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Man, what a difference a week makes. Anquan Boldin, Antrel Rolle and Karlos Dansby are gone. I think in each situation it was a long shot to see any of those players back next season. I didn’t know they were all going to be gone in one week. I think the Cards are in rebuilding mode right? I mean they never put a label on it but that seems to be what’s going on. If thats the case then what do we expect for next season? And what message does this send to the rest of the team? From raisingzona.com;

“Neither one wasted anytime on the free agent market and took the first offer they saw outside of Arizona.  Not a real surprise for either.  Clearly this shows players feel the Cardinals gear no loyalty towards them and ever since the retirement of quarterback Kurt Warner, the Cardinals are proving they aren’t going to do everything it takes to keep it’s team in tact and start building again.”

Did anybody really think Anquan Boldin was going to be with the Cardinals next season? I hope he is happy now. And it’s not like we are lacking in quality recievers. From azcardinals.com;

“We’ve got to have guys step up and fill the shoes,” wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald said. “That’s the NFL. We’re not the only team that’s been beat up by trades and free agency. It happens every year. It happened to be our year this year. We still have to play the games.” Said defensive tackle Darnell Dockett, on KTAR, “This won’t stop the show here.”

And on that note the Cards have already started to move on with the acquisition of free safety Kerry Rhodes. From revengeofthebirds.com;

“For a team that would already have an abundance amount of picks in April, to only lose a 4th and a 7th for next year shows what kind of deal the Cardinals got on Saturday. They acquired a safety that is the same age as Rolle with just as much talent, and they got him at a much cheaper price tag.”

Oh Boy. I wonder what next week is going to bring? I wonder what next years team is going to look like?

Over at azcentral.com; they are talking about possible off season moves the Cards might take. Should Ken Whisenhunt get a new contract? Absolutley. Should we keep Anquan Boldin? Nope. Keep Matt Leinart or go shopping in the draft? Undecided. I’m leaning towards keeping the guy. The other decisions are no-brainers, make Beanie Wells our feature back and rework Darnell Dockett’s contract and lock him up. No need for anything drastic. I think we have enough talent to make the playoffs again next year. Its a change talking about the success of the Cards. I don’t know about you guys but I had a lot of fun this season. From revengeofthebirds.com; “That’s not to say that we have nothing to be proud of. That marks three straight non-losing seasons that we as Cardinals have experienced under the Ken Whisenhunt era. During that time we saw one of the most explosive offenses in the league that won the division twice, won four playoff games and one NFC Championship game. We’ve also seen countless records broken and more national recognition that we’ve ever been accustomed to before. The Cardinals have the pieces set in place to be a competitive team for a long time. With some tweaking to both sides of the ball, the Cardinals may be ready to make another Super Bowl run in 2010.” Yeah, I had a blast watching the Cardinals this season. We’ll get’em next year!

This team is going to have to win the damn SuperBowl before it gets any respect. The Saints are favored by 7 last time I checked. By the time the Saints play, they will be coming off of two weeks rest. And remember they lost their last three games. Not exactly on fire at the moment. The Cardinals are coming off the game of the century. Offensively they are playing better than any team in the NFL. Defense is another story. So the Saints are still a dangerous team but nothing like they looked 4 weeks ago. I wish Antrel Rolle would stop giving them bulletin board material. From azcentral.com; ”What set things off was this quote attributed to Rolle about Packers Aaron Rogers that reporter Michael Silver wrote on yahoo.com: “Let me tell you something – that dude is scary. We have a great defense and we were up on him and ready to pounce, and he found ways to tear us apart. “I don’t ever want to face him again in my life. I am dead serious. I’ll face Drew Brees any day of the way before I face him again.” Brees brushed off the remark on Tuesday telling reporters, “I think that’s just part of the game. We’ve encountered that over the year. The fact is, that doesn’t affect the way I prepare.” Now Rolle is backing off the comment. I think you should always let a sleeping dog lie. Until you have to go into the Superdome and kick the shit out of it!

