NFL FanHouse

Matt Leinart Admits 'Mistakes,' Says, 'I Have to Realize I'm a Role Model and Act Like One'

Michael David Smith — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 09:18:00 EST

Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart has been criticized in the press and by his own coach this off-season, mostly because of the widely circulated pictures of him partying.

Some have said the pictures showed nothing more than a guy having a good time in the privacy of his own home, but Leinart told the Orange County Register that he now thinks his free-time activities were "mistakes," and he adds that, "I have to realize I'm a role model and act like one."

Leinart sounds like he wants to change his public image, and if that's the case, his teammate Kurt Warner would be a good guy to emulate. Warner has been in the public eye for close to a decade now, and I can't think of a single time that he's done anything off the field that would be categorized as a "mistake." Leinart has said he's learned a lot from Warner about playing quarterback; it would be good for Leinart to learn from Warner about being a celebrity.

Matt Leinart Admits 'Mistakes,' Says, 'I Have to Realize I'm a Role Model and Act Like One' originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 26 Jun 2008 09:18:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Canada Has Changed David Boston's Attitude

Michael David Smith — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 21:56:00 EST

Filed under: AZ Cardinals, Phoenix

David Boston had back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons for the Arizona Cardinals in 2000 and 2001, when he was just 22 and 23 years old. He looked like he was going to be the best receiver in football for a decade to come.

It didn't work out that way, of course, because of a combination of Boston getting caught using steroids, getting arrested for drunk driving and displaying the kind of attitude that made him unwelcome in any NFL locker room.

So it's surprising to read an article from Canada, where he's now with the Toronto Argonauts, in which Boston comes across as the ultimate team player: He talks about how he is willing to play through pain just to help his team win, and how he loves the game so much that he's just happy to be playing it. That's not the Boston NFL fans remember.

But if this new and improved Boston is for real, it's not out of the question that he could be back in the NFL some day. He's only 29 years old, and he has incredible talent. All he ever needed was the right attitude, and he may have found it in Canada.

Canada Has Changed David Boston's Attitude originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 22 Jun 2008 21:56:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Arizona Cardinals' J.J. Arrington Arrested

Michael David Smith — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 08:23:00 EST

Filed under: AZ Cardinals, Phoenix, NFL Police Blotter

Arizona Cardinals running back J.J. Arrington was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct after reportedly being involved in a fight in his home town of Rocky Mount, North Carolina.

As of the most recent report, Arrington was being held in Nash County Jail.

A second-round draft pick after a great final season at Cal, Arrington has been mostly a disappointment in three years with the Cardinals. Last season coach Ken Whisenhunt got him more involved in the passing game with some success, but as a runner he has 467 yards and 3.1 yards a carry in three seasons. He's just the kind of marginal player whose job could be in jeopardy if he can't stay out of trouble off the field.

Arizona Cardinals' J.J. Arrington Arrested originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 18 Jun 2008 08:23:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Will Anquan Boldin Show Up to Cardinals' Training Camp? 'I Honestly Can't Say'

Michael David Smith — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 20:12:00 EST

Filed under: AZ Cardinals, Phoenix

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin has made it clear that he's unhappy with his contract. But how unhappy?

According to an article on the Cardinals' official web site, he's unhappy enough that he's considering skipping training camp. Asked by a writer for the web site if he'll be there, Boldin replied via text message, "I honestly can't say at this point."

It's not surprising that Bodlin is unhappy -- he wants the same kind of deal that Larry Fitzgerald got this off-season -- but I'll be shocked if he holds out of camp. The Cardinals just don't seem like they're in a position where they're going to cave to his demands, and all Boldin is likely to do if he holds out is pick up fines in the neighborhood of $15,000 a day.

It is possible that Boldin could be traded to a team like the Eagles or Cowboys, but the most likely scenario is that he shows up on time and plays under the contract he has.

Note: Kudos to the Cardinals for putting stories like this on their official site. Too many teams still think their official web sites have to be filled with puff pieces.

Will Anquan Boldin Show Up to Cardinals' Training Camp? 'I Honestly Can't Say' originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 15 Jun 2008 20:12:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Matt Leinart Hot Tub Photos on 'Jeopardy!'

