NFL: Arizona Cardinals Tracker

2008-11-26T10:12:00.000-08:00

Don't forget to vote for your favorite Cardinal to play in Hawaii's Pro Bowl! You can vote here. And you thought elections were over.

2008-10-30T10:43:00.000-07:00

I don't care who you vote for, just get out there and vote next Tuesday, November 4th.

2008-10-16T13:07:00.000-07:00

Here's an example of a great use of your private jet!

Matt Leinart and Ovie Mughelli Chatting it Up

2008-07-24T09:50:00.000-07:00

This was at the ESPYs. I found it on YouTube:

What do you do when...

2008-02-21T10:48:00.000-08:00

So what do you do when you can't think of anything decent to write on your own Cardinals fan blog? You go read a real one. And so now you know where I've been... I'll come back and post more soon I promise! Really!

Levi Brown joins the Cards

2007-08-03T10:05:00.000-07:00

Levi Brown, the #5 overall draft pick from Penn State, has finally reached a deal with the Cardinals. He took so long that he's missed the first 5 practices, but hopefully he'll get into the swing of things right away. The Cards hope he'll help improve their weak offensive line. It's hard to imagine them doing worse than last season. Well, at least they have no where to go but up!

3 Cards added to College Hall of Fame

2007-05-11T10:01:00.000-07:00

Three former Cardinals players have been named to this year's class of College Football Hall of Fame honorees. Former Cardinals receiving the award include center Tom Brahaney (OU, 73-81 w/ Cards), wide receiver Ahmad Rashad (Oregon, 72-73 w/ Cards), and running back Anthony Thompson (Indiana, 90-92 w/ Cards). Congratulations guys!

Hometown boy

2007-04-11T14:10:00.000-07:00

I read an interesting article on the Cards' official site today about Tim Crowder, a probable second or third round draft pick this year. Crowder's from my home town, and the way he's quoted in the article describing the local fervor for football is dead accurate. Just a quick point about high school football in Texas - the rivalries between teams there only serve to raise the quality of play and puts a level of demand on the players that is comparable to that of a college or pro team. High school football produces local celebrities, and they are not sheltered from public endorsement or criticism - they are so easily recognized and so much the center of attention that maybe that don't get as distracted by that stuff later...just a thought.

2007-01-17T08:02:00.000-08:00

Ken Whisenhunt signed a four-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals (with a team option for a fifthy year)--he led the Pittsburg Steelers to a Super Bowl win, so big expectations!

OMG! They Won!

2006-12-14T13:44:00.000-08:00

It’s been becoming a trend for Cardinal’s fans to not show up until after the kickoff. However, those fans who didn't show up for the first 2 1/4 minutes of the game missed out on some of its most exciting action. There is something amazing about seeing your team start the game with a three and out followed by an amazing punt return and a 54 yard touchdown pass.
Don't get me wrong, we've seen the Cards jump out to big leads several times this year only to watch the lead disappear in time for the final clock tick, but a funny thing happened on the way to the typical Cardinals game, the defense held.
This was a wonderful game. Yes, the Seahawks took the lead with just over 5 minutes left in the 3rd quarter, but the Cardinals came back and retook the lead never to relinquish it again.

Thank God for Cheerleaders

2006-12-07T11:51:00.000-08:00

Since the Cardinals are currently 3-9 and still sucking, I figured why not take some time and focus on the cheerleaders.

The Cardinals’ cheerleaders are taking some time away from cheering for a losing team and spreading holiday cheer instead. Eleven members of the Show Team just got back from Fort Hood, Texas where they were performing for the base’s annual Christmas event. Over the course of the weekend, the cheerleaders spread joy throughout the community through kid’s clinics, autograph signings, and a two hour performance.

Now, those are some lucky kids.

Still Losing

2006-11-30T15:33:00.000-08:00

With 2 wins this season and 9 loses, what can really be said about the Arizona Cardinals. Pendergast’s so called “unorthodox style of defensive”, which leaves teams guessing as to where the pressure is coming from, doesn’t really seem to be anything extraordinary. Sure, it keeps the Cardinals from having a humiliating defeat, but what about offense? At least rookie Matt Leinart can get some game experience without all the pressure of winning. Maybe next year they’ll be ready to win again.

