With nine seasons in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals, Larry Fitzgerald has been one of the leagues most prolific receivers.

Fitzgerald was the third overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. He has a career record of 764 receptions for 10,413 and 77 touchdowns. Quite awesome considering he has only played for Cardinals! He signed an eight-year contract in August 2011  that will keep him in a Cardinals uniform through the 2018 season. That is why he is today’s Tight End Tuesday! More pictures ahead!  » Continue reading “Tight End Tuesday: Larry Fitzgerald”

In the titanic struggle between the league’s worst defense against the league’s worst offense, it was the defense that ultimately prevailed, although it took overtime to the dismay of anyone unfortunate enough not to sleep through it all.

Jarius Byrd’s second interception, this one of a John Skelton flutterball, led to a 25-yard Rian Lindell field goal that gave the Buffalo Bills a 19-16 victory over the offensive offense-less Arizona Cardinals on Sunday at University of Phoenix Stadium in suburban Glendale.

Buffalo’s Chris Kelsay had one of five sacks against Arizona quarterback Kevin Kolb during Sunday’s 19-16 Bills victory. Kolb, who was injured Sunday, has been sacked 22 times in the last three games. (Washingtonpost.com)

Lindell’s kick 3:50 into the extra period ended an insufferable affair and sent everyone thankfully home. For the Bills, unfortunately, that meant a trip back to lovely Buffalo after an obviously rejuvenating week of R & R in the Arizona sun.

Unfortunately for the Cardinals, they must remain in the Valley of the Sun to clean up the pieces of Sunday’s disaster, just in time for another heat wave, both from the sun and the ramped up temperatures that accompany quarterback controversies.

In facing a Buffalo defense that had reached NFL-record lows the week before in San Francisco, the Cardinals moribund offense managed all of one touchdown and three Jay Feely field goals. For Arizona, 332 yards of offense is a darn good day. But juxtaposed against a defense that rolled over and allowed 621 the week before, not so much.

It wasn’t all bad for the red birds.

With Beanie Wells and Ryan Williams lost for the season to injuries, rookie William Powell stepped in and gained 70 yards on 13 carries behind what is arguably the worst offensive line in the NFL. And, the great Larry Fitzgerald — if ever there was a superstar misplaced in an offense, it is Mr. Fitz — had six catches for 93 yards, one touchdown and surpassed 10,000 receiving yards.

That, folks, is the extent of the highlight reel.

Now to the carnage. » Continue reading “Byrd’s Bills Pick Cardinals Clean”

Jay Feely, left, and Kevin Kolb celebrate the Arizona Cardinals victory over the Miami Dolphins. (zimbio.com)

As roads to perfection go, the route the Arizona Cardinals took Sunday to a 4-0 record was about as remote as it gets.

The Miami Dolphins did everything but win the game, falling 24-21 on a 46-yard Jay Feely field goal in overtime as Arizona joined Atlanta and Houston as the NFL’s only 4-0 teams.

• The Dolphins sacked Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb eight times and intercepted two of his passes.
• They limited the Arizona running game to 28 yards and a 1.9 per-carry average.
• They got a 431-yard passing performance from rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill while putting up 480 yards on the stellar Arizona defense.
• They shut down the Cardinals five first half possessions to the tune of four punts and a Sean Smith pick that set up a Dan Carpenter field goal on the final snap of the half.
• Their defense limited Kolb’s offense to 4 of 16 on third downs, including 0-for-4 in the fourth quarter.
• Their offense produced two receivers that accounted for 386 receiving yards and more than half of Tannehill’s 41 targets.

And they did what teams over the decades have done to beat the Cardinals: They led at halftime by at least 13 points.

» Continue reading “Perfect Cardinals Far From Perfect In Beating Dolphins”

In the Arizona Cardinals’ 27-6 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, the game arguably came down to two plays at the end of the first half.

Arizona safety Kerry Rhodes sacks Philadelphia quarterback Michael Vick and forces a fumble that James Sanders returned 93 yards for a touchdown that gave the undefeated Cardinals a 24-0 lead at halftime. (mcall.com)

Both were made by Arizona safety Kerry Rhodes.

The Cardinals led 17-0 but Michael Vick was driving the Eagles toward the end zone in the final seconds of the first half. With 24 seconds left, he completed a pass to speedy receiver DeSean Jackson, who appeared on his way to a touchdown. But Rhodes stood his ground in the shadow of the goal line and wrestled Jackson to the turf at the 1.

