Another day of the draft has gone by, and the Cardinals still haven't drafted someone on the Offensive Line. Will they do it today? Who knows... At least they didn't draft a Punter in the third round.
Also, congrats to local QBs Brock Osweiler and Nick Foles for getting drafted by the Broncos and Eagles respectively.
Arizona Cardinals News:Cornering Fleming In The Third
Cards stick with board in taking Oklahoma DB over offensive lineman
Arizona Cardinals select Oklahoma defensive back Jamell Fleming in third round of NFL draft
When it comes to illustrating just how impactful the passing game has become in the NFL, all one has to do is look at the Cardinals' first two picks in this year's NFL draft. On Thursday, they selected one of the premier wide receivers (Notre Dame's Michael Floyd) in the first round to help exploit it. On Friday, they picked the best cornerback available (Oklahoma's Jamell Fleming) to try to stop it. And yes, that's right. It means help on the offensive line will have to wait -- again.
Arizona Cardinals introduce top pick Michael Floyd
Michael Floyd figures he spent 2011 showing everyone the quality of his character. Because of that, he gave himself the opportunity in 2012 to fulfill a dream and play in the NFL. On Friday in Tempe, Floyd sported a cream-colored suit and a big smile as he was introduced as the Cardinals' first-round selection. A year ago, when he was suspended from the Notre Dame football team after a drunken-driving incident, he wondered whether he had blown a chance to make it to the NFL.
Floyd Lives His Dream
A year ago, receiver thought career might be over -- now he's a Card
Fitzgerald strongly approves of Floyd pick - ArizonaSports.com
Word leaked out earlier this week that Arizona Cardinals Pro Bowl receiver Larry Fitzgerald really wanted his team to pick Notre Dame star wideout Michael Floyd with their first round selection Thursday night. And, as it turned out, Fitzgerald got his wish when the Cardinals fought the temptation to trade down and selected the Fighting Irish's all-time leading receiver with the 13th overall pick.
Selection of Michael Floyd puts pressure squarely on Kevin Kolb - ArizonaSports.com
The Arizona Cardinals did two things with the selection of Notre Dame receiver Michael Floyd Thursday evening. One, they avoided repeating the mistakes of 2003, when the team passed on an opportunity to select one of many players who would help the team in favor of trading down in the first round. Instead of picking sixth, where they could have selected a guy like Terrell Suggs, they moved down to 17th and 18th, nabbing Bryant Johnson and Calvin Pace. That move still haunts the team to this day, and they did not let history repeat itself Thursday night. However, as great as the addition of Floyd will be for the team, the second thing the move does will have even larger ramifications for the Arizona Cardinals.
Floyd puts troubles behind, looks toward future - ArizonaSports.com
On March 20, 2011, Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd was pulled over in South Bend, Indiana and arrested on drunken-driving charges. The arrest was Floyd's third alcohol-related incident in three years.
azcentral.com blogs - Kent Somers - Twin cities, twin players?
It's not fair to compare Michael Floyd, the Cardinals No. 1 draft pick, to Larry Fitzgerald, their established superstar. But let's do it anyway.
Fleming tweets excitement about joining Cardinals - ArizonaSports.com
Cornerback Jamell Fleming took to Twitter Friday night and proudly donned his brand new Cardinals attire. "Here I come! #BirdGang!" said Fleming on his Twitter page.
Cards draft CB Jamell Fleming with the 80th pick - ArizonaSports.com
The Arizona Cardinals selected cornerback Jamell Fleming from Oklahoma with the 80th pick overall Friday.
A rude welcome to division for WR Floyd - NFC West Blog - ESPN
How nice of Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman to lay out the NFC West welcome mat for new Arizona Cardinals first-round choice Michael Floyd. Hold on a minute. That's not a welcome mat. It's a note on Floyd's new doorstep and a direct challenge to the wide receiver from Notre Dame.
