11-29-10: Arizona Cardinals Bird Droppings

Annual Monday With The Niners
There was a fumble the Cards couldn’t fall on in Ken Whisenhunt’s first game. Then there was a goal-line stand. Then a shocking turnover meltdown by the Cards. Every year since Whisenhunt took over as coach of the Cardinals, a Monday night game against the San Francisco 49ers has been part of the schedule. And a memorable moment (or moments) occur.

Is Arizona Cardinals 'Monday Night Football' curse back?
The more we see from the Cardinals this season the more we're convinced that there was some sort of a cosmic shift in the universe resulting in all the good things that came with the 2008 season. Unfortunately, it appears the stars have returned to their previous alignment.

Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers face off for last place
It's no surprise that Thanksgiving arrived with the Cardinals and 49ers locked in a fierce NFC West tussle. What is surprising is that the competition is to get out of last place, not to stay in first.

Where The Arizona Cardinals Can Search For NFL Quarterbacks - SB Nation Arizona
Given the Cardinals will soon be in the market for a quarterback, Scott Howard explores where all the recent playoff teams are grabbing their QBs from.

KTAR.com - Espo: So you're saying there's a chance for the Cards?
Perspective is a funny thing. It controls the way you see every situation. It even controls the way you view sports. Like how an unattractive person can become a ‘10' after a few drinks at a night club; It's the reason why the Arizona Cardinals' 3-7 record could go from looking like a horrible disaster to something not so bad in a matter of hours.

Cardinals to keep roof closed for Monday Night Football
The Arizona Cardinals will keep the roof to University of Phoenix Stadium closed for tonight's Monday Night Football game against the San Francisco 49ers. The team says cooler-than-normal weather prompted the decision. The Cardinals released this statement this afternoon:

Video Gallery
Paul Calvisi finds out about the Twitter craze

NFL Videos: Week 12: 49ers vs. Cardinals Preview
A preview of the Week 12 matchup between the 49ers and the Cardinals.

Phoenix Suns' late rally falls short in 138-133 loss to Denver Nuggets
The Suns are living down to their reputation. Doubts abound about whether the Suns can defend and rebound well enough to be even a playoff team and their play is doing nothing to discourage the notions. They are getting only worse, given that their 138-133 loss Sunday night to Denver at Pepsi Center had the Suns giving up more points than they did in any game last season.

Andre Johnson says he’s sorry | ProFootballTalk
After showing a rare loss of composure during Sunday’s win over the Titans, Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson tried to make amends after the game.

Jon Gruden named as Miami Hurricanes coaching candidate | ProFootballTalk
Jon Gruden could be making a return to coaching — but not in the NFL. In the 24 hours since the University of Miami fired head coach Randy Shannon, multiple stories have named Gruden as a strong candidate to take over the job.

King shoots down Gruden-to-Hurricanes reports | ProFootballTalk
We noted this evening that media outlets in Florida are reporting that Jon Gruden wants to coach the Miami Hurricanes. Now we can pass along an emphatic report that it’s not going to happen.

Power rankings revisited: Week 12 - NFC West Blog - ESPN
A weekly review of how teams performed in relation to last week’s Power Rankings (with new rankings scheduled for Tuesday):

The Bears get serious, the Falcons' dome invincibility, more Snaps - Don Banks - SI.com
Musings, observations and the occasional Week 12 insight as we thankfully get treated to another eventful Sunday of NFL action ...

The Designed Rush, Week 12: Should The NFL Change Replay Review Rules For Home Teams? - SBNation.com
This week's Designed Rush looks at the fairness of denying the visiting team immediate replay reviews, Stevie Johnson's conflict with God, Michael Vick's unbelievable throw to Brent Celek, Jim Schwartz mean mugging and much more.

Michael Turner, Matt Bryant, Jake Delhomme star in early Week 12 games - Andrew Perloff - SI.com
Quick-hitting insights on today's 1 p.m. games ...

23-year-old man falls to his death at Soldier Field - Chicago Breaking Sports
A man in his 20s died Sunday afternoon after he fell out of Soldier Field and landed on a roof-top on the west side of the stadium, officials said. The incident happened at about 4:55 p.m. as the Bears and the Eagles were playing, according to Chicago police and Fire Department officials. No one else was injured.

Chargers, Colts headed in opposite directions | ProFootballTalk
A week ago, we made the case that this Chargers could be better than last year’s 13-3 squad. After Sunday night’s 36-14 destruction of the Colts, you could argue the Chargers are playing better than any team in the league.

Josh McDaniels tape; Cortland Finnegan-Andre Johnson fight; more Week 12 - Peter King - SI.com
A new leader (again) in the Fine 15, MVP watch, weekly awards and 10 Things

Future suddenly bright for Bears' Smith - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
On to this week’s other winners and losers …

Week 12's five most valuable players - Shutdown Corner - NFL  - Yahoo! Sports
Comprehensive National Football League news, scores, standings, fantasy games, rumors, and more

Week 12's five least valuable players - Shutdown Corner - NFL  - Yahoo! Sports
Comprehensive National Football League news, scores, standings, fantasy games, rumors, and more

Video: Andre Johnson's beat-down of Cortland Finnegan - Shutdown Corner - NFL  - Yahoo! Sports
After being voted the sixth-dirtiest player in the NFL by his peers this summer, Cortland Finnegan openly expressed his desire to be known as the dirtiest. His fight on Sunday against the Houston Texans' Andre Johnson may help his cause.

