As we move on to a new week, here are some links. Today looks at Warner's denial of accusations that he retired because of money, someone who says Orton should be our choice at QB, a update on when the Lockout should end and more.
Kurt Warner feels compelled to clear air - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Kurt Warner walked away from $11.5 million when he retired from the Arizona Cardinals with one year remaining on his contract. "There is something to be said for being able to leave on your terms and playing at the level that you want to play at," Warner said upon his retirement. Not everyone was convinced of his motives.
ProFootballWeekly.com - Cardinals would be much better off with Orton than Kolb
PFW executive editor Dan Arkush believes there are at least five better Cardinals QB options than Eagles backup Kevin Kolb, with Denver's Kyle Orton at the top of the list.
Video: Patrick Peterson at the Nike 7ON Tournament - Shutdown Corner - NFL Blog - Yahoo! Sports
Former LSU standout cornerback and current Arizona Cardinals rookie Patrick Peterson talks about the challenges ahead, how his Team Vapor Carbon squad was put together for great pass defense, and what the experience of coaching some of the nation's best high-school players has been like. Peterson's team came up just short in this year's 7ON final at the NIKE campus in Beaverton, Oregon, but that shortfall had nothing to do with a lack of enthusiasm on his part.
Yep, Darnell Dockett's Still Incredible - From Our Editors - SBNation.com
As the Summer Of Darnell Dockett continues, we have a new anecdote to share. This past weekend in Portland, I was talking to an ex-college football player who told me that while Darnell Dockett was at FSU, he drove an ambulance with a hot tub in the back.
Arizona Sports News:
Arizona Diamondbacks lose to St. Louis Cardinals, split series
Well-dressed as always, the Diamondbacks headed home on Sunday looking good -- literally and figuratively. They might have lost the past two days, but they finished a 10-game road trip that included series against two of the league's better teams with a 5-5 record, and they'll go into the All-Star break within shouting distance of first place in the NL West. "You'd take it," center fielder Chris Young said after Sunday's 4-2 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. "If they tell you in spring training this would be your scenario, by all means I think pretty much any team in baseball is going to take that.
Arizona Rattlers take advantage of turnovers to rout Pittsburgh Power
The Rattlers (15-2) wrapped up home-field advantage in the National Conference playoffs with an impressive 68-34 victory over the Pittsburgh Power (8-8) on Sunday night at the CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh.
Phoenix Mercury set franchise records in rout of Tulsa Shock
It was close until tipoff. The Mercury scored the first two points of the game and, literally, never stopped. They showed no mercy, breaking league and franchise records in a 102-63 win over the Tulsa Shock on Sunday in front of 7,696 at US Airways Center.
Former ASU star Jason Kipnis leads Team USA over Team World in All-Star Futures Game
Before Sunday, he had never stepped onto the grass at Chase Field. Oh, he had visited, of course, but just as a fan, stuck in the seats, no different than thousands of others. That alone made Jason Kipnis' participation in the XM All-Star Futures Game special. But leading off the bottom of the first with a home run to right, that's something the former Arizona State star never will forget. "Definitely wasn't expecting that," Kipnis said after the United States defeated the World team 6-4. "I was just trying to put the ball in play. . . . When I hit it, I was just like, 'No way."
Stars, pros share fun at All-Star Celebrity Softball Game
At Sunday's Taco Bell All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game at Chase Field, the crowd went wild for singer Jordin Sparks but greeted fellow pop star Nick Jonas with boos. As part of the All-Star Game festivities this week in Phoenix, Sunday's lineup featured A-list celebrities, athletes and MLB legends.
Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Miguel Montero added to NL All-Star team
Catcher Miguel Montero was eating his postgame meal when he got called into manager Kirk Gibson's office. For whatever reason, he said, he had a feeling what Gibson was going to tell him, and it turned out he was right. He had made the All-Star team.
No problems for Arizona Diamondbacks closer J.J. Putz after throwing bullpen session
Closer J.J. Putz threw a 27-pitch bullpen session on Sunday morning and reported no problems, mixing in splitters and sliders with his fastball.
Home Run Derby comes to hitter-friendly Chase Field
It's become the most popular All-Star event in any sport other than the game itself, and Monday night, it will turn Chase Field into Cape Canaveral. Get your gloves and your tape measures ready, because the State Farm Home Run Derby is sure to show just what kind of launching pad Phoenix's hitter-friendly stadium truly is.
NFL News:
NFL lockout: League, players moving toward deal, sources say - ESPN
The NFL and NFL Players Association are moving toward an agreement that can be ratified during the July 21 league meetings in Atlanta, according to sources familiar with the negotiations.
Rookie wage scale takes center stage when talks resume | ProFootballTalk
We reported on Saturday that the NFL and the players currently are at a stalemate regarding the contours of a new rookie wage scale. Albert Breer of NFL Network reports that, when the lawyers reconvene on Monday, "the biggest issue remaining on the ledger is the rookie salary system."
Top 15 fallout: Special treatment for 49ers? - NFC West Blog - ESPN
The first in a series of items examining what Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. was thinking when he ranked the NFC West's 15 best players recently.
'Transition rules' and Rams' early schedule - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Our latest reports regarding a potential NFL labor resolution by July 21 suggest the league could still play "almost all" exhibition games. One exception: The Hall of Fame game featuring the St. Louis Rams and Chicago Bears.
Favre’s brother, mother chime in on annual unretirement talk | ProFootballTalk
The official PFT position on the fourth annual retirement of Brett Favre can be summarized thusly: We won’t believe he’s done until two NFL seasons completely unfold without Favre playing.