Cards: Please pass the tackle (no reaching) - NFC West Blog - ESPN
The joke from Arizona Cardinals general manager Rod Graves was that his team, without a second-round choice and having passed on Riley Reiff in the first round, would consider taking the Iowa tackle in the third. Graves knew Reiff would be long gone by then, but if he and the Cardinals were stressing over their perceived need for a tackle, they hid their discomfort well. Using a third-round choice for Oklahoma cornerback Jamell Fleming, chosen 80th overall Friday, showed the Cardinals weren't going to reach for help at tackle.
Michael Floyd is Introduced
The newest addition to the Arizona Cardinals gives an introductory press conference to the local media at the team's facility in Tempe.
Floyd Arrives in Arizona
Take a look behind the scenes as the Cardinals first round selection Michael Floyd arrives at the team's training facility.
Fleming Conference Call
AUDIO: Cardinals 3rd round draft pick Jamell Fleming conducts a conference call with Arizona media shortly after being selected with the 80th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.
Cardinals Decision Makers Discuss Fleming
Coach Ken Whisenhunt and GM Rod Graves talk about selecting Oklahoma DB Jamell Fleming with the 80th pick in the third round of the 2012 NFL draft.
Michael Floyd Highlights
Watch highlights of Cardinals first round draft pick Michael Floyd from his days at Notre Dame and the NFL Scouting Combine.
Video: Kent Somers' take on Arizona Cardinals drafting Michael Floyd
The Cardinals added yet another impressive offensive weapon to their arsenal, drafting Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd at No. 13. CIneSport's Brian Clark and The Arizona Republic's Kent Somers discuss the pick.
Arizona Sports News:
Phoenix Coyotes take down Nashville Predators in overtime in Game 1
Unbeatable goalies? Not really. A defensive stalemate? Nope. Sleepy play? Far from it. Everything this second-round series between the Coyotes and the Nashville Predators was billed as from the outset was lost in transition from the opening round. Instead, Game 1 on Friday at Jobing.com Arena evolved into a parade of offense with impressive snipes, quirky bounces and clutch finishes.
Arizona Diamondbacks' Joe Saunders pitches 3-hitter against Miami Marlins
The Diamondbacks starting rotation entered the day with the third-worst ERA in the league. Daniel Hudson is on the disabled list. Josh Collmenter is on the verge of a demotion. And Joe Saunders is looking like the best pitcher $6 million can buy in late January. Saunders tossed his third career shutout on Friday night, a 5-0 blanking of Miami at spacious and humid Marlins Park that gave the Diamondbacks just their third victory in the past 10 games.
Brock Osweiler selected by Denver Broncos in 2012 NFL draft
Two Arizona college quarterbacks were drafted Friday night: Arizona State's Brock Osweiler is headed to Denver, while Arizona's Nick Foles is Philadelphia bound. The Broncos selected Osweiler in the second round of the NFL draft, with the 57th overall selection. In Denver, he'll have a chance to learn from one of game's top talents, quarterback Peyton Manning, a four-time MVP who signed with Denver in March. "I could not be any more excited to be going to Denver to learn from Peyton Manning," Osweiler told Denver media in a teleconference. "A lot of quarterbacks might be upset about having to sit behind somebody, whereas I look at it as a tremendous opportunity to learn from one of the best, if not the best quarterback to ever play the game." Osweiler, who declared for the NFL draft after his junior season, started just 15 times in three seasons with the Sun Devils. Last year, he set several school records, completing 63.2 percent of his passes for 4,036 yards and 26 touchdowns. He threw 13 interceptions.
