8-24-11: Bird Droppings - Another New QB, Wilson Returns To Practice

And now we move along with the final week of training camp with the usual links from Flagstaff and the rest of the NFL.

Also some stuff on the new QB the cardinals are bringing in with injuries to Skelton and Hall, along with Adrian Wilson returning to practice.

Arizona Cardinals News:

Arizona Cardinals expected to sign quarterback Brodie Croyle
Former Kansas City QB Brodie Croyle is expected to sign with the Cardinals later today, a sign that backups John Skelton (ankle) and Max Hall (left shoulder) could be questionable for Saturday's game against the Chargers.

Post-camp feel: How I rank the NFC West - NFC West Blog - ESPN
General impressions on how the NFC West standings should shake out following visits to each training camp in the division:

(Cards at number two behind Rams)

Continuity On The Line
Blockers upfront hope to benefit from so many returning players

Cardinals' Adrian Wilson returns to practice on limited basis
Cardinals strong safety Adrian Wilson isn't playing football yet, but that isn't stopping him from being playful. Wilson smiled and joked with reporters after practicing on a limited basis Tuesday for the first time since suffering a torn biceps tendon Aug. 6. Wilson wore shoulder pads and helmet and participated in some individual drills and passing sessions but had no contact.

Stephen Williams Still Growing
Notebook: Wilson returns; Cards sure to keep three QBs

Cardinals' O'Brien Schofield improves after brief talk
Through the first three weeks of camp, outside linebacker O'Brien Schofield caused quite a stir. But it was due to his unique haircut - the "Schohawk" - not anything to do with football. When it came to actually playing the game, Schofield was too quiet for coach Ken Whisenhunt's liking. So about a week ago, Whisenhunt approached Schofield while players were stretching at practice. The conversation was short and unpleasant, at least for Schofield. "It wasn't even a deep conversation," Schofield said. "He told me I needed to work on my technique and having my assignments down, because he didn't doubt my ability." Without knowledge, ability is useless, and Schofield made too many mental errors in the preseason opener against Oakland.

azcentral.com blogs - Kent Somers - Versatility in the middle
In 2010, the Cardinals had few options at the two inside linebacker positions. Daryl Washington, a rookie, held down the weak side position, while Paris Lenon played the strong side. Later in the year, Gerald Hayes came off the PUP list and played the strong side, with Lenon moving to the weak.

Even without Ryan Williams Cardinals rookies expected to have impact - ArizonaSports.com
The Arizona Cardinals may have lost running back Ryan Williams for the year, but that doesn't mean there aren't rookies on the roster who fans should be excited about this season. In fact, Ken Whisnhunt is pretty enthusiastic about the team's entire draft class and what he's seen from them.

Cardinals coach learned to keep three quarterbacks on the roster - ArizonaSports.com
Ken Whisenhunt was a first-year head coach in 2007, and one of his earliest decisions was to keep just two quarterbacks on the roster during the regular season. Matt Leinart was the starter with Kurt Warner backing him up, and all seemed well as the Cardinals got off to a 3-2 start. It was in the team's fifth game -- a win at St. Louis -- where things started to unravel.

Larry Fitzgerald developing chemistry with Kevin Kolb - ArizonaSports.com
Larry Fitzgerald and Kurt Warner did not become "Larry and Kurt" until the veteran QB's third year with Cardinals.

Word From the Birds Blog - Adrian Wilson — in No. 24 — returns to practice
He was limited and still must be wary of setbacks. But safety Adrian Wilson, just a few weeks since tearing a biceps at the Red-White practice, was back on the field Tuesday. He wore his pads and helmet and while he didn’t do everything — and while there was no tackling anyway, for anyone — he worked some 7-on-7 and 9-on-7 and even a little bit of 11-on-11 early in the workout.

Brodie Croyle? Why Cards added him - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Injuries to John Skelton and Max Hall would have significantly affected the Arizona Cardinals last season. Not so much this week. With Kevin Kolb entrenched as the starter and Richard Bartel having taken firm grasp of the No. 3 job, the Cardinals aren't panicking while Skelton and Hall recover from injuries this week.

azcentral.com blogs - Kent Somers - Lunch morsels with Whiz
-- Coach Whisenhunt didn't confirm the expected signing of QB Brodie Croyle. But it will happen, according to sources, pending Croyle passing a physical. John Skelton has a high ankle sprain and is going to miss some time. Max Hall suffered a subluxation of his left shoulder (a dislocation) and is heading to the Valley to see doctors. That leaves the team with two healthy QBs, Kevin Kolb and Rich Bartel. Croyle played in Kansas City under former Cardinals offensive coordinator, so that will help in learning Arizona's system. --Whisenhunt plans to keep three QBs on the 53- man roster. He learned from 2007 when he kept two, Matt Leinart and Kurt Warner, then had to scramble when both were hurt. That led to Tim Rattay playing on very little notice. Not all three QBs will be active every week, however. The NFL no longer requires coaches to declare an emergency third QB before games. -- RB Ryan Williams surgery went as planned. Doctors also repaired a minor meniscus problem, Whisenhunt said. That won't impact the timetable on his rehab, which is 6 to 8 months or so.

Word From the Birds Blog - With Skelton, Hall hurting, Cards going after QB
Quarterback John Skelton sprained his ankle in the Green Bay game and missed practice yesterday, while Max Hall had to come out after getting tripped up on a scramble and landing on his left shoulder. Down to two healthy QBs in Kevin Kolb and Rich Bartel, it’s no surprise to see Kent Somers’ Tweet that the Cards will sign former Chiefs QB Brodie Croyle.