That was the greatest NFL playoff game I have ever seen in my life. I stood the entire second half of the game. It was like a heavy weight boxing match, fighters trading bombs back and forth. The first half was all Arizona Cardinals. The defense and offense were clicking. An interception , fumble recovery we were up 24-10 at the half. The Cards were not the same team the Packers faced a week ago. The second half was a different story. Greenbay scored 21 points in the fourth quarter alone. It was an amazing comeback that went into over time thanks to Neil Rackers (happiest man in AZ) 34 yard missed field goal. When Greenbay won the toss I knew it was going to take a miracle to win. And Michael Adams became a miracle worker. Earlier in the game Adams blitzed from the right and had a clear path to sack Aaron Rogers, instead Adams tried to bat the ball down like he was blocking a punt. Rogers ducked out of the way and completed a pass. This time Around Adams had learned his lesson. On the third play of the drive Adams blitzed and hit Rogers forcing a fumble into Karlos Dansby’s hands. Dansby ran it in for a game winning touchdown! The intensity of this game was amazing. The numbers were ridiculous. Kurt Warner is hall of fame bound, has to be. Warner threw for 375 yards and 5 touchdowns, more touchdowns than he had incompletions! We had like 30 first downs! I could make numbers up and they wouldn’t sound as crazy as the truth. The teams combined for 96 points (most ever in a playoff game) and 1,024 yards. 11 different players scored touchdowns. Redunk. The Cards offense was just amazing. From revengeofthebirds.com; “With Anquan Boldin being declared inactive for the contest, the entire receiving corps stepped up. Larry Fitzgerald did his usual damage with 2 TDs on 6 catches for 82 yards including a dramatic one-handed diving snare. Wide receivers Steve Breaston, Early Doucet and Tight End Ben Patrick had their best games of the year, Breaston with the team-high seven receptions and 125 yards and a TD. He also ran for 28 yards on one carry. Beanie Wells broke off a season-long 42-yarder and thundered for 91 tough yards with a 6.5 YPC. Don’t you get the feeling we are still just getting a preview?” And the defense? Well they won the game, but left a lot to desired otherwise. From raisingzona.com; “After building a 31-10 lead, a great playoff team does not allow the opposing quarterback in your house walk all over you like they did.  Rodgers was great, but the Cards defense left a lot to be desired.  Rodgers torched the Cards for 422 yards.  Ugly yes.  Good enough to win.  Today it was.  Just barely and that’s all that matters.  What happened today makes no difference next week.  It’s a clean slate in New Orleans.” Yes, we start all over on Monday. I would have loved to play next weeks game in Glendale. Aaron Rogers said the crowd noise was a factor in the loss. Way to go Cardinals fans!!!

Anquan Boldin did not practice again on Friday. He’s doing everything he can so he can play on Sunday. Having doctors look over him around the clock. From ktar.com; “He said doctors have been at his house at night “poking and prodding” and he’s had acupuncture treatments.“I’m doing everything within my power to make sure I’m on the field Sunday,” Boldin said. “If I’m not able to go, trust me, it won’t be anything I didn’t do.” Like I said before the injury that had me most concerned was to DRC. I just felt like going up against a quarterback like Aaron Rogers we needed DRC out there. From azcentral.com; “Rodgers-Cromartie, who suffered a knee contusion last week, participated in a good portion of practice, coach Ken Whisenhunt said. DRC said “I was out there full speed and it felt good. It felt good to be out there flying around, to be back with these guys practicing and working toward something.” Nice to hear that . Then there’s this from Adrian Wilson. “Asked about cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie’s knee injury, Wilson expressed no sympathy: “He’s got a little cut on his knee. It’s not all it’s cracked up to be. He thought he blew his knee out; he got a little cut.” Man I can’t wait to watch this game. I don’t think I was as nervous like this for any of the Arizona Cardinals games last year . Not even the Super Bowl!

If you haven’t seen this you gotta check out this video, this song is amazing!

