Judging from the title, it's obvious that right now it's a good moment to be an Arizona Cardinal fan. First place in the West, three wins in a row and on the road, and a win over a good New York Giants team is starting to feel good. Let's take a look around the web.

•  Darren Urban gives bits and pieces of information from the game, including the spotting of a "critter" that caused running back Jason Wright to jump into the arms of Beanie Wells. "He hopped in my arms like a little girl," Wells said with a smile. "It was the funniest thing I’ve seen in my life."
• Urban also gets the recap from coach Ken Whisenhunt. Whiz says that Beanie is "not going to be the starter anytime soon". He also said that they probably should have ran more after the Cardinals recovered the fumble at the end of the game.
• Urban also gives a more in-depth look at why Beanie Wells won't be starting soon. Whisenhunt has more confidence in Hightower right now.
• Finally, Urban looks at the status of DRC's ankle sprain. DRC said he's ok and he will be back quick. He also talks about Alan Branch's big game and Anquan Boldin.
• Mike Sando looks at the remaining games on the schedule and believes the Cardinals can finish with 9 or 10 victories this season.
• Sando also looks at the success Kurt Warner had against the standard pass rush and the extra blitz on Sunday. Warner was clearly better when the Giants only brought standard pressure.
• Kent Somers discusses a funny story in the locker room after the game. After Alan Branch learned he had two sacks, he and Bryan Robinson attempted a high five that went bad. Apparently, Robsinon's hand smacked Somers in the face, breaking his glasses and cutting his nose. All is good, as Somers laughed it off.
• From AZcentral, Bob McManaman discusses how the Cardinals defense is gaining confidence. Ever since their goal line stand against the Texans, they've been riding that momentum against the Seahawks and Giants.

It's a good Tuesday so far, and with two Cardinal wins in a row, I'm sure most of us are in good spirits. To kick off the day, I thought I'd start by posting a weekly flock of links from around the web. The Cardinals are 3-2 on a two game win streak with an upcoming Sunday night battle with the New York Giants. Let's see what everyone is saying: 

Mike Sando looks at the personnel groups the Cardinals have used against their opponents so far this year. The Cardinals used two tight end sets in over 40% of their snaps on Sunday, clearly more then any other game this season by a long shot. The primary reason is the return of tight end Ben Patrick, who made key blocks on the opening drive.

Darren Urban discusses the Cardinals defense, and evaluates the game on Sunday. The Cardinals hadn't held an opponent to three points or less since 1999 and hadn't done it on the road since 1974.

Also from Urban, he discusses the Cardinals overall game on Sunday, looks ahead to the tough match up against New York, and evaluates Kurt Warner's smack talking to Seattle fans.

Finally from Urban, he talks to Ken Whisenhunt to get some Monday information. Whisenhunt says that Boldin coming out was to not further injure his ankle and also get him ready for the Giants game. He compares the opening drive to an episode of Seinfeld, he talks about why Rashad Johnson was inactive for the first time, and also says not using any timeouts to end the first half was his mistake.

At azcentral, Dan Bickley evaluates the key play to the game - the pouch kick off in the first quarter. It couldn't have came at a better time, as it kept the Seahawks offense on the bench longer, and took a noisy crowd at Qwest Field out of the game.

This isn't an official link but it is nice to look at. It's the total defensive rushing stats for the 2009 season. The Cardinals still rank 1st in rushing defense, but are also first in yards per carry, and are 2nd in rushing touchdowns allowed. It should also be noted the Cardinals pass defense dramatically improved, dropping the average almost 40 yards, but they're still 31st.

More photos » by Ross D. Franklin - AP

about 1 month ago: Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner tries to get a pass off as an Indianapolis Colts defender wraps him up during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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Make no mistake about it, the Arizona Cardinals are disappointed to enter the bye week with a 1-2 record. They're even more disappointed with how they've played their first three games of the 2009 season. They've lost two home games, after entering the season with the best home winning percentage in the NFC over the past two seasons, the offense has turned the ball over more times than they've punched it into the end zone and the defense has allowed 12 plays of at least 20 yards. Basically through three games the Cardinals are doing everything in their power to prove that their doubters were exactly right. With the bye week staring them in the face and another home game on the horizon, it's quickly becoming "put up or shut up" time for the NFC Champs.