Two incomplete passes later, Rhodes blitzed off of left tackle, smacked Vick and forced the ball free. Arizona safety James Sanders picked it up and ran 93 yards for a touchdown as the clock expired.

Instead of the Eagles and their high-powered offense heading to halftime trailing 17-7 but with a renewed spirit, they were all but dead at 24-0. It was a 14-point turnaround thanks to two crucial plays by Rhodes.

“It’s just part of the team. When your number is called, you have to make the play,” Rhodes said. “For me, everyone else is making plays, so why not me? I have to make a couple myself.”

And for all the talk about Arizona quarterback Kevin Kolb facing his old team, this one was really about the Cardinals defense.

That defense is why Arizona is one of only three remaining undefeated teams in the NFL.

Yes, the Arizona Cardinals are 3-0 and the feel-good story of the league. Roll out Rodney Dangerfield. Cue the obligatory comments:

“No one respects our defense,” linebacker O’Brien Schofield is quoted as saying in the linked azcentral.com Bob Young column. “No one respects our team, and that’s okay. You have to earn respect.”

Quarterback Kevin Kolb led the Cardinals offense on two scoring drives against the Tennessee Titans.
Credit: azcentral.com

Reports out of Nashville from Thursday night’s exhibition between the Cardinals and Titans spun the story this way:

The Cardinals’ quarterback quandary did nothing to sort itself out, as John Skelton struggled behind an experimental offensive line and Kevin Kolb looked skittish and uncertain as to which roster color he was wearing.

True, the Tennessee Titans claimed victory on the scoreboard, 32-27,  barely surviving a late Ryan Lindley rally against a bunch of guys who are about to become unemployed. And Tennessee coach Mike Munchak was quick to credit a defense that had 10 quarterback hits, 8 tackles for loss, 7 pass deflections, 4 sacks, 3 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries, and 1 pick-six.

But it was also a defense that allowed 410 yards and 27 first downs, including 17 passing.

And it was also a defense that may have witnessed a major growth corner turned by none other than Arizona’s favorite whipping boy, one Kevin Kolb.

Oh, sure. Kolb threw two passes that were intercepted by second-year linebacker Colin McCarthy, the second of which was a brutal decision that McCarthy cashed in 31 yards later for a touchdown that essentially provided a margin of meaningless victory that even super rookie Lindley (13-24, 112 yards) couldn’t overcome.

Shame those pick-sixes. Shame on you, Mr. Kolb. » Continue reading “Cardinals Quarterback Quandary Sorting Itself Out”

Getting tired of following the same old boring NFL people on Twitter? Try these players, writers, and fans out for a little sizzle in your NF-izz-L.

Players to follow:

Terrell Owens @terrellowens

Wide Receiver #81 Terrell Owens

T to the O. I’ve already written about this guy and his antics.

Chad Ochocinco @ochocinco

Miami Dolphins WR. MusclePharm Athlete http://musclepharm.com. Play my game for FREE:http://rocklive.com/games/madchad

You cannot go wrong following Chad.

Tim Tebow @TimTebow

The Official Twitter of NFL Quarterback Tim Tebow

He’s such a good person!

Larry Fitzgerald @LarryFitzgerald

Traveler and student of life thank you for your support on my journey

He plays great ball and is majorly a huge supporter of charities. What a guy.

Matt Hasselbeck @Hasselbeck

Tennessee Titans’ QB. Its called Twittah where I’m from.

He tweets lots of pictures, and I want to rub his head for luck.

» Continue reading “Are You Following These NFL-ers Yet?”

So round three of Madden ’13 Cover vote is on.

We’re basically down to the final eight candidates to be jinxed named the cover boy for the Madden game.

Cam or Larry Fitzgerald? Aaron Rodgers or Ray Rice? Patrick Willis or Victor Cruz? And, Calvin Johnson or Rob Gronkowski?

So who do you want to see on the cover? Is it because of the jinx? Or … you don’t believe in no stinking jinxes (You don’t? Peyton Hillis had a great season after being on the ’12 cover, huh?) and want your guy on the cover?

Let me know! Comment below! Oh and you can vote here if you’d like!

Several NFL games were filled with excitement Sunday and sure to either help or worsen that hangover you have from New Year’s Eve celebrations! If things were just too bad for you to watch, sit back and I’ll try to get you informed as best I can! Remember, if you are looking for a specific team not covered here check the team sites!

