The Cardinals dominated the 4th Preseason game against the Broncos and got out of it without any serious injuries. But now they have to cut down the roster from 80 to 53, and it sounds like they might actually do some of those cuts today. Busy time for the Cardinals.
It was also made official that Cam Newton will get the start for the Panthers in week 1.
Arizona Cardinals dominate Denver Broncos in final preseason game
There is not much to be gleaned from the fourth and final preseason game, but this much is known: it's better to play well than the alternative. That's likely the way the Cardinals will look at Thursday night's game against Denver at the University of Phoenix Stadium. They led 23-0 after three quarters, dominating in all phases, although dominating performances in the preseason get you nothing. The Cardinals went on to win the game 26-7.
Denver Broncos vs Arizona Cardinals Recap - September 01, 2011 - NFL - SB Nation
Richard Bartel passed for 216 yards and two touchdowns and the Arizona Cardinals rolled to a 26-7 win over the Denver Broncos on Thursday in the preseason finale.
Inside the Box: Bartel, Cardinals end preseason with a win - ArizonaSports.com
After every Arizona Cardinals game we'll examine the box score and provide you with instant analysis. So it's time to go Inside the Box for September 1, 2011: Cardinals 26, Broncos 7
Denver Broncos vs. Arizona Cardinals - Recap - September 01, 2011 - ESPN
Brady Quinn, not Tim Tebow, had the rough game for Denver this time. Quinn was just 4 of 12 for 26 yards with one interception in one half of play as the Broncos fell to the Arizona Cardinals 26-7 in the teams' final preseason game on Thursday night.
Playmaking To End The Preseason
Cards close out with 26-7 win over Denver with final cuts coming
Three things revisited: Cardinals-Broncos - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Looking back on three things discussed here before the Arizona Cardinals' preseason game against the Denver Broncos on Thursday night:
Whisenhunt pleased with players during preseason - ArizonaSports.com
The Arizona Cardinals' preseason came to a close on Thursday night with a 26-7 victory over the Denver Broncos. As the team moves into the regular season, some tough decisions will have to be made about the roster, but for now, head coach Ken Whisenhunt said he couldn't be more pleased with the players he has worked with over the past month and change.
Arizona Cardinals' Rich Bartel solidifies case to be No. 2 quarterback with performance against Denver Broncos
Some notes, quotes and observations from the fourth preseason game:
Arizona Cardinals' Steve Keim glad to be in the Valley
Like many transplants, Cardinals Director of Player Personnel Steve Keim came to Arizona at the worst possible time of the year: mid-summer.
Word From the Birds Blog - Broncos aftermath
The Cardinals did what they needed to get out of the preseason. No major injuries. A win. Some nice plays (although the Broncos didn’t play their starters and clearly are hurting in the depth category). Coach Ken Whisenhunt has a press conference tomorrow at 2 p.m., and I expect most, if not all, the Cards’ cuts to be announced. That’s how it has worked on Fridays in the past under Whiz.
Darnell Dockett takes on ESPN's Skip Bayless - ArizonaSports.com
Not long ago the Cardinals' Darnell Dockett fired off a series of tweets about owning a gun. Saying he has a license to carry and doesn't bring it to work, the Pro Bowl defensive lineman wrote, "I got a son/family 2 look after & no 1 gonna protect them like me period!" Dockett, of course, hasn't broken any laws, but that didn't stop ESPN blowhard Skip Bayless from chiming in on the subject.
It takes time for a QB to learn how to throw to Fitzgerald - ArizonaSports.com
You'd think having Larry Fitzgerald to throw the ball to is a blessing for any quarterback, but having No. 11 on the field also presents some challenges. "You have to change the whole paradigm shift, the way you think," former NFL QB Jeff Van Raaphorst said. "You throw to him when he's covered." Van Raaphorst said how you are taught not to throw to a receiver unless he's open, but those rules don't really apply to the Cardinals star.
Intelligence report: Arizona Cardinals - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Five things to know about the Arizona Cardinals, straight from our newly published 2011 preview:
When you know preseason has run course - NFC West Blog - ESPN
An NFL head coach might normally be irate with his staff if only 10 players made it onto the field for a given play. And if only eight made it out there? Someone might want to update his resume.
NFL Videos: Kevin Kolb a franchise quarterback?
Is Kevin Kolb the answer at quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals? The "NFL Total Access" crew debates whether or not Kolb can fill the role of franchise player.
Broncos vs. Cardinals highlights - Video
The quarterbacks aired it out all night, but it was the Cardinals who got the victory at home against the Broncos.
Cards Daily: Broncos Postgame Reaction - Video
Coach Whisenhunt and players talk about the final preseason game and cutting the roster down to 53 players.
