Category Archives: Arizona Cardinals
Kurt Warner: Past NFL greats
As a St. Louis Rams fan I was used to mediocrity in the eighties and nineties. I was used to ending up behind the San Francisco 49ers in the division.
The Rams acquisition of free agent, Trent Green, in 1998 changed the fate of the franchise. Joined with incredibly fast receivers combined with a QB that was reported to be top shelf left the Rams confidently marching into the 1999 season.
The third week of the preseason, in a game against the San Diego Chargers, Green had his ACL ripped – done for the season. Head coach Dick Vermeil sent Kurt Eugene Warner on to the field.
2012 NFL draft: Possible selections for the Arizona Cardinals
The 2011 Arizona Cardinals improved on their record from 2010, but still missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season.
The addition of quarterback Kevin Kolb has been questioned by many and led to him being replaced by John Skelton to finish the season.
The Cardinals acquired Kolb from the Philadelphia Eagles for Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a 2012 2nd round pick, but it’s hard to argue the Cardinals are better off after.
No matter who is slated to start at quarterback the glaring draft need is that of offensive line help.
2012 NFL Mock Draft: NFC West edition
A year after the NFC West gave the NFL a 7-9 playoff team thanks to the Seattle Seahawks, the NFC West in 2011 was much improved and had a shot at getting two teams in the playoffs.
Randy Moss: 5 teams that could take a chance
Randy Moss was once touted as one of the greatest of all-time, but his attitude and work-ethic left much to be desired.
5 teams that won’t pursue Peyton Manning
Peyton Manning has been medically cleared to play and teams are now scrambling to figure out how to acquire the future Hall of Fame quarterback.
Here’s a look at five teams that won’t have anything to do with Peyton in 2012.
1. Dallas Cowboys
Peyton Manning is an upgrade over Tony Romo, make no doubt about it. Who wouldn’t want a future Hall of Fame quarterback throwing to Dez Bryant and Miles Austin?
That’s where the dream stops. It will never happen because of the salary cap.
To trade Tony Romo or even cut him would carry huge salary-cap implications and would stop the Cowboys from making any other moves.
Let’s also not forget the offensive line allowed 36 sacks last season. Something Peyton Manning might not be able to handle.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars
Despite what many fans think Jacksonville isn’t the answer for Peyton Manning.
Yes, a 6th ranked defense and Maurice Jones-Drew are enticing, but pieces are still missing to make them a Super Bowl contender right away.
Sure Peyton has the ability to make average receivers look like superstars, but this is Jacksonville.
Jacksonville should be at least interested in him and not Tim Tebow.
3. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals have one of the worst offensive lines in football.
Manning wouldn’t last more than a month taking the types of hits we saw Kevin Kolb and John Skelton take.
Arizona also lacks weapons other than Larry Fitzgerald and has no running game to speak of.
Peyton is set to have dinner with Fitzgerald who was an impact in recruiting Kevin Kolb last season, but it’s just dinner.
4. New York Jets
Both Manning brothers in New York…forgettaboutit!
The Jets are mess and it’s possible that signing Manning would only make matters worse.
All signs point to the Jets sticking with Mark Sanchez, but Manning would be a huge improvement and give the Jets the consistency they have been missing.
Peyton has spent his entire home career inside a dome in Indianapolis and the New York weather might not sit well.
5. Washington Redskins
Not only do they lack the offensive line they also lack the talent.
More importantly Peyton would never go to an NFC East team as there is no chance he would want to play his brother Eli twice a season.
It’s already hard enough when they have played the few times during both their stellar careers.
See Peyton Manning: 5 Teams that should take a chance to win it all
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Arizona Cardinals QBs: From Big Names to Busts
Now that the Arizona Cardinals’ season is over I’d like to take you on a trip down memory lane, illustrating to you all the quarterbacks that have donned a Cardinals’ uniform since they moved to Arizona 24 years ago. The slate is full of busts and wash ups, while sprinkled with a few that have made this team worth watching. Forty-Eight guys have played under center since that first game (that’s an average of two starters a year - OUCH) . To put that in perspective, the Green Bay Packers have only started four quarterbacks in that same time. Anyways. Enjoy.
