5-17-12: Arizona Cardinals Bird Droppings - Offseason

Time for todays links, with an update on a depth signing the Cardinals made yesterday that also gave them the maximum of 90 players that they can have on the roster right now.

Arizona Cardinals reach roster maximum with signing of defensive end Landon Cohen
The Cardinals reached the roster maximum of 90 players Wednesday when the team signed free agent defensive end Landon Cohen.

Campbell’s real guarantee is $17 million | ProFootballTalk
Another week, another contract that was initially reported as having a much higher value than it actually has. It was reported on Friday Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell has received a five-year, $55 million contract with $31 million guaranteed. Inspection of the contract reveals that the deal isn’t quite that sweet.

Second thought on some, but not Campbell - NFC West Blog - ESPN
NFL rosters turn over quickly. It's no shock to see a team's draft class disperse after five or six years. Sometimes it takes a special player to thrive through injuries, coaching changes, temptations and other issues that can send a promising career in the wrong direction. Calais Campbell is looking like that type of player. He has stayed relatively healthy, succeeded despite multiple changes in coordinators and commanded a lucrative second contract from the Arizona Cardinals.

Word From the Birds Blog | Cards sign defensive end
The Cardinals signed veteran defensive end Landon Cohen, who played one game with the Patriots last season, to a contract Wednesday. Cohen has been in the league since 2008, bouncing around to three previous teams and having a high of 14 games played in 2009 with the Lions. He is 6-foot-3, 300 pounds. Cohen’s arrival means the Cards have maxed out their roster at 90 players, although don’t fret (because I know the questions will come), veterans DE Vonnie Holliday and LB Clark Haggans are still very real possibilities. If anyone else is signed, of course, it means a player has to be released.

Word From the Birds Blog | Video games, A-Dub and charity
If you want a chance to face off against a pro athlete in an Xbox Madden video game tournament, you are in luck. Adrian Wilson is holding a charity tourney Friday, at Scottsdale’s W hotel, from 3:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. poolside. Benefiting Wilson’s charitable foundation, a $35 donation gets you into the event (with a couple of drinks), and for just $15 more you can challenge one of the athletes. Tickets are available at wscottsdaletickets.com or you can call 602-405-0099 for VIP tickets or more info. You can also visit adrianwilson24.com.

Cardinals owner ranked 24th in NFL - ArizonaSports.com
Bill Bidwill has a reputation as one of the NFL's worst owners, with much of it deserved because his teams have perennially been at or near the bottom of the standings. Things have changed around the organization ever since Michael Bidwill took over, with impressive results to show for it. However, that wasn't enough for The Big Lead to give the Cardinals ownership much credit.

Cardinals rookie Massie can't wait to face team's stars - ArizonaSports.com
Bobby Massie does not know why he slipped to the fourth round in the 2012 NFL Draft. Graded by many to be a second-round talent, that he fell to the Cardinals at 112 is something that will motivate him going forward, as he looks to prove to everyone that he should have been taken sooner.

Zoom: Bond of Brothers
Brothers John and Steve Skelton have been teammates at every level of football including the NFL. In this episode of Zoom, we take a look at their special bond both on and off the field.

Arizona Sports News:

Arizona Diamonbacks fall to Colorado Rockies in Denver
Sometime Thursday Diamondbacks General Manager Kevin Towers is scheduled to arrive at Coors Field, where he will sit down with manager Kirk Gibson. The two enjoy each other's company and are quick to share a laugh, but when the subject turns to their struggling baseball team, there will be little for them to find humorous. At the beginning of the week, Gibson cryptically mentioned "adjustments" to the roster, about changes that might need to happen to jumpstart his middling team. Towers isn't exactly known for his patience, and so it will be interesting to see what, if anything, happens in aftermath of another dispiriting loss. "We're going to sit down and talk about some things," Gibson said before the Diamondbacks' 6-1 loss to the Colorado Rockies.

Phoenix Coyotes' Martin Hanzal out for Game 3, Shane Doan avoids suspension
As soon as forward Martin Hanzal was assessed a game misconduct for boarding in the third period of Tuesday's 4-0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings, the Coyotes feared the NHL would suspend Hanzal for Game 3.

Phoenix Coyotes need to return for fans
Lost in the atmosphere of an arena that looked like it had been dipped in Clorox was this bit of darkness: A slim chance remains that this could have been the Coyotes' last game in Arizona. Let's hope not. These should not be our lasting memories of the Coyotes: Fifty-six penalty minutes. A solemn Shane Doan, quietly talking outside the locker room about possibly facing a suspension for Game 3. Inconsistent officiating that was best exemplified by simultaneous calls of slashing and diving. "It took us a while," Coyotes coach Dave Tippett said, "to figure out the bar goes up every round." This wasn't how it was supposed to be, the Coyotes suffering an ugly 4-0 loss to the Kings on Tuesday night and heading to Los Angeles with their tails between their pads and a 0-2 deficit in the series. The Coyotes need to win one in Los Angeles. They need to come back to the Valley and remind fans why so many fell in love with them this season, that under all the equipment beats the heart of a gritty, blue-collar team.

NFL News:

Drew Brees 'Frustrated' With New Orleans Saints Over Stalled Contract Talks - SBNation.com
The New Orleans Saints are not winning the offseason. Quarterback Drew Brees, in an appearance on WWL radio in New Orleans, expressed frustration with how his team is handling negotiations over a contract extension.

Kenny Britt Injury: Titans WR Has 2nd Knee Surgery On Wednesday - SBNation.com
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Kenny Britt had a second surgery on his right knee on Wednesday. Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean reports that it was arthroscopic surgery to repair a "minor issue" with Britt's surgically-repaired right knee.

Junior Seau's Garage Robbed 5 Days After His Death - From Our Editors - SBNation.com
Junior Seau's suicide earlier this month sent shockwaves of grief through the sporting world and Southern California. But for at least one lowlife, it also presented an opportunity -- an opportunity to climb through the doggy door of a dead man's garage and steal from a grieving family.

New York Giants Super Bowl Ring Unveiled; Fans Can Try It On Virtually - SBNation.com
On Wednesday night, members of the Super Bowl XLVI champion New York Giants will be at Tiffany's to pick up their Super Bowl rings. Images of the ring were released on Wednesday for the rest of the world to see.

Would You Like Your Child To Play Catch With Brett Favre? - From Our Editors - SBNation.com
Look, you love Brett Favre. It's okay; it's a natural part of being alive. You're still mourning his for-realsies-this-time retirement. You're still wearing his jersey. You're probably a Jacksonville Jaguars fan, but you still had a jersey made that says "FAVRE 4" on the back, because you love him so dang much. (And I mean, what else do you have to feel good about?) But what if I told you there was a way that you -- yes, you -- could interact with the great Brett Favre himself? No, I'm not pulling your chain.

NFL Roundtable: Which Draft Pick Is Most Likely To Bust? - SBNation.com
Every year there are players who we miss on in the NFL Draft and end up becoming busts. SB Nation's NFL roundtable tries to identify those players by selecting which draft pick is most likely to end up being a bust.