Tag: Arizona Cardinals (Page 43 of 51)

      NFL Week 12 Primer

      November 23, 2008 /

      Brandon JacobsSunday’s Best: Giants (9-1) at Cardinals (7-3), 4:00 PM ET
      It might not be the sexiest game of the year, but this is one of the best matchups of the 2008 season. The Giants have been one of the best road teams over the last couple years, and the Cardinals are a completely (better) different team in the comforts of their own home than on the road. Kurt Warner is playing like a league MVP and it’ll be interesting to see how the underrated New York secondary matches up with the explosive Arizona passing game. There haven’t been a lot of opponents have been able to get pressure on Warner this season, but the G-Men have one of the best front sevens in the league. All indications are that Brandon Jacobs will play, which should help New York keep Arizona’s potent offense off the field. Both teams have a commanding lead in their respective divisions, but a win for the Giants could go a long way in eventually securing home field advantage in the postseason.

      Upset Watch: Buccaneers (7-3) at Lions (0-10), 1:00 PM ET
      I’m sure I’ll get crap for this one, but give me credit for taking a shot with this upset. Outside of getting their ass handed to them by Jacksonville two weeks ago, the Lions have been inching closer and closer to their first victory. Jon Gruden’s offense is effective, but the Buccaneers have had issues once they get into the red zone this year. They settled for three field goals inside the red zone last week against Minnesota, which essentially kept the Vikings in the game. Not that Detroit’s defense will provide much of a challenge, but if the Lions can keep the game close throughout, they might have a shot at a late score. Every year it seems that the Lions manage to win a game they’re not supposed to and I’m calling my shot this weekend – it’ll be Tampa. It helps that the Lions beat the Bucs last season, too, although it’s safe to say that the 2007 Detroit team was a shade better this year’s version.

      Philip RiversIntriguing Matchup: Colts (6-4) at Chargers (4-6), 8:15 PM ET
      After getting embarrassed by the Titans on Monday Night Football in Week 8, the Colts have won three straight and beaten quality AFC teams like the Patriots and Steelers. Indy has jumped right back into the playoff race and are one of the more dangerous teams in the league. But without Bob Sanders (knee injury) in the lineup, the Colts are a completely different team defensively. And although LaDainian Tomlinson has been quiet this year, he’s still one of the most explosive backs in the league and does anyone believe he can’t still take over a game? The Chargers are always dangerous on national TV because they play with a chip on their shoulder. They’ve also shown improvements defensively under Ron Rivera, who took over for Ted Cotrell at coordinator. Even though San Diego has struggled this year and has stumbled to 4-6, this is going to be a dogfight.

      Other Notable Games:
      Jets (7-3) at Titans (10-0), 1:00 PM ET
      Along with the Giants-Cardinals game, this could easily be the best matchup of the week. Pundits keep waiting for Tennessee to fall, but something tells me it won’t be this week. Brett Favre is susceptible to throwing an interception or two, which doesn’t bode well playing against a very opportunistic Titans’ defense. Some are smelling upset – I say the Titans remain undefeated after this week.

      Panthers (8-2) at Falcons (6-4), 4:15 PM ET
      The Falcons’ playoff hopes took a hit last week when they lost to Denver, but the Panthers have struggled with inferior opponents as of late. Jake Delhomme has not looked very sharp and Atlanta has been solid at home. This is a huge game for the NFC South.

      Eagles (5-4-1) at Ravens (6-4), 1:00 PM ET
      A loss for the Eagles and they can kiss their postseason hopes goodbye. The Ravens have a great chance to prove they’re for real after they were clowned by the Giants last week.

      Patriots (6-4) at Dolphins (6-4), 1:00 PM ET
      This is a massive game for the AFC East, especially with the Jets playing in Tennessee. A win for either one of these teams could mean a share for the AFC East Division lead and don’t forget the Dolphins absolutely crushed the Patriots in Foxboro earlier this season. The fireworks in this game have already started this week with Joey Porter.

      NFL

      Edgerrin James wanted release but Cards denied request

      November 20, 2008 /

      According to ESPN.com Arizona Cardinals’ running back Edgerrin James wanted his outright release but the team denied his request.

      “We spoke with [general manager] Rod Graves because Edgerrin still believes he is a 1,000-yard back and he is healthy and he is still capable of being a 1,000-yard back for a team,” Rosenhaus said. “He is not playing now, and there are teams that are banged up at the running back position that he could help. We didn’t get the answer we were hoping for.”

      Graves said on Wednesday evening that Rosenhaus asked if the team would consider releasing James “and we declined it as a consideration.”

      “I explained to him that we still saw Edgerrin as a valuable member of our football team,” Graves said.

      “Edgerrin isn’t trying to cause any problems,” Rosenhaus said. “He has had a Hall of Fame career and he has enjoyed his stay in Arizona. But it’s apparent that he’s probably not going to be back with the Cardinals next season. If that’s the case, he can move and help another team and get a start now.”

