Todays links.
azcentral.com blogs - Kent Somers - A look at QB trade market
It’s no secret the Cardinals need a quarterback, and they will consider every option this off-season, short of kidnapping, to find one. One alternative is via trade, and most speculation involves three players: Carson Palmer of the Bengals, Kyle Orton of the Broncos and Kevin Kolb of the Eagles.
Considering change
One faithful reader e-mailed me this weekend, asking for details on restricted free-agency rules and what it would mean to have tendered more of the possible restricted guys. His concern was the amount of turnover there could be on the roster. A quick recap: Seven players were tendered RFA offers. Of those, four have already played four NFL seasons, meaning if the new collective bargaining agreement reverts back to its pre-2010 form as it regards to free agency, the tender offers will not matter and those players (Breaston, Lutui, Sendlein, Branch) will be unrestricted. Bringing them all back in that scenario is not a lock by any stretch.
Whether the Cardinals should trade down - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Joe from Fort Collins, Colo., writes: Hey Mike, do you think the Arizona Cardinals should think about trading down from the No. 5 posititon if Blaine Gabbert and Patrick Peterson are both gone? I think it's too high for pass-rusher Von Miller, and the defensive linemen would be there between No.s 14 and 22. If they could, say, grab an extra third-round pick and drop down, I would do it. If Gabbert and Peterson are both there, grab the QB. Thanks!
Pro days and the case for No. 1 Cam
The Cardinals have a handful of decision-makers — including head coach Ken Whisenhunt — attending Auburn’s pro day today, as colleges begin to host their home-cooking workouts. Obviously Auburn has a pair of potential top five picks in QB Cam Newton and DT Nick Fairly. Arkansas also has it’s pro day today; is it notable Whisenhunt chose to go where Newton is and not Ryan Mallett? Maybe. Maybe he already has seen what he wants to see from Mallett. Maybe the Cards will schedule Mallett for a one-on-one workout. The point is I don’t think you can make assumptions based on today’s choice. At this point, the general feeling is that Newton and Misouri’s Blaine Gabbert (who, after not throwing at the combine, has his pro day March 17) are the top two QBs available. So to me, choosing to watch Newton over Mallett is logical. Doesn’t mean the Cards will take a quarterback.
The Arizona Republic's NFL mock draft 2011 - third edition
The Arizona Republic's Bob McManaman picks the first round of the 2011 NFL draft, which is scheduled for April 28. Who will the Arizona Cardinals take at No. 5?
Ware Overcomes Diabetes
Safety came back this season from disease, knee injury
Channing Frye Out Two Or Three Weeks With Dislocated Shoulder - SB Nation Arizona
Channing Frye will be out 2-3 weeks with a dislocated right shoulder. The Suns are 17-3 in games where Frye scored 15 or more points.
Age before beauty in the NFC West - NFC West Blog - ESPN
The NFL draft provides teams an opportunity to get younger. Invariably, older players wind up playing extensively when injuries strike and/or some of those youngsters prove not quite ready for the big leagues.
The 10 best undrafted players of all time | National Football Post
At the conclusion of every NFL draft, a host of talented young players are forced to deal with the disappointment of not hearing their name called. But the best and most determined use that as motivation to prove everybody wrong.
2011 mock draft, take two | ProFootballTalk
5. Cardinals: Von Miller, linebacker, Texas A&M. NFL Network’s Mike Mayock uses two words to describe Miller. "Defies. Gravity. Bends parallel to the ground. This guy comes off the edge and it’s scary how quick he gets to the quarterback." The Cards could use some of that with Joey Porter and Clark Haggans both 34 years old.
Pro Days usually help, rarely hurt, elite QB prospects - Shutdown Corner - NFL Blog - Yahoo! Sports
It was perhaps the best Pro Day workout noted draft expert Mike Mayock ever saw. The ball shot from the quarterback's hand immaculately, and zipped downfield on a perfect rope over and over. Every throw was made, and there was little doubt that the kid throwing the ball had a rare gift. The date: March 14, 2007. The quarterback: LSU's JaMarcus Russell. The Oakland Raiders selected Russell with the second overall pick in the 2007 draft, and Russell ate his way out of the league within a couple of seasons.
NFL.com news: Need at QB so dire, expect a 'reach' and several 'runs' in draft
While NFL owners and players try to hammer out a new collective bargaining agreement this week, football people with all 32 teams are working just as hard on draft preparation. However, it's a different animal this year.