Michael David Smith — Mon, 12 May 2008 21:10:00 EST

Filed under: AZ Cardinals, Phoenix, The Word

They started on a gossip web site, got picked up by blogs and were then a fixture in the mainstream media. But if there was any question that the infamous pictures of Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart partying with co-eds had made the big-time, those questions have been answered now that the pictures have been the subject of a Jeopardy! answer:

Under the category "The Brat Fest" (I have no idea what that means), Alex Trebek offered, "This Heisman-winning Cardinals quarterback was sacked in the off-season by photos of his hot tub party."

It's college tournament time on Jeopardy!, and the contestant from Michigan correctly responded, "Who is Leinart."

Previously on FanHouse:
Matt Leinart: 'The Internet Is a Bad Thing'
Matt Leinart, Alex Smith Pics at TheDirty.com: The Future of Sports Media?
Another Matt Leinart Photo; Cardinals Coach Ken Whisenhunt Will Love This One
Cardinals Coach Ken Whisenhunt Disappointed in Matt Leinart Photos

Matt Leinart Hot Tub Photos on 'Jeopardy!' originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 12 May 2008 21:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pat Tillman's Mom: Army Still Lying

Michael David Smith — Mon, 05 May 2008 08:56:00 EST

Filed under: AZ Cardinals, Phoenix

Mary Tillman, the mother of Pat Tillman, appeared on 60 Minutes Sunday night and says she still can't get the truth about her son's death from the U.S. Army. Here's a brief clip:

More from the 60 Minutes web site:

At that time, Tillman's family was led to believe that he was killed by the enemy, which was reinforced when the Army awarded him a Silver Star for his "gallantry in action against an armed enemy." They were told his convoy had been ambushed and he had charged up a hill, forcing the enemy to withdraw and saving the lives of his fellow Rangers.

That story was a complete fabrication, but the whole story is still, according to Mary Tillman, a mystery.

Pat Tillman was an American hero, and it's baffling that our nation's military still won't give his mother a straight answer about exactly what happened when he was killed. It's been more than four years since Pat Tillman died, and it's time for Mary Tillman to hear the truth.

Pat Tillman's Mom: Army Still Lying originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 05 May 2008 08:56:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Matt Leinart: 'The Internet Is a Bad Thing'

Michael David Smith — Fri, 02 May 2008 16:44:00 EST

Filed under: AZ Cardinals, NFL Gossip, NFL Media Watch, Phoenix, Blogs

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart was at the center of a media firestorm when photos of him partying, including the one above, were widely disseminated, first at TheDirty.com and then on ESPN and elsewhere. So what lesson did Leinart learn?

Mike Sando of ESPN.com reports that Leinart first answered.

"Obviously, you learn life lessons in things," Leinart said. "My mindset has been on football, clearly, going into this minicamp or going into this summer. When you play football, you are a name out there or a person in the spotlight; it is tough, you have a target on your chest. But you learn a lesson and you move on."

But when asked specifically about the power of the Internet, Leinart smiled and said, "The internet is a bad thing."

Buzz Bissinger agrees with you, Matt.

Matt Leinart: 'The Internet Is a Bad Thing' originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 02 May 2008 16:44:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NFL Draft Grades: Arizona Cardinals

Dan — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 08:54:00 EST

Filed under: AZ Cardinals, NFC West, NFL Draft, Phoenix

Arizona Cardinals 2008 Draft Picks:

Round 1 (16): Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State
Round 2 (50): Calais Campbell, DE, Miami
Round 3 (81): Early Doucet, WR, LSU
Round 4 (116): Kenny Iwebema, DE, Iowa
Round 5 (149): Tim Hightower, RB, Richmond
Round 6 (185): Chris Harrington, DE, Texas A&M
Round 7 (225): Brandon Keith, OT, Northern Iowa

The Good: Going into the draft, Arizona had quite a few needs to fill. There were several defensive positions that needed someone who could come in and start immediately, while others were lacking quality depth. And with the first two selections, coupled with the late-round pick of Chris Harrington (rotational pass rusher), they were able to fill all of those needs.

The Bad: The Cardinals weren't able to secure the big time running back most analysts believed they needed, but they were able to lock down Tim Hightower in round five. And while he may not be a Darren McFadden or even a Ray Rice, he's a Marion Barber-like running back who could give Arizona exactly what they need anyway. In addition to their failure to land a game-breaking back, Arizona missed out on a solid safety and additional depth at linebacker.

The Grade: B+. People may not be very high on Tim Hightower right now, nor very high on the 2007 version of Calais Campbell, but both of those players have a tremendous upside. I'm not a scout by any means, but I fully expect Campbell to return to his 2006 form, with Hightower providing all the help Arizona could possibly need behind Edgerrin James.