• One month into 2009 season, Steelers and Cardinals not so super - Suddenly, the Super Bowl teams don't look so super anymore. The Pittsburgh Steelers are on a two-game skid. They even found a way to lose to the Cincinnati Bengals, a team they'd bullied since 2001, and now face a daunting challenge trying to catch the 3-0 Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North. The Arizona Cardinals? They're playing much more like the club that stumbled through the final month of the 2008 season rather than the one that caught fire in the playoffs and pushed the Steelers to the brink in Super Bowl XLIII. Finishing 9-7 last year, the Cardinals weren't widely viewed as a favorite to repeat as NFC champions, so maybe their struggles aren't a major surprise. Still, rallying again to win their division, the NFC West, hardly looks impossible.

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More photos » by Phil Coale - AP

about 1 month ago: Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, left, dives for a third quarter touchdown as Jacksonville Jaguars safety Sean Considine tries to make the stop during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009, in Jacksonville, Fla. Arizona won 31-17. (AP Photo/Phil Coale)

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So what's the big news after the Arizona Cardinals first win of the season in dominating fashion, how about the twitter account of guy who has no affiliation with the team. That's right, the twitter barrage by Marcus Fitzgerald (Fitz's younger brother) has been making most of the news this week despite a record breaking performance by Kurt Warner, two fumbles from Beanie Wells and a solid defensive effort. Such is the world we live in. We've tried to let the dust settle on this story before bringing it to ROTB and so far it's dying down as you would expect. Fitz and Warner are just to classy and important to this team for this to remain an issue for any extended period of time.

• Friction between Fitzgerald, Warner? - A reader mentioned to us earlier tonight that Marcus Fitzgerald, the younger brother of Cardinals All-World wideout Larry Fitzgerald, posted some Twitter messages during Sunday's Arizona-Jacksonville game suggesting the beginnings of a rift between Larry and quarterback Kurt Warner. Among other things, [younger brother] Fitzgerald says that Larry "texted him pissed off" during halftime, even though the Cardinals were leading by 21 points. In the same tweet, Marcus Fitzgerald opined that Warner plays "like a damn 80 year old." Marcus also offered this assessment of Warner's play: "Kurt warner needs 2 stop bein a scary ass & throw the ball deep 2 my brother! damn this is annoying 2 watch! he throws 2 the rb's 2 damn much."
• Marcus Fitzgerald tries to clean up his mess - The younger brother of Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald hasn't been blessed with the same degree of football skills. But, by all appearances, Marcus Fitzgerald (who is on the preseason roster of the UFL's California Redwoods) didn't make up for the relative lack of physical prowess by acquiring an abundance of smarts. Larry Fitzgerald has consistently shown that he knows what to say and what not to say when the public is paying attention. In one afternoon of frustration, however, Marcus has thrown a wrench into that carefully constructed image.
• Kurt Warner shrugs off Fitzgerald frustrations - In a Tuesday spot on The Jim Rome Show, guest-hosted by Bickley and MJ of Xtra Sports 910 in Phoenix, Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner adroitly handled questions regarding Twitter posts from the brother of receiver Larry Fitzgerald suggesting that the All-Planet wideout is frustrated by a lack of touches. "He's gonna have his times and he's gonna have his moments and I'm not just gonna go back there and force something to Larry to get him the ball," Warner said. "You know I'm like anybody else, if I can throw the ball to [Anquan Boldin] and [Larry Fitzgerald] every time, I will do that."
• Fitz tweets - Darren Urban explains the Fitzgerald brother tweeting fiasco.

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More photos » by Ross D. Franklin - AP

Three active NFL players are joining former players in agreeing to donate their brains after death to a Boston University medical school program that studies sports brain injuries.The donations by Mark Birk of the Baltimore Ravens, Lofa Tatupu of the Seattle Seahawks and Morey of the Cardinals were announced Monday, Sept. 14, 2009. Morey says his donation will help improve the safety of retired and future athletes. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)

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Obviously no one is quite over the Arizona Cardinals season opening loss but here on this 'hump day' we begin to look forward to a new game. Today will be the biggest day of practice as soon as we get an injury report, we'll pass it along. The biggest news of this mid-week time frame has centered around Sean Morey's brain......