Cardinals Happy with a Tie

2006-11-20T07:16:00.000-08:00

Okay, happy may be a stretch. Especially since Arizona's tie is for bottom of the NFL standings. But at least we no longer are the only dwellers in that cellar. The tie is with the Oakland Raiders, who beat us a few weeks back, and the Detroit Lions, who the Cardinals beat yesterday, thus holding them down while boosting ourselves up.

The most satisfying thing in a way was seeing Matt Leinart get his first NFL win. There have probably been times this season when he longed to be back at USC, where he had so many victories, and where they are having another fantastic year. Hey, Matt, this one felt good, didn't it? And Cardinals fans know you've got some more in you -- maybe Minnesota or St. Louis? Or both?

Sports Talk in Glendale

2006-11-15T10:33:00.000-08:00

Sports talk in Glendale isn't about the Arizona Cardinals. (Perhaps that's all for the best this season.) It's not even about the NFL. What I've been reading is that Glendale wants to lure the L.A. Dodgers here for spring training. I think it would be a good move for a West Coast team.

I gather that Glendale is also talking with the Chicago White Sox about doing spring training here. That doesn't make quite as much sense. The White Sox already do their preseason stuff down in Tucson. Actually, they share their spring training facilities with the Arizona Diamondbacks, and I think it would be great to have them even more local. But maybe that's not really fair to other D'Backs fans scattered outside the Valley of the Sun.

What I'm really wishing for is a little more NFL action, meaning some positive headlines about our Cards. I can wish, right?

looking for hope

2006-11-05T21:21:00.000-08:00

Optimism, optimism, optimism... it's getting tough to keep it. With four sacks in Sunday's game against the Packers - and I don't mean the "our-guys-sacking-them" good kind, either - it's getting harder to imagine this being the season that breaks the drought. Even wikipedia.com is on the sadness train...

"The Cardinals have historically been known as a chronic loser. They were NFL Champions in 1925 and 1947. However, the team has not won a league title since then, and thus currently holds the NFL record for the longest championship drought."

Then again, maybe this is the time we see who the real fans are, right? I mean, those of us sticking with them this long can't be anything but.

End of a losing streak...

2006-10-28T08:59:00.000-07:00

Well, our hope for finally winning something comes tomorrow. I can hardly watch. C'mon, Cardinals, show Arizona why we keep you, eh?

Everybody cross your fingers for the Arizona Cardinals at Lambeau Field on Sunday vs. the Green Bay Packers...

Not as simple a fix as they thought?

2006-10-22T21:27:00.000-07:00

Okay, so was it really a good idea after all for the Arizona Cardinals' head coach Dennis Green to fire Keith Rowen? Keith Rowen says no.

"Rowen is said to believe that he has been wrongly damaged by his firing/demotion, and wants to bring to light the fact that he wasn't calling plays for the Cardinals as their collapse unfolded Monday night. According to a league source close to the situation, Green took over the play calling at times from late in the second quarter on, after Arizona had built a 17-0 lead."

And the plot thickens...

Goodbye to another offensive coordinator

2006-10-19T16:30:00.000-07:00

So Keith Rowen is out, eh? Fired on Tuesday. I gotta say, watching the Arizona Cardinals throw away a 20-point lead was positively excruciating, so I can't complain too much. If there's anything to be thankful for, I suppose it's coach Dennis Green's stance on team changes:

"I don't hesitate to make changes. That's just who I am," Green said. "I like things to go a certain way, and if they don't, I normally do something about it."

Can I get an Amen?

Drop the dough for the Arizona Cardinals

2006-10-16T23:09:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I think the Chicago Sun-Times has hit it on the head with their summary of Bill Bidwell's miserly ways being a major drawback to the Arizona Cardinals. Darnell Dockett, Calvin Pace, Wendell Bryant... what have they really contributed? Why can't we spend the money to REALLY bring in the talent we need? We're never gonna sell tickets this way.

C'mon guys, there's so much potential here. Spend the money, get committed, and bring some victories to the Arizona Cardinals in our (oh-so-creatively-named) new University of Phoenix Stadium!

Arizona Cardinals go back to college

2006-10-13T07:52:00.000-07:00

So the big naming-rights deal finally goes through, and the best name they can come up with is "University of Phoenix Stadium"? First off, it's weird that they'd call an NFL stadium a college stadium... and second, I suppose it's better than "Arizona Stadium"... but c'mon, where's the originality?

Maybe next they'll rename the Arizona Cardinals the "Arizona Football Throwers."

Arizona Cardinals VS. Supercuts??

