http://www.yardbarker.com/content/team/47 Recent articles about the Arizona Cardinals en-us As has been the precedent the past couple of weeks, embarrassing photos have been surfacing about our favorite athletes. It all started with Matt Leinart, then TO, and now VY. The Titans QB was caught sipping Patron and hanging out at a sausage fest recently. Check out the photos to see for yourself, but it looks pretty weird. What's VY really up to in the off-season? Fri, 16 May 2008 03:01:17 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/267532 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/267532 This is the day that Tony Romo realized that it was the beginning of the end. Happy Birthday Tony! Joe Simpson brought the clown. Seriously, would you look at everyone's faces. Tony. Is. Biting. His. Fingernails. Dude behind Jessica is texting Romo as the picture is snapped: "Mo, this was fun while it lasted. I'll go start the car, when you hear me honk twice, run!" Sure, Nick Lachey's left-overs expedited the process of getting dumped by gushing to US Weekly that Tony was her "future husband" (why do I get the impression this is the first time he heard about this) and that he reintroduced her to herself (sounds crazy). Anyway, I really hate writing about celebutards and whatnot, but I feel like she is almost forcing me to. Here's the thing, I believe in second chances, but I really hate infidelity, so my little ruggedly insides go all Singing in the Rain when Jessica Simpson's and Britney Spear's cheating asses fall on hard times. Having said that, I wish Jessica every luck in not falling as far as Britney did. And Let's be honest, we all fully expect to see Matt Leinart and Jessica Simpson hot tub pictures on theDirty.com within the next week or two. This does have sports world implications too: Believe it or not Cowboy fans, this was the worst thing that could have happened for you next season. You may not have liked Jessica coming to big D, but she at least gave Romo one woman go home to. Now that he's single and Pacman Jones is in town, there will be late nights. Just like with Tank Johnson supplying the arms, and Roy Williams rippin dudes' collars from behind, There Will be Blood. No worries, I heard Jerry is planning on signing Team Chemistry to a $30 Mil deal after July 1. Thu, 15 May 2008 15:23:02 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/267371 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/267371 Breaking down the matchups of fantasy Running backs against the Run D's they will face. Buyer beware at the bottom of the list? Thu, 15 May 2008 06:22:32 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/267169 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/267169 I finished my last final yesterday and now getting ready for graduation. Going through ceremonies on Saturday and my family is flying in. I can't believe college is ending. I have been spending the time lately reflecting and catching up with some friends. I won't be able to do much reflecting after graduation because I jump on a plane the next day and fly to Cincinnati and start working. It's on from here on out - time to move forward and start writing a new chapter. SC is filled with an eclectic group of individuals and you'd be remiss not to branch out beyond the locker room. I have a lot of friends from freshman year who are not athletes and it's been fun seeing them the last week and sharing stories. I was a bit of a wild child when I first came here and we've been laughing about those days. I remember one story when I first moved to LA. Matt Leinart was my roommate and he was out of town. I ended up borrowing his bike and wanted to make sure I had the route down to school. When I was riding I started wondering if I was wearing the wrong colors. I was from Florida, I had no idea. It's funny to think back on those days. Wed, 14 May 2008 23:03:17 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/267130 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/267130 As legend has it, sports broadcaster extraordinaire Al Michaels once proclaimed as to the prospects of working at ESPN that he won't be working for a four-letter network. Apparently, that vow still applies. Per a media source, Michaels has turned down an opportunity to serve as the play-by-play man for NFLN's regular-season slate of pro football games. Michaels was pursued by the league-owned network to replace Bryant Gumbel, the big name with small talent who handled the duties for the first two years of the NFLN effort. Michaels currently provides the play-by-play call for NBC's weekly Sunday night coverage. It's unclear where the NFL will go from here. Others who have been linked to the job include Tom Hammond, Brad Nessler, Marv Albert, and Pat Summerall. Other possibilities, in our view, would be Mike Patrick and Brent Musberger. We