When I took a look a this list (& what a list it is) I was instantly drawn back to each and everyone them. Names like Gary Hogeboom, Timm Rosenbach, Stoney Case, John Navarre and Stan Gelbaugh sting like a sun burn you would get from watching them play at Sun Devil Stadium. While others like Chris Chandler, Cliff Stoudt, Derek Anderson, Josh McCowen as well as Chris Chandler all got lost at the starting line. Between 1989 and 1991 I was even a witness to a future punter start 13 games for the Big Red (Tom Tupa in case you were wondering).
Names like Boomer Esiason, Steve Beuerlein, Jay Schroeder, Dave Krieg; and to a lesser degree others like Jim McMahon, Jeff Blake, Kent Graham and Shaun King- is not too bad of a group. They were all signed with hopes of recapturing some form of success that they enjoyed with their prior clubs. But, like many before them, they withered in the sun as soon as they arrived in the desert.
When the Cards arrived in Arizona in 1988, they brought with them Neil Lomax. Lomax was a very successful quarterback who instantly spoiled fans leading them a 7-4 record and into playoff contention. Unfortunately an injury ended his career after 11 games in the Valley of the Sun. It wasn’t for another 11 years that Cardinals got another quarterback that wowed fans and actually led this team to the playoffs. The quarterback; Jake Plummer, and not only did he take Arizona to the playoffs he led them to their first playoff win since the 1947 season. Matt Leinart was considered to be a steal when the team drafted him, but it was never meant to be. Injuries and inconsistent play led to his way out-of-town. That paved the way for the most admired and respected guy on this list Kurt Warner. Warner’s time with the Cardinals is defined by winning four playoff games in five years as well as taking this team to their only Super Bowl appearance.
While stability at the quarterback position has never been a strong suit with this team, the organization strongly believes that Kevin Kolb could be the answer to continue their recent run with success. And if that doesn’t work at least they’ve got a Skelton in their deck- John Skelton that is.
Robert Conway is an NFL team writer for The Penalty Flag. He can be contacted at RConway@thepenaltyflagblog.com.
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Who’s Got Next: 5 Players Could Reach 1,000 Receptions
In light of Hines Ward reaching the 1,000 career catch milestone today, here’s a list of five of the most likely names to join the short list that includes: Jerry Rice, Tony Gonzalez, Marvin Harrison, Cris Carter, Tim Brown, Terrell Owens, Isaac Bruce, and aforementioned Ward.
1. Reggie Wayne (WR Indianapolis Colts) – Age: 32, Receptions: 862
Before the injury that ruined the season for Peyton Manning, and the entire team for that matter, I would say that there would be no doubts that he would reach this mark by as soon as next season. If he can stay healthy and the Colts have an able-bodied quarterback, either Manning or Andrew Luck, throwing him the ball, then he should have no problem.
2. Andre Johnson (WR Houston Texans) – Age: 29, Receptions: 706
This guy has been a stud since he was drafted in the first round out of the University of Miami. Similar to Wayne, if Johnson wasn’t hampered by injuries we could possibly see him meet this mark in two years. Now I’d give it three or four at most with Matt Schaub evolving into an elite quarterback and the best Corner in his division is Cortland Finnegan…
3. Jason Witten (TE Dallas Cowboys) – Age: 28, Receptions: 689
Not only does he have quite a few more years before he even thinks of retiring but he is also consistently one of the most targeted guys in the league. Even if Jerry Jones decides to bring in a new coach and/or quarterback, Witten should still get a ton of passes thrown his way.
4. Larry Fitzgerald (WR Arizona Cardinals) – Age: 27, Receptions: 693
Considered by some of the greats like Jerry Rice and Cris Carter as the best receiver in the league, he should reach this milestone with ease. He has the job security with the extensive contract he was awarded by the Cardinals, and as long as health and the development of Kevin Kolb work in his favor we should this happen before long.
5. Brandon Marshall (WR Miami Dolphins) – Age: 26, Receptions: 495
Ok, it isn’t the first name that comes to mind, especially ahead of some the great names that would seem obvious, but it’s true. The former UCF Knight and Denver Bronco has had a very productive tenure in league so far. However, there are a few major contingencies to be noted. Marshall has had problems with the law and very strange occurrences have happened involving the player off the field. In addition, he is inadvertently in a valley career-wise due to the non-existent stability of the Miami Dolphins. He has everything on his side and hopefully him and the Dolphins can right the ship and have success sooner rather than later.
