8-31-11: Arizona Cardinals Bird Droppings - Waiting For The Final Preseason Game

The 4th Preseason game will be tomorrow, and news among the Cardinals mostly relates to how much time the starters will play, and the people fighting to make the team.

And in NFC West news, the Seahawks lost John Carlson for the year.

Roster spots still at stake for Arizona Cardinals
The priority of any team in the fourth and final preseason game is to stay healthy, but there are roster spots at stake for a handful of players. This is their final chance to make the team. "There are going to be new faces," coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "Sometimes it seems like in this last game, somebody does something that makes the football team." Whisenhunt emphasized that the "roster is not set" entering Thursday night's game against the Broncos at University of Phoenix Stadium. That's different from 2007, Whisenhunt's first season, when there was a lack of competition.

Word From the Birds Blog - Wednesday before the Broncos
This version of “before the” will be a little different, much like the last game of the preseason normally is for teams. It doesn’t make much sense to break down the main parts of the Cards, since their biggest chore this game is to avoid injuries. There have been a lot of people asking why the starters will play much at all, after coach Ken Whisenhunt said yesterday the starters might actually play a little longer than in a normal, non-locked-out year. There is a fine line to walk. The reality is, because these guys didn’t get a chance to rep anything in the offseason, this is the only real time to do it. Is it a risk leaving the starters out a little longer? Sure. But health doesn’t mean anything if you aren’t playing well enough to win, and the Cards are still trying to get to the level they feel is important.

Arizona Cardinals rookie CB Patrick Peterson still earning respect
The horde of reporters and cameramen were gone now and Patrick Peterson was alone in front of his locker. But it isn't really his locker. The fifth overall pick in this year's NFL draft doesn't have one, really. For now, the Cardinals rookie cornerback has to share a locker with veteran defensive back Michael Adams. Adams has a nameplate. Peterson? His name and number are scribbled on a piece of masking tape.

QB Max Hall to be placed on IR by Arizona Cardinals
Quarterback Max Hall needs surgery to repair damage to his left shoulder and will be placed on injured reserve.

Thinking About Receivers
The names change, but wideouts confident they can hold up legacy

Word From the Birds Blog - Some playing time for starters in the 4th
Coach Ken Whisenhunt said, in the final presser before the fourth preseason game (and in the final presser before final cuts) that he wants to get his starters at least some playing time. It could even be more than a "normal" fourth game. But how much is TBD.

azcentral.com blogs - Kent Somers - Max Hall to IR and other notes
Quarterback Max Hall needs surgery to repair damage to his left shoulder and will be placed on injured reserve. Hall was waived-injured by the Cardinals last week after suffering the injury in practice at Flagstaff. The initial prognosis was that Hall could return in four to six weeks, prompting the waived-injured move. Under that designation, his agent could have reach an injury settlement with the Cardinals and Hall would have been a free agent when healthy. Now, Hall goes on injured reserve and is out for the year.

Steeler McFadden is type of corner Cardinals would choose from - ArizonaSports.com
The Cardinals could use help at the cornerback position, and they may find it in a familiar face. Bryant McFadden, who played for Arizona in 2009, may be on his way out of Pittsburgh. Arizona Sports 620's Dave Burns thinks he could wind up back in the Valley. Or, if not McFadden, someone of a similar skill-set.

Darnell Dockett, And An Important Lesson About Gun Ownership - From Our Editors - SBNation.com
Last seen angering PETA and (possibly related) feeding his pet alligator Bob Evans pancakes, Darnell Dockett made news on Twitter again today. As he told the world this morning:

Assessing 2010 NFC West draft classes - NFC West Blog - ESPN
The Arizona Cardinals' division rivals selected five players among the first 17 overall selections in the 2010 NFL draft. The Cardinals weren't on the clock until they made nose tackle Dan Williams the 26th overall choice. A year later, Arizona expects to have three members of its 2010 class starting in Week 1, a number that compares favorably within the division.

2011 Scouts Inc. predictions for NFC West - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Well, this will stir up some dust. Scouts Inc.'s 2011 season projections, available to Insider subscribers, call for the St. Louis Rams to win the NFC West with a 9-7 record.

Cards Daily: 2011 Kickoff Luncheon - Video
The Arizona Cardinals held their annual Kickoff Luncheon at University of Phoenix Stadium. Benefiting Cardinals Charities, the event allowed fans the opportunity to eat lunch and mingle with their favorite players and coaches.