Ex-Arizona Wildcats quarterback Nick Foles selected by Philadelphia Eagles
Ex-Arizona Wildcats quarterback Nick Foles was selected 88th overall by the Philadelphia Eagles late in the third round of the 2012 NFL draft Friday. Foles is the third Pac-12 quarterback taken in the draft, behind Andrew Luck (No. 1 overall, Indianapolis Colts) and Brock Osweiler (57th overall, Denver Broncos). Foles threw for a school-record 4,334 yards and 28 touchdowns last season. He is the program's all-time leader in passing yardage, pass attempts, pass completions and total offense. Foles looks to end the drought of Arizona quarterbacks in the NFL. The last UA signal-caller to take a snap in an NFL game was Bill Demory, who started three games for the New York Jets in 1973.
NFL News:
NFL Draft Grades: Entirely Too Early Evaluations Of How Teams Did Thursday - SBNation.com
One round is down in the 2012 NFL Draft. The Cowboys and Rams were among the teams that made solid moves Thursday night, while the Seahawks left us confused.
2012 NFL Draft: Full Coverage Of The 2nd Round - SBNation.com
The second round of the NFL Draft is in the books. Look back at all the action in this StoryStream.
NFL Draft 2012: Full Coverage Of Round 3 - SBNation.com
The first three rounds of the NFL Draft are in the books and only one day remains.
Initial thoughts on Janoris Jenkins to Rams - NFC West Blog - ESPN
The St. Louis Rams ran out of cornerbacks last season. They began overhauling the position by landing Cortland Finnegan in the early stages of free agency. They continued the remake Friday by using the 39th overall choice in the 2012 NFL draft for Janoris Jenkins, one of the most talented and troubled cornerbacks available.
Quick gives Rams something new at WR - NFC West Blog - ESPN
The St. Louis Rams found a player fitting the mold of a No. 1 wide receiver. Appalachian State's Brian Quick, chosen 33rd overall as the 2012 NFL draft entered its second round, fits the profile. He's 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds -- more in line with wide receivers selected among the top few overall choices. Quick lasted until the 33rd pick because he's raw, from a smaller program and lacking elite speed.
Rams' new RB shouldn't threaten Jackson - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Steven Jackson doesn't have to worry about the St. Louis Rams drafting a running back to threaten his standing with the team. That would have been the case had St. Louis drafted Trent Richardson in the first round. But in selecting Cincinnati's Isaiah Pead with the 50th overall choice in the 2012 NFL draft Friday, the Rams secured a change-of-pace back -- someone to complement Jackson, not imperil his standing as the featured back.
Ducks' James joins crowded 49ers backfield - NFC West Blog - ESPN
A run on offensive linemen in the second round made running back a better value choice for the San Francisco 49ers on Friday. That's one way to read the team's decision to use the 60th overall choice for LaMichael James, the dynamic 5-foot-8 running back from Oregon.
In Fisher they trust: Rams taking CB risks - NFC West Blog - ESPN
The fourth and sixth cornerbacks drafted in 2012 are heading to the St. Louis Rams. Montana's Trumaine Johnson, chosen 65th overall and in the third round, joins second-round choice Janoris Jenkins (39th) in a rapidly evolving secondary.
Initial thoughts on Seahawks' QB selection - NFC West Blog - ESPN
The Seattle Seahawks said they would have strongly considered drafting Ryan Tannehill with the 12th overall choice, had the quarterback been available. Tannehill was gone to the Miami Dolphins by the time Seattle selected. The Seahawks, by selecting Wisconsin's Russell Wilson in the third round Friday, proved they were serious about considering a quarterback in the draft -- the first time the team has drafted one since hiring coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider in 2010.
Seahawks get a linebacker: Bobby Wagner - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Suspicions confirmed: The Seattle Seahawks were indeed trading back in the second round to avoid selecting a linebacker ahead of the market. Seattle, after trading back four spots in the second round to No. 47, selected Utah State linebacker Bobby Wagner in that slot. One other linebacker, Mychal Kendricks of California, went off the board in the interim, landing with Philadelphia at No. 43. Kendricks was the first conventional linebacker selected in the round (pass-rushing outside linebackers fall into another category for our purposes here).