Of course, there are other players that are close enough to mention but these are the players that barring a horrible situation arising, like the Mayan theory of the world ending before the end of next season, for them to not reach this rare statistical landmark.
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Same Bird, Two Feathers: Skelton or Kolb as Cardinals’ QB?
OK, So can we start the controversy now?
After this current win I have got to say it; I am becoming a HUGE John Skelton fan. This is the same guy that management tried to sell us fans with the notion that he went to the same college as Green Bay’s legendary coach Vince Lombardi, and maybe he might have a little bit of “that Lombardi magic.” After a spotty rookie year in which he only won two of his five starts, Skelton has come in this year and taken the Arizona Cardinals to three wins in his first four starts this season. In this past contest he was summoned off the bench and he led the Cards to victory over the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers came into this game with 10 wins and were recently crowned NFC West Champions, but walked out a defeated chump. Skelton dialed up (WR) Larry Fitzgerald’s number a couple of times for huge gains and helped him establish a franchise record sixth straight season with at least 1,000 yards receiving. Skelton himself passed for a career best 282 yards, as well as, two touchdowns. While he did have two untimely picks; his poise and determination showed he wasn’t going to let this doom his team like it did a few weeks ago.
This isn’t a knock on Kevin Kolb. Kevin is a good quarterback, I witnessed a passing clinic put on at his chance at starting (with the Eagles in 2009). In case you missed it, Kolb became the first QB in NFL history to pass for 300+ yards in his first two starts. You may try to argue with me and tell me that Arizona gave up a lot in this trade and he should start. I will agree with you that a second round pick and Pro Bowl cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was huge, but a 2-6 record as a starter just doesn’t sit well with me. He did lead the team to an upset win over the Dallas Cowboys, but it still isn’t enough – he has been knocked out of two games and hasn’t been healthy all season. It is worthless to say that Kolb did not get to enjoy a full off-season with the team due to the lockout. While that could play a big role in his demise, Skelton has been able to lead the Red Birds just outside the playoff bubble. With that said, maybe the team should hand Kolb the clipboard and let him learn the rest of the year.
Ultimately, the Cardinals brain trust will do what is best for this team. Arizona is lucky enough to say they have a quality back-up quarterback who can provide leadership and a spark in situations which it lacked in years past. A 6-7 record has many fans asking the same question: “Kolb/Skelton?” or “Skelton/Kolb?” Stay tuned as a recent turnaround has just made this once lost season a little bit more interesting.
Robert Conway is an NFL writer for The Penalty Flag. He can be contacted at rconway@thepenaltyflagblog.com.
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Arizona Cardinals Rising
Has anyone become aware of whats happening in Arizona? It’s a rare thing- like snow in Phoenix? No, no one see’s it. Don’t look now but the Arizona Cardinals are starting to play some good football. Winners of four out of their last five games, the Cardinals are starting to look like the team that reached the playoffs two short years ago, and live up to the hype that surrounded this team when camp ended. It’s just too bad that was more than 14 weeks ago.
This is a team that should have at least four more wins- yet they let victories from the Washington Redskins, Seattle Seahawks, New York Giants, and Baltimore Ravens slip through their fingers. However, they were able to snach a much needed win from the playoff bound(?) Dallas Cowboys (thank you Jason Garrett). Arizona was also able to sweep a St. Louis Rams’ team that was supposed to contend for the NFC West this year. While they still haven’t found an arm to replace Kurt Warner’s magic, two other factors have helped parlay Arizona’s recent success.
The obvious one is the running of Beanie Wells. The Buckeye is starting to show why he was a first round pick following the Cardinals Super Bowl run in ’08. In the past few games Wells has run for more than 109 a game, while amasing a franchise record 228 rushing two weeks ago. For the season he has run for 849 yards and looks to become the first Cardinals running back to rush for 1,000 yards since Edgerrin James in 2007. If he can stay healthy, he looks reach double digits in rushing touchdowns- not a easy feat for Cardinals’ running backs.
