Time for some links, not a lot of major news for the Cards. But there is a little thing from Sando on the road back from injury for Ryan Williams.
Long road back for Ryan Williams, others - NFC West Blog - ESPN
The injury Ryan Williams suffered during his second NFL exhibition game was relatively unusual for football players. "My kneecap was in my thigh," the Arizona Cardinals' running back said during a team-produced video on his rehabilitation. "It was just kind of like, 'What?' " A torn patella tendon ended Williams' rookie season before it officially began.
Chat wrap: Fielding quarterback questions - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Emmett from Hill Valley, Calif., asks whether the Cardinals will pay Kevin Kolb this month.
Mailbag: On carrying over salary cap room - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Craig from Knoxville has a theory as to why the Cardinals did not offer more power to Todd Haley, letting Haley go to Pittsburgh. He thinks adding Haley would have made it tougher for the team to bring on another strong personality in Peyton Manning. "I know Haley and Kurt Warner were a good mix," Craig writes, "but that was because they grew together. If we signed Haley, I think that would have been negative toward Manning."
Word From the Birds Blog - Supply and demand
A big reason why many teams like having free agency ahead of the draft is simple: Through free agency, a team can plug some holes, making it much easier in the you-don’t-know-who-will-be-available world of the draft to take the best player available. (OK, OK, it’s not usually straight BPA, but those are details best served for a blog closer to the draft. Work with me here.)
azcentral.com blogs - Kent Somers - Cardinals need an answer at right tackle, too
When it comes to money and attention, there is a large disparity between left tackles and their counterparts on the right. Left tackles make more money and receive more scrutiny, presumably because they most often are on the blindside of quarterbacks and are usually facing the opponent's best pass rusher. We can debate the validity of those assumptions in the future. But there's no question we've discussed left tackle Levi Brown far more than we've talked about right tackle Brandon Keith. So let's take a look at Keith. Other than draft status and salary, Keith and Brown actually have a lot in common.
Arizona Sports News:
Phoenix Coyotes goalie Mike Smith named NHL's top star for February
Goalie Mike Smith has been the backbone of the Coyotes ever since he signed as a free agent in the off-season, and during February he was even more of a dominating presence. He posted an 11-0 record as the Coyotes garnered 23 out of a possible 24 points in the month to vault into first place in the Pacific Division. His play earned him the First Star of the Month in the NHL. Defenseman Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators and center Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning were runners-up.
Suns return from All-Star break with win vs. Timberwolves
Like a kid growing up, home has been a place for the Suns to look forward to escaping. At times, they have been better any place but US Airways Center. But for this Suns season to turn around, the Purple Palace has to become a place where they can become themselves in the comforts of home. They milled about like visitors for a while Thursday night before rallying from a 10-point deficit to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves for the ninth consecutive time in the series. For the Suns, the 104-95 victory needs to be just the start of something. At 15-20, the Suns need to feel at home again and again, with eight of the next 10 games back on Jefferson Avenue.
Coyotes' point streak ends in 4-2 loss vs. Flames
The joy ride finally hit a bump in the road. The Coyotes, sailing along as leaders in the Pacific Division with a six-game winning streak and with an 11-0-1 record in February, tried to rally from a three-goal deficit but fell short, losing 4-2 to the Calgary Flames on Thursday night at Jobing.com Arena.
Mazzone proud to showcase Osweiler at Pro Day - ArizonaSports.com
Former Arizona State offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone's close relationship with former Sun Devil quarterback Brock Osweiler has transcended their days together in Tempe. Mazzone, who is now the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at UCLA, is going to run Osweiler's Pro Day on March 30 in anticipation of the NFL draft on April 26. For Mazzone, this will be a chance to showcase Osweiler's skills to the scouts.
NFL News:
NFL Free Agency 2012: WR Market Not As Impressive After Franchise Tags - SBNation.com
Once considered a deep pool of talent, this group of free agent wide receivers could be drying up as teams get nervous about letting their top offensive threats leave and thinking about the franchise tag. Who are the next best options?
DeSean Jackson Gets Franchise Tag; Eagles Want To Sign Him For Longer - SBNation.com
The Philadelphia Eagles were widely expected to place their franchise tag on receiver and kick returner DeSean Jackson, and that's what they did on Thursday. The team announced on Thursday that Jackson has been named its franchise tag player.
Saints GM: Drew Brees Only 'Very Good,' Not 'Great', According To Report - SBNation.com
Citing three league sources, Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports reports that New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis has been defining Drew Brees as a "very good", not "great" quarterback when asked to explain why it's taking so long to sign Brees to a contract extension.
Some Think Vincent Jackson Ends Up Getting Franchise Tag From Chargers - SBNation.com
San Diego Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent on March 13 and the belief was that the Chargers were not going to hit Jackson with the franchise tag. There are still some who believe the franchise tag is a possibility for Jackson, including Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports.
Governor Dayton, Legislative Leaders, City of Minneapolis, and Minnesota Vikings Announce Agreement for People’s Stadium - Daily Norseman
The Vikings official statement regarding the new Minneapolis stadium agreement.
Ravens Free Agency 2012: Chris Carr, Others Reportedly Set To Be Released - SBNation.com
The Ravens are preparing for free agency and plan to release Chris Carr and Lee Evans, among others.
Free Agent Albert Haynesworth Ready To Be The 'Best DT In Football' - SBNation.com
Free agent Albert Haynesworth says he still wants to play next season in the NFL.
Tyvon Branch Reportedly Gets Franchise Tag From Raiders; Michael Bush Eyes Free Agency - SBNation.com
The Oakland Raiders have informed safety Tyvon Branch that they will be giving him the franchise tag, according to a report from Jason La Canfora of NFL Network. Branch was scheduled to be a free agent on March 13 so this will keep him in Oakland for the 2012 season.
Longtime Steeler Aaron Smith To Be Released, According To Report - SBNation.com
The Steelers will reportedly part ways with defensive end Aaron Smith, who has been with the team since 1999.