also are intrigued by one or more outside-the-box possibilities, such as our pal Dan Patrick, whose weekday radio show streams live on SI.com — and who from time to time allows us to pollute his air waves. Another possibility would be to hire both Albert and our other pal Boomer Esiason (who currently team up for a national radio broadcast of the Monday night games), and make it a three-man crew, with the incumbent Cris Collinsworth, a former teammate of Esiason's. Wed, 14 May 2008 21:43:41 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/267100 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/267100 This in depth analysis of the offensive line includes the projected starters for the upcoming season, statistics and injuries from the past season, an overview of players on the line and an outlook for the 2008 season. Tue, 13 May 2008 09:42:52 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/266391 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/266391 The staff at NFLDraft101.com averaged their grades for the 2008 NFL Draft for objectivity and these are the results. Arizona eeks out the only A albeit an A-, while Atlanta brings up the rear with a D+. Where does your team rate? Mon, 12 May 2008 20:57:22 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/266266 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/266266 If the Eagles' supposed interest in Randy Moss and Larry Fitzgerald was sincere, it's no secret it feels it needs a more viable threat in the passing game than what is on the current roster. Forget Chad Johnson. The Bengals are playing hardball with him and are not going to deal him and he may be as much trouble as he is worth, and he's worth plenty. Detroit's Roy Williams should be the target. His quotes this past week in which he admitted he thought he was going to be traded before, or during, the draft, speaks volumes. One veteran, who will remain nameless at this time, told me last week his agent told him he could be part of a trade package with Lito Sheppard. So something could still be in the works. Mon, 12 May 2008 15:38:42 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/266143 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/266143 1 Patriots 16-0-0 A healthy Tom Brady and a happy Randy Moss make the Patriots championship contenders this season and for years to come. 2 Colts 13-3-0 They haven't had a lot of offseason turnover and they already were very good. Continuity means a lot. 3 Chargers 11-5-0 If the Chargers can get over their injury issues, they could be in the Super Bowl mix all the way to Tampa. 4 Cowboys 13-3-0 Felix Jones should help the running game immediately. But who will emerge as the No. 2 receiver? Patrick Crayton wasn't up to the task in late '07. 5 Jaguars 11-5-0 They sometimes get overshadowed by division rival Indianapolis, but the Jaguars have an elite roster and an coach in Jack Del Rio. 6 Giants 10-6-0 Teams other than the Patriots aren't supposed to repeat as Super Bowl champions. Will Michael Strahan retire? Can they compensate for free-agent losses at LB? 7 Steelers 10-6-0 A very strong draft catapults the Steelers into Super Bowl contenders. RBs Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall should be one of the best 1-2 punches. 8 Seahawks 10-6-0 New O-line coach Mike Solari stands out as the Seahawks' top offseason acquisition, perhaps allowing them to keep their edge in the NFC West. 9 Browns 10-6-0 The 2007 darlings face high expectations. The offense will score. Can the D, anchored by additions Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams, hold up its end? 10 Packers 13-3-0 This is an unpredictable team in the wake of the retirement of Brett Favre. Who will step up and make the big plays this year? 11 Saints 7-9-0 The offense already was very good. Defensive improvements will make the Saints one of this year's biggest turnarounds. 12 Vikings 8-8-0 If they settle on a QB, the Vikes could become a playoff team. RB Adrian Peterson is at the top of the list for MVP candidates. 13 Eagles 8-8-0 Last season, they hit their stride when it was too late. With a fully healed Donovan McNabb and an improved secondary, the Eagles could be dangerous. 14 Redskins 9-7-0 Too many questions: a new coach, young QB and a pair of rookie WRs. Hard to get a good read. 15 Buccaneers 9-7-0 They didn't make any splash offseason moves. But RB Warrick Dunn's return is going to help more than many recognize. 16 Titans 10-6-0 They didn't get as much help from QB Vince Young as they should have. But he's going to become good enough to carry the offense. 17 Cardinals 8-8-0 Ken Whisenhunt and staff changed the culture in Arizona. Kurt Warner provides top-notch insurance at QB. Depth along the O-line and on defense in general remain the question. 