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Time for todays links, including a look at the importance of this offseason for Kolb.
Feeling the rush: Kolb's big offseason - NFC West Blog - ESPN
A half-second can mean everything for a quarterback when an All-Pro defensive lineman is bearing down on him. Kevin Kolb appeared to do little wrong on the play that ended his first season with the Arizona Cardinals. Kolb dropped back to pass on third-and-6. He hesitated briefly before attempting to target tight end Todd Heap in the right flat. Even then, only 2.5 seconds elapsed between the snap and the blind-side hit from San Francisco 49ers defensive end Justin Smith. Smith hit Kolb from behind and knocked the ball free. Linebacker Ahmad Brooks turned to chase the loose ball and, in the process, whacked Kolb in the helmet with a churning knee.
Word From the Birds Blog | Breathing (cap) space for Cards
Now that the roster for training camp is (virtually) set with 90 players, the Cardinals are in a decent place with their salary cap space. Thanks to a list from profootballtalk.com, we know the Cards have about $4.55 million in cap space right now. It’s not a ton, but 13 teams have less and since the Cards have signed all their draft picks, it is a reasonable amount of space heading to Flagstaff.
Arizona Sports News:
Arizona Diamondbacks open series with win over Chicago Cubs
Jason Kubel hit a two-run homer and five relievers filled in for scratched starter Joe Saunders to lift the Arizona Diamondback to a 6-1 win over the Chicago Cubs on Friday night. Saunders had trouble getting loose in the bullpen, so the Diamondbacks turned to one-time starter Josh Collmenter. He gave up a long homer to Geovany Soto in the fourth and Brad Ziegler (4-1) followed with two scoreless innings.
Phoenix Coyotes draft forward Henrik Samuelsson with 27th pick
With a late pick because of their run to the Western Conference finals, the Coyotes felt little attachment to their position in the first round of the NHL entry draft. Part of General Manager Don Maloney's strategy when he and his staff descended on Pittsburgh for the weekend was to see if he could move the 27th pick to impact their current roster. Ultimately, though, the Coyotes didn't trade their pick. They selected 18-year-old right winger Henrik Samuelsson -- the son of former associate coach Ulf Samuelsson -- to add size and physicality to their system.
NFL News:
Chat wrap: Seahawks' next middle 'backer - NFC West Blog - ESPN
One of our leftover NFC West chat questions provides an opportunity to expand upon an interview conducted during the Seattle Seahawks' mandatory minicamp last week.
DeMaurice Smith Wants Saints Bounty Investigation To Be Redone - SBNation.com
If you've been confused by the NFL's investigation into the New Orleans Saints alleged bounty program, then join the rest of us. It seems every time one party says anything, others are there to say it's not true. Count NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith among those who want clearer answers in the Saints bounty investigation.
NFL Referees File Unfair Labor Practices Charge Against NFL - SBNation.com
The last time we talked about the NFL's other legal battle, this time between the league and the NFL Referees Association, the NFL was searching for replacement referees after the two sides allowed their collective bargaining agreement to pass. The NFLRA has now shot back at the NFL via the filing of an unfair labor practices charge with the National Relations Board. If this all sounds familiar, it should. The NFLPA filed similar charges against the NFL last year during the lockout.
Johnny Knox unsure when he’ll be able to return | ProFootballTalk
When Bears receiver Johnny Knox suffered an ugly back injury on December 18, it looked like it would be a long time before he’d be able to play again. And six months later it still looks that way.
Berman could call Chargers-Raiders Monday night opener | ProFootballTalk
The mouth that boomed could be blaring through your TV on the first Monday night of the season.