2006-10-04T14:43:00.000-07:00

Yep, you heard me. The Cardinals are joining forces with fancy schmancy stylist over at Rolf’s Salons to help raise money for the various charities they support. At $80 a ticket you get a cut and style, along with loads of food and beer! Where do I sign up? The guys at work are starting to tell me I look like one of the guys from Tesla. Maybe I could sign up as one of the celebrity guests?

New Packaging, Same So-So Taste

2006-10-02T22:45:00.000-07:00

New stadium, new quarterback, same old results.

At least with Leinart, we’ll have something to build around. And maybe we’ll get to see Alyssa Milano at a game.

Arizona’s Leinart Has Been Waiting Patiently

2006-10-02T17:09:00.000-07:00

And (sigh) so have the Cardinals’ fans. To see a few more notches in the victory column, that is. But our outing against the Atlanta Falcons wasn’t to be one of them.

Things went badly enough that Kurt Warner got replaced for the last 13 minutes by Matt Leinart, who also had a less than stellar performance. Coach Green is going to give him the chance he’s been waiting for to start a game next week when Kansas City comes to town. Warner, a genuine example of a good sport, swallowed his frustration and promised to do whatever he can to help his replacement. Maybe we won’t have to wait any longer for win #2.

Arizona gets a bargain

2006-08-17T13:13:00.000-07:00

Been away for awhile, but this time of year there’s more MLB action than NFL. And one thing with baseball – sometimes your ticket buys you extra innings. The other night Arizona Diamondbacks fans got two games’ worth of play for the price of one at Coors Field. Not to mention a 2-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies.

Rare as this is, there were two games that went 18 innings Tuesday night/Wednesday morning. In the other one, the Chicago Cubs finally beat the Houston Astros 8-6.

New Arizona Cardinals arrivals

2006-06-12T14:39:00.000-07:00

I still can'tquite believe the Cardinals ended up with Heismann winner Matt Leinart. Did the nine teams ahead of us know something Denny Green doesn't? Hey, I'm not worried, I'm ecstatic. And I also can't wait to see his USC teammate, big ol' Taitusi Lutui, in action. (Just glad he has the nickname "Deuce"--I know how to pronounce that.)

Cheering the Phoenix Suns on to Victory

2006-05-15T17:48:00.000-07:00

The Phoenix Suns are truly amazing this year. Steve Nash deserved the MVP award he received this year as much as last and I can’t believe how much Raja Bell and Shawn Marion have stepped up in the playoffs. Las night’s loss was unfortunate but we can comeback and win on Tuesday, Thursday and continue on to the Western Conference Finals. Go Suns!

Team Make-up still on the discussion table.

2006-04-24T16:30:00.000-07:00

I am sick over what qualifies as news in the NFL off-season. All the team web sites are featuring stories about the teams cheerleading tryouts when there are draft prospects to analyze and holes to fill on this Arizona Cardinals team. With the stadium nearing completion I am curious about who we are going to acquire to fill those holes and what this team is going to look like for the start of the 2006 season.

James and the Way of the West

2006-04-02T21:11:00.000-07:00

The Arizona Cardinals have signed free agent Edgerrin James and I couldn’t be happier. He is possibly the best running back in the NFL and gives us a much needed edge on offense. (no pun intended) My only fear is that he will not perform for the Cardinals as well as he did under the Colts zone method.

Wiping the sweat from my brow.

2006-03-10T15:17:00.000-08:00

The Collective Bargaining Agreement issue has been resolved and passed. There was a lot of compromising done and it was actually nice to see the players working with the coaches. With all the striking that has gone on in the past 15 years I was bracing myself for the worst.

Super Bowl 2008

2006-02-03T09:56:00.000-08:00

I'll be watching Super Bowl XL on tv this year--two reasons: Seattle Seahawks and Pittsburgh Steelers. Should be a good match-up, but not hot enough to warm me up if I had tickets to be in the stands at Ford Field -- in the Great White North practially!
Now, I would have been scrounging and scrapping for Super Bowl tickets if the Arizona Cardinals had been in on the action. But it will also add to my interest when the Super Bowl is happening someplace warm, like Miami next year. Better yet, 2008 right here in the Valley of the Sun, at the new Cardinals Stadium in Glendale!

