May 14, 2013; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell (93) and defensive tackle Ricky Lumpkin (95) huddle with teammates during organized team activities at the Cardinals Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

With OTA’s underway and training camp just around the corner, it’s time to look forward to the 2013 NFL season and the many challenges that will be presented for the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals upgraded multiple positions on the offense side with the selection of Jonathan Cooper and the acquisition of Carson Palmer, and they also will play a more aggressive scheme on defense that will allow Darnell Dockett and Calais Campbell to make plays. Even with all the positive moves in the offseason the Cardinals are not expected to win many games, so which games can the Cardinals use as a measuring stick as they try to build on the 2013 NFL season? Here is a list of Arizona’s three hardest games.

Jan 5, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers running back DuJuan Harris (26) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jasper Brinkley (54) during the fourth quarter of the NFC Wild Card playoff game at Lambeau Field. The Packers won 24-10. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

At the end of the 2012 season, middle linebacker didn’t appear to be a glaring need. However, the Cardinals still decided to add depth early in the free agency period by locking up middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley.

And for that, they are extremely happy.

Washington was suspended four games for drug use, and his suspension could be extended due to recent allegations. With Paris Lenon departing in free agency, the Cardinals decided to add a complement to Washington when they signed Brinkley. Instead, they ended up receiving a player who has an extremely good chance of starting in Week 1.

Brinkley registered 99 tackles and three forced fumbles in 2012 with the Vikings, so he knows how to make a difference. Brinkley played in a 4-3 with the Vikings, but he should have no problem making the switch to a 3-4 defense in Arizona. Brinkley will likely start the season next to Dansby as one of the Cardinals’ two middle linebackers, but he could stay there for a longer period of time.

Washington, who was on the second-team defense Tuesday, likely won’t start right away. However, when he does come back, he would be a great fit next to Brinkley. Brinkley isn’t good against the pass, and he hasn’t intercepted a single pass over the course of his three-year career. Washington, on the other hand, knows how to play good pass defense.

In other words, Brinkley’s poor pass coverage wouldn’t matter.

The Cardinals would benefit from using Alex Okafor and Sam Acho as outside linebackers and using them on a lot of blitzes. Both are better fits as defensive ends, but pass-rushing as outside linebackers would enable them to penetrate the line and hurry the quarterback. With Washington and Brinkley patrolling the middle of the field and five defenders pursuing the quarterback, the Cardinals would be able to keep the ball away from the middle of the field.

Dansby has intercepted 11 passes over the course of his career, and he intercepted three passes in two separate years with the Cardinals. With Dansby and Brinkley (who combined for 233 tackles in 2012), the Cardinals should be set for Week 1. Brinkley managed 6.2 tackles and 0.2 forced fumbles per game despite playing in a 4-3, where it’s easier to stuff a running back at the defensive line before a linebacker has a chance to make a play.

Despite having Washington, the Cardinals ranked 28th against the run in 2012. Brinkley is a great run defender who has a chance to make a huge impact for very little money. Brinkley is due $1.05 million in 2013 and $3.5 million over two years, which is great value for an impactful starter. Expect Brinkley to be plugged in next to Dansby right away, and expect him to excel in a favorable situation.

Arizona is very lucky to have obtained Brinkley. Kevin Minter is a good player, but Brinkley is definitely a better option to start in Week 1. Brinkley is a player who can come in and help Arizona’s poor run defense immediately, and because of the help he will provide and because of the cheap contract he signed, this signing deserves an A.

Apr. 2, 2013; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians during a press conference to announce the signing of quarterback Carson Palmer (not pictured) at the Cardinals practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports.

With a whole new group of players stepping onto the practice field for the Arizona Cardinals, it would be perfectly realistic to expect some bumps in the relationships and development of some players. However, that doesn’t appear to be the case for the Cardinals.

Carson Palmer, Rashard Mendenhall, Karlos Dansby, Jasper Brinkley, Jerraud Powers, Kevin Minter, Tyrann Mathieu, Alex Okafor, Yeremiah Bell, Jonathan Cooper and Stepfan Taylor are just a handful of the players Arizona’s front office has picked up over the course of the offseason. The Cardinals have wasted no time getting started and developing chemistry, and things are going well so far.

According to Kent Somers of azcentral.com, new (surprise) head coach Bruce Arians said, “We got so much done, especially in situational drills. “Two-minute drills. Red zone session today. A third-down session on Tuesday. The kicking game is leaps and bounds ahead of where I thought it would be. We worked on kicking off after a safety today. We’re so far ahead.”

Arians is confident in his team, which is what Cardinals fans want to see. Arians knows what his team needs to do, and he’s making sure the Cardinals are prepared for lots of different situations. Larry Fitzgerald, who wasn’t too happy with how the 2012 season went down, has a new signal-caller to catch passes from in Palmer, and Andre Roberts, who caught 64 passes for 759 yards and hauled in five touchdowns, will also benefit from Palmer.

Fitzgerald, who is ‘thrilled’ to have Palmer in the desert, is poised for a breakout year. The two appear to be getting along just fine, and that is always good. Palmer, who ranked 16th in the NFL in passer rating in 2012, will have fun throwing to Fitzgerald, Roberts and Ryan Swope, which will definitely help the team.

There are some question marks across the board, but the Cardinals appear to be fine at all positions. Arians has been completely satisfied with the performance of the rookies, notably Jonathan Cooper. The offensive line, which has been improved with the additions of Cooper and Earl Watford, has the potential to be very good. If Max Starks signs with the Cardinals, Arizona could start Bobby Massie, Levi Brown, Cooper and Starks, which would make for a great offensive line. The offensive line was a huge problem in 2012, but general manager Steve Keim addressed it.

Even the middle linebacker position appears to be fine, as Keim went out and added some great linebackers. Jasper Brinkley and Karlos Dansby, two underrated players, combined for 233 tackles in 2012, and the two could jump in immediately with the Cardinals likely to run a 3-4 defense. Daryl Washington will eventually work his way into the starting lineup, which will benefit the Cardinals against the pass and against the run. With second-round draft pick Kevin Minter threatening for playing time, the Cardinals are set.

When the Cardinals step onto the field in Week 1 against the St. Louis Rams, it will mark a new era in the desert. While Palmer is 33 years old, he has the potential to take the Cardinals far as soon as this year. The Cardinals entered this offseason with a lengthy to-do list, but Keim quietly signed an abundance of underrated players. Cardinals fans couldn’t have hoped for better things to happen this offseason, and the result should be a very successful season and future.

As we know from watching the Baltimore Ravens win Super Bowl XLVII and watching the San Francisco Giants win two World Series titles, chemistry is a key asset in sports. When a team brings in impactful players at almost every position (leading to a lot of position battles), chemistry is hard to develop. However, it doesn’t look like it’s a problem in Arizona.

In other words, Cardinals fans have multiple reasons to think positively about the upcoming season.