The offseason began for the Arizona Cardinals, and head coach Brice Arians spoke to the media one final time. Players had their exit interviews and they also spoke with the press. Lots of reflecting and lots of optimism.
Here are your morning links.
Cardinals:
Cardinals Blogs | Palmer’s Hall of Fame jersey, and some notes
We here at azcardinals.com are grinding away to post some day-after-season content, but here are some quick notes on a relatively news-less day-after following locker room availability and Bruce Arians’ final presser — news-less for sure compared to this time last season:
Notes: Cards have decisions; Washington's off-field issue; Abraham's big year
Exit Interviews - Reviewing 2013
The players share their thoughts on the end of the 2013 season
Cardinals Must Balance Progress With Change
Ten wins leaves team optimistic for 2014, but some pieces will be different
Five Cardinals offseason storylines - Arizona Cardinals Blog - ESPN
Here are five storylines to watch as the offseason gets underway:
Upon Further Review: 49ers-Cardinals - Arizona Cardinals Blog - ESPN
Cardinals reporter Josh Weinfuss and 49ers reporter Bill Williamson discuss the state of their teams after Sunday's game.
Cardinals already turning thoughts to 2014 | FOX Sports on MSN
An improving defense that was the NFL's toughest to run against gives the Cardinals a solid starting point for 2014.
Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians thankful for opportunity to coach team ArizonaSports.com
"There are so many," he conceded. "When you try to pin them down to one…I will always remember the opening kickoff in St. Louis."
Arizona Cardinals TE Jake Ballard took a step in the right direction in 2013 ArizonaSports.com
A restricted free agent, Ballard said he has no real preference on where he plays, as long as he gets to. "If that's here, great, if it's not, we'll just see what happens," he said. "But I've enjoyed my time here. All I want to do is play. I sat at home for 10 weeks and didn't do anything, so I'll do whatever I have to."
As 2013 ends, Arizona Cardinals are excited for 2014 ArizonaSports.com
There was no sense of relief that the season was over or dread over what was possibly to come.
Cardinals GM Steve Keim: Todd Bowles has been clear -- he 'would love to stay' ArizonaSports.com
And the players themselves aren't the only ones reaping the benefits of, and getting recognition for, a great season. Their leader, defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, is becoming an increasingly hot head coach candidate, with more than five such jobs expected to open over the course of the offseason.
Jay Feely: 'There's no excuse' for missed field goals ArizonaSports.com
"No, I just have to make those kicks," Feely said when asked about his two misses. "There's no excuse. No reason not to."
NFL:
The NFL's regular season is over and the axe is dropping around the league: the Redskins, Bucs, Lions, Browns and Vikings will all have new head coaches next season.
2014 NFL mock draft: Offseason planning begins - SBNation.com
Teddy Bridgewater of Louisville can be penciled in as the No. 1 pick in the draft (for now), but after that the draft is wide open. How many quarterbacks will go in the top 10, and how far could defensive end Jadeveon Clowney slip?
Greg Schiano, Mark Dominik fired by Buccaneers - Bucs Nation
The Buccaneers have moved on from their head coach.
Sing us a song, you're the Schiano Man - SBNation.com
Sung to the tune of Billy Joels "Piano Man." H/T to Weird Al Yankovic (R- California)
Jim Schwartz fired by Lions - Pride Of Detroit
Jim Schwartz has been fired by the Detroit Lions.
Mike Shanahan fired as Washington Redskins head coach - SBNation.com
Shanahan finished 24-3 in his tenure in D.C.
Leslie Frazier Fired By Minnesota Vikings - Daily Norseman
As expected, Leslie Frazier has been fired as head coach of the Minnesota Vikings
NFL playoffs 2013: A deeper look at the fallen - SBNation.com
Some teams are still in the hunt, but these organizations are looking ahead to the draft in the hopes of building towards 2014.
AFC playoff schedule and bracket 2014: Rematches headline wild card weekend games - SBNation.com
The owners of the first picks in the 2012 and 2013 NFL Drafts will kick off the postseason followed by the Bengals looking to slow the streaking Chargers.
NFC playoff schedule and bracket 2014: New faces, familiar foes - SBNation.com
Chip Kelly and Nick Foles will get their first taste of the postseason, while the Packers and 49ers will face off for the third time in a year.
Chargers were in illegal formation when Chiefs missed field goal - SBNation.com
There may have been an officiating mistake made at the end of regulation when Kansas City missed a potential game-winning field goal against San Diego on Sunday.
Leslie Frazier fired as Vikings head coach - SBNation.com
Frazier went 21-32-1 in his four-year tenure with the team.
Multiple teams interested in Todd Bowles for head coach - SBNation.com
Three teams are looking at Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles to fill their vacancies.
Browns fire head coach Rob Chudzinski - SBNation.com
The Browns fired first-year head coach Rob Chudzinski on Sunday night.
Calvin Johnson needs knee surgery in offseason - SBNation.com
The best receiver in football will be going under the knife to get fixed up before the 2014 campaign.