      The writing was on the wall for James in Arizona when there were rumors in April that the team wanted to draft a running back. And now that Tim Hightower has emerged as a quality starter (he has been more effective than James has), there’s just no room for James. I don’t blame the team for wanting to hang on to him throughout the year for insurance, but it would be fair to James if the Cards parted ways at the end of the season to give him another opportunity to start somewhere.

      Fantasy Football, NFL

      Fountain of youth: Kurt Warner wants to play a few more years

      November 19, 2008 /

      The 2008 NFL Season has apparently rejuvenated Arizona Cardinals’ quarterback Kurt Warner.

      Kurt Warner“Kurt’s and my approach has been, ‘Let’s enjoy the moment,’ ” Bartelstein said. “Kurt does not want to be a distraction in any way with his contract. That’s not his personality.”

      Warner, 37, is in the last season of a three-year deal worth $15 million, not including incentives.

      Warner leads the league in quarterback rating (105.1) and completion percentage (70.9). He is second in yards (3,155) and touchdowns (20). More important, the Cardinals are 7-3 and could clinch the NFC West title this weekend.

      Clearly, it’s going to cost the Cardinals more to sign Warner now than it would have last summer, probably in the range of $8 million to $12 million a year.

      There is plenty of incentive for both sides to reach a deal. The Cardinals are still optimistic about Leinart’s future, but there will be a learning curve to endure if and when he be becomes a starter. With Warner playing the way he is now, the Cardinals will continue to be a force in the NFC.

      Warner knows, too, that he has found a place that suits him both professionally and personally. Not every team would give him the freedom and responsibility that the Cardinals have. And he’s not eager anxious to uproot his family to start all over again in a new city.

      I was wrong about Warner when I wrote this summer that the Cards were likely to sink with him at quarterback. He’s been one of the best surprises in 2008 and if he continues to play the way he has, there’s no reason to believe he can’t compete for another couple of years.

      But what do you do with Matt Leinart?

      Fantasy Football, NFL

      Mike Martz explains goal line gaff on Monday night

      November 12, 2008 /

      Here’s what offensive coordinator Mike Martz had to say regarding the disastrous sequence that transpired on the goal line during the closing seconds of the 49ers’ 29-24 loss to the Cardinals on Monday night:

      Mike Martz“It cost us the game,” he said. “We go to the 1 — or the half-yard line — then spike the ball when, all of a sudden, officials tell us they’re going to look at the replay. While they’re looking at it, the ball stays at the 1. So we send in a play. Then, when they make their decision, they move the ball back to the 2½ and tell us they’re going to start the clock on the official’s wind.

      “We couldn’t change the play. We had to go with what we called. If it would’ve been at the 1, we would’ve made it. But they moved it and didn’t give us any time. So what are we going to do? If they would’ve moved it to the 10 we still would’ve had to run the play that was called. We got screwed because of the spot, first and foremost.”

      Okay, so the refs screwed you. That still doesn’t explain why Martz didn’t tell Shaun Hill just to spike the ball so he could get a better play called. There was four seconds remaining on the game clock. Even with the time running at the refs’ winding of the clock, Hill still could have spiked it and had at least two seconds left so that Martz got a better play call in.

      And regardless of that, why run a dive with Michael Robinson? You’re telling me that’s your best play call from the one or two yard line? A boot with the mobile Hill isn’t better than running straight at the Cards’ defense with Michael Robinson? This is why no team wants Martz as a head coach – because he outsmarts himself when the game is on the line.

      NFL

      Cardinals should pony up for Anquan Boldin

      November 11, 2008 /

      Anquan BoldinI’m not big on receivers. I think they’re overrated. In fact, I think they are the most overrated, over hyped position in football.

      That said, the Arizona Cardinals need to whip out their checkbook and pay Anquan Boldin what he wants.

      Over the summer Boldin expressed his disappointment that the Cardinals were unwilling to pay him what he thought he was worth. Despite racking up over 400 receptions, 5,000 yards close to 30 touchdowns over the course of his career, the team wanted him to honor the rest of his contract (which runs through 2010).

      The season isn’t over, but Boldin has already proved his worth and then some. Despite missing two games due to a nasal/jaw injury, he leads all NFL receivers with 10 touchdown receptions (four more than any other wideout in the league) and continues to be the backbone of Arizona’s explosive passing game. (No offense to Kurt Warner or Larry Fitzgerald.)

      Most players who feel underpaid would hold out until their team eventually gave in and paid them. After throwing a stink in the offseason that he wanted to be traded, Boldin eventually said that he would shut his mouth and play because he didn’t want to hurt the team. He’s done that. Now the Cardinals should honor him by paying him what he wants. He’s that good.

      The Cards have a rare commodity in Boldin – a consistent receiver who makes plays and rarely lets the team down. They overpaid a couple of seasons ago for Edgerrin James, who isn’t even starting now. The least they could do is pay a guy who actually deserves it and who continues to be one of the best playmakers in the league.

      NFL

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