• Brain Donation Shows Morey’s Passion - The Cardinals’ wide receiver and Pro Bowl special teamer became one of three active NFL players – along with Baltimore center Matt Birk and Seattle linebacker Lofa Tatupu – to announce this week they would allow their brains to be studied when they die. The purpose is to learn about head injuries for NFL players and how concussions can lead to problems later in life.
• Cards' Morey promises brain for research - Cardinals receiver and special teams player Sean Morey is one of three NFL players who on Monday agreed to donate their brains after death to a Boston University medical school program that studies sports brain injuries.
• Offensive adjustments from Whiz - Ken Whisenhunt didn't get into specifics for obvious reasons, but he said Monday that design alterations on offense should help the team in Jacksonville this Sunday. Whisenhunt said the offense was thrown off by last-minute changes at receiver. Steve Breaston had practiced all week to replace Anquan Boldin at the "Z" spot, but Breaston's knee was too painful on Sunday for him to play. Boldin played and Jerheme Urban also took snaps at the "Z" position. "We had a number of guys playing out of their normal position," Whisenhunt said. "That will lend to us not being as sharp. Now, I'm not going to make an excuse because we have been able to overcome those things in the past. As far as how we are going to design things offensively, we will make sure that we are better suited for the game."
• No suspension for Wilson's big hit - Cardinals safety Adrian Wilson won't be suspended for his hit Sunday on 49ers tight end Vernon Davis, according to an NFL source, although league officials are reviewing the play and a fine is still possible.
• NFL makes right call on Cardinals' Wilson - The Cardinals do not have to worry about losing their most feared defensive player, Adrian Wilson, to an NFL suspension following the safety's huge hit on 49ers tight end Vernon Davis in Week 1.
• Cardinals' Wilson to restructure contract - Cardinals' Wilson to restructure contract, Adrian Wilson has agreed to restructure his contract, giving the team more cap space. Here's a look at what the new structure means for the Wilson, the Cards and even Boldin.

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More photos » by Matt York - AP

2 months ago: San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, right, is sacked by Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell (93) during the first quarter of an NFL preseason football game Saturday, Aug. 22, 2009. (AP Photo/Matt York)

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We're two weeks deep into the preseason and I'm sure most of us are saying, "Is the regular season here yet?" The answer is no. With two games left of the preseason, and almost two weeks left, we're still stuck hearing about positional battles and predictions of what the Cardinals will look like in 2009. So to continue that trend, here's some news around the web about our very own Cardinals.

- Darren Urban discusses the possibility of Brian St. Pierre being moved to the practice squad, and he states that he would be eligible. He also believes that Matt Leinart has pretty much secured the number two role on the team, and that Tyler Palko would need to be very impressive to have a chance to make the roster.

-  Also from Urban, he talks about the Cardinals lack of offense so far in the preseason and that the Cardinals are still not concerned with it. Larry Fitzgerald says that coach Whisenhunt isn't giving anything away to regular season opponents, such as the no huddle offense. This makes sense as the Cardinals offense hasn't looked too complex at this point.

- Mike Sando talks to the Cardinals new defensive coordinator, Bill Davis, and gathers his thoughts for the 2009 season. Davis talks about his past and what he's bringing to the Cardinals defense. He also talks about Darnell Dockett and his move to a new position saying that he's really excited for Dockett, and believes he'll have a good season. Davis talks about getting back to basics, and focusing on their weaknesses of last year:

You can focus on a lot of things, Davis said, but when you have our offense, which we have so much respect for and it's fun to watch, we've got to take care of ours. We've got to stop the deep ball. We've got to make sure we get pressure on the quarterback. We have to play the run like we did in the playoffs.

