Time for some links, mainly about Steve Breaston's interviews with ESPN and Yahoo. Also, more talk about how Orton would be good for us, A-Dub tweeting (he just joined twitter, go follow him now) that he wants the team to keep working hard, NFC West Offensive Tackles, the fourth quarter performances of NFC West QBs when down by a touchdown or less (in response to LeBron's fourth quarter meltdowns, which I took great satisfaction from) and an act of heroism by former Cardinal tight end Leonard Pope.
All this and much more after the jump.
Cardinals News:Analyst thinks Orton would be good for Cards - ArizonaSports.com
For many the name Kyle Orton has been nothing more than an after thought when it comes to the Cardinals quarterback search. While he may be a consolation prize to some, one ESPN analyst thinks he could be a great fit in Arizona. John Clayton, as part of a piece on underrated NFL players, said Orton's play is more impressive than many think and could translate into great success in the desert.
Adrian Wilson tells team to keep working - ArizonaSports.com
Although there is no timetable or estimates as to when NFL activities will resume, there are no excuses for the players to not be preparing both physically and mentally. While fans may be sick of the lockout and prefer to ignore all football talk until there is a resolution, players do not have that option.
Video: 'Poetry recital' on 'First Take' - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Arizona Cardinals receiver Steve Breaston made two appearances Monday on ESPN's First Take, one live and the other on replay. No word yet on whether Breaston made it to player-organized workouts on time following his TV duties.
Steve Breaston is an underrated wide receiver - ArizonaSports.com
The Arizona Cardinals' Steve Breaston isn't just someone who writes great poetry, he's also one of the most underrated players in the NFL according to ESPN's John Clayton. Over the weekend Clayton penned a piece in which he put together an entire starting NFL roster of players who weren't pro bowlers or first round picks. The roster was quite impressive considering the restrictions. It was especially interesting that Breaston was the team's top wide receiver.
Lebron factor: Fourth-quarter QB mettle - NFC West Blog - ESPN
A Lebron James discussion broke out on my Facebook wall and I started it. Nineteen comments into the discussion came this question: "Is this what the lockout has brought us to? Discussing the NBA?" Well, almost. I've taken a related concept -- James' performances during critical moments of fourth quarters of the NBA Finals -- and applied it to NFC West quarterbacks. The chart shows how each of those quarterbacks performed during fourth quarters when the score differential was no greater than seven points.
The Shutdown Corner Podcast: Steve Breaston - Shutdown Corner - NFL Blog - Yahoo! Sports
If you haven't yet seen the poem written and recited by Arizona Cardinals receiver Steve Breaston(notes) … well, where have you been? The poem, entitled "A League Deferred," went viral on YouTube and brought Breaston all kinds of national media spots, including this one. We talked with Steve today about the inspiration for the poem (which really talks about how fans are being affected by the lockout more than anything else), how the lockout is affecting his offseason, whether he's more optimistic about an end to the labor dispite with all the rumors about the owners and players finding common ground, and many more things.
Mixed results from Cardinals tackles - ArizonaSports.com
Although they are often ignored until they allow a sack or are called for holding, the offensive line consists of some of the most important players on a football team. Profootballfocus.com took a look at offensive tackles and rated them based upon their pass blocking efficiency in an attempt to discover the best and worst tackles in the National Football League last year.
Where NFC West left tackles stack up - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Walter Jones and Orlando Pace once gave the NFC West two Pro Bowl-caliber left tackles. The current crop isn't lacking for talent. All four starters were drafted among the first 33 overall choices. None has done enough to figure prominently in the ESPN.com power rankings for NFL left tackles, which are scheduled to appear Tuesday. But that could change in the near future. A quick look at each NFC West team's starter at the position
ProFootballWeekly.com - Million-dollar backfield? Cardinals sure hope so
The Cardinals' four-headed backfield of Beanie Wells, Ryan Williams, Tim Hightower and LaRod Stephens-Howling might not be such a bad idea after all.
ProFootballWeekly.com - Cardinals' WR situation 'wide open' behind Fitzgerald
With the Cardinals' QB situation continuing to be totally up in the air, and second-round rookie Ryan Williams creating an eyebrow-raising logjam at running back, it's easy to lose sight of the team's other position battles. But it appears the competition for the team's second and third receiver spots behind Larry Fitzgerald couldn't be more wide open, with free-agent holdovers Steve Breaston and Early Doucet looking like they could get a serious run for their money from second-year pros Andre Roberts and Stephen Williams.
