Cardinals Have Many Needs in NFL Draft

Arizona Cardinals coach Dennis Green has a basic approach to the NFL draft.
"The key thing for us is, we're picking (No.) 10, so you've got to love 10 players," Green said Tuesday. "It's real simple."

With the draft looming this weekend, the Cardinals love some more than others. But as Green and vice president for football operations Rod Graves prepare for their third draft together, they aren't giving many hints about the objects of their affection.
"We'll take (Reggie) Bush if he's there," Graves joked about the 2005 Heisman Trophy winner, who is expected to be chosen well before the Cards' turn.
After finishing 5-11 last year, the Cardinals are well-positioned. Along with the 10th overall pick, they have the No. 9 pick in the second round (41st overall) and the No. 8 pick in the third round (72nd overall). Arizona owns a selection in all seven rounds.
While the identity of the Cardinals' first pick is a mystery, two things seem certain.
First, the Cardinals say they probably won't trade their pick in an effort to move up in the first round. Graves said he hasn't received calls from other clubs interested in acquiring the 10th pick.
Second, the club is likely to take the best available player regardless of his position or their most immediate need. Green adopted that philosophy as an assistant coach with the San Francisco 49ers, who built a dynasty through the draft.
Two years ago, Green used the third overall pick to take wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, a longtime family friend, even though Anquan Boldin had been named the Offensive Rookie of the Year the previous season. Fitzgerald and Boldin last year teamed to give Arizona the league's most prolific passing attack.
All 14 of the players selected in Green's first two drafts remain on the roster, although not all have contributed.
This year, the Cardinals may be in the market for a quarterback despite having extended Kurt Warner's contract during the offseason. A solid backup is essential because Warner, who will be 35 in June, hasn't appeared in more than 10 games in a season since 2001.
The Cardinals could also be looking to the future, although Green has expressed confidence in John Navarre, who moved up to No. 2 on the depth chart when Josh McCown signed with Detroit.
They won't know until Saturday morning whether they'll have a shot at one of the three most highly rated quarterbacks _ Matt Leinart of Southern California, Vince Young of Texas and Jay Cutler of Vanderbilt.
"I like all three of the quarterbacks," said Green, who declined to rank the prospects. "It's like ordering steak: Which kind do you like?"
The Cardinals have drafted a quarterback in the first round only four times since 1960. The most notable was Joe Namath in 1965, but he signed with the New York Jets of the rival American Football League.
Arizona hasn't drafted a quarterback in the first round since 1987, when they took Kelly Stouffer of Colorado State with the sixth overall pick. Stouffer, who never played a down for the Cardinals, appeared in 22 NFL games with Seattle.
"The risk is probably no greater or no worse than it is for a lot of other players, but the spotlight is always heavier on the quarterbacks," Graves said. "It's just the risk that we're involved with. You hope you're making the right choice."
The Cardinals have plenty of other needs, including linebacker, offensive line and tight end.
Arizona is known to be interested in 6-foot-3, 256-pound tight end Vernon Davis, who declared himself eligible after his junior year at Maryland.
"I've said before that if Vince Young was there (at No. 10), I'd drive out and pick him up at the airport," Graves said with a chuckle. "If Vernon Davis is there, I'll drive out and pick him up, too."
The Cardinals are 11-21 in Green's first two years in the desert. The rebuilding process has been slow, but Green has been trying to do it by drafting players who will commit to the long haul with a franchise that has one playoff game since 1947.
"Players that come in here have to have a high competitive level and have to have an intense desire to succeed beyond just a desire to play in the National Football League," Graves said. "Those are the type of guys that we'll be after in this year's draft."

Cardinals Stadium ready for landscaping, signage installation

May will be a busy month for construction crews working on the future home of the NFL's Arizona Cardinals.
Landscaping crews are on site, ready to put 1,100 trees into place throughout the plaza surrounding the football stadium in Glendale. There will be nearly 10 varieties planted, including the Chinese Pistache -- selected for its bright red leaves, to reflect "cardinal red."

