Anquan Boldin, Arizona Cardinals / Photo: Newscom

Cards head coach Ken Whisenhunt confirmed the possibility of trading Anquan today:

“Before the Draft, you know there is going to talk about Anquan and his situation and a trade. Since not a whole lot has changed with his contractual situation, we know that will come back up. It would be foolish from our standpoint not to listen to those opportunities and see what actually exists. But I want to make the point — our goal is to re-sign him to a long-term deal. That hasn’t changed.”

Anquan hasn’t been happy with his contract situation for more than a year. He’s been clamoring for a long-term deal but the Cards have yet to put their money where their mouth is, so to speak. Unless the team gets something in the neighborhood of three Draft picks (with two in the early rounds) as compensation for losing Anquan, they’re absolutely nuts.

What the Arizona Cardinals currently enjoy are two of the best receivers in the National Football League. And as talented an athlete as he is, fellow receiver Larry Fitzgerald is successful largely because of Anquan. And Anquan, in turn, is successful largely because of Larry. One without the other will equal catastrophic results in Arizona. OK, maybe not catastrophic results. But they won’t get back to the Super Bowl without both of them. And really — what else is there?

Source: AZCardinals.com

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Cards Willing to Trade Anquan Boldin

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

On the surface, Super Bowl XLIII has been touted as the Cardinals offense vs. the Steelers defense. The Cards had the NFL’s 4th best offense (in total yards) and the Steelers had the NFL’s top defense (fewest yards allowed). But there are so many other storylines and, of course, sports writers and fans have spent the past two weeks dissecting all the possibilities.

Certainly, I believe strength against strength is the most intriguing of tonight’s matchups. But, a few others quickly come to mind. I think the Cardinals are a completely different football team when they get off to a quick start (meaning getting an early lead). And they need to have a balanced attack — running the football with Edgerrin James and Tim Hightower to compliment their high-octane passing game that features the NFL’s two best receivers, Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin, as well as Steve Breaston. I think both teams will have some trick plays up their sleeves. And I wonder about the familiarity of the Cardinals coaches (Ken Whisenhunt and Russ Grimm) with the Steelers defensive personnel — if that will have any affect on the outcome of this game. Those are all things to examine when the game is over. But I believe this Super Bowl boils down to turnovers. And that may sound very obvious, but keep in mind this game is no different than any other NFL game in that regard. If you win the turnover battle, there’s a good chance you’ll win the football game. To say the Cardinals have been an opportunistic defense during this postseason would be a severe understatement. They are an incredible +9 in turnover ratio in three playoff games. They will need to remain disciplined in their assigned responsibilities while trying to force Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger into making mistakes. The Steelers, on the other hand, will focus on forcing Cards QB Kurt Warner into turnovers. Kurt has been known to put the ball on the ground in the face of a frenzied pass rush. Kurt has been outstanding in these playoffs, but you know the Steelers understand his weaknesses and tendencies and will attack them accordingly.

I want to say that defense wins championships — which would lead me to pick the Steelers tonight — but something about Arizona tells me that destiny beats defense. I would be crazy to pick the Cardinals, but…..

STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES — Steelers seek unprecedented sixth Super Bowl title; they won championships after 1974, ’75, ’78, ’79 and 2005 seasons … Steelers lost once in Super Bowl, after 1995 season to Dallas … Before Super Bowl era, they never made a championship game … Mike Tomlin is only third Steelers coach since 1969. Chuck Noll won four Super Bowls before being replaced in 1992 by Bill Cowher, who won one title … Eleven starters remain from 2005 champion, including Super Bowl MVP WR Hines Ward … Latest version of Steel Curtain, led by Defensive Player of Year LB James Harrison, allowed fewest points in league (223), to go with high rankings in yards allowed … Pittsburgh swept Baltimore in three games this season, including AFC championship, to get to Super Bowl … RB Willie Parker has rushed for two touchdowns and 193 yards in two playoff games. His 75-yard run in 21-10 win over Seattle three years ago is longest in Super Bowl history … Cardinals are in first Super Bowl. Their last title was in 1947 while representing Chicago. Their three postseason wins this year surpass previous total for playoffs (2) … Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt was offensive coordinator for Pittsburgh’s 2005 title team. He was passed over for head coaching job when Cowher retired two years ago for Tomlin, and is 1-0 vs. Steelers since … QB Kurt Warner won Super Bowl with Rams and was MVP of game after 1999 season. He was league MVP in ’99 and 2001 and lost Super Bowl to New England in February 2002 … RB Edgerrin James has been reborn in playoffs after losing starting job to rookie Tim Hightower during season. James has 203 yards rushing in playoffs … All-Pro WR Larry Fitzgerald already has set playoff record for yards receiving (419) and has five TD receptions.

Source: NFL Media

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Super Bowl XLIII Preview

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The Arizona Cardinals had their final major practice before Super Bowl XLIII today. Quarterback Kurt Warner looked very sharp. It was probably his best day of the week. Only three balls hit the ground during the two-hour and 20 minute workout. The team spent a good deal of time during the middle of practice working on punt protection. Head coach Ken Whisenhunt said:

“I thought it was a good week of work. You always wonder when you go on the road and your team is practicing in another facility if they’re going to have the consistency that you’ve had. No question that it helped us that we’ve already done this once this season.”

