It's the opening game to the Thursday Night Games this year. Today pits the Packers and Bears, where I have the Packers dropping to 0-2 on the season. Anyways, lets take a look at your morning links.

Cards' defense can earn respect vs. Pats - NFL Nation Blog - ESPN
Damon from Orlando, Fla., thinks the Arizona Cardinals' defense is being overlooked after allowing zero drives longer than 45 yards until Seattle's final drive.

Word From the Birds Blog | Running (in)to New England
The Cardinals had — and still have — hope their run game can generate something good this season (although the loss of tackle Levi Brown, a very good run blocker, obviously hurts). They didn’t get enough production in the opener, clearly. Ryan Williams and Beanie Wells combined for only 23 yards on 15 carries.

Word From the Birds Blog | No QB announcement yet (and Fitz talks Uggs)
Nothing official yet on the Cardinals’ starting quarterback situation Wednesday. Coach Ken Whisenhunt said again that there is still a couple of days left for John Skelton’s ankle to get better. Skelton did not practice Wednesday, and quarterback Kevin Kolb talked about how good it was to work with the "ones" during the workout. Asked about Michael Bidwill’s radio comment that Kolb would start, Whisenhunt reiterated "we still have some days."

Cards Daily - Stopping Brady and the Patriots
Cards Daily

Lindley At The Ready
"I feel like I’m ready to go," said Lindley, the Cardinals’ sixth-round draft pick in April. "I’m comfortable. I don’t know if I’ve mastered the offense to the point these two guys (Skelton and Kolb) have. I feel like I can go in and function."

Tight End Evolution
Maybe, in a different NFL time and place, Todd Heap could have fit into an offense like a Rob Gronkowski or Jimmy Graham, if he had taken his receiving talents someplace other than the defensively-dominated Baltimore Ravens back in 2001.

Bill Belichick: Larry Fitzgerald might be 'best one ever' - NFL.com
Bill Belichick's New England Patriots will face one of the finest receivers in the game Sunday when Larry Fitzgerald and the Arizona Cardinals come to town. New England isn't taking this lightly.

Larry Fitzgerald wants to be just like Tom Brady - NFL.com
Larry Fitzgerald wants to be just like Tom Brady, right down to his footware and choice of spouses. This mutual lovefest can only end one way, Gregg Rosenthal writes.

NFL News:

Mike Tomlin not ruling out James Harrison in Week 2 - NFL.com
Mike Tomlin is hopeful he'll have James Harrison against the New York Jets, but the Pittsburgh Steelers star linebacker must prove his troublesome left knee is healthy enough for on-field activities.

Maurice Jones-Drew: I was ready for 80 carries Week 1 - NFL.com
Despite coach Mike Mularkey believing Maurice Jones-Drew left yards on the field in the opener, the Jacksonville Jaguars running back is ready for a bigger workload. He might have that chance Sunday.

Maurice Jones-Drew: I was ready for 80 carries Week 1 - NFL.com
Despite coach Mike Mularkey believing Maurice Jones-Drew left yards on the field in the opener, the Jacksonville Jaguars running back is ready for a bigger workload. He might have that chance Sunday.

Santonio Holmes falls in line for New York Jets - NFL.com
Santonio Holmes doesn't talk to the media much, but he usually makes the most of his opportunities. Not so on Wednesday, as the New York Jets outspoken receiver declined to give a juicy hook.