Old Cards ancient history: Franchise has turned page

TAMPA, Fla. -- History says the Arizona Cardinals, now a Super Bowl loser, will fade into oblivion next season, their magical run to this season's big game more aberration than the start of something special.

Forget that.

This season's success is sustainable.

"The persona of the Arizona Cardinals has changed and will stay changed," defensive end Antonio Smith said.

The team is young, the cap is in good shape and they have one of the rising stars in coach Ken Whisenhunt.

The Arizona Cardinals are here to stay -- OK, at least for a while. Don't expect the 27-23 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII to send them reeling into also-ran land again.

Don't call them losers either, but rather sharers of the stage in one of the greatest Super Bowls ever played.

They were 35 seconds away from the first Super Bowl victory in franchise history, the first title since 1947 when they played in Chicago. They also won their first division title since they moved to Arizona in 1988, which many people said came from playing in the bad NFC West rather than from the Cardinals being any good.

"Next year we'll make a run for it again," defensive tackle Darnell Dockett said.

You bet they will. This is a talented roster.

With a projected $40 million to $45 million of cap room heading into next season, the Cardinals also have room to improve the roster. They must first take care of some of their own.

Priority No. 1: Kurt Warner.

The 37-year-old quarterback showed why he's still one of the best by lighting up the vaunted Steelers defense for 377 yards and two touchdown passes. It was Warner's third 300-yard passing Super Bowl, the only man to accomplish that feat.

After the game, Warner was non-committal on whether he would play again in 2009.

"There are a lot of emotions that go into a decision like that," Warner said. "There are things that make you want to come back and there are things I am ready to take a break from. I really don't know at this point. I don't want to make some emotional decisions."

If he does return, Warner will be an unrestricted free agent. That means the Cardinals must give him a new contract to retain him.

Sources say they will offer him a two-year deal in the $18 million range. Indications are that will be able to keep Warner in Arizona. He likes it there. His family likes it there.

Getting $18 million to finish out your career is a pretty good nest egg for somebody who has seven kids.

I expect he will be back in a Cardinals uniform.

They have other contract issues as well, counting players who will want new deals, and they also have a few other marquee free agents, such as linebacker Karlos Dansby and defensive end Antonio Smith.

Now a free agent, Antonio Smith will be one of Arizona's big offseason decisions. (Getty Images)

"I think the organization is going to try and do the best they can to keep this team together and be successful," cornerback Rod Hood said.

If Warner comes back, the passing game will be fine. But one thing that seemed obvious in the Super Bowl loss was that the running game has to be fixed.

Edgerrin James has no burst and Tim Hightower looks more like a backup. It wouldn't be shocking to see James let go to save even more money on the cap. He's scheduled to make $5 million next season. He isn't worth that.

The Cardinals might use a high pick on a runner in the April draft, someone who can help balance the offense.

The defense, which gave up the game-winning drive when it had a chance to bring the title to Arizona, needs some help up front, especially is Smith leaves. They do have 2008 rookies Kenny Iwebema and Calais Campbell to lean on more next season.

The roster should be fine.

The emotions of coming so close and blowing it in the final minute might be tougher to handle.

"It's going to take a long time for us [to get over it]," safety Adrian Wilson said.

Once they convene again as a team for the start of offseason workouts, they'll be over it. And you can bet the taste of getting close will help drive this group.

Only two Super Bowl losers have made it back to the game and won it the next year. Of the past eight Super Bowl runners-up, only one (the 2006 Seattle Seahawks) made it to the playoffs the next season.

"This team can definitely do it again next year," Dockett said. "If they keep this team together, you'll see."

We will. I say they push for the NFC title again next season.

They are not the same old Cardinals anymore.