Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals / Photo: Newscom

Larry tweeted his health status shortly after last night’s game:

“Life is full of ups & downs. The trick is 2 enjoy the ups & have courage during the downs. Thanks 4 ur prayers 2nite guys. Im sore, but ok!”

(If the Detroit Lions were next on my schedule, I’d be feeling a lot better, too.) Things didn’t look good for Larry after this injury. I was sure he had, at the very least, sprained a ligament in his right knee. And that’s exactly what the diagnosis turned out to be, along with a bruised bone. I guess that’s as good as could be expected. Thankfully nothing was torn because that would’ve ended his season—and it would’ve probably ended his team’s chances of returning to the Super Bowl as well.

As it is, the Cards will need to cease and desist their Jekyll and Hyde routine or they won’t get past the Wild Card round (which they will probably be participating in) when the NFC playoffs begin next month. After beating down the 11-2 Minnesota Vikings last week, I had Arizona as the second best team in the NFC. But I’m rethinking that after the sorry exhibition they put forth last night in San Francisco.

Source: twitter.com/Lfitzgerald11

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Larry Fitzgerald Has Sprained Knee

Kurt Warner, Arizona Cardinals / Image: Zuma Press

I was at the Hall of Fame last week and it’s one of my happiest places to be. I am there every August to work at the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony—which is a tremendous honor—but it’s also the busiest day of the year at the Hall. And I’m working. So that means I don’t have much of an opportunity to look around and enjoy the museum. On my visit last week, I was able to roam around on a relatively quiet Wednesday afternoon at my leisure and truly enjoy what an amazing place this is. If you’ve never been there, by all means put that on your bucket list and spend a day at the Hall.

Anyway, back to Kurt Warner—he is becoming well represented in the Pro Football Hall of Fame:

Kurt Warner Momentos in the Hall’s Collection

• NFL game ball signed by Kurt from the Rams 23-16 win over the Tennessee Titans in SBXXXIV.
• Kurt’s jersey worn in aforementioned SBXXXIV.
• Kurt’s jersey he wore and a football he threw in a game against the San Diego Chargers on Oct. 1, 2000. That day he became the second QB in history to record a perfect passer rating (158.3) twice in his career.
• Kurt’s jersey and the ball he threw against the N.Y. Giants on Nov. 23, 2008 when he reached the 40,000-yard mark of his pro career (including NFL Europe, Arena Football, and NFL passing yards)

Source: ProFootballHOF.com

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Kurt Warner Momentos Headed to HOF

Darnell Dockett, Arizona Cardinals / Image: Zuma Press

Earlier today, a “ddockett” tweet said:

“Dockett fans, CARDINAL FANs, AND ALL SPORTS WRITERS AND ALL BLOGGER and any one else who wanna know I WILL MAKE AN ANNOUCMENT 2day @ 8:15.”

(I think Twitter needs a built-in spell checker, but based on the tweets I’ve seen from some NFL players, I’m not sure it would matter.) Anyway, that 8:15 p.m. announcement happened around 8:40 and said:

“I am happy to announce that after meeting with the team recently, I have full faith and confidence in the Cardinals organization and I am looking forward to a great season. From the first day of training camp and on, I will not let my contract issues distract me or my team from reaching our goals. I also look forward to playing with my teammates and defending our NFC championship title and I appreciate the support I’ve received from all my fans this offseason – WE WILL WIN THE NFC WEST. FYI to all, No this was not a DREW ROSENHAUSE call or idea, THIS is how I feel and I’m sticking to it. Thanks agan to all the DDOCKETT FANS.”

With the 140 character limit, that took him five tweets to complete. But aside from the guarantee, that was rather anticlimactic as far as I’m concerned. At the very least, I was anticipating dollars and cents. Apparently, Darnell has been promised something and that works for him.

Source: Twitter.com/ddockett

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Darnell Dockett’s Guarantee on Twitter

Matt Leinart, Arizona Cardinals / Image: Zuma Press

As it turns out, Matt is only the second NFL player to come back after one day of Jay’s training regimen—meaning the workout was so difficult, very few return to be punished beyond one day. Therefore, Matt is not only reaping the physical rewards, but also the mental benefits of sticking it out:

“I think the biggest thing is how far you can push yourself. It’s got me mentally tougher and obviously we’re not playing games right now but it really helps you build this attitude that nothing can stop you. It sounds like a lot, but if you saw the workouts these MMA guys do, it’s ridiculous. It’s a whole other animal ….. It’s pushing me to my limits.”

Matt needs all the help he can get. And as Jay tries to rid Matt of his “pretty boy” personna—and as Kurt Warner gets better with age—the heir apparent to the Arizona Cardinals’ quarterback throne is playing a waiting game. MMA workouts certainly won’t hurt him, but game reps these workouts are not. And until Matt can get under center and “face the bullets” in real time on a regular basis, his growth as an NFL quarterback will be hindered. He needs snaps—game snaps. He needs to play football.

Source: The Dan Patrick Show

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Matt Leinart Surviving MMA Workouts

Adrian Wilson, Arizona Cardinals / Photo: Newscom

Adrian was in a reflective mood amidst the news:

“Every time I step on the field at the stadium, I look up at the names on the Ring of Honor and I always say, ‘One day, I want my number up there.’ I want my number up there next to Aeneas (Williams). I want my number next to Pat (Tillman). It’s about making a legacy here ….. Every line sweep, every stroke of the pen when you sign your name, you think of the players that have been here and left, or the opportunities you left on the field, some of the bad games you have been in, Sun Devil Stadium, whatever you can name, I’ve thought about it. It’s been a long time, and I think I’ve witnessed more than a lot of players have just from the standpoint of building a team.”