Click here to read other draft grades.

NFL Draft Grades: Arizona Cardinals originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 29 Apr 2008 08:54:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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16. Arizona Cardinals: Dominique Rodgers- Cromatrie, CB, Tennessee State

Michael David Smith — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 16:50:00 EST

Filed under: AZ Cardinals, NFL Draft, Phoenix

Cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie might have the highest upside of any player in this draft. He's an amazing athlete who dominated at the I-AA level and will be a very good player for the Cardinals.

The cousin of the Chargers' Antonio Cromartie, Dominique plays a lot like him: He's a ballhawk, he's got great straight line speed, and when you watch them run, their gaits are even similar.

The only doubt about Rodgers-Cromartie is how quickly he'll be able to contribute to an NFL defense, especially against the run, as he didn't do that very well at Tennessee State and there's an awfully large step up in quality from the running backs he faced at Tennessee State to the ones he'll face in the NFL. The best guess is that it'll take a year before he's a starter, but that he'll be a very good special teams contributor from Day 1.

Previously on FanHouse:
FanHouse Mock Draft: Arizona Cardinals Select RB Rashard Mendenhall No. 16

16. Arizona Cardinals: Dominique Rodgers- Cromatrie, CB, Tennessee State originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 26 Apr 2008 16:50:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cardinals' Gabe Watson Suffers Knee Injury in Treadmill Accident

Michael David Smith — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 22:16:00 EST

Filed under: AZ Cardinals, NFL Injuries, Phoenix

Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Gabe Watson is out of commission until at least the start of training camp after he suffered a knee injury when he slipped and fell while running on a treadmill, Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic reports (via PFT).

Watson was working out on his own at a health club when he suffered the injury. He underwent surgery to repair a fractured kneecap and will be less than 100 percent when training camp opens in July, although the team is optimistic that he will be ready to go when the regular season starts in September.

Losing weight has been a major priority for Watson, and Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt praised Watson for running on the treadmill on his own, even if the workout obviously didn't go as planned.

"The thing that's disappointing is that Gabe has shown such great progress and he's getting it," Whisenhunt said. "Just the fact that he was working to get himself in shape after he had done his workout here is a testament to him.

"One thing that's an advantage for him is that he's in such better shape at this point than he's ever been in, it gives him a much greater chance at getting back quickly."

While Watson is sidelined, Alan Branch is first in line to take his place in the starting lineup at defensive tackle. But Branch, too, has had trouble staying in shape. The Cardinals will need Branch to hit the treadmill, and to watch his step while he's on it.

Cardinals' Gabe Watson Suffers Knee Injury in Treadmill Accident originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 15 Apr 2008 22:16:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FanHouse Mock Draft: Arizona Cardinals Select RB Rashard Mendenhall No. 16

Dan — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: AZ Cardinals, NFC West, NFL Draft, Phoenix

With each pick of the FanHouse mock draft, we get into the head of an NFL general manager and let you know who he'll pick and why.

Earlier in the offseason, there was some speculation in Arizona regarding the future of Edgerrin James. Although an official stance was never actually given, there was clearly some sort of misunderstanding that had James questioning his future with the club.

Although those tempers eventually cooled, the Cardinals interest in finding a second running back did not. And with four of top cornerbacks already off the board, coupled with Aqib Talib's failed drug test, the selection of Rashard Mendenhall seems like the perfect fit.

Mendenhall gives Arizona exactly what they were looking for when they drafted J.J. Arrington -- an explosive back that has the ability to break a long run every time he touches the ball. And although he's often knocked for putting the ball on the ground, he's far too great a talent to pass up at number 16.

For the time being, Mendenhall will fill an important change-of-pace role for the Cardinals. Eventually, however, the James era will come to an end and he'll get to step up and grab the reigns for Arizona.

The Skinny:
Team needs - RB, CB, OT, S, OLB
Player Selected - Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
Also Considered - Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas

Previous Pick: No. 15, Branden Albert, Detroit Lions

Next Pick: No. 17, Minnesota Vikings

FanHouse Mock Draft: Arizona Cardinals Select RB Rashard Mendenhall No. 16 originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 09 Apr 2008 14:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Matt Leinart, Alex Smith Pics at TheDirty.com: The Future of Sports Media?

