Time for todays links, where we look at the idea that Ike Taylor could come over from the Steelers to replace DRC if he is traded for Kevin Kolb. Also some stuff on the offseason plans and Dockett's encounter with the police.
Word From the Birds Blog - Some room for "The Plan"
Several times this offseason both general manager Rod Graves and coach Ken Whisenhunt (and president Michael Bidwill, for that matter) have talked about the plan the team has in place once the offseason starts. Both Whisenhunt and Bidwill have used the term "aggressive" when it comes to free agency, and that will help given the situation that the Cards have a lot of work to do to firm up a roster in what figures to be a short time period.
Arizona Cardinals could be interested in Ike Taylor - ArizonaSports.com
The phrase ‘I like Ike' isn't just for 1952 Presidential campaigns anymore. It may be what the Arizona Cardinals are saying this offseason in reference to Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor.
Cardinals ill-prepared for quick off-season - ArizonaSports.com
The Arizona Cardinals have plenty of holes to fill, but the lockout is likely to leave them -- as well as every other team in the league -- little time to work on filling them. The problem for the Cardinals, according to Sports 620 KTAR's Mark Asher, is that they may not have the capabilities to win a truncated off-season. "This team has a lot of work to do in this off-season and they're not going to have as much time to do it, and I don't know that the Cardinals are built to be able to work quickly, to strike quick," he said on the Gambo and Ash show Monday. That could be a problem.
Would Ike Taylor be a better fit than DRC? - ArizonaSports.com
If the Cardinals decide to trade Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie for Kevin Kolb they would be filling one hole by creating another. Rodgers-Cromartie's spot in the defensive secondary, though, could be filled by veteran Ike Taylor, a Pittsburgh Steelers free agent. "If he is truly wide open to any scenario, and you look at the fact that Ray Horton has made him look very good and his defense has catered to his skill-set," Paul Calvisi said on Sports 620 KTAR's Sports Interactive.
Ike Taylor would be good addition for Cardinals - ArizonaSports.com
Rumors of the Cardinals being interested in Steelers corner Ike Taylor have begun to surface, something which could very much be a reality should Arizona trade cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie to Philadelphia for Kevin Kolb. If, in fact, that trade happens, Steelers sideline analyst Craig Wolfley says the Cards would be getting quite a player if they lure the Steelers' corner to the desert. "He can run with anybody, and he is competitive with everybody," Wolfley told Sports 620 KTAR's Doug and Wolf show Tuesday. "It comes down to he knocks down passes a lot more than he catches them."
Cardinals weighing free agent options - ArizonaSports.com
While most roster talk involving the Arizona Cardinals centers around the quarterback position, they will need to figure a few things out once free agency begins. According to profootballweekly.com the Cardinals may try to re-sign nose tackle Gabe Watson, while letting Alan Branch go.
Arizona Cardinals' Darnell Dockett tweets while pulled over by cops - ESPN
Darnell Dockett was pulled over by police -- and gave Twitter followers a play-by-play account.
azcentral.com - video
Analyzing the Cardinals' trade rumors
All In: Cheerleaders Prepare for First Performance
Video Gallery: azcardinals.com
Darnell Dockett live tweets a police encounter | ProFootballTalk
After we pointed out last year that Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockett posted a Twitter message within the pregame window prohibited by the league, Dockett blocked us from following him. But he can’t block everyone, and so thanks to Richard Deitsch of SI.com we became aware of Dockett’s latest Twitter adventure.
Arizona Sports News:
Indians hand Diamondbacks third straight loss
The chance for victory presented itself in the eighth inning. Tie game. Go-ahead run on third. Nobody out. And the Diamondbacks' best run producers coming to the plate. "We had the right guys up," second baseman Kelly Johnson said. "I like our chances there." But it didn't work out. The Diamondbacks stranded Johnson at third, and a half-inning later, Orlando Cabrera made them pay, belting a solo home run to give the Cleveland Indians a series-opening 5-4 win Monday night in front of 25,726 at Chase Field.
