As we move towards the weekend, todays links will look at the potential impact Patrick Peterson will have on the defense, an interview with Coach Whiz, and Fitz being named the best player in the NFC West by ESPN.
Word From the Birds Blog - The rookies and their impact
So ESPN.com’s K.C. Joyner — the "Football Scientist" — wrote an Insider article about No. 1 pick Patrick Peterson and the possibility he could bring the Cards’ secondary elite status this season. Joyner uses football metrics (fancy stats) to prove his point. He compares the Cards’ move to that of Bill Walsh and the 49ers back in 1981 when they added future star Ronnie Lott. Of course, that would be huge for the Cards if Peterson indeed did so (while noting DRC also has to up his play). But it also got me wondering about the entire rookie class. The way coach Ken Whisenhunt likes to break in rookies, there is usually a waiting period for them to make a large impact. Add in the complete loss of the offseason — so that this rookie class with have absolutely zero idea about life in the NFL and what this coaching staff expects until we are two weeks away from an actual preseason game — and you have to think the learning curve will be that much steeper.
Looking At The Tight Ends
The Cardinals will see if Jim Dray or rookie Rob Housler can emerge as a starting tight end.
Ken Whisenhunt thinks Arizona Cardinals have a lot to offer a quarterback - ArizonaSports.com
When selling real estate it's all about ‘curb appeal', a strategy where you make your property look as interesting as possible to potential buyers who pass by. It sounds like the Arizona Cardinals are taking a similar approach in their attempt to land a new quarterback.
Patrick Peterson key to Arizona Cardinals secondary improvement - ArizonaSports.com
It may seem like the Cardinals have a long way to go before they can consider their secondary among the league's best, yet ESPN's KC Joyner thinks Peterson can help this secondary become elite almost immediately.
Larry Fitzgerald named best player in NFC West - ArizonaSports.com
Larry Fitzgerald is good and everybody knows it. In fact, he is so good he was named the best player in the NFC West.
ProFootballWeekly.com - Hot OLB battles could be on tap for Cardinals
We hear the competition could be hot and heavy for the Cardinals at both OLB spots. On the left side, 34-year-old holdover Clark Haggans is expected to get a real run for his money from Will Davis, who has displayed flashes but had problems staying healthy his first two seasons. On the right side, team sources are giving a slight edge for the time being to second-year pro O'Brien Schofield over fourth-round rookie Sam Acho.
KC Joyner: Peterson could elevate Cards' D - NFC West Blog - ESPN
KC Joyner is extremely bullish on what the presence of rookie cornerback Patrick Peterson could mean to the Arizona defense. Joyner emphasizes his point by discussing the impact Ronnie Lott had on the great San Francisco teams of the 1980s.
Radio: Whisenhunt on lockout, free agency - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt spoke on "The Scott Van Pelt Show" and discusses NFL labor talks, says he expects chaos when free agency opens after a deal is struck, and shares his emotional journey of going to visit American troops overseas.
Darnell Dockett live blogs the Casey Anthony murder trial
Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockett is a Renaissance Man. In the last week and a half he's live-blogged a run-in with the police and purchased an alligator as a response to almost being bitten by one. Now, the only man to date to use wealth and social media properly is live-blogging his own response to the Casey Anthony trial.
A push to induct Pat Tillman into the Pro Football Hall of Fame isn't the most meaningful way to honor his memory. - ESPN
Pat Tillman was a true American hero, but the push to induct him into the Pro Football Hall of Fame feels awkward. Can't we just leave him alone?
Arizona Sports News:
Diamondbacks overcome rain to defeat Cardinals
This road trip began with the Diamondbacks placing their closer on the disabled list and their general manager saying the team was about to turn over crucial roles to two journeymen relievers and another guy with an ERA north of 6.00. So, as one would expect, not all has gone smoothly when the bullpen gates have swung open in the past seven days. But, by and large, the unit has held its own, a trend that continued in Thursday night's 4-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in the opening game of a four-game series at Busch Stadium.
NFL News:
NFL lockout: Conference call set up to update plaintiffs in Tom Brady vs. NFL case on status of labor negotiations, according to league source - ESPN
The plaintiffs in the Tom Brady vs. NFL case participated in a conference call Thursday night, the latest step toward completing a labor deal between the NFL and its locked-out players in the near future.
N.Y. attorney general investigating NFL lockout - ESPN
New York's attorney general has started an antitrust investigation into the NFL lockout, requesting information from both the league and the players' association about the economic impact of pro football's labor impasse.
NFL lockout: Judge's order lifting lockout thrown out - ESPN
The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has thrown out a judge's order lifting the NFL lockout, handing the league a victory in a labor stoppage that has reached its 115th day.
Ranking NFC West players: Nos. 1-5 - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. ranks the top 15 players in the NFC West. Today: Nos. 1-5.
(Featuring Larry Fitzgerald at the top spot)
Report: More progress being made on revenue split | ProFootballTalk
When the NFL and the NFLPA* burned the midnight oil last Thursday night and then decided to catch essentially the first flight on Friday out of Minnesota, the parties risked squandering the progress that had been made.
Tom Brady plaintiffs plan conference call, but no deal is imminent | ProFootballTalk
The plaintiffs in the Tom Brady v. NFL lawsuit are planning a conference call for tonight, but that does not mean they're going to approve a settlement as part of a new deal between the players and the owners.
NFL.com news: Hefty contracts could cost these disappointing performers
Here's a look at some players who are set to receive a disproportionate salary in 2011 and the expected results for them and their current teams:
Loophole in Eighth Circuit ruling should discourage owners from dropping the hammer | ProFootballTalk
We’ve already summarized the practical impact of the surprise move but the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit to rule that the lockout may continue while the NFL and the players are supposedly very close to resolving it. Basically, the ruling changes nothing.
Tennessee Titans QB Kerry Collins retires after 16 NFL seasons - ESPN
Quarterback Kerry Collins on Thursday announced his retirement from the NFL.
Dallas Cowboys WR Roy Williams settles with ex-Miss Texas USA Brooke Daniels, recovers engagement ring - ESPN Dallas
A dispute regarding a $76,000 engagement ring has been settled between Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Roy Williams and his ex-girlfriend, a former Miss Texas USA.
FanFeedr | NCAA Football | 08 Jul 11 | Matt Leinart on 710 ESPN Los Angeles
NFL Quaterback Matt Leinart joins John Ireland and Brian Kamenetzky to talk about the NFL lockout, perceptions of him being an NFL bust at quarterback, and his thoughts on USCs 2004 National Championship being stripped.
(Interesting comments from him for anyone who is interested)