As camp for the Cardinals starts to wind down today, here are some links to start off your morning. Mostly going over the waiving of Max Hall, Adrian Wilsons injury, and getting ready for the next game this weekend.
Arizona Cardinals sign Brodie Croyle, waive Max Hall
The Cardinals signed a quarterback, waived another and brought in a punter to give serious competition to incumbent Ben Graham. As expected, the Cardinals signed former Chiefs quarterback Brodie Croyle and waived-injured quarterback Max Hall, who suffered a shoulder injury in practice on Monday.
Healthy Bradley Looks Forward
Free-agent linebacker looking to regain 2008 form with Cards
Home Game Chance To Set Routine
Notebook: Wilson won't be rushed back; Chargers game a sellout
Former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Max Hall can hold his head high
Max Hall made me believe. He made Ken Whisenhunt believe. His heart and complete dedication to football were priceless intangibles. Somehow, this kid would find a way. And then this play ruined it: Hall beat his idol, Saints quarterback Drew Brees, on that fateful day in Glendale. But that horrible miscalculation of NFL closing speed - Hall always scored those kinds of touchdowns in college - took its toll.
Kevin Kolb, Cardinals working through 'hiccups' - ArizonaSports.com
Everyone knew it would take time. Kevin Kolb has been with the Cardinals for less than a month, and with the season opener nearly two weeks away the offense is under the gun, so to speak, to get ready as quickly as possible. And, while mistakes have been made, Kolb says the important thing is how quickly the team bounces back.
Word From the Birds Blog - Horton’s place will be upstairs
In the first game of the preseason, defensive coordinator Ray Horton was captured by TV cameras at his spot up in the coaches box high above the field. For fans used to seeing the past two defensive coordinators — Clancy Pendergast and Bill Davis — on the field, it was jarring. Then, last weekend, Horton was down on the field in Green Bay. Turns out he was test-driving both spots. But Horton, who was always upstairs in Pittsburgh when he was defensive backs coach, will be sticking with his upstairs perch going forward.
Cardinals' Adrian Wilson stays upbeat during recovery
Interviewing Cardinals safety Adrian Wilson can be many things: frustrating, enlightening, challenging and funny. And that's just in the first three minutes.
azcentral.com blogs - Kent Somers - Dissecting Wilson's elbow
Obtaining injury information about NFL players can be a difficult job, and it’s been hard to pin down details of safety Adrian Wilson’s biceps tendon tear.
Kevin Kolb and QBs avoiding sacks - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Several years ago, when the Houston Texans were transitioning away from David Carr to Matt Schaub, I asked one of their assistants how the team planned to reduce sacks allowed. Mike Sherman, the Texans' offensive coordinator at the time, said quarterbacks are usually most responsible for how many sacks a team allows. Carr's offensive line obviously played a role in the 249 sacks he had absorbed over a five-year period. But line play could not account for the Texans' rate of sacks-per-pass-attempt plummeting from 8.9 percent in Carr's final season to 4.2 percent in Schaub's first season. How quarterbacks deal with pressure matters tremendously.
Cardinals coach Whisenhunt excited for home game - ArizonaSports.com
For some there is nothing sweeter than playing in front of a home crowd. The Cardinals will get that chance Saturday night in their home preseason debut against the San Diego Chargers. One person who is happy to be back at home is head coach Ken Whisenhunt.
Cardinals add QB, punter; training camp winds down - ArizonaSports.com
The Arizona Cardinals have shored up their depleted quarterback ranks by signing Brodie Croyle, in the process parting ways with Max Hall. Hall, who partially dislocated his left shoulder in practice on Monday, was waived-injured, a move that could lead to an injury settlement with the second-year quarterback. Coach Ken Whisenhunt said that would allow Hall to be re-signed at some point in the season if the team needs him.
Kevin Kolb eager to work 2-minute drill - ArizonaSports.com
Kevin Kolb is looking forward to playing deep into the game this Saturday night. Kolb and the rest of the starters will probably see action into the third quarter, and the quaterback plans on using this extended playing time to his advantage.
Cardinals would do well adding Packers' Ryan Grant - ArizonaSports.com
While the Cardinals are scrambling to find a running back in the wake of rookie Ryan Williams' season ending knee injury, the Packers are facing the problem of having too many options on the roster.
End to Max Hall experiment, quite possibly - NFC West Blog - ESPN
There was a time, way back in 2010, when the Arizona Cardinals thought Max Hall's leadership qualities and feel for the game might translate to success as a starting quarterback. Three regular-season starts proved disastrous.
Arizona Cardinals sign Brodie Croyle, release injured Max Hall - ESPN
The Arizona Cardinals have signed quarterback Brodie Croyle and waived injured quarterback Max Hall.
Word From the Birds Blog - Going forward at QB, and other lunch notes
The Cardinals wanted Brodie Croyle at quarterback because he did come from Todd Haley’s system, and there are similarities with that and what the Cards run. Coach Ken Whisenhunt said the Cards waived-injured Max Hall because it was the only way they could have any chance of bringing Hall back this season. They can injury settle with Hall and then re-sign him down the road. Will it happen/be necessary? Well, if there is an injury, I could see wanting to turn back to Hall. Otherwise, I’m not sure it would happen.
Arizona Cardinals waive Max Hall, sign Brodie Croyle - ArizonaSports.com
From undrafted rookie to starting quarterback to the unemployment line (well, almost), thus is the tale of Max Hall.