Michael David Smith — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 16:31:00 EST

Filed under: 49ers, AZ Cardinals, NFL Media Watch, Phoenix, San Francisco

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith (above) and Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart had probably never heard of TheDirty.com a week ago, but they know all too well about it now.

Last week, an anonymous tipster e-mailed The Dirty pictures of Leinart partying at his home with Arizona State University co-eds. The story was, unsurprisingly, picked up by a number of blogs.

But then ESPN showed the photos on Around the Horn, Pardon the Interruption, SportsCenter and other shows. The Dirty -- with no journalistic standards, and little apparent interest in such standards -- got one of the biggest scoops of the NFL off-season.

And after The Dirty posted the above photo today -- which it says shows Smith partying in Mexico -- it's probably a matter of time before those turn up on ESPN, too.

So are sites like The Dirty the future of the sports media? In a phone interview, I asked one of the guys who runs The Dirty.

For starters, let's make clear what kind of site The Dirty is: None of the people affiliated with it will give out their real names; the person I talked to is identified as the site's president and CEO, and even he goes by a pseudonym, Ari Golden. And when I asked him whether the fact that his site broke this story makes him a journalist, Golden sounded horrified.

"No, definitely not," Golden said. "This is definitely supposed to be for entertainment. We say right on the page that the information you read here could be inaccurate, it could be false."

Golden is correct, it's right there at the bottom. But is it really fair to post things that have the potential to damage a person's reputation and then simply point to a disclaimer if they get information wrong?

Says Golden, "If someone reports something to us and we think it's funny, we'll post it, but as far as reporting news, looking for news, reporters - that's not our specialty. Our specialty is to take incoming news or pictures and put our own take on it."

Even if the site does no active reporting and relies solely on "incoming" news, there's no question that The Dirty is breaking news. The same week that it published the Leinart photos, it also published pictures and a video showing a University of Arizona football player sticking his hand between the legs of a woman who appeared to be under the influence. The player was indefinitely suspended from the team but was not charged with any crime.

The Dirty is getting a lot of attention for its pictures of football players, but Golden says the site is much less interested in celebrity gossip than it is in regular-people gossip: The site cared mostly about posting pictures of regular college students partying, and it was just an added traffic perk (according to Alexa the site's traffic quadrupled) that they were partying with someone famous.

"We usually focus more on the non-celebrity aspect of it," Golden said. "The story (on the Leinart photos) for us -- which we can't 100% percent verify -- is that the evidence is pretty strong that the girls were underage. (The Dirty's readers) backed that up by sending us their MySpace and Facebook pages."

This interest in regular people -- not celebrities -- is why The Dirty views itself as the blogosphere's equivalent of reality television: Bringing to light the unscripted misadventures of ordinary Joes and Janes.

As for the mainstream that published the Leinart photos? "They're losing focus on what I think they should really be reporting on, which is (athletes') performance on the field," Golden says.

It's unclear why someone publishing these photos would object to ESPN's commenting on them. As David Sarno of the Los Angeles Times wrote about The Dirty, "It's hard to take that civics lesson from this particular set of guys."

Frankly, it's hard to find anyone to take civics lessons from: If we look to ESPN, we'll inevitably be disappointed by the arbitrary decisions the network will make about which embarrassing photos to air and which to ignore. And most other mainstream sports media entities are working too hard to catch up to ESPN to pass up such opportunities to grab people's attention.

From now on, like it or not, candid salacious pictures are news.

Matt Leinart, Alex Smith Pics at TheDirty.com: The Future of Sports Media? originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 07 Apr 2008 16:31:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Another Matt Leinart Photo; Cardinals Coach Ken Whisenhunt Will Love This One

Michael David Smith — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 11:02:00 EST

Filed under: AZ Cardinals, Phoenix

So, yeah, the folks at TheDirty.com have another Matt Leinart picture. This one ... not quite sure what to say. More importantly, what will Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt say?

When the first round of Leinart photos surfaced, Whisenhunt said he was "disappointed" in his quarterback. Will he speak publicly about this one, or can we just assume that the word "disappointed" covers Whisenhunt's reaction to all pictures of Leinart?

The real issue from a football perspective is that, frankly, Leinart just isn't good enough. Tony Romo and, especially, Tom Brady are good enough players on the field that no one questions their commitment off it. Some day Leinart might accomplish so much on the football field that no one would dream of questioning his off-season parties. But when you were a highly touted prospect who has 13 touchdowns and 16 interceptions through two seasons, the fans and the media are just itching for a reason to turn on you, and if you're smart, you won't provide them with such a reason.