Yeah, but that didn’t work out so well. The Cards stayed in the Washington, D.C. area between their September 21 game against the Redskins and the following Sunday’s game in the Meadowlands against the N.Y. Jets. They lost both games. Naturally, coach Whisenhunt is hoping for a different result this time around. I think this is a different team. They may have the same personnel, yes, but they also have a different attitude. So I will expect a much better effort than the way they played against the Jets.

Coach Whisenhunt had a three-minute huddle with his team at the end of practice but wouldn’t say what he was talking to them about or what the team’s weekend plans were (like if they were switching hotels). The team will have a half-hour walk-through tomorrow morning.

The injury report is the same as the previous two days with one exception. Defensive end Antonio Smith had full participation in practice. Running back J.J. Arrington (knee), punter Ben Graham (left groin), and defensive end Travis LaBoy (biceps) were all still limited in their practice time and will probably be listed as questionable for Sunday’s game.

Thanks to fellow PFWA member John Czarnecki for today’s pool report.

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Cardinals Friday Practice Report

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The Arizona Cardinals spent some of their practice time in the rain today. A steady drizzle hit the Cards about an hour into a two hour and 15 minute workout. But it didn’t stop injured defensive players Travis LaBoy and Antonio Smith, who both worked extensively. Running back J.J. Arrington did some offensive reps but was held out of special teams’ work at the end of practice to protect his knee.

For both yesterday’s and today’s practices, the Cards had defensive scout players wear the jersey numbers for Pittsburgh linebackers James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley, and safety Troy Polamalu. Head coach Ken Whisenhunt said the visual could help some of his players:

“It helps our receivers and Kurt (Warner) in order to identify defenses — where a certain defensive player shows up. You may have plays predicated off of that. Now, this is something we do all year on a weekly basis. I saw one thing this year before Tennessee played Pittsburgh — they had a player running around on the field with a big, long wig hanging out of his helmet to impersonate Troy.”

Just for the record, there were no wigs at this practice.

One possible cause for concern is the confidence of kicker Neil Rackers. He had a close call with the left upright in a special teams drill, bouncing a 37-yarder off the upright that went through for a good kick. Later, he barely snuck another one through from the same distance before drilling his last kick, a 42-yarder. OK, maybe there’s no need to be concerned.

Bottom line. Coach Whisenhunt said the team focused on what they were doing and had “really good work” again today.

Yesterday’s injury report remained unchanged — RB J.J. Arrington (knee), P Ben Graham (left groin), DE Travis LaBoy (biceps), and DE Antonio Smith (knee) were still listed as having limited participation in practice.

Thanks to fellow PFWA member John Czarnecki for today’s pool report.

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Cardinals Thursday Practice Report

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The Arizona Cardinals had a fast-paced practice for two hours and 15 minutes at the Tampa Bay Bucs facility today. It was 20 minutes of walk-through work for the both the offense and defense; 12 minutes of special teams work; team stretching; and drills in helmets, shoulder pads and shorts. Most of the team periods lasted 8-10 plays. After practice, about 20 players (including Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald) hung around to work on individual aspects of their game. Cards head coach Ken Whisenhunt said things went well:

“It was much better than our normal Wednesday practices because we installed much of our offense and defense last week in Arizona, so this was more review than working on new stuff like during the regular season ….. For the last four weeks our (practice) tempo has been as good as it has been all season.”

The first Super Bowl XLIII injury report listed RB J.J. Arrington (knee), P Ben Graham (left groin), DE Travis LaBoy (biceps), and DE Antonio Smith (knee) as having limited participation in practice.

Thanks to fellow PFWA member John Czarnecki for today’s pool report.

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Cardinals Wednesday Practice Report

Arizona Cardinals receiver Anquan Boldin ended up having surgery on his face yesterday. This was to repair a broken bone suffered when he was annihilated by N.Y. Jets DB Eric Smith last weekend. The doctor who performed the surgery (Dr. Reed Day of Phoenix) told Cards head coach Ken Whisenhunt that a hockey player who underwent the same procedure was playing 10 days later. Coach was therefore optimistic:

“And that’s a violent sport, too. The doctor felt like it would give him the quickest chance to get back.”

How quick? Well, he’s obviously out for Sunday’s game against Buffalo, but there’s a chance he could return the following week against Dallas. My guess is the team will wait until after their bye week (the week after the Cowboys game) to bring him back against Carolina in Week 8.

If you want to see the hit, click here.

Source: AZCentral.com

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Anquan Boldin Has Facial Surgery

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In beating out franchise quarterback Matt Leinart for the job, Kurt Warner has been named the starting QB for the Arizona Cardinals to start their 2008 season. After what he termed a “fair evaluation” of the position, head coach Ken Whisenhunt said that Kurt gives the Cards their best chance to win right now. Kurt is more then ready to handle the responsibility, but understood the awkwardness of the process:

“It’s probably rare to see it play out this way than the other. (Teams) are always looking for the next guy to be able to run the show. You also realize in this business — you want to win now and who’s going to give us that best chance to win now.”