Brodie Croyle could be landing in Arizona | ProFootballTalk
Quietly unclaimed from the 2011 free-agent market is Brodie Croyle, a former third-round pick of the Chiefs who started six games in 2007. Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic reports that the Cardinals are expected to sign Croyle on Tuesday, given injuries to 2010 rookies John Skelton and Max Hall (or is it Max Skelton and John Hall?).

Larry Fitzgerald was the player to be named later in the Kevin Kolb trade - ArizonaSports.com
When the Arizona Cardinals announced the trade that brought Kevin Kolb to the Valley they forgot to mention there was a player to be named later involved in the deal.

Cardinals to bring another QB into the fold - ArizonaSports.com
It's that time in training camp where injuries start to catch up to a team, and the Arizona Cardinals are no exception.

Adrian Wilson of Arizona Cardinals goes through limited workout - ESPN
Arizona Cardinals safety Adrian Wilson went through a limited practice on Tuesday, his first workout since he was sidelined with a torn right biceps tendon on Aug. 6.

Adrian Wilson back at practice, opener still possible - ArizonaSports.com
When Arizona Cardinals safety Adrian Wilson suffered a torn biceps tendon early in Training Camp, many thought he would miss a significant amount of time in the regular season. Those people don't know the resolve of Wilson.

Adrian Wilson returns to practice | ProFootballTalk
Cardinals safety Adrian Wilson has been rehabbing his torn biceps for a few weeks and still hope to play in the season opener. He returned to a limited practice on Tuesday in an effort to start getting ready. He won’t be involved in all drills at this point, but he’s pushing as hard as he can to get prepared for Week One, even if that seems like a longshot.

Cards Daily: Wilson's Spirited Return
Video Gallery - azcardinals.com

Cardinals Underground - Long Term Fitz
Paul Calvisi, Ron Wolfley, and Darren Urban talk about Larry Fitzgerald's new long term deal, the progression of Beanie Wells, the upcoming game against the Chargers, and much more.

Arizona Sports News:

Arizona Diamondbacks trade Kelly Johnson to Toronto Blue Jays
The Diamondbacks traded second baseman Kelly Johnson to the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday in exchange for second baseman Aaron Hill and shortstop John McDonald. The swap essentially amounts to a change of address for three infielders who are struggling offensively.

Sean Burroughs helps Diamondbacks snap 6-game skid
Sean Burroughs hit a two-run home run and Ian Kennedy pitched seven scoreless innings to lead the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 2-0 win over the Washington Nationals on Tuesday night.

Diana Taurasi sits again; Phoenix Mercury lose
Cappie Pondexter scored 17 of her 25 points in the fourth quarter to help the New York Liberty rally for a 74-70 win over the Phoenix Mercury on Tuesday night.

NFL News:

NFC West: What's left in free agency - NFC West Blog - ESPN
The time has come for some accounting now that the top unrestricted free agents have found homes. Others continue to wait.

Bob McManaman's NFL power rankings - preseason: The NFL is back in action and as the preseason continues,...
Bob McManaman's NFL power rankings - preseason: The NFL is back in action and as the preseason continues, here's a look at my first NFL Power Rankings of the year. Once the 2011 season begins, I'll update them every week.

Broncos officials see Tebow as fourth best QB in camp | ProFootballTalk
A rough month in the development of Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow is about to get a little rougher. Michael Silver of Yahoo! Sports got some some eye-opening quotes from various members of the Broncos organization that will make waves in Denver.

Kansas City Chiefs' Todd Haley keeps promise, attends Lil Wayne concert - ESPN
Todd Haley scored major points with his Kansas City Chiefs players after he was spotted at a Lil Wayne concert at the Sprint Center on Monday night.

2011 UFA market: NFC West scorecard - NFC West Blog - ESPN
With training camps winding down, I've found time to update rosters and put together team-by-team reference material for unrestricted free agency. The names below match official NFL counts. These are for players with at least four accrued NFL seasons whose contracts expired following the 2010 season. I've added comments for each team.

Jack Del Rio: Kickoff change means lower-scoring games | ProFootballTalk
With kickoffs moved from the 30-yard line to the 35, more touchbacks are a certainty in the NFL this season. Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio wants fans to understand that also means lower-scoring games.

Todd Haley takes night off to attend Lil Wayne concert | ProFootballTalk
So how does an NFL head coach who’s trying to cram five months of work into five weeks spend one of the precious remaining evenings before the first game of the regular season? Apparently, by going to a Lil Wayne concert.

Criticism for Roy Williams mounts in Chicago | ProFootballTalk
The moment Roy Williams arrived in Chicago, he was installed as the "No. 1″ receiver, a guy who would start over last year’s leading receiver Johnny Knox. This struck us odd. So did the notion that Williams finally gave the Bears receiving group what they lacked: size or a "veteran presence." It was as if Williams’ awful run in Dallas had never happened.

Bradie James on Cowboys: "The entitlement kills us" | ProFootballTalk
Longtime Cowboys linebacker Bradie James thinks he knows why the team hasn’t experienced more success despite all the resources available to them.

NFL knows it needs big crowds to make for good TV | ProFootballTalk
As the NFL continues to figure out how to get more people to choose attending games over watching them on increasingly sophisticated televisions (and not buy increasingly expensive stadium food and drink), Cowboys owner Jerry Jones acknowledges that there’s a connection between the two. Basically, the league needs full stadiums to make the games as compelling as they possibly can be on television.

Kerry Collins gives up retirement, joins the Colts | ProFootballTalk
Colts owner Jim Irsay wasn’t joking around about signing a veteran quarterback out from "retirement." It’s just not the guy from Hattiesburg.