18 Panthers 7-9-0 The return of QB Jake Delhomme might be enough to get them to the playoffs. But there are no guarantees with Tommy John surgery. 19 Bills 7-9-0 Marcus Stroud turns 30 this summer and his starts have declined over three seasons. Will he be healthy enough to help the Bills in December? 20 Texans 8-8-0 They reached respectability in 2007. Improving will be difficult because their division is so tough. 21 Jets 4-12-0 An offseason spending spree upgraded the roster without answering the Jets' most pressing question: Do they have the right QB? 22 Ravens 5-11-0 Are the 2008 Ravens more like the 13-3 team in 2006, or the 5-11 unit last season? This is certain: QB play is key. 23 Broncos 7-9-0 This is the second-best team in the AFC West. That is an indictment of the division, not a pat on the back for this team, which has many holes. 24 Bears 7-9-0 Seems like ages ago the Bears were NFC champs. For better or worse, fans will have to endure another season of good Rex Grossman and bad Rex Grossman. 25 Bengals 7-9-0 If WR Chad Johnson sits out, the Bengals will suffer. If Johnson shows, he's a distraction. Neither situation is good. 26 Raiders 4-12-0 The Raiders' offense won't make people sick anymore, but their defense might. 27 49ers 5-11-0 New offensive coordinator Mike Martz provides credibility on offense, but head coach Mike Nolan still must prove he can manage the team more smoothly. 28 Rams 3-13-0 Quietly, Jim Haslett has turned the defense into a respectable unit. The Rams could contend for a playoff spot if their offensive line can keep Marc Bulger healthy. 29 Lions 7-9-0 QB Jon Kitna says it will be a disappointment if the Lions don't win 10 games this season. Perhaps he doesn't realize Detroit hasn't won 10 games since 1995. 30 Chiefs 4-12-0 The Chiefs' rebuilding project has begun, but it's unrealistic to believe they will become contenders anytime soon. 31 Dolphins 1-15-0 A rookie head coach and an unsettled QB situation add up to growing pains, even though the Dolphins have upgraded their talent base. 32 Falcons 4-12-0 New coach Mike Smith is the right guy to turn this team around, but it's going to take a few years. Mon, 12 May 2008 06:52:15 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/265930 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/265930 Kenny Phillips never played football with Sean Taylor. And even though they were both safeties at the University of Miami, they'd never met. Yet there was a bond between them. And when Taylor was murdered last November, Phillips felt a loss. "It touched all of us," Phillips said. "We are a big family down there at the University of Miami. He was our brother and when we lost someone we were really sad." That's why when Phillips, the Giants' first-round draft pick, took the field for the Giants' rookie mini-camp this weekend, he was wearing No. 21. That may have been Tiki Barber's old number with the Giants, but it was also the number Taylor wore with the Washington Redskins. The 21-year-old Phillips said he's wearing it "out of respect" to him. "He was a guy who my whole career, even in high school, I had pictures of him in my locker," Phillips said. "I wanted to get a chance to meet him, and I never did. I watch him on film and he was just an exceptional athlete. The plays he made were crazy. I just wanted to pay my respects by having his number and trying to live up to that." Of course, as a Miami safety, Phillips has a lot of expectations to live up to. Taylor was just 24 when he was shot on Nov. 27 and was only just beginning to come into his own as an NFL player. Ed Reed, another Miami safety, became a Pro Bowler in Baltimore. And Brandon Meriweather, yet another Miami safety, was a first-round draft pick last year. Miami has been a pipeline to the NFL for years. When the Giants took Phillips with the last pick of the first round in April, it marked the 14th straight year at least one Hurricane had been taken in Round 1. The safeties have been particularly good in recent years. They've set the bar pretty high for Phillips. "Of course anytime you think of the safeties from Miami you think about the late Sean Taylor, Ed Reed, Benny Blades, and Brandon Meriwether, and of course you want to live up to that tradition," Phillips said. "They all have been doing well and they did well in college and went to the league. I don't want to say there is any pressure because in the end I can only be myself." The Giants expect Phillips to compete for a starting job quickly, especially since they lost Gibril Wilson to free agency in March. One safety spot seems to have been secured by the signing of veteran Sammy Knight. The other is currently held by James Butler, a third-year pro who was up and down last season. And the only other safety in the picture is Michael Johnson, a seventh-round pick from last year. That would seem to leave a door open for Phillips, especially if he's as