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Anquan Boldin Will Play Saturday At Carolina!

By Eli Wahlstrom | January 7, 2009 | The Cardinals Report

I'm not trying to be misleading with my title, I'm just saying I firmly believe Anquan Boldin is going to play Saturday against the Carolina Panthers. Karlos Dansby and Bertrand Berry think he will also. On Monday Dansby was on Late Hits with Howard David and Gil Brandt on Sirius NFL and talked about Boldin's status."He's a warrior, man. He's going to be fine," Dansby said. "Like they said, he just tweaked it a little bit. I told him the today when I saw him in the training room, I was laughing, I said, 'Man, that's the fastest I've ever seen you run.' . . . In my five years being here that's the fastest I've ever seen him run."I get the opportunity to check him every Wednesday [in practice] and he tries to run the seam route on me every time and he don't run that fast, you know...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Arizona Cardinals, carolina panthers

Time for the NFL's Rooney Rule to be rescended

By Patrick Patterson | January 7, 2009 | Thoughts from the Dark Side

Willie Brown and Rob Ryan are both assistant coaches for the Raiders. Photo by Patrick A. Patterson/TFDSsports.com

Once again, it is the offseason for the majority of the NFL. Since it is early in the offseason, the coaching carousel is spinning. Coaches have been fired, and teams are looking for replacements. The usual names are flying around as to who is going to go where. However, before a team can hire the coach they are targeting, they have to be sure to interview a "minority" candidate so they don't violate the "Rooney Rule" which results in a fine, lost draft pick, and a tongue lashing from Jesse Jackson.It was Al Davis and the Raiders that broke the "color barrier" by hiring Art Shell as their head coach in 1989. Since then, there has been a proliferation of black coaches, with some having great success like Tony Dungy with the Indianapolis Colts and others failing miserably. At this point in time, NFL owners want winners. They want the...

Read more | 4 Comments | Tags: 49ers, Al Davis, Arizona Cardinals, Art Shell, Bears, Browns, Cardinals, Chicago Bears, Chiefs, Cleveland Browns, Colts, Dan Rooney, Dough Williams, Herman Edwards, Indianapolis Colts, Jets, Jim Haslett, Kansas City Chiefs, Ken Wizenhunt, Lovie Smith, Mike Singletary, Mike Tomlin, New Orleans Saints, New York Jets, NFL, Oakland Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers, Raiders, Rams, Rooney Rule, Saints, San Francisco 49ers, St Louis Rams, Steelers, Tom Flores, Tony Dungy, Warren Moon

Cardinals: One Cannibal Short

By Fresh (WC) | January 6, 2009 | Cardinals Diaspora

Another Cardinal has headed up the Mississippi to join everyone's least-favorite pack of suck-ass losers, the Chicago Cubs. I know by now this is late news, but I spent Monday pondering this:Was he picked up to combat Chicago's soaring crime statistics ? Have Chicago's dentists secretly negotiated this deal for a chance to gaze in awe at his wolf like incisors ?Either way, it appears Redbird management is trending away from even reasonably priced contracts. Here's a guy that was to say the least, dependable.2003: White Sox, 12ABs, 4H, .333BA2004: Rockies, 522ABs, 153H, .293BA2005: Rockies, 324ABs, 91H, .281BA2006: Cardinals, 426ABs, 112H, .263BA2007: Cardinals, 414ABs, 120H, .290BA2008: Cardinals, 379ABs, 120H, .317BAThis cat hustled his ass off and could basically play every position. Two-year, $4.9mm?? That seems far from outrageous, especially considering that the lowest salary you can earn in the MLB is $390,000/ year. Miles won a World Series (with the...

Read more | 6 Comments | Tags: Aaron Miles, Cardinals, Free Agents, Off Season

NFL Power Rankings: Ranking the 12 Playoff Teams

By Greg Trippiedi | January 4, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Knowing the outcome of Saturday's games makes this a bit tougher to do, because I have to act like I don't know the outcomes of those games to rank the 12 teams pre playoffs. It would be easy to put Atlanta or Indy on bottom, but I had both teams reaching the round of eight. So, with that in mind, here's how MVN saw the Playoff Power Poll as of yesterday.1. Pittsburgh SteelersThe Steelers never led the MVN Power Rankings in any week but they are the most battle-tested, injury resistant team in the post season. Ben Roethlisberger had his best month in December, and figures to play in the AFC Divisional round coming off a concussion, but even if backup Byron Leftwich has to play, the Steelers might be in even better hands.2. Tennessee TitansHard to say how effective DT Albert Haynesworth and DE Kyle Vanden Bosch will be...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants, NFL, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, power rankings, San Diego Chargers, Tennessee Titans

