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Time for todays links, including some thoughts on the work the Cardinals did checking out Floyd's background before drafting him now that the stuff about Blackmon getting arrested has come out.
Hype surrounds Arizona Cardinals rookie QB Ryan Lindley
For a sixth-round draft pick, Ryan Lindley has received a lot of national publicity. Sports Illustrated NFL Insider Peter King ranked the Cardinals rookie fourth among newcomer quarterbacks with a chance to make an impact this season. "Something tells me Lindley will have a chance to play by midseason," King wrote. ESPN analyst Ron Jaworski told KTAR-AM 620 that Lindley would be a starter by his fourth season in the league. As far as quarterbacks under the radar, Jaworski said, "this year I love Ryan Lindley." On Monday, however, Lindley was like any other rookie, staying after the Cardinals' organized team activities for additional work. Although his credentials are impressive, his chances to make the roster, at this point, are uncertain.
New Outlook For Rhodes
Veteran safety grows from injury, personal life lessons
Word From the Birds Blog | Doing homework and hoping for the right decisions
When the Cardinals selected Michael Floyd with their first-round pick, one of the most impressive things about the rookie wide receiver was his willingness to address his past, which included a DUI arrest in college. The team vetted the young man thoroughly, and his work habits have been nothing but sterling since he arrived.
Cardinals QB questions? Ask the QB coach - ArizonaSports.com
Is John McNulty aiming to reinvent the position of quarterback coach in the NFL? Uh, no. "I saw Donovan McNabb taking drops in the ocean waist-deep in Miami with a quarterback guru, you'd have to explain to me what that was," McNulty smiled. You mean the Cardinals new QB coach hasn't concocted a bunch of innovative drills that we've never seen before? Uh, no again. McNulty is more interested in refining his quarterbacks, instead of redefining the art of coaching QB's.
Cardinals LB Washington thriving in OTAs - ArizonaSports.com
Third-year Arizona Cardinals linebacker Daryl Washington is growing...in more ways than one.
Season In Focus: Part Three
During offseason workouts, QBs coach John McNulty is going back to basics and stressing the details that were missed due to last season's lockout.
Arizona Sports News:
Arizona Diamondbacks drop series-opener to Colorado Rockies
Colorado rookie Christian Friedrich pitched four-hit ball for seven innings in the best outing of his young career and the Rockies won for the seventh time in eight games, 4-0 over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night.
Arizona Diamondbacks select catcher Stryker Trahan with 26th overall pick in MLB draft
The Arizona Diamondbacks select catcher Stryker Trahan of Lafayette, Louisiana, with 26th overall pick in MLB draft.
NFL News:
What gives 49ers jump over West upstarts - NFC West Blog - ESPN
The Mike Nolan era in San Francisco produced more heartache than the 49ers would care to revisit, but the long-term legacy isn't so bad. Eleven draft choices, including eight current starters and five Pro Bowl selections, remain on the 49ers' roster from the Nolan era. The other NFC West teams have a combined eight of their own draft choices from the same 2005-2008 window. That includes six starters and no Pro Bowl selections for the Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals and St. Louis Rams.
Three quick thoughts on replacement refs - NFC West Blog - ESPN
What comes to mind after the NFL announced it would seek replacement officials in the absence of a new labor agreement with the NFL Referees Association:
Carson Palmer, Mark Sanchez Among Players Who Need Big Offseasons - SBNation.com
The NFL offseason is a time when players are putting in the work to take the next step. Which players need this offseason the most to take the next step in 2012?
NFL, Officials Negotiating New CBA; Replacement Officials Are Possible - SBNation.com
The NFL could look into using replacement umpires if a new CBA cannot be reached with the umpires union.
Justin Blackmon DUI Will Be Misdemeanor, DA Won't Plea Bargain - SBNation.com
Justin Blackmon was arrested for aggravated DUI over the weekend, and it's commonly been referred to as his second DUI charge. But technically, this is Blackmon's first DUI charge, which means he won't be charged with a felony. Blackmon is facing a misdemeanor DUI charge -- to which he pled not guilty -- because his first DUI arrest in 2010 was knocked down to minor in possession of beer.
Justin Blackmon's Contract Negotiations Could Be Affected By DUI - SBNation.com
Justin Blackmon's DUI came at a bad time (as if there's ever a good time for one). He hasn't yet signed his rookie contract from the Jacksonville Jaguars and it's being reported that the Jaguars will now be taking his DUI into account when putting his contract together.
Saints Bounty Grievance Rejected; NFL Claims Initial Victory - SBNation.com
Special Master Stephen Burbank handed down his ruling in the NFLPA's grievance against the NFL, according to reports circulating on Monday morning. Burbank ruled in favor of the NFL, keeping the matter of player suspensions within the realm of personal conduct. The news was first reported by Pro Football Talk.
Martellus Bennett Is Not Fat, Reports Martellus Bennett - From Our Editors - SBNation.com
Giants tight end Martellus Bennett was in the news last week when his tight ends coach Mike Pope revealed that he had gone from 265 pounds to 291 pounds in the offseason. The obvious reaction to a 26-pound weight gain is that he got fat. Really fat. Bennett wants you to know that's not the case.