Via Deadspin and PFT.

Another Matt Leinart Photo; Cardinals Coach Ken Whisenhunt Will Love This One originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 05 Apr 2008 11:02:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Matt Leinart, Tony Romo, Tom Brady: Three Quarterbacks, Three Different Reactions

Michael David Smith — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 11:22:00 EST

Filed under: AZ Cardinals, Cowboys, Patriots, Boston, Dallas, Phoenix

Three NFL quarterbacks are in the news this week because of the beautiful women they surround themselves with. And the reaction to the three situations is a reminder that when you're judging a quarterback, winning is all that matters.

First, there's Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart. After photos surfaced of Leinart enjoying the company of some young ladies, he has been the talk of the league.

Then there's Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo. Depending on what you believe, Romo may or may not be marrying Jessica Simpson some time this off-season.

And finally there's New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. He's skipping some of the team's voluntary off-season workouts because he's on vacation with his girlfriend, supermodel Gisele Bundchen.

Of the three quarterbacks' off-season activities, the only one that has any real bearing on the way the player does his job is Brady's decision to miss workouts with his team to go on vacation. And yet Brady has received almost no criticism, while Cowboys fans are openly agonizing about Romo's relationship with Simpson, and Leinart's own coach said he was disappointed in his quarterback.

The difference, of course, is that Brady is the reigning league MVP with three Super Bowl rings to his credit, Romo is a good quarterback but still one who has yet to win a playoff game, and Leinart has so far been a disappointment. The simple lesson for all three: It pays to win.

Matt Leinart, Tony Romo, Tom Brady: Three Quarterbacks, Three Different Reactions originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 02 Apr 2008 11:22:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cardinals Coach Ken Whisenhunt Disappointed in Matt Leinart Photos

Michael David Smith — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 05:47:00 EST

Filed under: AZ Cardinals, Phoenix

When this photo of Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart, and other photos like it, surfaced at TheDirty.com, it seemed like the kind of story that would be picked up by blogs but ignored by the mainstream media and the football establishment.

Well, it wasn't. The photos have been all over ESPN, and Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt spoke publicly about them on Tuesday, saying he was "disappointed" in Leinart.

"Matt called me Monday morning and we spoke for a while," Whisenhunt said in a statement from the NFL owners meetings in Florida.

"I reiterated to him the type of behavior that we expect at all times from our players. He understands that as well as the level of scrutiny that he's under because of who he is. It's being handled internally.

"I was disappointed but at the same time have no doubts about his commitment to this football team or his ability to lead it."

But if Whisenhunt has no doubts about Leinart's commitment to the team, why does he care about these pictures? If the women in the above picture are 18 or older, he's not doing anything illegal or immoral. The real problem with Leinart is that he hasn't been a particularly good football player. If his partying contributes to that, Whisenhunt has every reason to be disappointed. If not, what's the big deal?

Cardinals Coach Ken Whisenhunt Disappointed in Matt Leinart Photos originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 02 Apr 2008 05:47:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cardinals Sign Linebacker Clark Haggans

Dan — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 12:06:00 EST

Filed under: AZ Cardinals, NFC West, Phoenix, NFL Free Agency

According to Adam Schefter of NFL Network (via PFT), the Arizona Cardinals and free agent linebacker Clark Haggans have agreed to a one-year deal; financial terms have not been disclosed.

Haggans, who turned 31 in January, was expected to make a relatively decent splash in free agency this year. He had performed well in the Pittsburgh Steelers 3-4 system last season and proved that he still has plenty left in the tank. Unfortunately, things didn't go his way this offseason, and he drew only slight interest from the Cleveland Browns prior to signing with Arizona.

For the Cardinals, the addition of Haggans fills the void left by their inability to sign Brandon Chillar due Larry Fitzgerald's contract. However, it's not exactly a step backwards. Haggans is a very talented and physical tool that should fit right in with Clancy Pendergast's defensive system.

The seven-year NFL veteran will rejoin both Russ Grimm and Ken Whisenhunt in Arizona, who he became very familiar with during his time in Pittsburgh.

