August 30, 2010 by
Jack London |
Arizona Cardinals,
Beanie Wells,
Calais Campbell,
Clark Haggans,
Daryl Washington,
Derek Anderson,
Greg Toler,
John Skelton,
Matt Leinart,
Max Hall,
NFL preseason 2010,
Steve Breaston,
Tim Hightower
If this was a dress rehearsal for the Cardinals, they looked pretty good.
Wouldn't you agree?
Now, granted, 14-9 is not a sexy score in the least, but hey, a win is a win.
And I figured since this was the heralded "third preseason game," I'd try to give a little more analysis.
That and the fact that so many people are interested about the QB controversy.
But there was a lot more to learn about the Cardinals from this game.
1. Clark Haggans Isn't Finished
Disclaimer here: It was the Bears offensive line, and they have not looked good in the preseason thus far.
Still, Haggans was the defensive MVP in my mind for this game.
Haggans finished with a sack, but that doesn't tell the whole story.
He consistently created havoc in the backfield, [...]
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August 27, 2010 by
Lars Hanson |
2010 NFL Draft,
2010 NFL Predictions,
2010 NFL Preview,
Alex Smith,
Anquan Boldin,
Arizona Cardinals,
Bret Favre,
Charlie Whitehurst,
earl thomas,
Frank Gore,
Free Agency,
Kurt Warner,
Larry Fitzgerald,
Lofa Tatupu,
Matt Hasselbeck,
Matt Leinart,
NFC West,
Pete Carroll,
San Francisco 49ers,
Seahawks,
St. Louis Rams,
Steven Jackson,
TJ Houshmandzadeh
By far the most unpredictable division in the NFL has to be the NFC West year in and year out. Entering every year at least three teams usually will have a shot at the NFC West title and this year is no different.
The Seattle Seahawks made several wholesale changes this off-season highlighted by new head coach Pete Carroll and new general manager John Schneider. Together they have given the Seahawks roster an astounding face lift from 2009. However the Seahawks do have a few questions that need to be answered, mainly on defense.
Arizona, after coming off back-to-back NFC West crowns lost several key players this off-season with Kurt Warner retiring, Anquan Boldin being traded to Baltimore, Karlos Dansby and Antrel Rolle leaving via free agency. With the subtractions Arizona didn't [...]
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This just in--Derek Anderson is your starting QB for the Cardinals third preseason game against Chicago on Saturday.
According to the plan, Anderson will play the first quarter, and then Leinart will come in.
This doesn't come as a shock, given Leinart's lack of motivational play, and given that Anderson has taken some reps with the first team.
Is this the end of Matt Leinart? Is it the resurrection of Derek Anderson?
What does this all mean for Arizona?
Five Thoughts:
1. Matt Leinart's Job Is Not As Safe As It Was Once Thought
Coach Whisenhunt is a guy who doesn't like making changes unless it's necessary (for example, not starting Beanie Wells over Tim Hightower).
So you usually don't see rookies starting right away, etc.
And he doesn't [...]
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Watching the game last night certainly didn't instill any confidence in me as a die-hard Cardinals fan.
But if you step back for a second you'll realize something very important.
It's a secret now--don't tell anybody.
Ready?
It's...the...preseason.
Everyone take a deep breath...and go look at the Lions '08 preseason team.
Feel better now?
Sure, there were some bad and good things done last night. But overall, it is still the preseason.
And there are things that we as fans should take from this game:
1. Game Plans Are Huge
The Tennessee Titans, who blitzed the least of any team last season in the NFL (at least according to MNF's crew), came out with guns blazing.
Matt Leinart had very little time to throw.
And when he did, he looked a [...]
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The preseason can be way too over-hyped.
In order to get something out of these games, one must look in between the lines.
And what does winning a preseason game really mean anyway?
The Rams and Lions both won three games in the preseason last year.
Hmm...
So let's take a step back from the Arizona Cardinals 19-16 win for a moment.
Let's look at some things we should take away from this game:
1. The Entire Offense Struggled...Not Just Matt Leinart
Everyone seems to be ripping Matt Leinart.
I'll admit, I wasn't comforted overall from what I saw.
But if you go back to last preseason, it's not like Kurt Warner was great [...]
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Ah yes, the NFL Preseason has started.
For those that watched (I for once did not), they saw a great game between the Bengals and Cowboys.
And by great, I mean 16-7.
But no worries, it is the preseason.
However, for those of you Cards fans out there, you need to care about what goes on in training camp.
So if you've been living under a rock, here's what you missed the last few days (I take credit for little of this since I can't be there, so thank you Arizona Republic and ESPN):
1. Beanie Wells injured...again.
And this after I just drafted him in fantasy football.
But more importantly as a Cards fan, this is the last thing I wanted to see.
It's not a serious injury, so he won't miss much time, but still it did put a scare into [...]
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July 30, 2010 by
Jack London |
Andre Roberts,
Arizona Cardinals training camp,
Darnell Dockett,
Daryl Washington,
Deuce Lutui,
Greg Toler,
Joey Porter,
Kerry Rhodes,
Larry Fitzgerald,
Marshay Green,
Matt Leinart,
Max Hall
I've said it before, and I'll say it probably several more times: this is a huge training camp for Arizona.
In an offseason of so much turmoil, the Cards really need a solid training camp to put the fans minds at ease.
If you get a chance to go out to camp, I would encourage you to do so.
Even if you don't, here are ten players for you to keep up with throughout the camp in Flagstaff:
1. Daryl Washington
The rookies for the Cardinals will have a big impact this season, perhaps more than ever before.
One of those rookies is Daryl Washington, who could be the answer to the loss of Karlos Dansby.
Unfortunately, Cardinals fans may have to find this out sooner, rather than later.
With Gerald Hayes on the mend, Washington will get a lot more action with [...]
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This is a huge training camp for the 2010 Arizona Cardinals, make no mistake about it.
We'll get to some questions that need answering later in the week.
Right now though, it's time to take care of a few details for you to keep in mind as you keep up with Arizona in Flagstaff.
But before I say anything, I would urge you to visit the camp. Not only are you supporting the Cards, but it's a beautiful place to have training camp (Clark Judge ofcbssports.com recently rated Arizona's as the best training camp location in the league).
First of all, I should mention a couple of big names that will be on the PuP (physically [...]
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As you and I both know, this is as important an offseason for your Cardinals as maybe we've ever seen.
For one, they're coming off success they haven't experienced since the 70s when they were in St. Louis. And for another, they lost several key members that were vital to that success.
So unless players step up and fill the gaps that they left behind, the Cards will be in big trouble.
This is particularly evident on defense for the Birds, as they all ready didn't have a great defense, and losing guys like Karlos Dansby, Antrel Rolle, and Betrand Berry won't help.
And this offseason, there's several battles going on in training camp for some key spots on the D for the Cards.
Let's check 'em out...
1. Nose Tackle
Projected Starter: Bryan [...]
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Say it ain't so.
I'm afraid it is.
The NFL grapevine has it that the JaMarcus Russell could land in Arizona.
And everybody groan...
I know, as Cardinals fans, that this is not what you wanted to hear.
We already have enough problems at the QB situation, and JaMarcus Russell is only going to complicate things.
Right?
Maybe not.
And I can't believe I'm saying this, but the Cardinals may benefit from having JaMarcus Russell as a backup.
Now before you close this article, hear me out. Here's a few reasons that Russell may be a good fit in the desert.
1. Is He That Much Worse Than Derek Anderson?
In all honesty, other than one Pro Bowl season, what is the difference between Russell and Derek Anderson?
Would you not rather have the [...]
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