Time for todays links, where the Cardinals have now made a couple of small signings including the re-signing of last seasons Punter and a backup Safety.
Titans, TV Highlight Preseason Schedule
ESPN game in Nashville; Cards at K.C., host Oakland, Denver after Hall game
Arizona Cardinals sign final specialists
All three Cardinals specialists who entered unrestricted free agency have re-signed with the team.
Word From the Birds Blog | Sanders says he’s a Card
Veteran safety James Sanders tweeted out this afternoon, when asked if there was a good chance he’d be a Cardinal, "its a done deal. See you in the desert!" Nothing official yet, but it sounds like the Cards have more depth. Maybe the new way all secondary acquisitions will be announced is via Twitter — a la William Gay.
Sanders and Cardinals' depth in secondary - NFC West Blog - ESPN
James Sanders would give the Arizona Cardinals a veteran safety known for playing the run.
2012 Kiper mock 4.0: Assessing the options - NFC West Blog - ESPN
13. Arizona Cardinals: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
Word From the Birds Blog | Cards bring back punter Zastudil
In what really isn’t a surprise, the Cardinals and veteran punter Dave Zastudil agreed to terms on a new two-year contract Wednesday. That gets all three veteran free agent special teamers under contract — kicker Jay Feely and long snapper Mike Leach already had returned — and is a nod to the generally solid job Zastudil did last season, his first with the team. Zastudil averaged 45.2 yards a punt last season (netting 37.5 yards) on 87 boots. Zastudil battled a sore knee a chunk of the season — he had been out all of 2010 after knee surgery — but hopefully he will have recovered. It will be interesting to see if the Cards choose to bring into camp any punting competition.
Word From the Birds Blog | Offensive line options
With the news Demetress Bell (I find it really weird he "fixed" the spelling problem but his Twitter account, which he controls, still says "Demetrius") signed with the Eagles, the Cardinals move to the next step with the offensive line.
Word From the Birds Blog | Bell picks Philly
The wait to see what tackle Demetress Bell (yes, Demetress; more on that in a minute) is over, now that he and the Eagles agreed to a five-year contract Wednesday morning. The Cardinals were among a handful of teams who had visited with Bell and were seeking his employ. The Eagles, however, lost starting stud tackle Jason Peters to a major Achilles injury last week and became both desperate and needy. I noted at the time it might have been the best thing that happened to Bell and now he ended up indeed signing with Philly (although many in Philly want to see the terms of the deal. It would seem logical that the Eagles will easily be able to get out of the contract after one season, since you’d think they expect Peters back at full strength by 2013.)
Demetress Bell goes to Eagles, James Sanders visits Cardinals
Former Bills tackle Demetress Bell reportedly has agreed to a five-year deal with the Eagles. Bell used the occasion to inform everyone that his first name is not spelled Demetrious.
Peters, Bell and the Cardinals' tackle issue - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Jason Peters' injury hurt the Philadelphia Eagles and did no favors for the Arizona Cardinals. The Pro Bowl left tackle was earning $12.8 million per year, a reflection of his obvious value to the Eagles. His injury thrust Philadelphia into the market for a free-agent tackle, leading the Eagles to reach agreement with the previously misnamed Demetress Bell, a player the Cardinals had targeted early in free agency. Arizona is heading toward the draft with an obvious need at tackle. The Cardinals hold the 13th overall choice, but no pick in the second round. They re-signed veteran tackle Levi Brown, but the position remains unsettled.
Cardinals re-sign punter Dave Zastudil - ArizonaSports.com
The Cardinals kicking game is set.
Cardinals release five-game NFL preseason schedule
Something new and something familiar provide the bookends for the Cardinals preseason schedule, which was announced on Wednesday.
Zoom: King of Film Study
In Episode 3 of Zoom, we take a close look at Cardinals TE Jeff King and his film study habits. Not only does the film help King prepare for his weekly opponent, he also uses it to prepare for his future career. Paul Calvisi reports.