The Arizona Cardinals are entering the playoffs pretty banged up. I don’t know what the hell is wrong with Anquan Boldin. First he said it was a ankle sprain then it was a sprained knee and last I heard it was a sprained MCL! Boldin didn’t practice again today and it remains to be seen if he will play Sunday. From ktar.com; “Coach Ken Whisenhunt brought up the fact that Boldin has missed practice before and played on Sunday through the injury. “It depends on how I feel, if I can go I’m going to go definitely,” Boldin said on Thursday. “I’ve been on the field without practicing the entire week so that’s not a problem.” Steve Breaston and Early Doucet are going to have to step it up. Who else is injured? Lets see, Deuce Lutui, Calais Campbell and Antrel Rolle. I think the most significant injury is to Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. I believe we need DRC in the game when facing Aaron Rogers on Sunday. Whew..I’m getting nervous.

I think it’s kinda of sad the NFL is structured where the final games of the season really don’t matter for certain teams. As a fan it means a lot of uninspired football. Now its mind games, Coach Ken Whisenhunt is gambeling the Packers are going to be confident, too confident. From revengeofthebirds.com; “The result is that Cardinals fans are quick to point out that it appeared the Arizona players didn’t care, among other valid concerns. Critics will say they were lethargic and outmatched even when the starters from both squads were on the field. I contend that this was all part of Ken Whisenhunt’s master plan. It is almost as if the Cardinals were intentionally inviting the Packers to have so much success that it would give them a sense of over-confidence heading into the game that really matters—next weekend’s first round of the playoffs. Like leading prey into a dark cave.” That is a lot of wishful thinking that I hope turns out to be true. As far as resting your players to avoid injury, the Cards get a B- on that one. From raisingzona.com; “The Cards did sustain a couple of significant injuries however none are expected to be serious enough to keep them out of next week’s game. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie injured his knee, what was described as a left knee contusion, in the first quarter and Anquan Boldin injured his ankle in the third quarter. Let’s hope they don’t find anything else more damaging with those injuries this week.  The Cards will need both of them to have a chance.” Yeah we will. Its been s strange end to the season. It really ended on a question mark, nothing definitive about that final game. I only hope we can play to our potential when we face the Packers again on Sunday @2:40PM.

Are all these Packer fans just going to stay the week?

Still on a high from that last win. we play the Green Bay Packers for the final game of the season. Its been a long season for the Arizona Cardinals. The team has made it through pretty much unscathed. Mentally and physically unscathed. While other teams have suffered injuries and behind the scenes turmoil the Cards have held it together. From azcentral.com; “No one is saying the Cardinals don’t have issues. But the coaching staff has done a good job of not overreacting to drama, and the players have managed their frustration with off-the-field concerns – think contracts – in a way that hasn’t disrupted the locker room.” Yes the coaching staff have done a good job of keeping ego’s in check. Health wise the team has been lucky, Kurt Warner has stayed healthy and that was a big concern coming into this season, being that he is 65 years old. The passing game is solid. Nobody has been able to figure out how to cover all three of our receivers.  Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald and Steve Breaston are keeping defense coordinators up at night. Then there is the defense. They have been the backbone of this team. A major improvement over last season. Larry Fitzgerald is going to sit out the last game of the season with a bone contusion but will be ready for the playoffs and so will the rest of the team.