Arizona Sports News:

Diamondbacks slug their way to eighth straight win
Amid the pressure of a stretch run, a team develops rituals, quirks and superstitions that most players will say play a part in their success. For the Diamondbacks, it's "snake music" that has given them a lift. "We're very loose until they play the snake music, and somebody in the dugout will say 'Snakes!' and then from that point on, we're ready," manager Kirk Gibson said. "Your energy inside, your internal clock, your lather, and then the first pitch of the game. We've come out good." That was again the case Tuesday night in the Diamondbacks' 9-4 win over the Rockies in front of 20,231 at Chase Field. They extended their winning streak to eight games.

ASU's Brock Osweiler set for first start at Sun Devil Stadium
Before his first spring practice, back in 2009, Brock Osweiler walked into an Arizona State meeting room and looked for his name on the quarterback depth chart. He wasn't first, second or third. He was seventh. He was insignificant. "I just said to myself, 'I got a long road ahead but I just have to put my head down and work as hard as I possibly can,"' Osweiler said. On Thursday against UC Davis, Osweiler, a junior, will make his first start at Sun Devil Stadium and just his third overall. This means that for the fourth consecutive season, coach Dennis Erickson will have a new starter at the sport's most important position.

ASU moves into Pac-12 era with big goals and aspirations
It's been slightly more than a year since the formal countdown began to the Pac-12, but the wait for Arizona State feels much longer.

Arizona Wildcats football's air arsenal has plenty of targets
Arizona does not have one of those offenses where anyone has to worry whether there are enough passes to satisfy everyone.

Sun Devils hope to have learned from close losses - ArizonaSports.com
The Arizona State Sun Devils had their fair share of close losses last season, being on the short end of four games by a combined nine points. If the Devils are to make good on their dreams of a Pac-12 championship, something is going to have to change.

Arizona Diamondbacks' Justin Upton reaches '20-20 club'
Early in the first inning of Monday night's game, Diamondbacks right fielder Justin Upton joined an elite group of players to reach the 20-home run, 20-steal mark. Although he may be only the third player in club history to join the "20-20 club" and the sixth player this season, he certainly won't be the last. On deck: Close friend and teammate Chris Young who is poised to make the jump in the near future - the very near future.

NFL News:

Frank Gore Signs $21 Million Contract With 49ers - SBNation.com
The mounting friction between the San Francisco 49ers and star running back Frank Gore has apparently been alleviated. According to reports from ProFootballTalk, Gore and the franchise agreed to terms on a contract extension worth $21 million over three years, with $13.5 guaranteed.

John Carlson Injury: Seahawks TE Is Out For Season, According To Report - SBNation.com
Seahawks Tight End John Carlson will undergo shoulder surgery, ending his season before it even began, according to a report. Recently acquired Zach Miller now becomes the unquestioned starter in Seattle.

Chris Johnson Holdout Could End This Weekend, According To Report - SBNation.com
Michael Lombardi went on television and reported that the Tennessee Titans are ready to pay Chris Johnson, and that the All-Pro's holdout could end as soon as this weekend, according to Rotoworld. The details:

With Carlson out, Miller's signing key - NFC West Blog - ESPN
The Seattle Seahawks didn't really need to pursue a starting tight end in free agency this offseason. They felt fortunate when the Oakland Raiders let Zach Miller reach free agency, and they were thrilled to sign a young, proven talent. The signing took on additional importance Tuesday when the Seahawks announced that John Carlson, the incumbent starter at the position, would require season-ending shoulder surgery. Coach Pete Carroll announced the news following practice.

Cooler heads prevail with Frank Gore deal - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Running back Frank Gore's new deal with the San Francisco 49ers sounds like a good one for the following reasons:

Cedric Benson's Jail Sentence Began Tuesday Night, According To Report - SBNation.com
Cedric Benson was expected to report to jail during the Cincinnati Bengals' bye week. The running back has apparently decided to check in early, deciding it would be better to miss the team's final preseason game rather than leave his team mid-season.

Drew Brees Contract Talks With New Orleans Saints Have Started - SBNation.com
Drew Brees is entering the final year of his contract and he has been in "ongoing" contract discussions with the Saints.

Last thought on Arian Foster’s fantasy football comments | ProFootballTalk
It’s been four days since Arian Foster created a stir with his tweet about fantasy football players following his recent hamstring injury.

Five reasons to watch the fourth preseason week | ProFootballTalk
The fourth week of the preseason may not mean much to fans, but it can mean everything to players fighting to make an NFL team.

Seahawks may bench first round pick Carpenter | ProFootballTalk
We’ve had a hard time evaluating the Seahawks quarterbacks this month because Seattle’s offensive line has looked so poor. Perhaps the biggest weak spot in pass protection is at right tackle, where first round pick James Carpenter has struggled.