Where the Rams stand after defining day - NFC West Blog - ESPN
No NFL team entered Friday in better position than the St. Louis Rams.
Colt McCoy Trade Could Be Coming With Browns Drafting Brandon Weeden - SBNation.com
The Cleveland Browns picked up quarterback Brandon Weeden in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft. Colt McCoy may be on his way out as a result.
VIDEO: Bryan Anger Drafted By Jacksonville Jaguars ... PUNTER HIGHLIGHTS - From Our Editors - SBNation.com
Look, nothing can top this moment. Nothing in the 2012 NFL Draft will top what happened in the third round. The bar has been raised, and nobody will top it. Cheers to you, Jacksonville Jaguars. If you missed it, the Jags selected California PUNTER Bryan Anger with the 70th pick in the draft. A punter. Third-round pick. Punter!
PHOTO: Russell Wilson's Wife Is Thrilled He Was Drafted - From Our Editors - SBNation.com
There are usually two sets of reactions when a player is drafted into the NFL. The first is of the player himself, who is typically stoic and usually on the phone with the team that picked him. You might get a smile or a quick show of emotion, but not much.
Janoris Jenkins rejects Pacman comparison | ProFootballTalk
If his first media tour as a member of the NFL is any indication of his pro career, Rams cornerback Janoris Jenkins will become a quote machine to rival the likes of Charles Barkley.
Brandon Weeden wants to follow Kurt Warner’s career path | ProFootballTalk
Kurt Warner didn’t start an NFL game until he was 28 years old, but when he finally became a starter he made the most of it, winning the MVP in 1999 and the Super Bowl MVP that postseason. That sounds like a good path for Brandon Weeden to follow.
Morris Claiborne And The Greatest Wonderlic Test Of All Time - From Our Editors - SBNation.com
You may remember that Morris Claiborne set the Internet on fire when Pro Football Talk reported he scored a 4 out of 50 on his Wonderlic Test at the NFL Combine. Well Thursday night, Claiborne told his side of the story :
Mohamed Sanu Received A Prank Phone Call In Round 1 - SBNation.com
Shortly before the Cincinnati Bengals made the 27th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the agent for Rutgers WR Mohamed Sanu tweeted that his client was just selected by the Bengals. A few minutes later, TV cameras showed NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell walking up to the podium and he announced the Bengals pick, and it wasn't Sanu. It was Wisconsin G Kevin Zeitler. Apparently, someone played a very cruel joke on Sanu, who is projected as a 2nd round pick.
Rams were poised to pick Blackmon before Jaguars traded up | ProFootballTalk
The Rams are waking up satisfied this morning, knowing they drafted a player they like a lot in the first round in Michael Brockers, and knowing they’ll be in the driver’s seat tonight after acquiring two additional second-round picks. But that’s not to say everything played out just how the Rams wanted.
For first time ever, player jerseys were customized on site | ProFootballTalk
For the first time ever, Nike was customizing the jerseys on site. Thus, for any of the 26 men in the green room, a jersey would have been instantly prepared for any team taking any player.
Not everyone got the memo about not tipping picks | ProFootballTalk
The NFL tried to put some of the suspense back into the draft this year by telling its TV partners not to give picks away before the commissioner announced them, and not to show players on the phone with the team that was about to draft them. But the reality of the information age is that it’s virtually impossible to keep information under wraps.
VIDEO: The NFL Draft, Then And Now - From Our Editors - SBNation.com
Every now and again we hear from some old-timers that the NFL Draft has changed so much from the way it used to go down. The whole thing is televised with months of pre-draft coverage and there's significantly more media covering the event. We've got some video proof to show you just how much it's changed. If you like grainy YouTube videos from the 1980s, please make the jump.
NFL Draft Results: Trades Dominate The First Round - SBNation.com
The first round of the 2012 NFL Draft has come and gone after a record setting number of trades. Catch up with what you missed on Thursday night.