Texans' coach gives Andre Johnson a game ball despite ejection - Shutdown Corner - NFL  - Yahoo! Sports
Andre Johnson did enough with the football in his hands to deserve a game ball on Sunday. It was what else he did with those hands that will make his post-game reward controversial.

Week 12 Monday 10-pack | ProFootballTalk
There’s never a dull moment in the NFL. And we love every moment of it. Especially when those moments are being surreptitiously recorded. So read on. But make sure the boss isn’t taping you.

DeSean Jackson distraught after Reid chews him out | ProFootballTalk
DeSean Jackson was chewed out in front of his teammates by coach Andy Reid following Philadelphia’s loss on Sunday, according to Geoff Mosher of the Wilmington News Journal.

Chiefs vs. Seahawks - Recap - November 28, 2010 - NFL - Football - SI.com
Six years later, Matt Cassel got a chance to show Pete Carroll firsthand how good he can be as a starter. With the help of Dwayne Bowe and Kansas City's run game, Cassel and the Chiefs made it look easy.

Rams vs. Broncos - Recap - November 28, 2010 - NFL - Football - SI.com
Busted one day, beaten the next. By the time the Denver Broncos ' 20-point fourth-quarter rally fell short in a 36-33 loss to the St. Louis Rams on Sunday, Invesco Field was mostly empty, and dark storm clouds hung over both the city and its tarnished football franchise.

Eagles vs. Bears - Recap - November 28, 2010 - NFL - Football - SI.com
Still doubting the Chicago Bears ? They're making it tougher. Jay Cutler tied a career high with four touchdown passes and the Bears beat Michael Vick and the Philadelphia Eagles 31-26 to take sole possession of the NFC North lead Sunday.

Packers vs. Falcons - Recap - November 28, 2010 - NFL - Football - SI.com
Don't even mention a third straight winning season to the Atlanta Falcons . Their goals are so much bigger than that.

Buccaneers vs. Ravens - Recap - November 28, 2010 - NFL - Football - SI.com
The Baltimore Ravens took care of business in workmanlike fashion against a team they hadn't played in years. By doing so, the Ravens put themselves in perfect position for an emotional matchup against a team they know all too well.

Titans vs. Texans - Recap - November 28, 2010 - NFL - Football - SI.com
Andre Johnson politely asked Cortland Finnegan to stop it. By the fourth quarter, Houston's star receiver had simply had it with the Tennessee cornerback's antagonistic antics. Their feisty duel exploded into a full-blown fistfight late in the Texans' 20-0 win over the Titans on Sunday. Both players were ejected, and the ugly incident could lead to further discipline from the NFL.

Vikings vs. Redskins - Recap - November 28, 2010 - NFL - Football - SI.com
Brett Favre 's voice was a raspy whisper and he rattled a lozenge around in his mouth as he spoke about the 10-yard scramble his creaky legs managed to carve out Sunday, helping seal his Minnesota Vikings ' 17-13 victory over the Washington Redskins . "Did I expect to run for a first down? I haven't expected to run for a first down in quite a while," Favre said, smiling. "It was 10 yards? Really? It felt like 50. But we needed that win."

Jaguars vs. Giants - Recap - November 28, 2010 - NFL - Football - SI.com
With his team trailing by 11 points and the season on the brink, coach Tom Coughlin wasn't the only voice in the New York Giants ' locker room at halftime. The one that stood out was Justin Tuck , and his message was simple: Stop playing like garbage. The Giants (7-4) got the message and maybe saved their season with five games to go.

Steelers vs. Bills - Recap - November 28, 2010 - NFL - Football - SI.com
Bills receiver Stevie Johnson was inconsolable for letting a victory slip through his hands. The Pittsburgh Steelers weren't going to let him or Buffalo get a second chance. With his head down at the end of the bench, Johnson couldn't watch as Shaun Suisham hit a 41-yard field goal with 2:14 left in overtime to secure the Steelers' 19-16 victory Sunday. It was a dramatic turn of events for the Bills and Johnson, in particular, after he could've ended the game in Buffalo's favor on the previous possession but dropped what would have been a 40-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick .

Panthers vs. Browns - Recap - November 28, 2010 - NFL - Football - SI.com
Jake Delhomme couldn't bear to watch, so he listened. As John Kasay , his former clutch Carolina teammate, sent a field goal sailing toward the uprights and another last-second win, Delhomme sat and waited for the crowd to tell him the outcome. The roar signaled victory. And relief.

Dolphins vs. Raiders - Recap - November 28, 2010 - NFL - Football - SI.com
Chad Henne had quite the roller-coaster month, going from Miami starting quarterback to getting benched then injured and then back as starter. He finished the up-and-down month on quite a high.

Chargers vs. Colts - Recap - November 28, 2010 - NFL - Football - SI.com
Peyton Manning blamed himself for the Colts' mistakes. The Chargers took credit for forcing him into them. Either way, it was the same lousy result for Indianapolis' suddenly struggling quarterback.