azcentral sports columnist Thu Mar 6, 2014 11:05 PM

Twelve years ago, the Cardinals changed divisions. The move was supposed to be liberating. Somehow, the new neighbors are even more aggravating.

The Seahawks are a budding dynasty, fresh off a 35-point win in the Super Bowl; the 49ers have played in the last three NFC championship games and are moving into a new stadium; the Rams own the No. 2 and No. 13 picks in the upcoming NFL Draft and might ultimately end up with all the amenities of playing in Los Angeles.

Fear not. On the eve of free agency, here are five reasons why Cardinals fans should remain optimistic for the future:

— Steve Keim. Last season, he was the Cardinals’ MVP. He overturned a roster that won five games, hooking free agents with take-it-or-leave-it offers. He signed new players at every stage of the season.

He takes losing to heart. For comic relief, Darnell Dockett once imitated Keim’s scrunched-up, furrowed brow that is often witnessed after a loss.

Keim was the last piece in the Cardinals’ evolutionary puzzle: an authentic GM with a sharp eye for talent and enough brass to push the envelope. Let’s hope he lands a premier left tackle in the next week.

— Reputation. If you’ve ever seen the Cardinals practice outdoors in winter, you understand the luxury their franchise offers potential free agents. But too often, the weather was the only benefit of playing in Arizona.

Keim will change that. Bruce Arians, who has a great touch and reputation among players, will change that. A 10-win season in 2013 will change that. Michael Bidwill will change that.

Now, some in the community would rather wrestle a polar bear than negotiate with Bidwill. Glendale city councilman Gary Sherwood said during a radio interview that Bidwill “is very tough” to deal with.

But that’s business. Between the lines, Bidwill is perceived as a young, progressive owner who encouraged Ray Horton to wear his braids to work, who frequently shuttles injured players on his private plane.

Can’t overstate this enough: There was a time when the Bidwill surname was toxic locally and disrespected nationally, misspelled in every corner of the media. That has changed dramatically, an enormous gift from son to father.

— Carson Palmer. He proved in 2013 that he’s capable of making big throws in big games. He was one of two quarterbacks to keep his backup on the sideline for all 16 games (along with Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger). His second-half performance tells me he’s good enough to get his team to the Super Bowl.

If you believe in the latter, it changes everything, starting with the draft board.

— The win in Seattle. Admittedly, the Seahawks look impenetrable. The only thing scarier than Russell Wilson is that Seattle was the only team smart enough to draft him. According to the Wall Street Journal, the tandem of head coach Pete Carroll and GM John Schneider have made 1,105 roster moves since joining forces in 2010, and their aggression continues unabated. They have created a monster.

But the Cardinals proved they can win in Seattle, unveiling a defensive scheme that effectively contained Wilson.

Finally, priorities often change when you win the Super Bowl. Guys want money, and the hunger shifts. The 1985 Bears were supposed to be a dynasty too, and Chicago fans are still waiting for that second Super Bowl title.

— Drama by the Bay: The 49ers are headed for a fall. Jim Harbaugh’s status is a collage of conflicting reports, but reveals some kind of serious rift in the organization. Their spectacular linebacker, NaVorro Bowman, tore up his knee in their final playoff game. Colin Kaepernick soon will look to cash in, and when that happens, the 49ers will have to sacrifice depth of talent.

Like the Seahawks, San Francisco has been blessed by a franchise quarterback playing on a bargain-basement contract. Fortunately for Arizonans, that doesn’t last forever.

So after all these years, nothing has really changed. The Cardinals have tried realignment and relocation, and they’re still surrounded by gnarly neighbors. Remember when they served as the NFC East’s in-house sparring partner for most of 32 years?

During that time, their division mates combined for 16 Super Bowl appearances, winning 10 Lombardi trophies.

Now, the Cardinals are dealing with a dynasty in the making, a fading heavyweight and a sleeping giant in St. Louis. With a little luck, the mission starts anew with a premier left tackle saying yes to Arizona, and signing on the dotted line.

Reach Bickley at dan.bickley @arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8253. Follow him at twitter.com/danbickley. Listen to “The Dan Bickley Show with Vince Marotta,” weekdays from 12-2 p.m. on Arizona Sports 620 (KTAR-AM).