Fantasy impact: Kolb and the Cardinals - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Thoughts on the Arizona Cardinals after checking out ESPN's 300 highest-rated fantasy players for the 2011 season:
Cards Daily: One on One with Bradley
Video Gallery - azcardinals.com
Big Red Rage - Graves, Dockett, and Colledge
Cardinals GM Rod Graves, DT Darnell Dockett, and OG Darren Colledge join Paul Calvisi and Ron Wolfley for the Big Red Rage from Flagstaff.
Arizona Sports News:
Daniel Hudson strong in Diamondbacks' win vs. Nationals
Diamondbacks catcher Miguel Montero motioned across the room toward one of his new teammates on Wednesday afternoon and quietly asked the person next to him if the new guy was John McDonald. Montero had never met McDonald, never seen him play. All he knew was that McDonald, acquired in a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays the day before, had a reputation for being a good defensive shortstop. Montero now has some firsthand evidence to support the claims. "The guys were saying he could pick it," Montero said after the Diamondbacks' 4-2 win over the Washington Nationals on Wednesday night. "Yeah, sure enough, man, he made a hell of a play."
NFL News:
Where NFC West quarterbacks stand so far - NFC West Blog - ESPN
No one even remotely in touch with what matters in this world would track snap counts during an NFL preseason. For the rest of us, I've put together an updated chart showing how much NFC West quarterbacks have played through the first two weeks. First, a few observations:
Fantasy impact: Seahawks' RB situation - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Thoughts on the Seattle Seahawks after checking out ESPN's 300 highest-rated fantasy players for the 2011 season:
Fantasy impact: 49ers' tight end situation - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Thoughts on the San Francisco 49ers after checking out ESPN's 300 highest-rated fantasy players for the 2011 season:
Fantasy impact: Don't forget Rams rookie - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Thoughts on the St. Louis Rams after checking out ESPN's 300 highest-rated fantasy players for the 2011 season:
NFL, NFLPA meet with WADA to discuss HGH testing - ESPN
The NFL and the players' union remain at an impasse on HGH testing with just two weeks remaining before the season kicks off.
Indianapolis Colts add Kerry Collins; sources doubt Peyton Manning ready - ESPN
As insurance in case Peyton Manning isn't healthy enough to start the opener, the Colts reached an agreement with veteran quarterback Kerry Collins, Colts owner Jimmy Irsay tweeted.
Chris Long last 2008 first-rounder standing - NFC West Blog - ESPN
NFC West teams drafted four players in the first round of the 2008 NFL draft. The St. Louis Rams' Chris Long is the only one employed by an NFC West team.
Fantasy impact: NFC West top 15 players - NFC West Blog - ESPN
The fantasy football staff at ESPN.com has ranked its top 300 players for the upcoming season. Thirty-four of the 300 are affiliated with NFC West teams, led by the San Francisco 49ers' Frank Gore (13th) and the St. Louis Rams' Steven Jackson (19th).
New York Jets wideout Plaxico Burress tweaks back in practice - ESPN New York
Plaxico Burress hurt his back reaching up to catch a ball during Tuesday's practice and will be evaluated after individual drills during the afternoon practice.
Boomer Esiason: Tim Tebow can’t play, can’t throw | ProFootballTalk
Move aside, Merril Hoge. You now have competition as Tim Tebow’s harshest critic.
Broncos begin to push back against Tebow criticism | ProFootballTalk
For the past few weeks, as criticism of quarterback Tim Tebow from beyond the organization grew, the team didn’t say much of anything. Instead, the new coaching staff’s actions did all the talking, with Tebow sliding from No. 2 to No. 3 on the depth chart. Coupled with a biting item from ESPN’s Rick Reilly, who has a pipeline to Broncos football czar John Elway, there was an unmistakable sense that the Broncos had begun the process of distancing themselves from the final first-round pick of the two-year Josh McDaniels regime.
Audio: NFC West with Bernie Miklasz - NFC West Blog - ESPN
The NFC West menu for Tuesdays has grown to include weekly conversations with St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Bernie Miklasz on 101ESPN St. Louis.
Vince Young may not have backup job locked up | ProFootballTalk
Despite a big contract for a backup quarterback, it’s unclear right now if Vince Young is truly ahead of Mike Kafka in the eyes of Eagles coach Andy Reid.
Anthony Becht joins the Chiefs | ProFootballTalk
Veteran tight end Anthony Becht, who recently got a workout with the Falcons, has now gotten a job.
Bill Belichick doesn’t see the point in extra points | ProFootballTalk
Patriots coach Bill Belichick recently caused a stir when he said the NFL wants to eliminate kickoffs. Now Belichick has weighed in on a play that he says would be better suited to elimination: The extra point.
Jerry Richardson to Cam Newton: No tattoos, no piercings | ProFootballTalk
Appearing as guests on PBS's Charlie Rose (thanks for the head's up, SportsBusiness Daily), Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Panthers owner Jerry Richardson talked about a variety of issues. I'll be posting some of the most interesting aspects of their discussion right here.
CBA permits "reasonable rules" on appearance, but not hair | ProFootballTalk
The debate has been raging all day. More than 55,000 of you have chimed in on the question of whether NFL teams should be permitted to tell players not to get tattoos or piercings.