Arizona Sports News:
New-look ASU football crushes UC Davis in opener
ASU football cruised in its 2011 season opener on a hot night in Tempe, crushing UC Davis 48-14 on Thursday at Sun Devil Stadium.
Phoenix Mercury get routed by San Antonio Silver Stars
The San Antonio Silver Stars appear to have found their groove just in time. Jia Perkins scored 23 points and Becky Hammon had 16 to lead the San Antonio Silver Stars to an 86-68 victory over the Phoenix Mercury on Thursday night.
NFL News:
What we learned during the final preseason week | ProFootballTalk
It’s the fourth preseason week. We don’t learn too much from this week, but here are a few nuggets to note from Thursday night.
NFL Roster Cuts: Teams Will Trim Roster To 53, Create Practice Squads - SBNation.com
NFL roster cuts are coming on Saturday afternoon as teams will be required to get down to 53 players.
Cam Newton To Start Season Opener For Carolina Panthers - SBNation.com
Cam Newton is officially going to be the Carolina Panthers' starting quarterback when they face the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1 of the regular season. Panthers head coach Ron Rivera made the announcement following the team's final preseason game following an interesting preseason battle between Newton, a rookie who played for the Auburn Tigers last season, and Jimmy Clausen.
Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans Agree To Contract Extension With $30 Million Guaranteed - SBNation.com
RB Chris Johnson expressed frustration on Twitter earlier this week after some fans were questioning him because he was holding out of training camp in protest of his contract. Those fans can now relax as Johnson and the Titans have finally agreed on a new contract.
Fred Taylor To Retire As A Jacksonville Jaguar - SBNation.com
RB Fred Taylor, the Jaguars 1998 first round pick, will return to Jacksonville this week to announce his retirement.
Bengals believe Carson Palmer could show up next week | ProFootballTalk
We haven’t heard anything new on the Carson Palmer quasi-retirement front in a while, which is remarkable considering how ridiculous the entire story is. Well, we have an interesting development. ESPN’s Bob Holtzman reports that Palmer met with owner Mike Brown in late July.
Intelligence report: St. Louis Rams - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Five things to know about the St. Louis Rams, straight from our newly published 2011 preview:
Intelligence report: San Francisco 49ers - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Five things to know about the San Francisco 49ers, straight from our newly published 2011 preview:
Intelligence report: Seattle Seahawks - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Five things to know about the Seattle Seahawks, straight from our newly published 2011 preview:
Obama reassures NFL fans: Speech will end before kickoff | ProFootballTalk
With President Obama’s address to Congress set for Thursday, September 8 — the same night that the NFL season kicks off — fans were understandably concerned about TV coverage of politics cutting into TV coverage of football. The White House is promising those fans they have nothing to worry about.
Vince Young suffers hamstring injury | ProFootballTalk
Vince Young got the start at quarterback for the Eagles on Thursday night and played very well — until leaving the game with a hamstring injury.
Beck plays, Grossman doesn’t in Redskins’ preseason finale | ProFootballTalk
At a time when the signs seemed to be pointing toward John Beck winning the starting quarterback job in D.C., Beck received backup treatment in the fourth and final 2011 preseason game. Specifically, Beck started against the Buccaneers. Rex Grossman, along with the starters on offense, didn’t.
Vince Young, Mike Kafka Injured In Philadelphia Eagles' Final Preseason Game - SBNation.com
The preseason ended with a thud for the Philadelphia Eagles as backup quarterbacks Vince Young and Mike Kafka were injured.
Matt Cassel Injury: Chiefs QB Apparently Injures Arm Getting Sacked In 2nd Quarter - SBNation.com
The Chiefs' cavalcade of injuries also dealt a blow to their starting signal-caller, Matt Cassel, who was sacked hard by the Packers' Howard Green in the second quarter.
Jamaal Charles Injury: Chiefs RB Limps Off Field In Second Quarter - SBNation.com
Kansas City star running back Jamaal Charles limped off the field midway through the second quarter of the Chief's NFL preseason game against the defending champion Green Bay Packers. The fantasy football stud has not returned since. No details of the injury have been disclosed but CBSSports.com reporter Dave Richard indicated that it didn't look serious at this time.
Steelers Vs. Panthers: Cam Newton Throws First NFL Touchdown Pass - SBNation.com
It only took four games, but Cam Newton finally threw his first NFL touchdown pass. The Carolina Panthers' number-one pick capped off a nine-play, 71-yard drive with a 10-yard laser to newly-acquired tight end, Jeremy Shockey, to tie their NFL preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at 7-7.