Arizona Sports News:
Phoenix Suns survive close call against the Utah Jazz
The Suns have spun around this season like a deejay, but it took some individuals playing to a new tune Wednesday night to get the team on the cusp of playoff position. A night Sacramento's DeMarcus Cousins scored 41 points against the Suns, center Marcin Gortat did not allow Utah star center Al Jefferson to get half of that Wednesday night by fronting him and receiving help. After being limited by back issues, Steve Nash has played with the freedom to shoot and create the past two games. Channing Frye ended an 0-for-17 3-point shooting slump. Sebastian Telfair came off one of his worst games and gave the Suns a huge fourth quarter. Michael Redd went from making three shots in three games to 35 in the past two games. But the Suns needed one last turnaround moment. Nash, the most heady, sure-handed of NBA players, got his dribble picked by Paul Millsap and committed a clear-path foul to set up Utah's chance to tie the score with 28 seconds to go. From there, Nash put the two times in his nickname "Two-Time" with a stepback jumper and a lane leaner in the final 14 seconds to give the Suns a 107-105 victory against Utah at Energy Solutions Arena.
ASU unveils renderings of proposed renovation of Sun Devil Stadium
Arizona State unveiled renderings of a new Sun Devil Stadium on Wednesday that includes a fabric roof and north end open to Tempe Town Lake.
NFL News:
Look at 2012 NFC West preseason schedule - NFC West Blog - ESPN
A few notes after the NFL announced its preseason schedule for the 2012 season:
Madden 13: Fitzgerald, Willis unstoppable? - NFC West Blog - ESPN
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis routinely cuts down running backs in the open field. Willis has likewise taken out two top backs in the "Madden 13" cover competition, joining fellow NFC West icon Larry Fitzgerald in the final eight despite Willis' status as a No. 11 seed. This is no time for complacency, NFC West voters.
From pants 'tragedy' to 'disastrous' stripes - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Jamison Hensley's piece on AFC North uniform changes alerted me to Paul Lukas' detailed look at subtle team-by-team changes. And you thought the NFL uniform launch was a one-day story. Hey, so did I, but plans change.
2012 NFL Preseason Schedule Is Out; Regular Season Schedule Coming Later In April - SBNation.com
The 2012 NFL preseason schedule was released on Wednesday. Among the highlights are Peyton Manning's first game as a member of the Broncos (vs. Chicago) and Andrew Luck's first game if he's a Colt (vs. St. Louis).
Nike's NFL Uniforms Could Soon Include Throwback Jerseys - SBNation.com
There was plenty of buzz on Tuesday surrounding the unveiling of Nike's new NFL uniforms for 2012. The company is beginning a new exclusive contract with the NFL and wanted to make a splash with an enormous press conference and presentation.
Joe Flacco: 'I Think I'm The Best' QB - From Our Editors - SBNation.com
Last August, Eli Manning unwittingly spurred a season-long storyline (and an avalanche of second-guessing) when he said that he was an elite quarterback in the same class as Tom Brady. After publicly raising the bar, Manning rose to the challenge, posting the best numbers of his career and leading the Giants to their second Super Bowl win in five years.
Leiweke believes NFL is ready to return to L.A., now | ProFootballTalk
As a second L.A. stadium project moves toward securing the ability to begin moving dirt, the man in charge of the effort believes that the NFL is indeed ready to move back to Los Angeles.
Louisiana Senate calls for NFL to reconsider bounty sanctions | ProFootballTalk
With appeal hearings to be held on Thursday regarding the penalties imposed so far against the Saints, coach Sean Payton, G.M. Mickey Loomis, and assistant head coach/linebackers coach Joe Vitt, the Louisiana Senate has chimed in on the situation. According to Ed Anderson of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, the Committee on Senate and Governmental Affairs passed a resolution urging the NFL to reconsider the punishment.
(The comment section is worth a read)