ProFootballWeekly.com - Bills hope to give WR Evans bigger role
Cardinals first-round CB Patrick Peterson's value is enhanced by his quality kick-return ability, but team insiders do not believe he will be taking on any starting kick-return duties. "Since they expect him to be an elite, every-down corner, I think they will be very judicious as far as using Peterson as a returner," one team insider said. "I think they will use him in spot situations, but I think Andre Roberts will remain the starting punt returner, and LaRod Stephens-Howling will definitely remain the starting kickoff returner."
Jared Allen's thoughts on lockout, Fitzgerald's backyard - ArizonaSports.com
ArizonaSports.com is Arizona's Sports Page. Complete coverage, late breaking news and opinions on your favorite Arizona teams including Arizona Cardinals, Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks,Coyotes, ASU, U of A, NAU
ProFootballWeekly.com - NFL head coach power rankings
The PFW editorial staff was asked to rank the current crop of NFL head coaches from 1-32. The newest head coaches, especially those with no head-coaching experience on which to evaluate them, rank lower on the list than those head coaches who already have established track records — good or bad — at the pro level.
Arizona Sports News:
Daniel Hudson, Diamondbacks defeat Marlins on Sunday
As Arizona Diamondbacks reliever David Hernandez came in from the bullpen Sunday afternoon, his mind flashed back to the last time he entered a game started by teammate Daniel Hudson. "The first thing that went through my mind was that I owe 'Huddy' one," Hernandez said. The reliever coughed up a would-be Hudson victory with an ugly inning in Pittsburgh last week, but he redeemed himself Sunday, getting out of a bases-loaded, none-out jam by allowing just one run, helping the Diamondbacks hold on for a 5-1 win over the Florida Marlins at Sun Life Stadium.
NCAA baseball: ASU eliminated by Texas
Arizona State was going to do everything it could from letting the umpires decide who advances to the College World Series. Its effort wasn't enough as two controversial calls in crucial situations went against the Sun Devils who Sunday were eliminated by Texas in a 4-2 loss in Game 3 of the Austin Super Regional.
MLB All-Star Game provides Arizona, Diamondbacks a chance to shine
We are 30 days from another posting in society's slam book. The All-Star Game lands in Chase Field on July 12 and all judgmental eyes will be on a community frequently belittled for its political shenanigans. Arizona is so much more than that and Major League Baseball's All-Star festivities can help make the case. You argued strongly for this, Diamondbacks. Let's see you deliver. Anyone else hate how begrudgingly this game was given to the Valley? Milwaukee, Houston and Pittsburgh built new stadiums after us and landed games before us. Commissioner Bud Selig, who has a home in Scottsdale, comes across like a reluctant supporter. We deserve better.
NFL News:
Chiefs tight end Leonard Pope saves six-year-old from drowning | ProFootballTalk
On an NFL news day featuring the latest Kenny Britt mishap and not else, it’s great to pass along a story of heroism. The Americus Times-Recorder in Georgia reports that Pope saved a six-year-old child from drowning over the weekend. Anne Moore, a family friend of Pope, says Pope heard her cry for help at a pool party.
Survey: 7 NFL teams have had furloughs or cuts - ESPN
Seven of the NFL's 32 teams have instituted pay cuts or furloughs for other employees since the lockout began March 12, The Associated Press found in interviews conducted with each club.
NFL: How post-lockout schedule might look - ESPN
A labor deal by the end of June would save the season but require a bit of scrambling, writes John Clayton in his latest mailbag.
Tom Brady, Ricky Stanzi saddened by grim news about Tom Martinez - Peter King - SI.com
Tom Brady on Tom Martinez: 'There is no one who knows more about throwing' Don't underestimate significance of Roger Goodell and DeMaurice Smith dining out Quotes of the Week, Stat of the Week, Ten Things I Think I Think and more
NFLPA's DeMaurice Smith yet to talk to NFL Alumni leader George Martin - ESPN New York
Former Giants player and president of the NFL Alumni George Martin is frustrated that he has not been able to sit down with DeMaurice Smith, executive director of the decertified NFL Players Association
Raiders could be the perfect fit for Terrelle Pryor | ProFootballTalk
In Sunday morning’s edition of the Oakland Tribune, Jerry McDonald makes a compelling case for former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor to join the Silver and Black.