Is the Cardinals' defense actually capable of earning a No. 1 ranking, which is what new coordinator Billy Davis said he thought was entirely possible at the start of the season?

"I think we do have the ability to be a No. 1 defense," starting LOLB Clark Haggans told PFW four days before the Cardinals entertained the Seahawks in Week 10. "This is a tremendously athletic group, and all 11 guys bring something to the table. There have been some real flashes."

But Haggans, a product of the well-regarded Steelers system under the direction of Dick LeBeau, would be the first one to admit that the Cardinals' defense has also been guilty of some real downers — like the unit's abysmal effort in the team's Week Eight loss at home to the Panthers, who ran over, around and through the league's No. 1-ranked run defense at the time to the tune of 270 yards.

"We obviously were very undisciplined in that game," Haggans said. "There were a lot of little technical errors that they just took full advantage of that turned into big gains of 20 and 30 yards."

At its best, though, the Cardinals' defense under Davis thrives on a team concept, as evidenced by the fact that 11 players registered 21 sacks in the first eight games.

"When you enter the game, you're viewed as a starter," said Haggans, who has been very solid this season, registering 2½ sacks and four tackles for loss despite leaving the field in nickel situations.

"It doesn't matter if you come in on second down or third down. When you come in, the bar is raised, and coach Davis has big expectations. Collectively, the goal is for no drop-off, with everybody held accountable."

Haggans also has made his presence felt this season on a special-teams unit that has performed admirably for the most part under the direction of Kevin Spencer.

"Coach Spencer gets the credit for putting guys in there who are hungry and just want to fly around and make plays," Haggans said.

Haggans deeply regrets not being able to play in the Super Bowl against his old team because of a Lisfranc injury that forced him to miss the last five games last season.

As for this season, Haggans says he couldn't feel any better. "I'm fine," he said. "I have followed all the precautions that my doctors ordered to a 'T.' "

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