News of Larry Fitzgerald's health and Rashad Johnson's readiness to take the field dominate this week in Arizona Cardinals headlines. Here's a look at what people are talking about:
Fitz is feeling better and the rest of the injury report - Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald did more at practice Thursday and while he was still limited, he said he was feeling better than Wednesday and continues to believe he will play Sunday in Detroit. There wasn’t much change to the injury report.
Cardinals' rookie Rashad Johnson ready to be safety net - Rookie safety Rashad Johnson is eager to take on an expanded role for the Cardinals on Sunday when they play the Lions.
What will Rashad do? - A lot is riding on what rookie safety Rashad Johnson can do here at the end of his first season. The third-round pick is the guy who has to step in for veteran Matt Ware when the Cards go to three safeties (veteran cornerback Ralph Brown has played there some as well) now that Ware is done for the season.
KentSomers - A walking bruise (Neil Rackers report) - Kicker Neil Rackers' teammates have been teasing about the way he's walking these days. But Rackers has a good reason for moving like he's just ridden a horse for a few weeks. He showed me the upper part of his right leg. (O.K., I know. Insert your joke here. Go ahead). It's an ugly, bloody mess, the result of a muscle tear.
To Fumble or Not to Fumble....if it were only that easy - Larry Fitzgerald went through a stretch where he lost three fumbles in four games back in early 2007. Those are the only three lost fumbles of Fitzgerald’s nearly six full seasons. "Man, that’s the worse feeling," Fitzgerald said. "You feel everyone’s eyes are on you, and really they are. You’re the guy that’s to blame, and it’s a terrible feeling. I’ve experienced it before and I’d rather not feel it again." The Cards know about terrible feelings of late. They lost five fumbles in San Francisco, with two coming from their top two running backs, Tim Hightower and Beanie Wells. Isolated and they could be shrugged off. But they haven’t been isolated – Hightower, for example, fumbled early against both Minnesota and San Francisco the past two games, with each leading to opposing touchdowns. Both players continue to work on the issue.
The timing of turnovers - I took a closer look this morning at the 29 turnovers committed by the Cardinals this year. I knew that most of them came in the first half but I was startled to see that 21 of them came in the first two quarters. Here's the breakdown: First quarter -- Seven turnovers:1 interception, 6 fumbles Second quarter-- 14 turnovers: 9 interceptions, 5 fumbles Third quarter -- 0 turnovers Fourth quarter -- Eight turnovers: 4 fumbles, 4 interceptions.
Pro Bowl update: Balloting for specialists - Ben Graham has moved up to third among NFC punters.
Under the Cap: Top Ten Safeties - Football Outsiders takes a look at the top ten safeties in terms of contract and as you might expect there's some Adrian Wilson info in here.