It would seem the Cardinals are in an enviable situation with two players capable of starting at quarterback, but it’s not so much that the decision was difficult based on quality of play. Matt played well in a backup preseason role last week against Denver (10-of-14 passing for 177 yards and a TD), but he really didn’t do anything to prove he deserved the starting spot prior to that game and that’s disappointing because he was drafted and paid to be the aforementioned franchise quarterback for this team. Kurt Warner is the perfect backup with his ability and experience, but you have to believe the Cardinals are concerned with Matt’s development. And Matt’s really not going to improve his game watching from the sidelines. Still, the business of the National Football League is to win and win now. And I agree with everyone who was involved in making this decision — Kurt Warner does give the Arizona Cardinals their best chance to win football games right now. If Matt is ready to take the starting spot at his next opportunity (due to injury or poor play by Kurt), he could still become the unquestioned leader of this team.

Source: AZCardinals.com, Photo: Newscom

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Kurt Warner Named Starting QB for Cards

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Reports surfaced today that the Arizona Cardinals were ready to name Kurt Warner their starting quarterback, but according to head coach Ken Whisenhunt, no such decision has been made:

“I haven’t read the paper today or seen the Internet … nothing has changed. Look, we’ve put in a lot of work and it’s based on a body of work. We don’t have to make that decision right now.”

They do have to make that decision pretty soon, though. After Matt’s 4-of-12 passing, three interception performance against the Raiders this past weekend, his chances of being the team’s starting QB had to be greatly diminished. I know what the Cards want Matt to be. But he clearly isn’t there yet. Kurt Warner gives the team their best shot at winning games right now.

Source: AZCentral.com, Photo: Newscom

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Whisenhunt on QBs: ‘Nothing Has Changed’

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Don’t be so sure that Matt Leinart will be the starting quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals when they open the season on September 7 against San Francisco. Cards head coach Ken Whisenhunt said today he’s thinking about giving Kurt Warner the start in this Saturday night’s preseason game against Kansas City. In fact, I think you can count on it:

“The one thing I want to make sure we do is make sure Kurt gets some time with the ones, and I think the best way to control that (is to) … start him in the game. You just don’t know how (playing time) will play out because we haven’t decided how long our offensive line is going to go yet. In order to get (Kurt) time in a game with those guys and not worrying about whether that is in the second quarter or later on, I am kind of thinking about (starting him).”

Hmm. Looks like a full-blown quarterback controversy in the desert. But even Kurt admitted that from day one, coach Whisenhunt said there would be an open competition for the starting QB spot. Preseason games are the time to get these things figured out and Kurt has earned and deserves a chance. One thing’s for sure, the Cards have a luxury not many teams have — two starting quarterbacks. And may the best man win the starting job.

Source: AZCardinals.com, Photo: Newscom

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Kurt Warner or Matt Leinart in Arizona?

Finally, the other guys. After two weeks of going against teammates in training camp, all NFL clubs will be able to see a real, live opponent this weekend. It’s the first full weekend of NFL preseason football, bookended by nationally televised games tonight and Monday night.

Tonight – New Orleans at Arizona (ESPN, 8 p.m.) New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees, who has completed the most passes for the most yards in the NFL over the past two years, thinks there is always room for improvement — by himself and his team. He wants to get back to the playoffs. Arizona’s Matt Leinart returns from a broken collarbone suffered last October. He has spent camp perfecting head coach Ken Whisenhunt’s offense, a process that was interrupted last season.

Monday – Cincinnati at Green Bay (ESPN, 8 p.m.) For Green Bay, it will be the first outing as starting quarterback for Aaron Rodgers, the club’s first-round draft choice of 2005. Head coach Mike McCarthy will give Aaron plenty of playing time this summer, starting him in all four preseason games. The Bengals want to get things back to where they were in 2005, when they went 11-5 and won the AFC North. They think they are on the way with a No. 10 finish in total offense last season and a No. 7 in passing. Cincinnati has added to quarterback Carson Palmer’s top-flight receiving corps headed by Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh and will use the preseason to work-in the newcomers. The Bengals signed tight end Ben Utecht from Indianapolis to strengthen their passing game down the middle, and rookie wideouts Andre Caldwell and Jerome Simpson have been strong in camp and will see plenty of action starting Monday.

Other Games to Check Out This Weekend

Tonight: N.Y. Giants at Detroit, Baltimore at New England, N.Y. Jets at Cleveland, Kansas City at Chicago; Friday: Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, Seattle at Minnesota, San Francisco at Oakland; Saturday: Buffalo at Washington, Tampa Bay at Miami, Atlanta at Jacksonville, Indianapolis at Carolina, Denver at Houston, St. Louis at Tennessee, Dallas at San Diego.

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First Full Preseason Weekend Kicks Off