A New Hope

2005-06-16T12:31:00.000-07:00

Things are taking a turn for the better in Arizona. The Cardinals new rookie running back J.J. Arrington is making a big splash over in the desert. Arrington is getting a lot more reps with the absence of Troy Hambrick from the mini-camps. Coach Dennis Green can’t stop talking about Arrington either. He is quoted saying that Arrington has excellent hands and is very quick as well as explosive out of the back field. It seems that Arrington will be a shoe in for the starting role.

Hero to Zero

2005-06-06T18:16:00.000-07:00

James Darling was the Cardinals leading tackler this past season in 04’. He did the team a favor in a struggling defense, but now he won’t be the starter. The Cardinals picked up Orlando Huff in the off-season and he will play on the weak side which is where Gerald Hayes had played who is now moving to inside linebacker pushing Darling out as a back up.

Tenacity

2005-05-31T12:59:00.000-07:00

Earlier we talked about draft choices Eric Green and Antrel Rolle, and how they are an excellent addition to what was a depleted secondary. Everyone talks up these draft choices and they should, both players are good athletes, but they won’t be handed the job right away. People tend to forget about David Macklin who is already the starter. The cornerback position is Macklin’s to lose. The guy is small and often over looked, but his tenacity and pesky presence keeps him on the field.

No Suprise Here

2005-05-26T15:01:00.000-07:00

With the addition of journeyman quarterback Kurt Warner, Josh McCown has official taken a back seat as the number 2 quarterback going into training camp. Even though he has become the back up, he still has training camp to dethrone Kurt Warner. McCown still shows improvement and has impressed the coaches as well. So it is still quite possible for McCown to get a game or two under his belt in the 05’ season.

A Mentor

2005-05-23T16:51:00.000-07:00

I have to admit that Dennis Green has done a great job revamping his team with much needed talent. Recently signed free safety Robert Griffith will bring something very valuable to his team, especially the secondary.

The young secondary consist of two draft pick, both cornerbacks, Antrel Rolle and Eric Green. The Cardinals were looking for much need veteran talent to help the rookies adjust to the NFL game speed which is far different from College.

3rd times a charm

2005-05-17T18:00:00.000-07:00

from Foxsports.com

QB Kurt Warner is with his third team in three years, but he'll be operating an offense that's familiar to him. The Cardinals scheme is similar to what Warner ran in St. Louis, although it's hardly the scoring machine the Rams were when Warner was there. Warner knows what he's doing in this system. Coordinator Keith Rowen was a former assistant in Kansas City under Dick Vermeil, who coached Warner with the Rams.

Young Guns

2005-05-11T15:57:00.000-07:00

Anquan Boldin's absence because of a contract dispute can't be underestimated. He's the team's best offensive player by a large margin, and the club doesn't have anyone who can match his production. Larry Fitzgerald has the ability but has yet to reach that level.

Although, Mr. Larry Fitzgerald did have his way with CB Antrel Rolle, the team's first-round pick, in the first two days of camp. But Rolle seemed to adjust in the last practice and was better in coverage.

Reporting In

2005-05-06T12:12:00.000-07:00

from Foxsports.com

Kenny King isn't well known, but his return from injury this year should give the club a huge boost. For now, King is playing "under" tackle behind Darnell Docket, but he also can play end. He missed last year with a wrist injury, but has returned 20 pound heavier, which should allow him to hold up better inside. King has great quickness and instincts. Even if he doesn't start, he'll play a lot as a substitute for tackle Darnell Dockett or at defensive end or in nickel situations. His versatility help make the defensive line deeper than it has been in years.

The team has two solid fullbacks, Obafemi Ayanbadejo and James Hodgins, but only one of them is expected to make the team. Ayanbadejo seems to have the advantage. He played well last year, and while he's not the devastating blocker that Hodgins is, Ayanbadejo is a running and receiving threat. He was especially effective in goal line situations. Hodgins missed all of last year with a shoulder injury. At 273 pounds or so, he moves well and is an excellent lead blocker. But the Cardinals like to use the single-back formation a lot, so it would be a luxury to carry two fullbacks.

A+

2005-04-30T10:45:00.000-07:00

Looking at this draft class I must say that the Cardinals out did themselves. They stocked up on two very solid coner backs, added J.J. Arrington, and through in what most would have thought to be a late first round choice or mid second round choice in linebacker Blackstock.