The second is the play of the Cardinals defense/special teams. While the defense as a whole looks average at best, yeilding more than 22 point per game. Indviduals such as Calais Campbell, Daryl Washington, and Sam Acho are a few that have stepped up their games recently and shown they are more than capable of giving offensive coordinators headaches. Rookie CB Patrick Peterson has shown first round skills and continues to improve every week; which brings up the special teams. The level that Peterson has played on punt returns has been nothing short of a miracle. Already this season he has broken a franchise & tied a NFL record on retuning punts for touchdowns.
Four more games remain on the Cardinals schedule; if they can win three of those they can finish 8-8. That would be a step in the right direction for a team that has recently provided fans with two divisional titles and a Super Bowl apperance. A .500 record will help erase last years 5-11 debacle; and give hope that a full off season with these same characters and few more pieces added to the puzzle will put them in contention as a playoff team in 2012.
Robert Conway is an NFL team writer for the Penalty Flag and can be contacted at RConway@ThePenaltyFlagBlog.com
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John Skelton: The Tim Tebow of Arizona
As the dust settles on what seems to be yet another lost season of football in the Arizona desert there may be hope for the Cardinals future, just not in the way they had anticipated.
If the National Football League has shown their fans any resemblance of consistency in 2011 it is sometimes even the experts are wrong. The management of the Arizona Cardinals and Denver Broncos organizations are no exception.
Shortly after the lockout The Cardinals paid a high price to The Philadelphia Eagles second string quarterback Kevin Kolb. In a trade that made sense for both sides at the time, two of the most valued players of each organization were buried down the in-depth chart.
It took tens of thousands of fans begging to see their two-time Heisman winning quarterback, Tim Tebow to call the shots on the field at Mile High Stadium. Around the same time there were similar changes brewing in the desert for John Skelton the Arizona. Cardinals. Since November, 16th following a six game losing streak and having only one win, Skelton has led Arizona to a 3-1 Record despite his ugly statistics. Denver meanwhile has not lost a game since October.
There is no rhyme or reason for Denver or Arizona’s recent success other than to win games in the National Football League you must defy convention. A prime example of this was the “wildcat” offensive formation that was taken from the NCAA football programs back in 2008. As with everything reality caught up with the innovation and the “wildcat” formation has not been used as often. So the question remains: Will Skelton and Tebow be able to mold themselves into franchise quarterbacks or will they be sitting on the bench as they watch the next sensation to sweep the league?
Going forward both teams have some difficult decisions to make. They need to decide if they want to take a risk on the unknown or try to use the conventional wisdom of nearly 50 years of professional football evolution. For young unproven quarterbacks such as Tebow and Skelton when they take the field on Sunday there is no certainty, only opportunity.
Nick Garrison is an NFL team writer for The Penalty Flag and can be contacted at NGarrison@ThePenaltyFlagBlog.com
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Patrick Peterson Making a Case for Rookie of the Year
Patrick Peterson was touted as the safest pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, but the Arizona Cardinals may start to argue that Peterson is the best pick in the draft.
The rookie tied the NFL record with his fourth punt return for a touchdown this season, just three weeks after his 99-yard return in overtime beat the St. Louis Rams.
According to NFL.com Peterson stated, “I was actually very, very surprised,” Peterson said. “I just told the guys to be patient, that we’d get one sooner or later.”
Peterson is the fourth player with four punt returns in a season and the first in NFL history with four returns of 80-plus yards.
The other players with four punt returns for a touchdown are Devin Hester (2007), Rick Upchurch (1978) and Jack Christiansen (1951), who was a rookie when he first set the record.
After letting go of Matt Leinart, the 10th pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, the Cardinals already have admitted to one bust, so why should they let another one come their way?
You never know what type of talent you are going to receive in the NFL Draft but by selecting Patrick Peterson with the fifth selection Arizona selected the best player available and arguably the best overall talent in the draft pool.
Peterson entered the 2010 season hoping to establish himself as the top cornerback in the country. In winning the Bednarik Award as the nation’s best defender, the Thorpe Award as the nation’s best defensive back and being named the SEC’s Defensive and Special Teams MVPs, he may have proven himself to be the nation’s best player at any position.
There has been some criticism that, at about 220 pounds, the 6-foot Peterson might be a bit too large to be a highly successful cornerback in the NFL.