The Pac-12 Network revolution may not be televised - ArizonaSports.com
Could the Pac-12 Network come to you via your computer, phone or tablet instead of your television in the fall of 2012? If meetings the conference has held over the last few weeks with major players in Silicon Valley are any indication, it could be a real possibility. According to the San Jose Mercury News' Jon Wilner, commissioner Larry Scott and other conference officials have discussed some unique options with major brands in the technology industry.
Matthew Hulsizer pulls bid to buy Phoenix Coyotes
Glendale is starting over again as Matthew Hulsizer has pulled his bid to purchase the Phoenix Coyotes.
Kerry Taylor: ASU football needs new head coach
Dennis Erickson's future as Arizona State football coach has been debated for much of the past year but never from someone this close. On Sunday, former ASU receiver Kerry Taylor sent out a message from his Twitter account blasting the 64-year-old coach. Taylor's exact words: "I want ASU to win Pac12 Championships, all us ASU fans do. But in order for that to happen we need a new Head Coach. That's all I'm saying."
One potential owner drops out of Phoenix Coyotes race - ArizonaSports.com
And then there were two. Just hours after news emerged that there were three groups interested in purchasing the Phoenix Coyotes (Matthew Hulsizer, Jerry Reinsdorf and a mystery group), one of those interested parties has taken their name out of consideration. Hulsizer has decided to end his pursuit of the Coyotes according to the Phoenix Business Journal.
NFL News:
Lockout: Four days of NFL talks beginning today, sources say - ESPN
Representatives of the negotiating teams of the NFL and the NFL Players Association have agreed to four consecutive days of talks in the Minneapolis area starting Tuesday through Friday, sources told ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen.
Roughly 100 rookies don’t show up for rookie symposium | ProFootballTalk
The NFLPA* is doing a terrific job by holding their "Business of Football" sessions, their own version of the annual NFL rookie symposium which was canceled by the lockout. Unfortunately, they can’t make attendance mandatory. Roughly 100 rookies are expected to sit out.
NFLPA* tells rookies: Wait a year before spending money | ProFootballTalk
Many NFL rookies make more money in the year they’re drafted — at age 21 or 22 — than they make in any other year for the rest of their lives. And many NFL rookies spend the money they make that year as if they can count on making that much money every year for the rest of their lives. Breaking that pattern is a big part of the rookie symposium that the NFLPA* is hosting in Florida today.
Terrell Owens and defenseless receivers - NFC West Blog - ESPN
The knee injury receivers Terrell Owens suffered this offseason got me thinking. Surely the NFL can do more to protect defenseless receivers who are taping shows for VH1 or conducting personal workouts. At least no one can blame Owens' fate on the helmet-to-helmet collisions that made headlines last season. That discussion led to concerns suggesting receivers could face more damaging hits to their lower bodies as defenders sought to avoid incurring fines with hits to the helmet.
Lawyers are trying to persuade players to stand firm | ProFootballTalk
So what did today’s meeting between a handful of players and their legal representatives mean? We’re told, by a reliable source (as opposed to our usual unreliable sources), that the lawyers are hoping to persuade the players not to roll over in talks with the owners.
NFL: Teams most hurt, helped by salary-cap proposal - ESPN
These teams will be most helped and hurt by a proposed change in the NFL salary cap and floor, John Clayton writes.
Kaepernick's prospects as rookie starter - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Dan from San Diego wonders how second-round quarterbacks have fared as rookie starters, given that Colin Kaepernick could find his way onto the field with the San Francisco 49ers in 2011.
Agent Drew Rosenhaus: Terrell Owens of Cincinnati Bengals not retiring, may be OK by August - ESPN
The agent for Terrell Owens confirmed Tuesday that the receiver had surgery to repair a torn ACL this offseason but said his client will be ready for the 2011 season and is not considering retirement.