Tyrod Taylor Injury: Ravens Rookie QB Leaves Preseason Game With Arm Injury - SBNation.com
Tyrod Taylor, the Ravens' sixth-round draft pick out of Virginia Tech, had been having a phenomenal preseason, enough to earn the second-string quarterback job and the start in the team's fourth and final preseason game. Then things took a turn for the worse for Taylor, as he left the game holding his left arm in discomfort.
Three things revisited: 49ers-Chargers - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Looking back on three things discussed here before the San Francisco 49ers' preseason game against the San Diego Chargers on Thursday night:
Three things revisited: Rams-Jaguars - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Looking back on three things discussed here before the St. Louis Rams' preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday night:
Reasons Not To Play Starters In NFL Preseason Finale - From Our Editors - SBNation.com
The normal way to approach your starters' playing time in the preseason is to have them play a little bit in the first game, a little more in the second game and as long as an entire half or more in the third game before winding down and giving them a series or two in the final game.
Updated: NFC West roided-out rosters - NFC West Blog - ESPN
NFC West teams must clear a combined 108 roster spots by Saturday at 6 p.m. ET.
NFL Game Recaps:
Detroit Lions vs Buffalo Bills Recap - September 01, 2011 - NFL - SB Nation
Backup quarterback Shaun Hill completed four of his five passes for 34 yards and one touchdown to help the Detroit Lions down the Buffalo Bills, 16-6, and complete a perfect preseason.
Indianapolis Colts vs Cincinnati Bengals Recap - September 01, 2011 - NFL - SB Nation
Taj Smith caught eight passes for 140 yards, including the go-ahead seven-yarder for a score from Dan Orlovsky with 1:08 left in the game, to boost the Colts to a 17-13 win over Cincinnati in the preseason finale.
Baltimore Ravens vs Atlanta Falcons Recap - September 01, 2011 - NFL - SB Nation
Chykie Brown's 65-yard interception return for a touchdown gave the Baltimore Ravens a lead they would not relinquish in their 21-7 preseason-concluding victory over the Atlanta Falcons.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Washington Redskins Recap - September 01, 2011 - NFL - SB Nation
John Beck's uninspiring performance has left more questions than answers in the Washington quarterback competition.
New York Giants vs New England Patriots Recap - September 01, 2011 - NFL - SB Nation
The New York Giants closed out the preseason in comeback fashion, rallying to beat the New England Patriots, 18-17, at Gillette Stadium.
Dallas Cowboys vs Miami Dolphins Recap - September 01, 2011 - NFL - SB Nation
Matt Moore completed 9-of-11 passes for 142 yards, including an 18-yard score to Jeron Mastrud in the third quarter, helping Miami cap its preseason with a 17-3 win over Dallas.
Philadelphia Eagles vs New York Jets Recap - September 01, 2011 - NFL - SB Nation
The Eagles closed out the preseason with a 24-14 victory over the Jets on Thursday night, but also watched Vince Young hobble off the field with a right hamstring strain.
Cleveland Browns vs Chicago Bears Recap - September 01, 2011 - NFL - SB Nation
Robert Hughes tallied 69 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns as Chicago topped Cleveland, 24-14, in the final preseason tuneup for both clubs at Soldier Field.
Houston Texans vs Minnesota Vikings Recap - September 01, 2011 - NFL - SB Nation
Caleb King ran for 62 yards and two scores in the Minnesota Vikings' 28-0 preseason-concluding victory over the Houston Texans.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs Carolina Panthers Recap - September 01, 2011 - NFL - SB Nation
Jonathan Dwyer did his best to keep the wins, albeit of a preseason variety, coming. Dwyer busted off a 50-yard touchdown run as part of an 88-yard effort, leading Pittsburgh to a 33-17 victory over Carolina in the preseason finale for both teams.
Tennessee Titans vs New Orleans Saints Recap - September 01, 2011 - NFL - SB Nation
Backup signal-caller and former Washington Husky Jake Locker completed 15 of his 17 passes for 132 yards and a touchdown to lead the Tennessee Titans to a 32-9 thumping of the New Orleans Saints in the final preseason game for both sides.
Kansas City Chiefs vs Green Bay Packers Recap - September 01, 2011 - NFL - SB Nation
Vic So'oto picked off a Tyler Palko pass and returned it 33 yards for a go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter, lifting the Green Bay Packers past the Kansas City Chiefs, 20-19, in the final preseason tuneup for both teams.
San Francisco 49ers vs San Diego Chargers Recap - September 01, 2011 - NFL - SB Nation
Alex Smith was an efficient 8-of-10 in his last action before the regular season and Anthony Dixon ran for 45 yards and two scores, as San Francisco closed out the preseason with a 20-17 victory over San Diego.