5-25-11: Bird Droppings - Kolb, NFL Rule Change Criticism, Lockout Talk

Time for some links for this Wednesday looking at how Kolb is likely to be wearing Cardinal red next year, where Dockett ranks among the other defensive players in the NFC West, Fitz's players only workouts and some stuff about the criticism the new "defenseless player" rules have received along with Goodell making note of how the Lockout has angered the NFL fanbase.

NFL: Kevin Kolb is worth the risk for Arizona Cardinals - ESPN
The Cardinals probably will make a hard charge for Kevin Kolb. History and conventional wisdom suggest the QB will at least become a moderate success in the desert, writes John Clayton.

A Cardinals Homecoming
It's like alumni never left while helping at skills and education camp

Larry Fitzgerald Leads Players-Only Workouts That Are Trend In NFL Lockout - Desert Dirt - SB Nation Arizona
During the current NFL lockout, which has been the longest work stoppage in the league's history, the teams cannot have contact with their players. However, despite the inability to use team facilities, many players have not been sitting around and watching TV. Many have been taking place in organized workouts, but lead by fellow teammates and other players. These player workouts have made the news nationally, including Richard Seymour leading workouts for the Raiders, Mark Sanchez leading "Jets West" and Joe Flacco in Baltimore. Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald has been doing the same thing, "organizing" workouts at Arizona State University.

Is Darnell Dockett the second best defensive player in the NFC West? - ArizonaSports.com
Is Darnell Dockett the second best defensive player in the NFC West? That's what ESPN's Mike Sando is wondering.

Arizona Sports News:

Arizona Diamondbacks see six-game win streak snapped in blowout loss to Colorado Rockies in Game 1 of doubleheader
Carlos Gonzalez homered twice and the Colorado Rockies became the first team to decipher Josh Collmenter's tomahawk-throwing style, rallying past the Diamondbacks 12-4 Tuesday despite losing pitcher Jorge De La Rosa in the opener of the day-night doubleheader.

Joe Saunders helps Arizona Diamondbacks earn split with Colorado Rockies
Joe Saunders collided with the Rockies' Dexter Fowler at home plate and then toppled over him, in the process banging his head on the ground, just about the roughest way possible for a pitcher to record an out. The collision, which left Saunders dazed but not down for the count, was the sort of play that summed up the day for the Diamondbacks: They might have run into some trouble, but they managed to get up and dust themselves off.

Phoenix Mercury's uplifting win opens preseason
Mercury coach Corey Gaines was able to assess many of his team's newest additions, most of whom are fighting for three open roster spots, in Tuesday night's 96-52 win over the JX Sunflowers in the Mercury's first preseason game at US Airways Center.

One person in Arizona sports deserves an Oprah sized farewell - ArizonaSports.com
Who was the toughest person in Arizona sports to say goodbye to when they left the Valley?

NFL News:

James Harrison, LaMarr Woodley blast NFL's 'Steelers Rule' - ESPN
Some of the hardest-hitters on Pittsburgh's defense took to social media to blast the league's new safety initiative.

NFL Fans: Change the way you think - ArizonaSports.com
Rule changes were unanimously approved by the NFL on Tuesday. As expected the biggest rule changes involve player safety. The biggest change of all has nothing to do with rules. The biggest change of all includes a fundamental shift in the way the game is played.

Roger Goodell: NFL sees fans are turned off by lockout - ESPN
The NFL is seeing the early signs of cracks in fan loyalty.

Relentless? 'Beast' label more appropriate - NFC West Blog - ESPN
The try-hard guy, long revered by NFL fans for overcoming physical limitations with all-out effort, has not been universally loved.

Patrick Peterson principle: Ware over Revis - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Jake from Lafayette, Calif., strongly disagrees with my decision to rank DeMarcus Ware third and Darrelle Revis only ninth in our rankings for top defensive players. He says Ware has yet to "consistently perform at an elite level, and he can't even anchor the Dallas defense to a decent level," while Revis "consistently shuts down any superstar wide receivers" for a playoff-tested defense.

Woodley upset that football is "turning soft" | ProFootballTalk
LaMarr Woodley was only just getting started when he criticized the NFL via Twitter for the "Steelers Rule" which will fine teams for excessive player safety rules infractions.

Goodell indicates roster rules could be adjusted after lockout | ProFootballTalk
It’s understood that rookies have a lot to lose during the lockout, with lower round rookies and undrafted free agents likely making it tougher to make NFL rosters. Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports asked Commissioner Roger Goodell Wednesday if the league would consider expanding NFL rosters after the lockout in order to help out coaches that want to keep their draft picks. The Commish sounded open to the idea during his comments to the media.

Roger Goodell: Lockout has had an impact on our fans already | ProFootballTalk
When fans booed NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell at the draft, he heard them loud and clear.

Fujita explains why it’s hard to trust owners | ProFootballTalk
We’ve had a lot of great spots on PFT Live from players during the lockout. Wednesday’s talk with Browns linebacker Scott Fujita was one of my favorites, and not only because Florio somehow avoided litigation talk for half of it.

Pittsburgh Steelers WR Hines Ward wins 'Dancing with the Stars' - ESPN
Hines Ward added a disco-ball trophy to his Super Bowl shelf Tuesday night after he samba-ed his way to the Dancing With the Stars championship.