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That is truly a beautiful thing (via the official site)

In case you spent all day doing actual work or living under a rock, the Arizona Cardinals reported to training camp yesterday. The first actual practice won't take place until Friday but the players took physicals yesterday and they'll have a conditioning test today. The good news is that everyone who is under contract (yes that's Boldin, Dockett and Berry) reported on time and in relatively decent spirits. The bad news is that first round pick Chris Wells is not there yet although his contract talks are ongoing. It's worth remembering that last year's first rouder Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie missed a practice or two as well, it's just the nature of the beast. With all that being said there is new aplenty so we'll jump right in (also there is a ton of audio from yesterday's media sessions after the jump)....

• Cards Getting Started - Some news is routine. First-round draft pick Beanie Wells remained unsigned and hasn’t arrived yet. General manager Rod Graves said Wednesday evening a deal wasn’t imminent but that progress had been made during the day. With the first practice still more than a day away, Wells still has time to get a deal and not miss any time. But, as expected, everyone showed up. Everyone is healthy heading into practice. And now – unlike many other seasons – success for this particular group will be rated not on wins and losses only but reaching the postseason.
• Berry, Triple Q and Health - Yes, Bertrand Berry didn’t attend any of the organized team activities this offseason. No, Berry insisted, it wasn’t because he was – or is – unhappy with his contract. "Rest. I just needed rest," Berry said during a good-natured media session Wednesday as the Cardinals checked in for training camp. "People have all kind of theories of why I wasn’t there, I was upset about this that, or the other. It was just rest. As I said at the end of the season, I’m not a spring chicken, I’m a summer duck. So you have to treat your body accordingly. You can’t do everything going on out there. You have to pick and choose your spots."....................Anquan Boldin was late but he had a good reason, considering that he doubled back to pick up Ali Highsmith and Early Doucet after their car broke down..............For the most part the team passed their physicals with flying colors. Stephen Spach will be monitored closely and probably won't participate in two-a-days while the team will also keep a close eye on Kenny Iwebema, but both players did officially pass their physical.
• Wrapping up move-in day - Yadda, Yadda, Yadda, the Cardinals received their NFC Championship rings (pictured above) during a ceremony Tuesday night.
• Opening day - Consider this a grab bag of news and notes - Everyone made 'weight' including Alan Branch who tipped the scales at a trim 332 (lowest weight since he was drafted).....Boldin and Dockett are present and accounted for and they didn't report any mysterious injuries.....Interesting note on Keilen Dykes looking especially impressive and in fantastic shape.
• Coaches adjusting to their new roles - Coaches adjusting to their new roles, success brought about many changes on the Cardinals coaching staff this off-season.

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First, make sure that you check out Ken Whisenhunt on the set of NFL Network's Total Access Show.

• Winners, losers from 2008 NFC West drafts  - Sando looks back at the 2008 draft and says that the Cardinals got the best choice of any NFC West team when they took Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie with the 16th overall pick. He also mentions ROTB-favorite Brandon Keith after we gave him a subtle nudge.
• NFC West training camp travel schedule - NFC West training camps open in about one week and here's a look at when each team opens camp.
• Cards-Boldin talks still weeks away - Serious contract talks with Anquan Boldin are still at least a couple of weeks away according to Cards GM Rod Graves, who prefers to negotiate after regular season is well under way.
• Looking for a runner - Tim Hightower enters training camp as the starter but will have to hold off rookie Chris Wells to hang on to the job. Hightower emerged from his rookie season as a bit of an enigma. He was very productive in goal-line and short-yardage situations. And he made two impressive plays in the game-winning drive in the NFC title game. But Hightower didn't produce after becoming the the starter in the eighth game.
• A look at the QBs - The second installment  of position analysis heading into the opening of camp next week: Quarterbacks This is a very solid group. Sure, there would be concerns if Kurt Warner misses time with injury, but that's true for almost any team that loses at starting QB
• The virtual Cardinals - Darren Urban has some screen shots of your favorite Cardinals from Madden 2010.
• Vallejo enters crucial third year with Cardinals - Elliot Vallejo realizes that either he takes the next step and proves the Cardinals investment in him is worthy or his time in Arizona could be short. Vallejo didn't necessarily get stronger or faster in the off-season — just wiser. He worked on his footwork, technique and timing as well as reviewed the team's playbook. Vallejo believes he gained ground as a player from a mental standpoint during the off-season.

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