You know what this Arizona Cardinals team is famous for. Offense. Plain and simple. That’s what sells tickets and puts butts in the seats. However opposing teams are starting to realize the defense is just as good and has been integral to this teams success. That Vikings game was a great example. From revengeofthebirds.com; “The Cardinals may be relinquishing 257 passing yards a game (30th) to opponents, but they are currently ranked 2nd overall in defensive 3rd down efficiency. They’re only allowing 33.1% of 3rd down conversions to opponents and have improved their red zone defense as well — they currently rank 10th in the league at keeping teams from scoring when inside the 20. On Sunday the Vikings only scored twice in the red zone and the Cardinals held the Vikings to 5 of 15 (33%) on 3rd down attempts. Considering the Vikings usually convert 47% of 3rd down attempts (3rd in NFL), the Cardinals’ defensive effort becomes even more impressive.” And the offense has kept its reputation as one of the most impressive in the NFL. After a shaky start the numbers are pretty impressive. From caycompass.com; “In addition the Cardinals are fifth in the NFL in passing yards (266.8), ninth in points (24.8) and tenth in total yards (360.9) per game. Credit to that high–flying offense rests on the arm of ageless wonder Kurt Warner. In spite of being 38 years–old the 12 year vet has passed for 3,003 yards and 23 touchdowns. Helping in Warner’s success is his trio of wide–outs that remains unchanged from last year. Larry Fitzgerald, one of the game’s best receivers, tops the troupe with a league–leading 10 TDs and 969 receiving yards. Close behind are Anquan Boldin (763 yards and four TDs) and Steve Breaston (579 yards and three TDs). Statistically the Cardinals’ run game may be an afterthought (averaging a paltry 94.1 yards per game) but on the field it has shown marked improvement and the ability to change games. Credit for that rests in the emergence of rookie Beanie Wells who has 517 yards and four TDs. Then again Tim Hightower has not been too shabby with 535 yards and six TDs.” Man, and to think the Steelers won’t even make the playoffs this year. I love it. Lets go Cards!!!

What a game! On Sunday Night Football, on National television the Arizona Cardinals handed the Minnesota Vikings only their 2 loss of the season! It was a big win at home 30-17. Biggest win of the season. The Cardinals Defense played awesome. Adrian Peterson had 19 yards on 13 carries. Brett Favre had 2 interceptions. From fanster.com; “The Cardinals’ defense absolutely dominated the Vikings’ high-powered offense. First, they confused Brett Favre all night, sacking him three times, and intercepting him twice (probably should have been four). Favre had only three interceptions in his first 11 games this season. Secondly, they shut Adrian Peterson down. Peterson had 19 yards on 13 carries, which was the second lowest output of his pro career. You may remember, Peterson gashed the Cardinals’ defense for 165 yards in a 35-14 over Arizona in Glendale last December.” The offense was just as good. They looked normal. Which is to say they were prolific in their passing attack, exactly what we expect to see every game. The Cards rushed for over 100 yards. Tim Hightower had 50 yards by himself. From revengeofthebirds.com; ”When Tim Hightower fumbled the ball away on the second play of the game giving the Vikings excellent field position, it was easy to moan and groan and wonder if it was a sign of impending doom. Now that the game is over and we have more clarity when rehashing details, there is a positive spin to that blunder. Before fumbling, Hightower had run straight up the Vikings’ gut for 10 yards on the Cardinal’s first rushing attempt. This set the tone for the game, that the No.4 rushing defense was beatable and nothing to shy away from. The Cardinals totaled 113 yards on the ground against a team that had been allowing an average of only 84 per game. Tim Hightower continued his aggressive play by punishing defenders in his wake, and providing a  lethal stiff-arm on his 32-yard romp.” Kurt Warner threw for 285 yards and 3 touchdowns. Larry Fitzgerald had 143 yards in receiving and 1 touchdown, Anquan Boldin added 2 touchdowns and 98 yards in receiving. Just an all around great win. It makes this rainy gloomy Monday a little more bearable. Thanks guys. Oh yeah Warner is doing Ok, he suffered a hip-pointer and should be fine in the next few days.

Are we better? Are we worse? If you ask his teammates there is no doubt we are better with Anquan Boldin in the lineup. Last Sunday Boldin put up some impressive numbers that helped the Arizona Cardinals come from behind to defeat the Seahawks. Boldin had 8 catches for 105 yards. Boldin said being benched for the Bears game didn’t factor into his play on Sunday against the Seahawks. From eastvalleytribune.com; ”You can let things that go on around you affect your work. If that’s the case, you will be up and down all the time,” he said. “There are going to be some situations that you have to deal with in football and outside of football, but you can’t let it affect your work. You still have to work hard and get better.” Boldin’s teammates are unanimous in their respect for him. They do not doubt his heart or commitment. From azcentral.com; ”When he’s healthy – even when he’s not healthy – he just makes plays,” fellow receiver Steve Breaston said. “He’ll rock people, and he’ll run through people, too. Yeah, then he’ll punch you in the face afterward,” receiver Larry Fitzgerald, standing a few feet away, chimed in.”