Inside the stadium, Cardinals signage is up and directional signage will be installed within the next two weeks.
The natural grass field will go into place during the first week of May and roof commissioning is also set to begin next month.
The 63,000 seat stadium opens in August.

Cardinals should draft Justice with first pick

"With the 10th pick in the 2006 NFL draft, the Arizona Cardinals select Winston Justice, offensive tackle - USC." Cardinals' fans should hope to hear that from NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue on Saturday.Assuming that Justice is still available, it would be in the Cardinals' best interests to draft him. By drafting Justice, the Cardinals would fill a huge need, adding a franchise player to their less than stellar offensive line. With an aging and somewhat fragile quarterback in Kurt Warner, improved offensive line play will be a necessity. Warner is not very agile and is no threat to run, so he needs plenty of time in the pocket. When given time, he is one of the best quarterbacks in the game and can pick apart nearly any defense. The addition of All-Pro running back Edgerrin James to an already potent passing attack should help lead the offense to the elite level. He needs holes to run through, so by drafting Justice to anchor the offensive line, it should provide James with the necessary room to run. If James is able to produce like he has his whole career, it will provide an enormous boost to the offense. With a higher echelon offense, the Cardinals should be able to contend for a playoff spot--something they haven't partaken in since the 1998-99 season.The mediocre offensive line has only moderately addressed this offseason. With plenty of space under the salary cap after their big-time splash landing James, the Cardinals went out and signed free agent offensive guard Milford Brown, who started 13 games for the Houston Texans last season. They also re-signed guard Reggie Wells to a five-year, $17.5 million deal.Adding Justice to the mix could immeasurably improve the offensive line into an at least average or slightly above average unit. Couple that with the likes of playmakers Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, James and Warner, and defenses could be bewildered by the potentially powerful offense. The 6'6", 300 pound right tackle was the stalwart of USC's offensive line during the team's run to prominence. As a true freshman, he began starting in his second game and never relinquished the position. He was a freshman All-American in 2002. He did a terrific job protecting the blindside of quarterback Matt Leinart, who is also expected to be a top pick in this year's draft. Although exceptional at both, Justice is a better run blocker than pass, which would benefit James. Head coach Dennis Green has added the stretch play to the offensive repertoire, a play that he used in Minnesota with Robert Smith, and James ran effectively with the Colts.Other than the offensive line, the Arizona Cardinals have needs at quarterback, outside linebacker and tight end. With a pick in each of the draft's seven rounds, there is chance for many or all of those needs to be filled. Justice would fill a glaring hole and finish shoring up what looks to be a tremendous offense for 2006 and years to come in Arizona.

Cardinals to play Super Bowl champs in stadium debut
The Arizona Cardinals' first-ever preseason home game in the team's new football stadium in Glendale has all the makings of being a sellout.
In addition to opening the new 63,000-seat stadium, the Cardinals have announced that they will host the defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday, Aug. 12.
"We couldn't think of a better team to open up against in our new home," said Michael Bidwill, Cardinals vice president and general counsel.
The game will feature an afternoon kickoff, which was not possible for previous preseason games in Arizona due to the extreme summer heat.
"With the air conditioning at the new Cardinals Stadium we are able to do a lot of things that we couldn't do previously," added Bidwill.
Cardinals Stadium will not only feature air conditioning and a retractable roof, but will also be the first in the United States to feature a fully retractable grass playing surface.
The Cardinals and Steelers have quite a history. The patriarchs of both football families -- Charles Bidwill and Art Rooney -- are enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and currently both families have third generation leadership with Art Rooney II and Michael Bidwill following in the footsteps of their fathers Dan and Bill.
And because of the manpower shortage during World War II, the teams merged in 1944 to form Card-Pitt.
Because of the unique history between the two teams, Michael Bidwill wanted the Rooneys and the Steelers to be part of the historic opening of the Cardinals new home in the West Valley.
"I started talking to the Rooneys last season," added Bidwill. "We are very excited about the historic opportunity in this cutting-edge stadium."