This is true. Adrian Wilson has been through the thick and thin as a member of the Arizona Cardinals for the past eight years. He’s the team’s longest tenured player. And now he can plan on spending the remainder of his career in AZ.

As one of the best safeties in the National Football League (and somehow still one of the league’s best kept secrets), Adrian is now paid like one of the best—surpassing Troy Polamalu’s most recent deal ($33 million, $15.375 million guaranteed) and very nearly equaling Bob Sanders’ contract (five years, $37.5 million, $19 million guaranteed).

Source: AZCardinals.com

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Adrian Wilson Gets What He Deserves

Edgerrin James / Photo: Newscom

It was Edgerrin’s wish to be released by the team last season when his playing time had dwindled to a mere backup role behind Tim Hightower. But later in the season, he would eventually regain a starring role with the team and he was a major contributor in helping the Cardinals get to Super Bowl XLIII. Nevertheless, the handwriting was already on the wall and when the Cards drafted Ohio State RB Chris “Beanie” Wells this past weekend, it became obvious — Edgerrin would finally get the freedom he had been seeking.

My feeling is that Edge can’t possibly serve anything more than a dual role with another running back, no matter what team he plays for. As much as he has been a great running back during his career, it’s been ten years and he’s at the end of his road. Edgerrin James doesn’t have a whole lot of mileage left. But I think he can and will contribute a valuable role to whatever team takes a chance on him.

Source: NFL.com

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Cardinals Release Edgerrin James

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

If you CAN beat them, join them? That’s what Bryant McFadden is doing. The former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back signed a two-year deal worth $10 million yesterday with the Arizona Cardinals –the same team he helped beat last month in Super Bowl XLIII. I’m sure Bryant would’ve been just as happy to stay in Pittsburgh with the Super Bowl champs and the NFL’s best defense, but it really is all about the money and he was happy to cash in on his four years of quality play with the Steelers and reunite with his former defensive coordinator, Cards head coach Ken Whisenhunt:

“It seems to be a good situation. There are some guys I have been around in previous years. And it’s an up-and-coming organization, which you’d love to be a part of — a successful organization and (one) that is making strides and you want to be a part of.”

The Cards now boast a pretty formidable secondary with the addition of Bryant to defensive backs Rod Hood and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie plus safeties Adrian Wilson and Antrel Rolle. Nobody has suggested that the Cardinals need to upgrade their offense. Despite their post-season surge, it’s the defense that needs to catch up and this is a step in the right direction.

Source: AZCardinals.com, Photo: Newscom

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Cardinals Sign Bryant McFadden

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

The Arizona Cardinals finally came to their senses and took care of business with quarterback Kurt Warner today. Of course, my feeling is they never should’ve let Kurt leave town (he visited the San Francisco 49ers earlier this week), but what matters most, especially as far as AZ Cards fans are concerned, is that Kurt signed a two-year, $23 million deal to remain the starting quarterback. Typically, he kept things in proper perspective:

“It’s one of those things that can be bittersweet, especially at this point and time in the economy and where people are struggling. I understand all the dynamics. My whole role with having this blessing is understanding my role in it and having the most impact I can, whether it is with my family or the community. That’s how I look at it, as a responsibility.”

Let’s face it. Kurt needs receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. They’re probably the two best receivers in the National Football League. I’ve said that more times than I can remember, even before it became fashionable to do so. And while I won’t go so far as to say that Larry and Anquan need Kurt, they’re probably a lot better off with him than without him. I want to believe that backup QB Matt Leinart (who is cursing the Niners today) could step in and win games for Arizona, but the truth is we just don’t know. Not that he hasn’t had the chance to prove himself. Kurt just proved he was the better man for the job when the two have battled it out on a level playing field. So, while the Arizona Cardinals unfortunately won’t field exactly the same team that got them to Super Bowl XLIII last season, the parts that matter most are still intact. And I believe they’re still the team to beat in the NFC.

Source: AZCardinals.com, Photo: Newscom

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Cardinals Re-sign Kurt Warner

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

Kurt Warner helped the Arizona Cardinals get to the Super Bowl (and almost won it) last season, but that wasn’t enough for the Cards to give him the kind of money he’s looking for this year. Apparently, Kurt is seeking more than the $10-$12 million per season on a two-year deal that Arizona is offering him. So barring some unforeseen last minute deal, he will become a free agent in a matter of hours. His agent, Mark Bartlestein, spent today in Arizona trying to negotiate a deal with the Cards, but the two sides couldn’t agree on terms and thus Kurt will hit the open market at 12:01 a.m. tomorrow.

I have to believe Kurt would be a very attractive option for many teams. But his best chance at success is to somehow stay in Arizona. There he has a solid running game and arguably the best corps of receivers in the NFL. If it’s another Super Bowl shot he seeks, it behooves him to stay in AZ. If he just wants the money, he’ll do better elsewhere. Kurt’s a smart guy. My guess is he’ll return to Arizona for the more than fair offer they are presenting him.

Source: NFL.com, Photo: Newscom

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Kurt Warner is a Free Agent