Welcome to the first one of these things for the year 2011.
Arizona Cardinals conclude practice for the 2010 season
When practice ended Friday, the Cardinals didn't spend any extra time on the field savoring their last workout of the 2010 season.
Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers scouting report
Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers scouting report, Kent Somers breaks down the Arizona Cardinals' final game of the 2010 season.
Nothing On The Other Side
Cards not used to being done this early
KTAR.com - Espo: Hopefully 2011 is better than 2010
I may not buy into the normal upbeat or introspective end of the year column but I do believe in complaining. With that in mind here's my list of things from Arizona sports in 2010 that shouldn't be seen in 2011.
Friday before the Niners
No reason to draw this edition of "Friday before" out. It’s New Year’s Eve, you’re all waiting to bring in a new year tonight and I’m in the same boat. I suppose if this game was to crown the division champ that’d be something else, but it’s not. As for the importance of winning this game in particular, well, I’ll let coach Ken Whisenhunt speak for the team. "Some people want us to do bad so we will do better in the draft — I don’t know," Whisenhunt said. "I think for a football team, for us, it’s important you finish well. That’s something we have made strides in doing. Just like in the ’07 season propelled us into the offseason, and the next year we went to the playoffs. "I’m not saying that going to the playoffs or having a great season is tied into how we play this game. But I think there’s no question, winning the game against Dallas has been tremendous for us, our young players, our organization to show right mindset what we have to do it week in and week out."
Video Gallery
First Look - The Ken Whisenhunt Show - Week 17
Video Gallery
Wolf's Building The Game Plan - Week 17
NFL Videos: Week 17: Cardinals vs. 49ers Preview
A preview of the Week 17 matchup between the Cardinals and the 49ers.
Phoenix Suns snap four-game skid with 92-75 win against Detroit Pistons
The Suns can't get a do-over on their worst season start in seven years, but they could try to start anew to change what the ending would have been if they remained the worst defense in the NBA. The Suns season was not going to change unless they changed. With an urgent mindset, a simplified but aggressive defensive strategy and the season's ninth starting lineup, the Suns gave their best defensive effort of the season to end a four-game losing streak with a 92-75 victory Friday night at US Airways Center.
Phoenix Coyotes' third-period rally falls short in 4-3 loss vs. St. Louis Blues
Phoenix Coyotes' third-period rally falls short in 4-3 loss vs. St. Louis Blues, The St. Louis Blues won their fifth straight game, holding off the Phoenix Coyotes 4-3 on Friday night.
azcentral.com blogs - Kent Somers - Friday notes buffet
A few notes before the final game:
One final practice and some awards
And then it was over. The Cardinals came off the practice field for the final time Friday. "I’m too cold to have any emotion," coach Ken Whisenhunt quipped.
Final Word: NFC West - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Bonus note. Yes, the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers also play in Week 17. A victory by the 49ers would mark the seventh season in a row one team has swept the other in this series. Draft positioning is also on the line. The loser of this game could select as early as No. 2 overall in the 2011 draft if enough other variables fell into place. The way things stand heading into Week 17, the Cardinals would draft fifth and the 49ers sixth. The winner is likely to lose roughly five spots.
Quick look at NFC West milestones - NFC West Blog - ESPN
A look at what several NFC West players need in Week 17, realistically or otherwise, to reach various milestones for the regular season:
Matt Hasselbeck of Seattle Seahawks practices; outside chance he could play - ESPN
Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck was limited in practice Friday in his first work this week, leaving open the possibility he could play Sunday night against St. Louis that will decide the NFC West winner.
Sources: Chicago Bears telling some backups to be ready to play vs. Packers - ESPN Chicago
The Chicago Bears maintain they plan to play their starters for the duration Sunday, when they face the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field, but multiple team sources revealed the staff has told some of the key backups to be ready.
Andre Johnson of Houston Texans out, slated for ankle surgery - ESPN
Texans Pro Bowl receiver Andre Johnson will miss Houston's season finale against Jacksonville and will have arthroscopic surgery on his right ankle next week.
Brett Favre listed as doubtful for Minnesota Vikings in what's likely his final game - ESPN
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre and wide receiver Sidney Rice have not passed their concussion tests and are listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions. For Favre, the game is what he has said will be the last of his 20-year career.
John Fox era with Carolina Panthers over after Sunday's game - ESPN
The Carolina Panthers announced Friday that coach John Fox will not return next season and that the contracts of his assistant coaches will not be renewed.