Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

	AP Photo/Matt York
	Matt Leinart has worked hard in the offseason to dismiss the questions of his on-the-field focus.

The Cardinals are a team on the rise if Matt Leinart is a quarterback on the rise. Leinart has shown improvement this offseason. He is throwing the ball with more authority. He is more comfortable in the offense and he gets rid of the ball more quickly as a result. But will he be good enough for Arizona to become more than another .500 team watching the playoffs on TV?

Leinart looks to make a positive first impression when the Cardinals face the Saints in the desert Thursday night on ESPN. Starting quarterbacks often play little more than the first quarter in openers such as this one. Leinart could play longer than that. He hasn't played in a game of any kind since Oct. 7, 2007, a span of 311 days. Backup Kurt Warner might not play at all.

As much as the Cardinals want to take a long look at Leinart, they need to protect him, too, and line depth is an issue for Arizona. That's one reason the Cardinals will want to establish a running game. Another reason: Ken Whisenhunt and staff want to establish a hard-nosed ground game in the interests of balance and overall team identity. One more reason: Rookie running back Tim Hightower has impressed in camp. The Cardinals would like Hightower to emerge as a viable candidate to succeed Edgerrin James, who turned 30 this summer and has 3,267 regular-season touches in nine seasons.

A few other players to watch for the Cardinals tonight:

• Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. The first-round rookie cornerback figures to play extensively while a heel injury continues to bother starter Rod Hood. Rodgers-Cromartie is a natural runner with arms long enough to bat away passes regularly. Saints quarterback Drew Brees provides a good first test.
• Antrel Rolle. The former cornerback is taking over at free safety on a full-time basis. The exhibition season provides a chance for Rolle to get more comfortable in the position. Arizona coaches think Rolle can enjoy a long career at safety.
• Travis LaBoy. The backup outside linebacker is pushing Bert Berry for a starting spot. Berry has missed 21 games over the last three seasons, explaining why the Cardinals have been careful with him in camp. LaBoy, acquired from Tennessee in free agency, will probably make more of an impact during the exhibition season.
• Clark Haggans. The free-agent addition from Pittsburgh has impressed the Cardinals with his toughness, leadership and all-out effort. Haggans remains behind Chike Okeafor on the depth chart, but Haggans is going to play in some capacity this season. He's been too good during camp.
• Michael Adams. The NFL doesn't offer many 5-foot-7 cornerbacks, but Adams is fun to watch. He'll be wearing No. 27. Check him out.
• Calais Campbell. The Cardinals' second-round draft choice stands out for his 6-foot-7 frame and athletic build. Campbell is backing up Darnell Dockett at left end in the Cardinals' base 3-4 defense.
• Levi Brown. The big right tackle lines up against Saints defensive end Charles Grant when the starters are in the game. The Cardinals would like to see Brown realize his first-round draft potential. This is a critical season for him.
• Steve Breaston. He's the leading candidate to replace Bryant Johnson as the third receiver. With starter Anquan Boldin and rookie Early Doucet slowed by hamstring injuries, Breaston has an opportunity to be a ball hog. He was among the Cardinals' more impressive players this offseason. Can it carry over?
• Ben Patrick and Leonard Pope. Arizona hasn't settled on a clear starter at tight end. Pope, primarily a receiver, is the incumbent. He has gained momentum recently in camp. Patrick is the player Arizona hopes to develop into a more versatile option.

I'm very interested to see how the Cardinals deploy their personnel this season. The offensive staff favors the power game, but the talent has dictated three-receiver packages. How will that change without an established third receiver? Are the Cardinals deep enough defensively to become more of a ball-control team? Or will circumstances force Arizona to keep airing it out (an approach that seems to favor Warner at quarterback, by the way).

See also: Saints game plan