This batch of links for today includes stuff on the possibility that the Cardinals could make a trade with Denver to move up to the second overall pick in the draft, also the potential of nightmare draft scenarios where everyone we want is gone. This and much more is after the jump.
Cardinals looking to move up for Gabbert? - ArizonaSports.com
Rumors and speculation leading up to the NFL Draft can be exciting, if not stressful. And, for a team like the Cardinals, every little bit of what-could-be-real-info has fans on the edge of their seats, waiting to react one way or another. The Cards have been linked to multiple players, most notably Von Miller and Blaine Gabbert. However, many seem to think they will be unwilling to take a chance on a quarterback at number 5, not with so many other holes that need to be filled. How about at number two?
Word From the Birds Blog - Yes, there’s a draft party
For those asking, there will be a draft party this year, run in conjunction with the first Big Red Rib and Music Festival out by University of Phoenix Stadium. The draft party — for which admission is free — will be out on the Great Lawn, with gates opening at 4 p.m. TV coverage from the NFL Network will be shown beginning at 4:30 p.m. and the party goes until 9 p.m. This will all be April 28, the Thursday night of the first round of the draft. The actual draft begins at 5 p.m., and the Cards — assuming they don’t make a trade and remain at No. 5 — should be picking about 5:45 or so. For more info, call 602-379-0101.
Draft Watch: NFC West - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Each Thursday leading up to the NFL draft (April 28-30), the ESPN.com blog network will take a division-by-division look at key aspects of the draft. Today’s topic: Draft philosophy.
Chat wrap: Nightmare draft scenarios - NFC West Blog - ESPN
todd (phoenix,AZ): Mike, a theoretical here. Let's say Blaine Gabbert, Cam Newton, Von Miller and Patrick Peterson are all gone when Arizona is picking at No. 5. You are the head coach and the GM. Who do you take, hotshot?!
NFL.com news: Cardinals to draft a QB at No. 5? 'I doubt it,' Fitzgerald says
Many people believe the Arizona Cardinals will take a quarterback with the No. 5 overall pick in this month's draft. Don't count Larry Fitzgerald among them. "I would doubt that we would draft a quarterback that high. I would doubt it," the Cardinals' Pro Bowl wide receiver told FoxSportsArizona.com on Tuesday. "But who am I? I'm just a player. Management hasn't told me if they are going to go in any direction."
NFL Videos: Cardinals on the clock
Darren Urban of Azcardinals.com discusses who he believes the Cardinals will target in the 2011 NFL Draft.
Phoenix Suns end disappointing season with a win over San Antonio Spurs
Oh, what could've been. The Suns, the team that disappointed as much as any in the NBA this season, looked as good as any in its farewell Wednesday night. A losing, lottery-bound, lamentable season ended with US Airways Center cheers for the Suns tying their most mistake-free game of the season in a 106-103 victory over the best of the West, San Antonio.
Arizona Diamondbacks' Ian Kennedy struggles in loss to St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals made their way around the bases at such a frantic pace Wednesday night that the grounds crew at Chase Field must have been tempted to rake the infield dirt every inning instead of just the customary two times per game. Seriously, it was that bad.
Phoenix Coyotes lose Game 1 of series against Detroit Red Wings
The operative word in the phrase "power play" is well . . . power. The lack of that haunted the Coyotes - not an unusual situation since they ranked 23rd in the NHL - but this power outage came at a most-inopportune time, Game 1 of the Western Conference playoffs.
Arizona Rattlers can make history with win vs. Kansas City
The Rattlers can make history Saturday when they travel to play the Kansas City Command. They can become the first team in franchise history to start the season 5-0. Their best start prior to this season came in 1998 at 4-0.
Arizona Wildcats' Derrick Williams declares for NBA draft
Arizona's Derrick Williams has decided to make himself eligible for the 2011 NBA Draft. Williams intends to sign with an agent and will not return to the program in 2011-12.
Phoenix Suns enter off-season facing uncertainty
The playoff chase lasted for months but elimination and the end came quickly.
Arizona Diamonbacks manager Kirk Gibson shows support, fires up team
Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson's nose-to-nose, toe-to-toe, spit-to-spit waltz with home-plate umpire Bob Davidson in the third inning of Tuesday's game was still the talk of the clubhouse on Wednesday. Diamondback players loved every second of Gibson's his first career ejection as a manager.
Report: Mayock will replace Theismann and Millen; Gus Johnson in mix for role too | ProFootballTalk
The NFL Network is admitting their mistake in hiring Joe Theismann last year. And Matt Millen the year before. The network’s choice to replace them is going to make a lot of fans, including this one, very happy.
"Life coach" fires JaMarcus Russell | ProFootballTalk
If JaMarcus Russell hasn’t hit bottom yet, we are not looking forward to what’s coming next.
Matt Leinart wants another opportunity | ProFootballTalk
Matt Leinart, the 2004 Heisman winner and the 10th pick in the 2006 draft, will be a free agent whenever the lockout ends. And he’s hoping to find a chance to get his career back on track. Or, as the case may be, to get it on track for the first time.
Might Seahawks scratch the surface? - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Seattle Seahawks players gave Qwest Field's artificial playing surface high marks in the NFL Players Association's latest survey.
(Poll also includes the rest of the teams in the NFL, the Cards got high marks)