Anquan Boldin has been expressing his displeasure with being benched last week against the Bears. And the thing is we have a 5-1 record when this guy is not in the lineup. Steve Beaston is more than makes up for Anquan Boldin. Boldin doesnt sound our act like he wants to remain with the Arizona Cardinals. From azcentral.com; ”But Boldin’s continued vocal displeasure with the organization is pushing it closer to a decision that says trade him next season and get something in return, instead of letting his contract run out and get nothing. Because it sure sounds as if Boldin has no interest in sticking around once the choice is his. His feelings for this organization are mired in distrust. When he returned to his locker before the Bears game and found his gear had been removed, his immediate reaction was that he had been slighted, that the Cardinals were disrespecting him and weren’t “man enough” to tell him he was inactive for the game.” I think this is going to be an ugly breakup people.

Anquan Boldin wants to play against Chicago even though he has a bad wheel. A right ankle sprain was re-aggravated last Sunday in the loss against Carolina. He is listed as day-to-day but that makes no difference to Boldin. From espn.com; “If I’m able to run, I’m going to play football,” Boldin said on Monday. I don’t think there is any more damage to it other than reinjuring it,” Whisenhunt said. “We’ll see how he progresses during the week.” Kent Somers at the Arizona Republic thinks Boldin should be benched for his own good. “Bench him. Not because Boldin isn’t producing but because he can’t. A sprained right ankle has made him less than ordinary in recent weeks, and it’s not likely to improve until Boldin takes time off. Telling Boldin to sit out Sunday’s game in Chicago won’t be easy. He’s a proud, tough man who thinks he can help the Cardinals even if he’s less than 100 percent. And he’s already battling the notion that he’s injury-prone, having played only two complete seasons in the NFL.” I don’t know about that. The the season is going I would really like to see us with all our weapons on the field. We have been so inconsistent with most everyone healthy, I would hate to see how we play without one of our star players on the field.

Looks like Boldin finished the preseason a little banged up. According to azcardinals.com; Boldin hurt his hamstring in the final preseason game against Green Bay. He sat out practice Wednesday. Coach Whisenhunt feels he’ll be ready game day, ““We have a history with Q and that’s why I feel good about saying I have a good feeling about him playing,” Whisenhunt said.” And If he isn’t ready we still have 1,000 yard receiver Steve Breaston and of course Larry Fitzgerald. Worse case scenario, Kurt Warner feels the Cards will be ok, “You always want to have all your weapons every time you step out there,” Warner said. “But if anybody’s not able to go, we just throw another guy in and you still have to play football. The one fortunate thing is, if Q can’t go, the other guys have gotten a lot of reps in the preseason because he hurt himself fairly early.” On a good note, it looks like we sold the game out. So there will be no black out and we can watch the Arizona Cardinals start the season off with a win!

Dan Bickley has an article on azcentral.com discussing the Boldin situation from Anquan’s perspective. I don’t think that it reveals anything that fans and teammates haven’t already figured out. From a fans perspective the situation is going great. Anquan, although pissed off, is playing nice and killing them with kindness. Anquan knows what’s in his best interst and that is not to appear like a hot-head, someone who dissrupts the team chemistry. The better he performs and the better the Arizona Cardinals do, the better off he will be in the long run. A successful season for him and the Cards means he will most likely get what he wants in the end, either a better contract with the Cards or a better contract with some other team. Everybody seems to be on the same page. Kurt Warner does not want to lose Boldin, he knows Larry Fitzgerald would be in double coverage every down with out another threat out there on the field. “I know he’s not comfortable with his situation, because we talk about it,” quarterback Kurt Warner said. But he’s done an amazing job of being able to step aside from that and relate to us, laugh with us and joke with us. You see a lot of guys in this league who are unhappy, and they make it known. It’s out there every day, and you have to walk on eggshells around them, because anything can tip them off. Q’s not like that. He has a great rapport with his teammates, and that’s such a blessing for us.” I think it’s great everyone seems focused on the mission at hand, and that is to get back to the Super Bowl baby!!