Team has re-signed four players
The Arizona Cardinals Football Club today announced that the team has re-signed four players to contract extensions. Fullback Obafemi Ayanbadejo signed a two-year deal while running back Damien Anderson, linebacker Isaac Keys, and defensive end Anton Palepoi all signed one-year contracts. In accordance with club policy, terms were not disclosed. Anderson (5-11, 211) appeared in the final five games of 2005, collecting two yards on seven carries. Anderson was re-signed on November 29 after being released in the team’s final roster cut on September 3. He originally was signed by the Cardinals as a rookie free agent in 2002 out of Northwestern and has appeared in 35 games with 50 carries for 137 yards, nine receptions for 72 yards, and 14 kickoff returns for 258 yards. Ayanbadejo (6-2, 233) appeared in all 32 games (seven starts) at fullback over the past two seasons for the Cardinals after signing as a free agent in 2004. During the past two seasons, Ayanbadejo has had 52 carries for 168 yards and three touchdowns while collecting 53 receptions for 402 yards and a touchdown. Originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the Minnesota Vikings in 1997 out of San Diego State, Ayanbadejo has appeared in 87 career games (18 starts) with 114 carries for 476 yards and five touchdowns to go along with 113 receptions for 746 yards and three touchdowns receiving. Keys (6-3, 247) appeared in six games last season recording six special teams tackles. He was released and re-signed to the active roster three times during the 2005 season. Originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the Minnesota Vikings in 2001 out of Morehouse, Keys was signed as a free agent by the Cardinals in 2004 and appeared in the final three games of the 2004 season for the after spending the first 13 games of that season on the practice squad. Palepoi (6-3, 283) played in three games last season for the Cardinals after signing as a free agent on November 15. In his three seasons before joining the Cardinals, Palepoi appeared in 35 career games (one start) with the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks collecting 45 tackles (28 solos), 4 sacks, 5 passes defensed and 1 forced fumble. Originally drafted by Seattle in the second round (60th overall) of the 2002 draft out of UNLV, Palepoi played two seasons in Seattle appearing in 20 games. He was released by the Broncos on September 4, 2005.

CARDINALS SIGN C KYLE SCHMITT
The Arizona Cardinals Football Club today announced that the team has signed center Kyle Schmitt for the 2006 season and allocated him to NFL Europe.
Schmitt (6-4, 295) originally signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted rookie free agent last April out of Maryland and was released on August 29 during training camp. The former Terrapin appeared in 48 games during his college career with 28 starts at center and was a two-time Rimington Award candidate recognizing college football’s best center.
The Cardinals have allocated six players (Schmitt, TE Ben Hall, DE Tyler King, QB Jeff Otis, RB Roger Robinson, and TE Andy Stokes) to NFL Europe. NFL Europe kicks off its 14th season on March 15.

Cards hire Loney as new offensive line coach
The Arizona Cardinals hired Steve Loney on Friday as their offensive line coach and Larry Brooks as defensive line coach.
Loney spent the last four seasons with the Minnesota Vikings before being fired Sunday along with Mike Tice and the rest of his staff.
Loney was the Vikings' offensive line coach for three years before being promoted to offensive co-ordinator last season.
Brooks was defensive line coach of the Detroit Lions the past two seasons.
Brooks, a five-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle for the Los Angeles Rams, coached the defensive line for the Chicago Bears in 2003. Before that, he was defensive line coach for Mike Holmgren in Green Bay for nine years.
Cardinals coach Dennis Green fired offensive line coach Everett Lindsey and special teams coach Kevin O'Dea on Monday. Deek Pollard retired as defensive line coach on Monday. Gary Zauner was hired Thursday to replace O'Dea.

Gary Zauner hired as Arizona Cardinals special teams coordinator
Veteran N-F-L assistant coach Gary Zauner (ZAW'-ner) has been hired as the special teams coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals.Zauner spent the last four seasons in the same job with the Baltimore Ravens.
The 55-year-old Zauner is being reunited with Cardinals head coach Dennis Green, for whom he served as special teams coach with the Vikings from 1994 to 2001.
The Cardinals _ coming off a 5-and-11 season _ on Monday fired special teams coach Kevin O'Dea and offensive line coach Everett Lindsay, while defensive line coach Deek Pollard retired.