Those Lousy Cardinals Live to Play Another Day

By Eli Wahlstrom | January 4, 2009 | The Cardinals Report

photo from azcardinals.com Well the Arizona Cardinals heard all week that they didn't deserve to be in the playoffs. Saturday they showed the whole world that every sports writer and so called "professional football analyst" can be wrong. I was going to compile a list of writers that were doggin the Cardinals so you could all email them. But that would have taken me way too long. Those writers know who they are and you know who they are. They'll get their friendly emails from Cardinals fans I'm sure. This whole playoff winning experience is just surreal to me. I'm suppose to be talking about the NFL draft right now, not the NFL playoffs. This is when I start thinking about next year not next week. I sat their in my seats during tonight's game and thought of all those awful moments Arizona's had over the years, I won't list...

Read more | 11 Comments | Tags: Arizona Cardinals, atlanta falcons

NFL Wildcard Weekend Predictions

By Pete1020 | January 3, 2009 | Community

NFL's Wildcard Weekend begins today as the well-awaited playoffs are guaranteed to entertain us as usual. We have superstars, familiar faces, rookies, and underdogs, all with their names in the hat. But the question is what team is ready...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Indianapolis Colts, San Diego Chargers

Preview: Falcons (11-5) at Cardinals (9-7)

By James A. Smith | January 3, 2009 | Flying High

Kickoff: 4:35 EST Location: University of Phoenix Stadium The upstart Atlanta Falcons, led by the legs of Michael Turner and the arm of rookie of sensation Matt Ryan, are already in Arizona preparing for their playoff battle against the Cardinals, powered by Kurt Warner's timeless arm and deadly trio of receivers, Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and the oft-forgotten Steve Breaston, all of whom have topped 1,000 yards receiving this season. General consensus seems to favor the Falcons, but, as I'm sure they are all aware, nothing is a given. So just what will it take for the Falcons to pull off this win and extend this already unlikely post-season? First of all, the have to run the ball, run the ball, and then to change things up, run the ball. Michael Turner is one of the toughest running backs in the league, and Jerious Norwood has demonstrated time and...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta, Atlanta Falcons, Falcons, Kurt Warner, Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, NFC, NFL, playoff

Preview: Falcons (11-5) at Cardinals (9-7)

By James A. Smith | January 3, 2009 | Community

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Cardinals, Falcons, Kurt Warner, Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, NFL, playoffs

NFL Power Rankings: Ranking the 12 Playoff Teams

By Greg Trippiedi | January 4, 2009 | MVN Outsider

MVN Previews the NFL's Wild Card Round

By Anthony Hall | January 2, 2009 | MVN Outsider

To preview the four games slated for this weekend's Wild Card Round of the NFL Playoffs, MVN asked a variety of bloggers who cover the teams involved to chime in with a few quick thoughts on their game and a prediction...Atlanta at Arizona:Saturday's late game marks the return to the playoffs for two teams that have been suffering from postseason drought. The 11-5 Atlanta Falcons have not seen a week 18 game since 2004 and the 9-7 Arizona Cardinals haven't been past the regular season since 1998. While the Cards come in as NFC West Division Champs, don't think for a second that they are the stronger team. Limping past Seattle this past Sunday after being slaughtered by the Patriots the prior week, the Cards aren't the team to be reckoned with this Wild Card weekend. That distinction goes to the NFC's hottest team, the Falcons. Riding a three game...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, NFL, Philadelphia Eagles, San Diego Chargers

Fantasy Football: Looking Ahead to 2009-Third-Year WRs

By Brad Berreman | December 30, 2008 | MVN Outsider

A common theory in fantasy football is that wide receivers tend to emerge in their third NFL season. Some recent examples include Cleveland's Braylon Edwards (2007) and Denver's Brandon Marshall (2008). With that in mind, here's a look at some notable WRs that will be in their third NFL season in 2009. 1. Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions- Despite the disfunction in Detroit, Johnson had a terrific 2008 season. He had 78 receptions for 1,331 yards and 12 touchdowns. Imagine what he could do if he had consistent QB play. The potential upside is huge. 2. Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City Chiefs- Bowe followed up a solid rookie season with 86 catches for over 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns in 2008. If the Chiefs can find a competent QB of the future, he should continue to post nice numbers for years to come. 3. Anthony Gonzalez, Indianapolis Colts- Gonzalez had a somewhat...Read more

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Anthony Gonzalez, Arizona Cardinals, Calvin Johson, Detroit Lions, Dwayne Bowe, Fantasy, Fantasy Football, Fantasy Outsider, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, Oakland Raiders

