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.