1-8 A. Rolle DB Miami (FL)
2-44 J. Arrington RB California
3-75 E. Green CB Virginia Tech
3-95 D. Blackstock LB Virginia
4-111 E. Brown G Virginia
5-168 L. Mitchell LB Oklahoma
7-226 L. McCoy WR Indiana (PA)

By far one of the best draft plans in the 2005 NFL draft. Good Job Cards!

Drafting a Plan

2005-04-14T17:12:00.000-07:00

The club has no proven playmaker at running back, and it could easily take one of the three best backs in the draft with the No. 8 pick. It's questionable whether Auburn RBs Carnell Williams or Ronnie Brown will drop to eighth. Texas' Cedric Benson could be there, but his speed is a concern. The Cardinals already have one back, Marcel Shipp, who runs in the 4.6 range and is most effective between the tackles.

So, coach Dennis Green might opt to wait until the second round to take a back. California's J.J. Arrington should be there, and he would give the club some speed at that spot, as would Oklahoma State's Vernand Morency. Green thinks three cornerbacks will go in the top 10, although he won't say whether the Cardinals will take one of them. It's questionable whether Antrel Rolle of Miami will drop to No. 8, but West Virginia's Adam Jones and Auburn's Carlos Rogers probably will. The Cardinals had success with an Auburn product last year, OLB Karlos Dansby, and Green likes players from big-time schools.

Rogers also has the ability to return kicks, which the team desperately needs. The Cardinals haven't drafted a cornerback since 2001, and they won't go another year without taking one. As for the need at tight end, Stanford's Alex Smith could be there in the second round. If the club waits until the later rounds, Miami's Kevin Everett and California's Garrett Cross could be intriguing prospects. The team could use a guard or tackle, but neither is likely to be chosen until the later rounds. Mississippi State T David Stewart could be such a choice, as could Northwestern G Ike Ndukwe.

Scouting Report

2005-03-30T11:03:00.000-08:00

from Foxsports.com

Outside linebacker Karlos Dansby has the tools to be a Pro Bowl linebacker. He's big, he can run and he has excellent pass-rushing skills. Dansby, a second-round pick last year, played a bigger part in the defense as last season developed. But he's only shown a fragment of what he can do. Dansby was only occasionally used as a pass rusher, yet coaches think he could be devastating in that role. The only concern last year about Dansby is that he suffered from a handful of nagging injuries, which began in training camp. He has to become more durable.

Something to Prove

2005-02-12T13:27:00.000-08:00

from Foxsports.com

The 2004 season could not have gone worse for running back Marcel Shipp. He lost his starting job at the end of minicamps, and then he suffered a fractured fibula and dislocated ankle in training camp. That caused him to miss the entire season. His rehabilitation is progressing normally, and this is a critical year for Shipp. He's the only back on the roster with much experience, and he likely will be involved in a heated position battle in training camp. The club is expected to address the position in the draft or through free agency. Shipp is an effective runner, although he lacks speed. Coaches want to see him produce more big plays. In 2003, he touched the ball 258 times yet didn't score a touchdown.

2 New Players.

2005-01-23T11:24:00.000-08:00

From azcardinals.com:

The Arizona Cardinals announced Tuesday that the team has signed tight end Aaron Golliday and wide receiver/kick returner Luke Powell.

Golliday (6-3, 282) was signed by Kansas City on January 27, 2004. He spent last spring in NFL Europe as a member of the Scottish Claymores playing in 10 games (nine starts) with 14 receptions for 114 yards.

The former Nebraska Cornhusker spent the 2004 season on the Chiefs practice squad. Golliday’s signing in Arizona reunites him with his position coach in Kansas City, Keith Rowen, the Cardinals new offensive coordinator.

Powell (5-8, 175) was signed by San Diego as a rookie free agent in 2004. He spent last summer in the Chargers training camp and was released on September 1.

The Smyrna, Tennessee native and former Stanford Cardinal was the team’s leading punt returner and receiver as a sophomore and senior. He was named as a first team all-America punt returner as a sophomore with a 16.0-yard average. He finished his college career with 128 catches for 2,080 yards and 14 touchdowns while returning 83 punts for 1,073 yards and two touchdowns.

I hope the newly aquired players will be a push in the right direction for us, but only time will tell. Lets keep our fingers crossed for a better season next year. GO CARDINALS!

Ending the season with a blow to the bucs

2005-01-11T15:47:00.000-08:00

From sports.yahoo.com:

The Arizona Cardinals won their season finale with defense. With Darnell Dockett just a rookie, many similar games could be in sight.