NFL Top Ten: Best Games from the 2008 Season

By Greg Trippiedi | December 27, 2008 | MVN Outsider

The regular season may not be over just yet, but it has already produced plenty of classic games. I had the pleasure of picking ten games that might show up again on NFL Classics in the future. All games had to be heavily competitive to be considered, but bonuses were given to games with great storylines, great endings, and really critical results. Here are the top ten games from the first 16 weeks of the regular season:Number 10 (October 26)Giants defeat Steelers 21-14At the time of this game, whether or not the NFC had overtaken the AFC was very much in the air. The Eagles had taken care of the Steelers at home earlier this season, but the Steelers were hosting the Giants in this one. The Giants controlled much of the action in the first half, but the Steelers came out and scored in the second half, and led...Read more

Read more | 2 Comments | Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, New York Giants, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers, Top Ten

Fantasy Football: Breakout Stars of 2008

By Brad Berreman | December 22, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Since many fantasy football leagues will end for this season with tonight's game, I will give you my top ten breakout players for 2008. These players were probably a bargain on draft day in most leagues, whether traditional draft or auction style, or could have been had early in the season on the waiver wire and ultimately paid nice dividends. Note: All stats are through Week 16, except for Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers, who has yet to play his Week 16 game. 1. Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons- Turner got a chance to start for the Falcons this year after spending his first few NFL seasons in San Diego behind LaDainian Tomlinson, and became a star. He has 1,491 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns, both good for second in the NFL. Turner has been an important player in the Falcons' turnaround this season, and was probably a key catalyst to at least a few...Read more

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Aaron Rodgers, Antonio Bryant, Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, DeAngelo Williams, Fantasy, Fantasy Football, Fantasy Outsider, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Kurt Warner, Matt Cassel, Michael Tuurner, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Philip Rivers, Roddy White, San Diego Chargers, Steve Slaton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Thomas Jones

NFL Power Rankings Week 16: Pennsylvania teams eventually rise to top

By Greg Trippiedi | December 18, 2008 | MVN Outsider

1. Tennessee Titans (12-2) The Titans hold the top spot at least one more week through the loss, but they will have to beat Pittsburgh at home without Albert Haynesworth and Kyle VandenBosch to hold it any further. Good luck guys.2. Philadelphia Eagles (8-5-1)The Eagles jump up to number two this week behind the strength of a third consecutive win, and the Steelers knocking off the Ravens, who beat the Eagles back when this was a team in turmoil. 3. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-3) Do the Steelers have the greatest defense of all time? Only a championship would validate this. The offense apparently isn't going to assist them until the final two minutes of every game.4. Baltimore Ravens (9-5) The Ravens aren't going to fall too far, falling victim to the "Tuck Rule curse". They should have taken care of business in Pittsburgh, and then it wouldn't have come down to...Read more

Read more | 4 Comments | Tags: Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, power poll, Tennessee Titans

Anatomy of an Upset: Vikings over Cardinals

By Greg Trippiedi | December 13, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Admittedly, I'm not making a huge sweeping social statement when I take an 8-5 team to beat another 8-5 team as my upset of the week. But with the Cardinals a favorite in this game, I can tell you I'm confident that the Minnesota Vikings will win this game and move back into a comfortable lead in the NFC North. Whether or not the Vikings will actually win the NFC North is heavily dependent on them winning in one of the other two games down the stretch. If they beat the Atlanta Falcons, they will clinch the tiebreaker over the Chicago Bears, and make Week 17 academic. The Vikings need to lose twice in their last three games, and probably all three times, in order to cough up the division lead.I think that the Giants and Falcons are both better teams than the Vikings, but that the Vikings should win...Read more

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The NFL third-quarter review

By Andrew Strickert | December 4, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Three quarters of the NFL regular season have been played and we head into what should be an exciting fourth quarter. Nineteen teams are in strong contention for postseason play. The Giants, Titans, Cardinals and Broncos each have three-game leads in their divisions and are on the verge of clinching. They'll be jockeying for position in the home stretch for the best seedings. The other four division races are a lot closer. The Steelers, Jets and Vikings each have one-game leads and the NFC South is extremely close. The Panthers and Bucs are tied with 9-3 records and will face each other Monday night, with the Falcons on their heels and only a game behind them at 8-4. Here's a look at the current standings, remaining schedules and the remaining strengths of schedule. AFC division leaders: Tennessee Titans (11-1) Browns, Texans, Steelers, Colts 26-22 (.542) Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3) Cowboys, Ravens,...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New York Giants, New York Jets, NFL, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Washington Redskins

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