Arizona Cardinals re-sign Davey, Carter

The Arizona Cardinals re-signed quarterback Rohan Davey and cornerback Dyshod Carter on Wednesday.
Davey spent two weeks with the Cardinals after Kurt Warner was sidelined with a groin strain in late September. He was the team's third quarterback for two games, then was released.
He was needed again when Warner injured his right knee in Arizona's loss at Houston on Sunday. Warner was placed on the injured list on Tuesday, ending his season.Carter also was with the Cardinals for two games. He was signed on Oct. 12 and released Nov. 1. He played in six games with Arizona and five with Cleveland last season.
Davey was the offensive player of the year for NFL Europe in 2004, leading the Berlin Thunder to the World Bowl title. Before this year, he played three seasons with New England, appearing in seven games.

Cardinals leaving Tempe Stadium on Winning Note

There's nothing better than going out a winner, which is exactly what the Arizona Cardinals did Saturday in their final game at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe.But as the team prepares for its move to Cardinals Stadium in Glendale, winning the last game at the stadium may not be enough to recoup 17 years of fan frustration."The new stadium looks nice, but a new stadium isn't enough," said Tony Moreno, 52, of Phoenix. "If the Cards do what they need do and start winning, we'll probably go and get some good tickets."
Like many Valley residents, Moreno became a Cardinals fan in 1988 when the team played its first game at Sun Devil Stadium. Since then, he has held season tickets and attended nearly every home game. Despite his loyalty, facing higher season ticket prices and another losing season has him wondering whether he will add another year to his long-standing dedication.Saturday's 27-21 win over the Philadelphia Eagles marked the last time the Cardinals' mascot would do back flips in front of the southern section, always packed with Cardinals fans. There will be no more Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin jerseys worn with pride throughout the stands. Like other former Cardinal namesakes displayed on the backs of fans - Jake Plummer, Eric Swan and Chuck Cecil, to name a few - the team can now free itself from being the only professional football team to play in a college stadium."As long as I can remember, I would belittle the Cardinals for playing in a cheap stadium," said John Ferrera, 28, of Philadelphia. "I'd laugh at them because they're a professional team in a college stadium."Ferrera was in visiting relatives and to watch his hometown Eagles play the Cardinals.While Glendale businesses look forward to the team, those in downtown Tempe are facing a financial setback. They will be losing tens of thousands of customers who have helped boost sales during the eight yearly home games.At Fumbles, a bar and grill one block south of Sun Devil Stadium, the final Cardinals pre-game celebration was met with anticipation for the new stadium as the staff wondered about the future."It's going to take a chunk out of my profits," Fumbles owner Steve Spoor said. "I'm hoping that the city or ASU will do something to keep people coming into the area."From the large businesses to the very small, people are worried about how the Cardinals departure will affect profits, something they have relied on since the team arrived.Bicycle deliveryman Mark Wiley of Scottsdale has supplemented his income as a bicycle cab driver before and after games. On good days, he'll make nearly $400. Taking that out of his pocket has him concerned, especially because he has no plans to follow the team to Glendale."It's going to hurt, definitely," Wiley, 34, said. "It's been a great second job and now I just hope there's more going on next year."For many fans, however, the lure of the new, state-of-the-art, 63,000-seat stadium will bring them out west, at least for a few games."The first four games there will be filled to capacity because it's a new stadium," said Greg Phelps of Scottsdale. "But I think you need to put a winner on the field before you build a new stadium."The Cardinals have seen a boost in season-ticket interest, largely due to the stadium. Some are interested in seeing the retractable roof and rollout playing field, something never tried in any other stadium.Losing saguaro-covered mountains peeking over the top stands and the sprawling Arizona State University campus dotting the horizon to the south has some fans at a loss. But the ambiance of Sun Devil Stadium will be quickly forgotten when the new stadium features its first game, some said."I'm going to miss the downtown establishment around here," said Patty Petersen, 57, of Goodyear. "But I am absolutely excited about the new stadium, especially because it's so close to home."Jorge Linarez, 25, of Tucson may the happiest fan of all. After watching Cardinals games at Sun Devil Stadium since 1990, the University of Arizona fan will finally see a game with no mention of ASU."We've all really excited. We have the whole season planned out for next year," he said. "I'm glad we won't see any ASU stuff in the new place."
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Arizona Cardinals Pull Christmas Eve Victory