The defensive tackle from Florida State had a sack, interception, fumble recovery and pass deflection in the Cardinals' 12-7 victory over the mistake-plagued Tampa Bay Buccanneers on Sunday.

``I want to give a special shout-out to Dockett,'' said Tampa Bay defensive end Simeon Rice, a former Cardinal, ``because he definitely did his thing. Their D-line got down. You could see they're going in the right direction.''

Arizona coach Dennis Green called Dockett ``an explosive ball of barbed wire. He's very hard to block, very hard to keep out.''

Dockett had his helmet ripped off just as he fumbled his interception, and the turnover was negated by a facemask penalty. But Dockett says he purposely keeps his chin strap unfastened so his helmet comes off easily.

``My helmet comes off every game. That helps for marketing,'' he joked. ``I do that on purpose. The cheerleaders and the fans, they think I'm cute, you know what I'm saying? I try to show the face off a little bit.''

Neil Rackers kicked four field goals and the Cardinals harassed young Chris Simms all afternoon.

``Arizona was coming from everywhere,'' Buccanneers coach Jon Gruden said. ``That's a credit to them. Week 16 and they're going to blitz you every play from different alignments.''

Tampa Bay, plagued by injuries, lost its fourth in a row to finish 5-11, its worst record since going 5-11 under Sam Wyche in 1993.

``We've missed short field goals. We've fumbled snaps. We've fumbled with leads with two minutes left in games,'' Gruden said. ``I hope they all got it out of their system for this year, for the next 100 years, I hope.''

Four turnovers, one on a fumbled snap, loomed large on Sunday.

``It's been a tough season really for the whole team,'' said Michael Pittman, whose fumble set up an Arizona field goal. ``But the effort was always there. It's just us finishing the games, and eliminating turnovers. It's been the same story almost every time we lose the ballgame.''

The Cardinals (6-10) finished 5-3 at home in Green's first season as coach.

``I don't think anybody in the world is more disappointed than me that we're 6-10, but today I'm not disappointed. I feel like our guys played hard and earned the victory,'' Green said.

Simms got his second NFL start in place of Brian Griese, out with hip and foot injuries, and connected with rookie Michael Clayton on a 75-yard touchdown play that briefly gave Tampa Bay a 7-6 lead in the third quarter.

Emmitt Smith, in perhaps his last game for the Cardinals, gained 69 yards on 23 carries. Afterward, he waved and bowed to all four sides of Sun Devil Stadium.

``I tell you, if this is my last year here, it's been a heck of a ride,'' he said. ``If it's been my last year of playing football period, it's been a heck of a ride.''

Arizona looked to pad its 6-0 lead after Simms fumbled a snap and Dockett recovered at the Tampa Bay 19 in the third quarter. But a holding penalty on Anthony Clement pushed the Cardinals back, and Rackers' 35-yard field goal try was wide left.

On the next play, Simms threw short to Clayton, who ran to the end zone on a 75-yard scoring play to give Tampa Bay its first lead, 7-6, late in the third quarter.

The Cardinals then mounted their longest drive, 56 yards in 10 plays. Josh McCown threw 12 yards to Anquan Boldin and 16 to Larry Fitzgerald, and Rackers' 39-yard field goal put Arizona ahead 9-7 with 11:07 to play.

Pittman fumbled and Duane Starks recovered at the Tampa Bay 14 to set up Rackers' 31-yard field goal that boosted the lead to 12-7 with 6:12 to go.

Rackers' second field goal, for a 6-0 lead, followed a bizarre play in the final minute of the first half.

McCown's bad pass under pressure was intercepted by Dwight Smith with 1:46 to go. Simms drove the team to the Arizona 24. But he was hit as he threw by Karlos Dansby, and the ball popped into the air. Dockett intercepted it and rambled downfield. His helmet was ripped off by Kenyatta Walker, then he fumbled the ball some 35 yards downfield, where it was recovered by Pittman at the 16.

However, Walker was called for a facemask penalty, and Arizona was awarded the ball at the Tampa Bay 39 with 43 seconds left in the half.

Our offense hasn't been looking too grand, but with Dockett leading the way, the defense saved the game. Although it was too little, too late, it was good to end the season on a good note and not on a bad. Larry Fitzgerald hasn't lived up to his potential as far as skill goes. I have grown to believe, that although he is good, he wasn't worth the 3rd pick in the draft. Lets hope that next year brings us better luck!

