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Time for some links, mostly about rookie minicamps.
Tryout players looking to impress Arizona Cardinals during rookie minicamp
It's mid-May and Tyler Lantrip, with a master's degree in business administration in hand, could be deciding which job offer in finance to accept. Instead, he's sweating in the Arizona sun, football in hand, deciding which receiver he should throw to. Passed over in the draft and unsigned as a rookie free agent, Lantrip is one of 16 players attending Cardinals rookie minicamp this weekend on a tryout basis. Only a few of those, at most, will last beyond this weekend and be signed to the team's 90-man roster. The odds of one of them making the 53-man roster to start the season? Better than winning the lottery, but not great.
Massie's Rights To Tackle
Rookie figures to battle veteran Bridges for starting job
Word From the Birds Blog | On a tryout, another James in the locker room
Javarris James has long admired his uncle, Edgerrin. He followed in Edge"s footsteps when he attended the University of Miami, and did it again when he played in 2010 with the Indianapolis Colts and now — at least potentially — has a chance to follow him with the Arizona Cardinals.
azcentral.com blogs - Kent Somers - Day 2 of rookie minicamp
Coaches are using the rookie minicamp for various purposes. They are trying to teach the rookies enough so they can contribute during OTAs. They are evaluating talent, intelligence and toughness. Coach Ken Whisenhunt is intrigued to see how players react when they are tired.
Word From the Birds Blog | Cards looking for the Quan
The Quan was in the Cardinals’ locker room long before the 2011 draft, thanks to Rod Tidwell and "Jerry Maguire." But then the Cardinals refreshed their supply last year when they took linebacker Quan Sturdivant in the sixth round of the draft, a prospect for the inside of the 3-4 alignment that seemed promising. But Sturdivant never was able to make a serious run at the roster. He was put on the practice squad, and while he stuck around there, he was the lone member of the 2011 draft class to not make the opening day roster (running back Ryan Williams was on injured reserve, but would have been on the team) and couldn’t even get a late-season promotion. Now he’s taking part as one of nine veterans at rookie minicamp, trying to get the work he didn’t get with the lost (to lockout) 2011 offseason.
Cardinals rookies are getting all the reps - ArizonaSports.com
Tempe, Arizona -- The Arizona Cardinals continued the rookie-only minicamp Saturday, giving first-year players a chance to make an impression on the coaching staff without any veterans around. That in itself makes for an interesting weekend, Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt said, though it has its benefits, too.
Fleming Begins NFL Journey
Cardinals 3rd round pick Jamell Fleming takes his first steps toward life as an NFL cornerback.
Arizona Sports News:
Matt Cain leads San Francisco Giants over Arizona Diamondbacks
It took 10 tries and a little longer than eight months, but the San Francisco Giants finally got the best of the Diamondbacks. Matt Cain pitched six strong innings and helped his cause by hitting what proved to be a game-winning, two-run double in the sixth as the Giants beat the Diamondbacks 5-2 on Saturday to snap a nine-game slide against Arizona. It had been the longest active win streak by any National League club against one opponent. The Giants last beat the Diamondbacks on Sept. 2.
Healthy Arizona Rattlers blow out Chicago Rush
It's amazing what a team can do at full strength. The Rattlers had been without several key playmakers the past few weeks but were finally healthy against the Chicago Rush. It showed. The returning players made their mark Saturday night as the Rattlers (6-3) handily defeated the Rush 77-43 in front of 7,280 at US Airways Center.
Dan Majerle Catches Ground Rule Double, Maintains Facial Expression For 10 Seconds - From Our Editors - SBNation.com
Dan Majerle, a 14-year NBA veteran and former member of the Phoenix Suns, took in an Arizona Diamondbacks game against the San Fransisco Giants on Saturday. While grabbing a plate of food from the pool area in center field, Gerardo Parra hit a ground rule double in his general direction. He caught the ball, but that in and of itself isn't particularly notable. The video, which comes via Media Rantz and can be seen below the jump, features adventures in optical illusions and bizarre facial expressions.
NFL News:
Jay Cutler Flicks Off Paparazzi From A Variety Of Angles - The Deep Dish - SB Nation Chicago
Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler broke his thumb in Week 11 last season, but at least we know one his fingers still works!
New Niners stadium creating some Bay Area friction | ProFootballTalk
It was all confetti and shovels when the 49ers and officials in Santa Clara broke ground on a new NFL stadium. Now, some folks in Santa Clara are feeling a bit betrayed.
Mike Tice: If Devin Hester isn’t involved in Bears’ offense, fire me | ProFootballTalk
Bears offensive coordinator Mike Tice says any talk of limiting Devin Hester to kick returns and taking him out of the wide receiver rotation is crazy. In fact, Tice says that if he can’t find a way to take advantage of Hester’s playmaking ability on offense, then he doesn’t deserve to be an offensive coordinator.