“I know a lot of people want to downplay (his draft rating), saying how big I am,” Peterson said. “But at the same time, I’ve been big like this all my life. I came into college at 205. I can’t help it that I’m a little bigger than the rest of the corners.”
Peterson continues to be an excellent addition on a struggling Cardinals team and early comparisons to Deon Sanders are starting to make more sense watching the agility he possesses. It may be possible that Patrick Peterson may be the one we are talking about as the greatest returner ever, not Devin Hester.
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Super Bowl Loss Still Stings the Cardinals
When traveling through the great state of Arizona, one cannot help but feel an uneasiness in the air. A sadness lingering amidst the heat and the sand. No, it isn’t thanks to a dwindling economy. Or due to a disgustingly high unemployment rate. It isn’t even a reaction to “The Situation” getting knocked out on this week’s episode of Jersey Shore.
The undeniable feeling of discontent, is the lingering loss the Arizona Cardinals’ suffered in the 2009 Super Bowl, at the hands of the Pittsburgh Steelers. A loss the entire Grand Canyon State has yet to forget.
Apparently, the Cardinals Franchise hasn’t caught amnesia either. Which has never been more apparent, than it is this season.
While practice usually equates to perfect. And a team chemistry of self-sacrifice and sportsmanship has sent many a NFL team to the Super Bowl Champion podium. Bill Bidwill, and the big whigs within the Arizona Cardinals organization, have decided to throw an ungodly amount of money at the problem instead. $180 million, to be exact.
That sound you are hearing? That is the sound of a small country, weeping with jealousy.
Instead of investing such an impressive amount of green into the reinforcement of a crumbling defense. A defense that gave up the third-most points per game in the league last season. The powers-that-be have decided to invest offensively, by way of Kevin Kolb and Larry Fitzgerald. And while one investment may be warranted, the other has many Cardinals fans scratching their heads with bewilderment.
It comes as no surprise that Fitzgerald has been labeled, more than once, as the “heart and soul” of the Cardinals Franchise. The Wide Receiver owns a rather long stat sheet, which includes but most certainly is not limited to: fourth all-time in receiving yards per game in NFL history, a 2007 season of 100 receptions, 1,409 yards, and 10 touchdowns, a single post-season record of 546 receiving yards, 30 receptions, and seven touchdowns in 2008, the record as the first NFL player to catch three touchdowns in the first half of a conference championship game that same year, and the honor of 2009 Pro Bowl MVP. Clearly, the aforementioned title is earned.
And now, thanks to a recently acquired contract of $120 million for eight seasons, $50 million of which is guaranteed, Fitzgerald can add another stat to his already impressive repertoire: highest paid Wide Receiver in NFL history. Over achiever.
However, while Fitzgerald may be a worthwhile expenditure, it is extremely dependent on the second half of the offensive equation. The quarterback.
Which is probably why the Arizona Cardinals spent the remaining $64 million, of which $21 million is guaranteed, on a five year contract with Kevin Kolb – the former back up quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles. Yes. You read correctly. Former. Back. Up. Quarterback.
Kolb’s career to date? Less than impressive. With a stat sheet including and, due to a four year career of only 19 NFL games, thankfully limited to: a quarterback rating of 73.1, a career 11 touchdowns to his 14 interceptions, and a painful 17 of 34, for 144 yards, no touchdowns and four interceptions game in 2008 after the infamous benching of Donovan McNabb. Well. No wonder Cardinals fans are wondering how Kolb managed to rope in so much cash. An agent that rivals Jerry Maguire, perhaps?
To add insult to painfully expensive injury, any benefit of the doubt, was put to the test in the Cardinals’ preseason game against the Green Bay Packers. While Kolb managed to complete 10 of 18, for 148 yards and no interceptions, he did not manage to throw a touchdown pass either. Neither did he successfully throw a substantial pass down field, other than one in which Fitzgerald completed an awe-inspiring, miracle catch. Unless Larry plans on turning water into wine every game, Kolb will need to step it up.
Which is why the looming aura of a past disappointment has yet to be expunged. While a ridiculous amount of money may keep a player or two around, it won’t create the chemistry essential for a winning season. There are certain things in this world that money simply cannot buy.
Just don’t tell that to the New York Yankees.
Danielle Campoamor is the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals blogger for The Penalty Flag.