On Christmas Eve, the 6 - 8 Philadelphia Eagles visited Sun Devil Stadium to play our 4 - 10 Arizona Cardinals. This game would be the last Cardinal Game played at A.S.U. Next season, the Cards will play in their own stadium in Glendale (or is that Avondale?). The Cardinals' ups and downs in Arizona are legendary. A fan sarcastically held up a sign that read "Thanks For the Memories -- Both of Them".
The Eagles have their own problems, Last season they went to the Super Bowl. Only a few years ago, they were the "Cinderella" team of the NFL. some were even calling them "America's Team". But this season the team has been rocked with discontent and strife. They were trying desperately to avoid their first losing season since 1999. There was the T. Owens controversy and then the injury to Rush Limbaugh's least favorite quarterback, Donovan McNabb. Injuries to key position players have racked this team and turned them from contenders into pretenders.
Cardinal Coach Dennis surprised many by starting quarterback Josh McCown over Jon Navarre, who had played so well last week after replacing an injured Kurt Warner and sick Josh McCown. McCown stepped up today and completed 27 passes for 294 yards and two touchdowns. The Cards face a difficult decision about the unrestricted free agent McCown and his future with this team.
The Cardinals dominated this contest's first half both offensively and defensively; but could manage six points on two Neil Rakers 32 yard field goals in the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Cards' wily veteran linebacker Karlos Dansby decided to take matters into his own hands. He blocked and then intercepted a Mike McMahon pass and returned it 11 yards for a Cardinal touchdown. With the Cardinals up 13 - 0, the Eagles got great field position on a kickoff return and drove the ball 66 yards on eight plays; but the drive stalled at the 32 yard line. The Eagles set up for a David Akers field goal. That's when Eagle Coach Andy Reid called for an audible. Instead of an Akers field goal, holder/quarterback Koy Detmer threw the ball 12 yards to Chad Lewis and an Eagle first down. Mike McMahon scrambled to score a much needed Eagle touchdown making the score 13 - 7.
In the third quarter, McCown connected with speedy receiver Larry Fitzgerald on a 25 yard touchdown putting the Big Red up 20 - 7. The Big Red's defense harassed the former Rutger's star Mike McMahon all day sacking him 4 times (2 times by Adrian Wilson and 2 times by Chicke Okeafor). Meanwhile, the Cardinals' defense managed to contain Eagles runningbacks Ryan Moats and Reno Mahe to only 18 years rushing for the game.
In the fourth quarter, the Card's offense drove 97 yards on 13 plays for their longest touchdown drive of the season. McCown connected with Anquan Boldin for a 20 yard touchdown. That's when things suddenly got crazy. Trailing 27 - 7. McMahon then hit wide receiver Billy McMullen on a 21 yard scoring strike making the score 27 - 14. A Cardinal drive stalled and the Eagles got the ball back. The Eagles then drove the ball down the field 49 yards on 6 plays. McMahon then scrambled into the end zone for another Eagle touchdown. With time running out and the Eagles trailing 27 - 21, the Eagles' David Akers tried an onside kick; but Eric Green recovered the ball to stop the Eagles comeback and to preserve a Cardinal victory. "Congratulations to the Cardinals. They outplayed us today," Reid said. "That's my responsibility. I take the blame for that. I did not have this group ready to go."
Next week, the Cardinals travel to Indianapolis to take on the 12 - 2 Colts in their final contest of the 2005 NFL season. The Cards will be playing for pride, respect and an opportunity to finish a distant second in the NFC Western Conference. The Colts have already clinched a playoff spot and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. However, the Colts have lost two games in a row after winning their first twelve and hardly want to limp into the playoffs.