good as Miami safeties usually are. "With (Wilson) leaving they are definitely looking to fill a void," Phillips said. "There are already a few guys on the team that are capable of doing that so I am just trying to come in and compete and hopefully I can win a starting job." If he did, he'd prove to be a worthy heir to the Hurricane alumni sprinkled throughout the NFL. Those ex-'Canes, though, warned him not to worry too much about that legacy. They all have a healthy respect for their tradition, but they advised Phillips to just go out and do what he does best. "They were just basically telling me that I already know how to play football, so don't worry about it," he said. "It's not going to be much faster or much different. You can play ball so just come in and be yourself and it will work out for you." Mon, 12 May 2008 06:19:53 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/265927 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/265927 I tell ya these guys just dont quit, yeah I like most Eagles fans want a big name # 1 guy to come here. But I've come to grips with the realization that wont happen this season. We have what we have and we cant change that no matter how much we wish and dream. I'm not saying we cant get one but, this year I think we're set. But for some reason the media in the Del Val wont let this story die, the last to put his two cents in on this topic is Times Columnist Mark Eckel, here are some quotes: 1. " After an uninspiring, one eye on the future draft, going after Williams and not letting him go to Dallas, who is also supposedly very interested, would be the blockbuster, go for it, all in move the Eagles need to restore some optimism to their fan base not to mention their soon-to-be 32-year-old quarterback and a 29-year-old running back who want to win now. The Lions, like the Bengals, have said they won't trade Williams, who is in the final year of his contract and will be an unrestricted free agent going into the 2009 season. The Eagles, however, need to make Detroit an offer the Lions simply cannot refuse." 2. " There is certainly ammunition, with that extra first-round pick from Carolina, an extra fifth-round pick from Cleveland, and of course cornerback Lito Sheppard, who played perfect soldier last week at the mini-camp. There are also other players who could be packaged as well. One veteran, who will remain nameless at this time, told me last week his agent told him he could be part of a trade package with Sheppard. So something could still be in the works. You can only hope it's for a wide receiver and that the receiver is Williams (you could settle for Arizona's Anquan Boldin, but I want Williams). WHEN WILL IT STOP??????????/ Sun, 11 May 2008 21:41:07 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/265856 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/265856 Randy Moss and Terrell Owens never stop vying for attention. Chad Johnson dominated the offseason headlines until, in a surprise twist, mild-mannered Marvin Harrison was caught in the middle of a Philadelphia shooting investigation. kajeet- the cell phone service made 4 kids Enough about the old guys; it's time to move on and shine the spotlight on some much younger NFL wide receivers. While the four above thirtysomethings don't have too many combined years left in the game, there is a group of wideouts 25 years young -- and younger -- ready to dominate. Here are the top five young receivers in the NFL -- make that six -- who are just getting warmed up. Sun, 11 May 2008 13:45:13 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/265742 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/265742 47 year old linemen Louis Sharpe from the Arizona Cardinals was sentenced to six years in prison for the possession of crack cocaine in July and November of 2007 and again in February 2008. He says he's been using cocaine since he was a 21 year old rookie and admits it was the worst mistake he ever made. Since he retired in 1994 he's been convicted of nine felonies. Back in 2004 he was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison on other drug charges. Sat, 10 May 2008 11:08:48 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/265464 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/265464 This in depth analysis of the offensive line includes the projected starters for the upcoming season, statistics and injuries from the past season, an overview of players on the line and an outlook for the 2008 season. Fri, 09 May 2008 11:34:20 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/265200 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/265200 There may be a rookie free agents who have a shot to stick around. Fri, 09 May 2008 08:43:25 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/265148 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/265148