Cardinals 28 - 49ers 31 OT

2004-12-12T17:24:00.000-08:00

from NFL.com

The Arizona Cardinals mounted a fourth-quarter comeback to overcome a 28-3 deficit and tie the game with 59 seconds remaining to send the game against the San Francisco 49ers to overtime. Fullback Femi Ayanbadejo scored two rushing touchdowns to narrow the Niners lead to 28-17. An 8-yard run by Emmitt Smith with 2:40 remaining followed by a two-point conversion by quarterback Josh McCown closed to within three. A forced fumble by James Darling, recovered by David Macklin led to a 22-yard field for the tie.

But, the Niners persevered in overtime, driving to the Cards 13-yardline to set up kicker Todd Peterson for a 31-yard game-winning field goal.

Buffalo 38; Arizona 14

2004-11-01T16:19:00.000-08:00

The Cardinals (2-5) continue to struggle away from home, after a big 25-17 win over Seattle in Arizona last week. The loss was Arizona's 17th straight on the road, the worst current streak in the NFL, dating back to its win at Carolina on Oct. 6, 2002.
Not much appears to have changed since the Cardinals last visited Buffalo, losing 45-14 on Nov. 11, 1990.
On Sunday, the Cardinals were undone by their own mistakes and plagued by the weather. Smith had 64 yards rushing and Arizona managed just 213 yards of total offense in a game played in a persistent rain and 20-plus mph winds gusting in off of nearby Lake Erie.
The Cardinals also had 14 penalties for 101 yards.
Josh McCown finished 9-of-24 for 101 yards, including a 28-yard touchdown pass to Bryant Johnson with four minutes left.

``I know one thing, I have a newfound respect for Jim Kelly and what he did here,'' McCown said, referring to the Bills Hall of Fame quarterback. ``It was the toughest conditions I've ever played in.''

yahoosports.com

Cards Can't Close Out Game Over 49ers

2004-10-11T09:16:00.000-07:00

From the offical site of Cardinal Football

An NFL game is four quarters, 60-minutes of play, and for fifty-five minutes of Sunday’s match-up against the Niners, it appeared the Cardinals were on their way to snapping a 15-game road losing streak. Quarterback Josh McCown ended his touchdown drought, lobbing a 16-yard pass to tight end Freddie Jones, tossing a two-yarder to Troy Hambrick, and connecting with rookie receiver Larry Fitzgerald for a 23-yard aerobatic endzone catch. Add in running back Emmitt’s Smith 10-yard touchdown run and the Cards held a 28-12 fourth-quarter advantage.

Just when it seemed the winless Niners were on their way to the worst start in franchise history since 1977, quarterback Tim Rattay exploded on the scene, making quick work to negate the 16-point deficit with two fourth quarter touchdowns and two-extra point conversions to send the game into overtime...

With the offense putting up more points than they have in the last combined, it was the faltering of the Cards dependable defense that was most discouraging. Defensively, the Cards hadn’t given up a touchdown in thirteen quarters. Ranked number one in the NFL in the redzone, they forced the Niners to settle for two first-half field goals by Peterson, and in three quarters of play, the Niners only trip to the endzone came on a 71-yard punt return by Arnaz Battle. But with just over four minutes remaining, the Cards defense could not withstand the accuracy or hot arm of Rattay, who completed 38 of 57 passing attempts for 417 yards...

And the rest is in the books.

We have to get out of the hole

2004-09-30T14:08:00.000-07:00

From Sports.yahoo.com

Green, who took Minnesota to the playoffs in his first season as Vikings coach, is realistic about the public's perception of the Arizona franchise. He knows if he builds a winner, the fans will come.

Our offense(more so than defense) and defense aren't playing like they could be. Coach Green really needs to pull this eam our of a slump. We just aren't connecting passes and our rushes aren't getting anywhere. McCown needs to really improve alot if he wants to lead a winning team. It's really a matter of will power, and with a city not backing them and all the odds against them, they are loosing it and fast. So lets get out there and fill up the stands you guys. Lets climb out of the whole and go on the offensive Cards!

Not again

2004-09-23T13:15:00.000-07:00

From cardinalinsider.com

The New England Patriots struggled to put the pesky Arizona Cardinals away in what should have been an easy victory of mismatched teams. It was the Arizona defense that kept bringing putting heat on Brady forcing turnovers, sacks and blown opportunities. The statistics do not reflect how close this game was through the first three quarters.