Cardinals Sign Linebacker Clark Haggans originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 26 Mar 2008 12:06:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Balloon-Popping Skateboarder Beats Adrian Wilson's 66-Inch Jump at YouTube Awards

Michael David Smith — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 20:27:00 EST

Filed under: AZ Cardinals, NFL Video, Phoenix, Action Sports

Here's Arizona Cardinals safety Adrian Wilson pulling off one of the most impressive athletic feats you'll ever see, taking a couple of steps and then jumping 66 inches vertically:

That jump has become the stuff of YouTube legend, and it was nominated in the sports category at the YouTube Awards. But it lost out to a video in which a skateboarder pops a lot of balloons. In my view, the skateboarding video is obviously inferior, although maybe that says more about me than it does about the videos in question. The skateboarding video is after the jump.
And here's the YouTube Award-winning sports video, entitled "Balloon Bowl":

For all the YouTube Award videos, click here.

Balloon-Popping Skateboarder Beats Adrian Wilson's 66-Inch Jump at YouTube Awards originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 24 Mar 2008 20:27:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald Deal Finally Done

Michael David Smith — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 10:55:00 EST

Filed under: AZ Cardinals, Phoenix

The much-discussed contract extension for Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald is finally, officially done, Pro Football Talk is reporting.

Fitzgerald announced that he had agreed to the contract almost two weeks ago, but NFL contracts are complex documents, and contracts that guarantee the player $30 million are especially complex, and it took the Cardinals and Fitzgerald's agent more than 10 days to finish the deal after they had agreed on the basic parameters.

And in the mean time, the Cardinals have been handcuffed by the enormous base salary that was on Fitzgerald's previous deal. They were forced to cut special teams ace Sean Morey just to be in compliance with the NFL salary cap, and they missed out on signing Brandon Chillar, a linebacker they wanted to add but who went to Green Bay when Arizona couldn't find room to fit him under its salary cap.

The bottom line is that although the Cardinals have locked up one of the best young players in the league for the next four years, they've done so in a way that shows their front office is not doing a good job of managing its salary cap. There's a reason that even in this age of parity, some teams perpetually miss the playoffs.

Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald Deal Finally Done originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 22 Mar 2008 10:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cardinals Drop the Ball on Fitzgerald Contract

Dan — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 14:06:00 EST

Filed under: AZ Cardinals, NFC West, Phoenix

If you though the Larry Fitzgerald contract woes were over in Arizona, you thought wrong.

Only a week after Fitzgerald's official site announced the new deal, Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic (via PFT) is reporting that the four-year, $40 million contract is not yet official. And while that may not seem like a big deal on the surface, this little hiccup has already resulted in the loss of wide receiver Sean Morey -- who was released yesterday.

While Morey is likely to be re-signed once the contract mess is finally put to bed, this unfortunate series of events does not look good for General Manager Rod Graves. If he ever wants to win over the fans -- something that seems like an impossible task -- he's going to have to avoid these types of blunders.

Let's just hope this little mistake doesn't prevent Arizona from signing free agent linebacker Brandon Chillar; whom the team is very interested in.

Cardinals Drop the Ball on Fitzgerald Contract originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 18 Mar 2008 14:06:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Larry Fitzgerald Agrees to Deal With Cardinals, Larry-Fitzgerald.com Reports

Michael David Smith — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 12:28:00 EST

Filed under: AZ Cardinals, Phoenix

Congratulations to Larry-Fitzgerald.com for breaking the NFL news of the day (via PFT), which is that Larry Fitzgerald and the Arizona Cardinals have agreed on a contract extension.

From Larry-Fitzgerald.com:

The Arizona Cardinals have reached a contract agreement with All- Pro wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald Jr., Pending NFL approval. The 24 year old Fitzgerald, who helped the Cardinals to a 8-8 record in 2007 their best in ten years will remain with the Cardinals after signing a four-year contract extent ion.

The two-time Pro Bowl star said, "I'm very happy with this my intent was to stay with the Cardinals, I'm grateful that we were able to get this done."

Fitzgerald's site says he will get $33 million over the next three years, and that $30 million of that is guaranteed. Although that's a phenomenal contract by the standards of most players, I actually think he and his agent should have driven a harder bargain than that.

Fitzgerald was scheduled to earn $31 million over the next two seasons and then become a free agent while still in his prime. That money wasn't guaranteed, but the Cardinals appeared set to pay all of it. So by taking $33 million for three years and $30 million guaranteed, Fitzgerald has given the Cardinals a good deal.

Larry Fitzgerald Agrees to Deal With Cardinals, Larry-Fitzgerald.com Reports originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 11 Mar 2008 12:28:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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