Cardinals 23, Seahawks 20
It came down to overtime for the Cardinals. Again!

Larry Fitzgerald had an awesome catch during overtime to set up Jay Feely for a 28-yard field goal to seal the victory for the Cards. The win moves them to 8-8. This was the fourth overtime victory of of the season for the team.

This is the second consecutive 7-9 finish for Seattle. The team seems to make strides of improvement and then … flounders as the season winds down. For Seahawks fans sake, I hope Pete Carroll and the gang make some improvements.

Here’s a little more on the game between the ‘Hawks and Cards!

Giants 31, Cowboys 14
Victor Cruz and Eli Manning led the Giants to a playoff spot and the 8-8 Cowboys didn’t make it for a second season.

Manning was 24 of 33 for 346 yards and 3 TDs. Cruz had six catches for 178 yards and he did his ever popular touchdown salsa after the first score … which just so happened to be a 74-yard play. » Continue reading “What Happened Sunday!”

Carson Palmer had a bad game.

There was lots of exciting NFL action to be watched Sunday! I’m going to break down the good, bad and ugly of it all. Remember if you are looking for a specific game not listed below, check the team sites!

Packers 46, Raiders 16

Good: The Packers cruised to victory and are now 13-0. Aaron Rodgers was 17 of 30 passing for  281 yards and 2 TDs. He surprisingly threw an interception too. Jordy Nelson and Ryan Taylor caught touchdown passes. Mason Crosby was four for four on field goals including a 49-yard bomb in the third quarter.

Bad: Packer receiver Greg Jennings injured his left knee in the third quarter.

Ugly: Carson Palmer. He’s so ugly he has no alibi! Palmer was 24 of 42 passing for 245 yards,  a touchdown pass and a whopping four interceptions.

Ravens 24, Colts 10

Good: Ravens QB Joe Flacco was 23 of 31 passing for 227 yards and two TDs – one to Torrey Smith and the other to Dennis Pitta. Ray Rice ran for 103 yards and a TD. » Continue reading “Good, Bad and Ugly Sunday Roundup”

Week in the NFL season : SIX

Number of teams on a bye week : SIX

How conveinent. Well not if you have Fantasy Football players on the Cardinals, Broncos, Chiefs, Chargers, Seahawks or Titans. Here are the top SIX players in each position that will not be on the field on Sunday.

In a bind due to bye weeks? Here are a few suggestions of players that could be available in your league.

Quarterbacks

1.       Curtis Painter (Owned in 2.6%) – Last Sunday versus the Chiefs, Painter was 15-of-27 for 277 yards passing with two touchdowns and no interceptions.

2.       Alex Smith (Owned in 7.3%) – At home versus the Buccaneers, Smith was 11-of-19 passes for 170 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.

3.       Andy Dalton (Owned in 7.1%) – In Week 5 versus Jacksonville, the rookie QB threw for 179 yards with a pair of touchdowns and one interception.

Running Backs

1.       Earnest Graham (Owned in 6.7%) – If LeGarrette Blount does not play in Week 6 versus the Saints, Graham will take a majority of the carries. Keep your eye on the situation as the weekend approaches.

2.       Jackie Battle (Owned in 16.7%) – Battle ran 19 times for 119 yards and caught two passes for 21 yards versus the Colts last week. Since KC is struggling in the running back department this season, he will take a majority of the carries.

3.       Ryan Torain (Owned in 52.8%) – In Week 4, Torain ran for 135 yards on 19 carries. After their bye week last Sunday, the Redskins have not announced who will be the starting running back in week 6. Another situation to keep your eye on.

Wide Receivers

1.       Ted Gin (Owned in 1.5%) – With injuries plaguing the 49ers offense, Gin should be a great pick up for week 6.

2.       David Nelson (Owned in 34.1%) – Since Buffalo’s starting WR Donald Jones out for 4-6 weeks, this could be a great alternative.

3.       Harry Douglas (Owned in 0.3%) – Julio Jones will be out against Carolina this weekend. Douglas will be his replacement, alongside starting WR Roddy White.

***

Corinna is the lead reporter for the Jacksonville Jaguars & a contributor to Offsides on Aerys Sports. Check back every Friday for your Fantasy Football Fix. Follow her on Twitter @RoarBlackNTeal or on Facebook.