TO be perfectly honest, our Cards havn't been all they could be this year. We got some solid players in the draft and we just aren't putting them too use. I know that we have potential, but if that potential isn't developed, it will just stay as potential and not grow any larger. Lets see if we can't get out of this "slum." Lets get some wins on the board Cards!

Please tell me its not here to stay

2004-09-14T13:42:00.000-07:00

Loosing is bad. Loosing 14 straight home games is even worse. I was hoping with Emmitt Smith being much better this year and the drafting of Larry Fitzgerald, we would get the job done. Unfortunatley it didn't. The offensive lines and defensive lines havn't practiced much together but I was hoping they could work things out. Let's hope we start fresh against the Former Superbowl champs and show the country what we are really made of. Go Cards!

Make it 2 into the Reg season

2004-09-06T14:05:00.000-07:00

After loosing 3 straight at the beginning of the preseason, I hope we can keep up the wins. With our final cuts made, we shouldnt have as many players being tested for their abilities and more actaul playing. We need to do better than last year if we want a chance of a new ring this year. So lets get some more wins Cards!

Preseason = bad

2004-08-28T13:25:00.000-07:00

Our preaseason so far has been pretty bad(0-2), but remember last year, we were 4-0 in preseason games and we had a 4-12 season. So dont let the preseason make you too sad. Since we are loosing, we can easily spot our flaws and assess them accordingly. Even though preseason didn't seem to account for the season last year, I would still like to see us win a few. Now lets go out and get the raiders!

Players dropping left and right

2004-08-19T14:30:00.000-07:00

With so many player getting injured( i.e. Larry Fitzgerald), its making it harder for us to win. Although some of these injuries are minor, they could come back to haunt us if it is aggrevated. Although preseason games are a good indication of how the tema will do in the season, I dont think players who were recently injured should be pushed to hard. They should play them lightly until the regular season starts, so that we can prevent injuries from re-occuring.
Although we lost to the Vikings, we can still redeem ourselfs , if we can pull off a win against San Diego. So lets get out there and cheer our Cardinals to Victory!

Pumped up!

2004-08-10T11:44:00.000-07:00

You guys ready for a great season, especially with Larry Fitzgerald. If you guys havn't kept up with the draft , heres what happened.
From sports.yahoo.com:

1
3 (3)
Larry Fitzgerald
WR
Pittsburgh

2
1 (33)
Karlos Dansby
OLB
Auburn

3
1 (64)
Darnell Dockett
DT
Florida St.

4
4 (100)
Alex Stepanovich
C
Ohio St.

5
3 (135)
Antonio Smith
DE
Oklahoma St.

6
2 (167)
Nick Leckey
C
Kansas St.

7
1 (202)
John Navarre
QB
Michigan

Hopefully we will do better this year.Lets have a good one. Go Cards!

2004 Cards Schedule

2004-07-28T14:03:00.000-07:00

Here's the 2004 Arizona Cardinals schedule from NFL.com:

2004 Preseason
Date Opponent Time/Result
Aug. 14 at Minnesota 8:00 p.m.
Aug. 21 San Diego 10:00 p.m.
Aug. 28 Oakland 10:00 p.m.
Sept. 2 at Denver 9:00 p.m.
2004 Schedule
Date Opponent Result
Sept. 12 at St. Louis 1:00 p.m.
Sept. 19 New England 4:15 p.m.
Sept. 26 at Atlanta 1:00 p.m.
Oct. 3 New Orleans 4:05 p.m.
Oct. 10 at San Francisco 4:15 p.m.
Oct. 17 Open Date
Oct. 24 Seattle 4:15 p.m.
Oct. 31 at Buffalo 1:00 p.m.
Nov. 7 at Miami 1:00 p.m.
Nov. 14 New York Giants 4:15 p.m.
Nov. 21 at Carolina 1:00 p.m.
Nov. 28 New York Jets 4:15 p.m.
Dec. 5 at Detroit 1:00 p.m.
Dec. 12 San Francisco 4:15 p.m.
Dec. 19 St. Louis 4:05 p.m.
Dec. 26 at Seattle 4:15 p.m.
Jan. 2 Tampa Bay 4:05 p.m.

New Cards blog

2004-07-21T14:54:00.000-07:00

Hey, just getting set up for the 2004 season right now. come back soon for content!