephens-Howling could play a larger role on third downs, and his quickness in space makes him hard to defend. Wright is a savvy veteran who can also play fullback. Maui'a is untested.

TIGHT ENDS
Starter -- Ben Patrick. Backups -- Anthony Becht, Stephen Spach, Jim Dray.

Patrick is a solid all-around starter. He's been hampered by injuries throughout his career and is due for a breakout season. Becht is a blocking specialist, and Spach is a tough blocker. Byrd has great hands but isn't a great blocker. Dray, a rookie, played well late in camp and could make the roster.

WIDE RECEIVERS
Starters -- Larry Fitzgerald, Steve Breaston. Backups -- Early Doucet, Andre Roberts, Onrea Jones, Stephen Williams.

Despite trading Anquan Boldin to Baltimore, this remains a position of strength. Fitzgerald might be the best in the game, and Breaston is a more dangerous playmaker than Boldin. Doucet, if he can stay healthy, should emerge as a competent No. 3. Things are open after that. Roberts, a third-round pick, has been a disappointment. He had trouble catching the ball in camp. Williams has been sensational and the undrafted rookie could be on the year's major surprises. Jones could gain a spot if the club keeps six receivers.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
Starters -- LT Levi Brown, LG Alan Faneca, C Lyle Sendlein, RG Reggie Wells, RT Brandon Keith. Backups -- G Deuce Lutui, G/C Rex Hadnot, G/T Herman Johnson, G/T Jeremy Bridges.

Sendlein is the only starter from last year who remains in the same position. Brown moves from right to left, and coaches think he's athletic enough to play there. Faneca adds experience and ability, even though he might not be the player he once was. Wells moves from left guard to right, and he's coming off a disappointing season. Lutui could replace him and Wells could be released or traded. Keith, a third-year pro, has never started a game, but Cardinals coaches think he's going to be an impact player. Hadnot is valuable because he can play two spots. Johnson, in his second year, is a bit of a project but has the tools.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
Starters -- LE Darnell Dockett, NT Dan Williams, RE Calais Campbell. Backups -- NT Bryan Robinson, DE Kenny Iwebema, NT Gabe Watson, DE Alan Branch.

Dockett is already an elite end, one of the most explosive players in the game. Campbell, who had seven sacks last year in his first season as a starter, could also be on that level. The Cardinals need Williams to make an impact. So far, Robinson has held him off as the starter but that could change. Watson has responded to the challenge by Williams by dropping weight. He is difficult to block when he's in condition. Branch, a second round pick, enters his fourth season with much to prove. He has never been in condition and this could be it for him. He can play both tackle and end and looked good in last year's camp before suffering a season0ending injury. Iwebema is a solid player, too.

LINEBACKERS
Starters -- OLB Clark Haggans, ILB Paris Lenon, ILB Daryl Washington, OLB Joey Porter. Backups -- OLB Will Davis, OLB Cody Brown, OLB Stevie Baggs, OLB Mark Washington, ILB Paris Lenon, ILB Reggie Walker, ILB/OLB Monty Beisel.

Haggans and Porter are both 33 and nearing the end of their careers. Haggans, however, played well last year, and Porter believes he's every bit the pass rusher he was five years ago. We'll see. Davis and Brown give the team two promising young players, although neither did much in the preseason. The concern is inside. Hayes had back surgery this summer and there is no proven backup at that strong position. Walker is unproven.

DEFENSIVE BACKS
Starters -- LCB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, RCB Greg Toler, SS Adrian Wilson, FS Kerry Rhodes. Backups -- CB Michael Adams, CB Trumaine McBride, CB Marshay Green, S Matt Ware, S Rashad Johnson, S Hamza Abdullah.

Rodgers-Cromartie is already an elite player but he's frail and needs to get stronger. Toler, in his second year, has great physical skills but he's raw. He's the favorite to start opposite DRC, but McBride looked good this summer. McBride is tough and Wilson is one of the best in the game, and Rhodes needs to rebound from a disappointing year with the Jets. The weakness of the group is at the corner spot. There is no proven player opposite DRC, and the nickel job is up for grabs as well.

SPECIAL TEAMS
K Jay Feely, P Ben Graham, LS Mike Leach, KR LaRod Stephens-Howling, PR Andre Roberts, PR Steve Breaston.

Feely replaces Neil Rackers but it's questionable if that's an upgrade. They are similar in skills. Both have strong legs and make a high percentage during the regular season. Rackers struggled late last season. Graham was one of the besting in the league. The Australian has an uncanny ability to stop the ball deal inside the 10. Stephens-Howling doesn't have great speed, but he's quick and elusive. Roberts will be given every chance to win the punt returner's job because coaches don't want to expose Breaston, a starting receiver.

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