The 2009 season was the Arizona Cardinals' 90th in the National Football League (NFL), their 22nd in Arizona and their third under head coach Ken Whisenhunt.
The Cardinals finished the season with a 10–6 record, an improvement from their 9–7 previous season record and the first time the team has won 10 games since 1976. The franchise was able to successfully defend the National Football Conference (NFC) West division title and earned a playoff berth in the NFC Wild Card round against the Green Bay Packers, which they won in overtime by 51–45, the highest scoring game for two teams combined in a playoff game. The following week on January 17, 2010, the Cardinals were blown out by the eventual Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints 45–14 in the NFC divisional round. This game would be the final game of quarterback Kurt Warner's career, and this was the only playoff game in thirteen total appearances in which he failed to throw a touchdown pass.
The 2009 season was the team's first to secure back-to-back postseason appearances since its move to Arizona, and the first time the team did so since 1975.
Offseason
Staff changes Billy Davis has replaced Clancy Pendergast as defensive coordinator. Russ Grimm has been appointed running game coordinator and retains his title of assistant head coach and offensive line coach. Todd Haley has left the offensive coordinator position to join the Kansas City Chiefs as their head coach. John McNulty has replaced Mike Miller as receivers coach. Chris Miller has been appointed quarterbacks coach. Mike Miller has been promoted from receivers coach to passing game coordinator. Curtis Modkins has replaced Maurice Carthon as running backs coach. Matt Raich has replaced Billy Davis as linebackers coach.
Signings C/G Ben Claxton FB Justin Green FB Dan Kreider LS Mike Leach S Keith Lewis CB Bryant McFadden QB Tyler Palko P Waylon Prather RB Jason Wright
Released LS Nathan Hodel
Free agents Pos. Player Tag Result CB Michael Adams ERFA RB J. J. Arrington UFA Signed with Broncos DE Jason Banks ERFA Re-signed with Cardinals LB Monty Beisel UFA Signed with Kansas City Chiefs DE Bertrand Berry UFA Re-signed with Cardinals T/G Elton Brown UFA Re-signed with Cardinals CB Ralph Brown UFA Re-signed with Cardinals FB Tim Castille ERFA LB Karlos Dansby UFA Franchised tagged by Cardinals DE Keilen Dykes Re-signed with Cardinals CB Wilrey Fontenot Re-signed with Cardinals P Ben Graham UFA Re-signed with Cardinals CB Eric Green UFA Signed with Dolphins LB Clark Haggans UFA Re-signed with Cardinals WR Onrea Jones Re-signed with Cardinals S Dennis Keyes Re-signed with Cardinals WR Lance Long Re-signed with Cardinals TE Ben Patrick ERFA C Scott Peters UFA TE Leonard Pope RFA C/G Pat Ross UFA C Lyle Sendlein ERFA TE Alex Shor ERFA Re-signed with Cardinals DE Antonio Smith UFA Signed with Texans FB Terrelle Smith UFA TE Stephen Spach ERFA QB Brian St. Pierre UFA Re-signed with Cardinals LB Matt Stewart UFA Signed with Cowboys LB Pago Togafau ERFA TE Jerame Tuman UFA OT Elliot Vallejo ERFA RB Chris Vincent ERFA Re-signed with Cardinals QB Kurt Warner UFA Re-signed with Cardinals DT Gabe Watson RFA UFA: Unrestricted free agent; RFA: Restricted free agent; ERFA: Exclusive rights free agent
2009 NFL draft
As NFC champion and having lost Super Bowl XLIII, the Cardinals had the second-to-last pick in the first round (31st overall).
+ 2009 Arizona Cardinals draft selections Draft order Player Position Height Weight College Round Choice 1 31 Chris "Beanie" Wells RB 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 237 lb (108 kg) Ohio State 2 63 Cody Brown DE 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 248 lb (112 kg) Connecticut 3 95 Rashad Johnson S 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 203 lb (92 kg) Alabama 4 131 Greg Toler CB 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 182 lb (83 kg) Saint Paul's College 5 167 Herman Johnson G 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 382 lb (173 kg) LSU 6 204 Will Davis DE 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 268 lb (122 kg) Illinois 7 240 LaRod Stephens-Howling HB 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Pitt 7 254 Trevor Canfield G 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 305 lb (138 kg) Cincinnati
Coaching staff Arizona Cardinals 2009 staff Front office Owner/chairman – Bill Bidwill President – Michael Bidwill Vice-president – Bill Bidwill, Jr. General manager/vice-president of football operations – Rod Graves Director of football administration – Reggie Terry Director of player personnel – Steve Keim Director of pro personnel – T. J. McCreight
Head coaches Head coach – Ken Whisenhunt Assistant head coach/run game coordinator/offensive line – Russ Grimm
Offensive coaches Pass game coordinator – Mike Miller Quarterbacks – Chris Miller Running backs – Curtis Modkins Wide receivers – John McNulty Tight ends – Freddie Kitchens Offensive quality control – Chad Grimm Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – Billy Davis Defensive line – Ron Aiken Linebackers – Matt Raich Defensive backs – Teryl Austin Assistant defensive backs – Rick Courtright Defensive quality control – Ryan Slowik
Special teams coaches Special teams coordinator – Kevin Spencer
Strength and conditioning Strength and conditioning – John Lott
Final roster
Preseason
Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 August 13 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 10–20 0–1 Heinz Field Recap 2 August 22 San Diego Chargers L 6–17 0–2 University of Phoenix Stadium Recap 3 August 28 Green Bay Packers L 37–44 0–3 University of Phoenix Stadium Recap 4 September 3 at Denver Broncos L 0–19 0–4 Invesco Field at Mile High Recap
Regular season
Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 September 13 San Francisco 49ers L 16–20 0–1 University of Phoenix Stadium Recap 2 September 20 at Jacksonville Jaguars W 31–17 1–1 Jacksonville Municipal Stadium Recap 3 September 27 Indianapolis Colts L 10–31 1–2 University of Phoenix Stadium Recap 4 Bye 5 October 11 Houston Texans W 28–21 2–2 University of Phoenix Stadium Recap 6 October 18 at Seattle Seahawks W 27–3 3–2 Qwest Field Recap 7 October 25 at New York Giants W 24–17 4–2 Giants Stadium Recap 8 November 1 Carolina Panthers L 21–34 4–3 University of Phoenix Stadium Recap 9 November 8 at Chicago Bears W 41–21 5–3 Soldier Field Recap 10 November 15 Seattle Seahawks W 31–20 6–3 University of Phoenix Stadium Recap 11 November 22 at St. Louis Rams W 21–13 7–3 Edward Jones Dome Recap 12 November 29 at Tennessee Titans L 17–20 7–4 LP Field Recap 13 December 6 Minnesota Vikings W 30–17 8–4 University of Phoenix Stadium Recap 14 December 14 at San Francisco 49ers L 9–24 8–5 Candlestick Park Recap 15 December 20 at Detroit Lions W 31–24 9–5 Ford Field Recap 16 December 27 St. Louis Rams W 31–10 10–5 University of Phoenix Stadium Recap 17 January 3 Green Bay Packers L 7–33 10–6 University of Phoenix Stadium Recap
Standings
Regular season results
Week 1: vs. San Francisco 49ers
With their NFC title on the line, the Cardinals began their season at home in a Week 1 divisional duel with their NFC West rival, the San Francisco 49ers. In the first quarter, Arizona trailed early as Niners kicker Joe Nedney got a 37-yard and a 50-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Cardinals got on the board as kicker Neil Rackers made a 44-yard field goal. San Francisco answered with running back Frank Gore getting a 6-yard touchdown run, while Arizona closed out the half with Rackers kicking a 29-yard field goal.
The Cardinals would tie the game in the third quarter as quarterback Kurt Warner completed a 5-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald. In the fourth quarter, Arizona took the lead as Rackers nailed a 43-yard field goal. However, the 49ers regained their lead as quarterback Shaun Hill completed a 3-yard touchdown pass to Gore. San Francisco's defense would then prevent the Cards' offense from rallying.
With the loss, the Cardinals began their season at 0–1.
Week 2: at Jacksonville Jaguars
Hoping to rebound from their loss to the 49ers, the Cardinals traveled to Jacksonville Municipal Stadium for a Week 2 interconference duel with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Cardinals scored on their first drive with a 1-yard run by running back Tim Hightower. The Jaguars also scored on their first possession with a 30-yard field goal from kicker Josh Scobee. Arizona then answered with a 45-yard field goal by kicker Neil Rackers. In the second quarter, trailing 10–3, the Jaguars lined up for another Scobee field goal only to have it blocked by backup defensive end Calais Campbell and returned by free safety Antrel Rolle for an 83-yard touchdown. The Cardinals would extend their lead by halftime as quarterback Kurt Warner completed a 5-yard touchdown pass to running back Jason Wright.
Warner would find wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald in the third quarter for a 22-yard touchdown pass that increased the Cardinal lead to 28. Jacksonville would attempt to mount a comeback with quarterback David Garrard completing a 25-yard touchdown pass to tight end Marcedes Lewis in the third quarter and a 25-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Mike Sims-Walker in the fourth quarter, but Arizona held on for the victory.
With the win, the Cardinals improved to 1–1.
Warner's performance (24/26, 243 yards, 2 TDs) would become the new NFL record for a single-game completion percentage (92.3%), snapping Vinny Testaverde's old record set in 1993 (91.3%).
Week 3: vs. Indianapolis Colts
Coming off their Week 2 road win over the Jaguars, the Cardinals went home for a Week 3 Sunday night interconference duel with the Indianapolis Colts. Arizona took flight in the first quarter with kicker Neil Rackers' 38-yard field goal. However, the Colts took a monster lead in the second quarter as quarterback Peyton Manning completed a 20-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Reggie Wayne, a 10-yard touchdown pass to tight end Dallas Clark, and a 53-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Pierre Garçon.
The Cardinals tried to fight back in the third quarter as quarterback Kurt Warner hooked up with wide receiver Anquan Boldin on a 10-yard touchdown pass, but Indianapolis replied with Manning's 3-yard touchdown pass to running back Joseph Addai. Afterwards, the Colts closed out the game in the fourth quarter with kicker Adam Vinatieri's 26-yard field goal.
With the loss, Arizona entered its bye week at 1–2.
Week 5: vs. Houston Texans
Coming off their bye week, the Cardinals stayed at home for a Week 5 interconference duel with the Houston Texans. Arizona would get off to a very fast start as running back Tim Hightower got a 1-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, followed by quarterback Kurt Warner completing a 9-yard and a 26-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald in the second.
However, the Texans gained steam in the third quarter with a 1-yard touchdown run from running back Chris Brown. Afterwards, Houston would tie the game in the fourth quarter with quarterback Matt Schaub completing an 11-yard and a 17-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Andre Johnson. However, the Cardinals went back to work with two crucial defensive moments. First, cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie would return an interception 49 yards for a touchdown. Second, even when the Texans' offense got down to Arizona's 1-yard line on a 1st down play inside of the two-minute warning, the defense withstood three tries and held on for the victory.
With the win, the Cardinals improved to 2–2.
Week 6: at Seattle Seahawks