Best and Worst of the NFL - Week 5

Let's call it Opposite Day!  It's easy to call the Lions and the Bills the worst teams in the league and it's easy to name the Saints, the Steelers, and the Packers the most talented, but what about the worst of the best and the best of the worst?  Now, that's fun!

BEST team with 1 win: Dallas Cowboys
The Vikings are a very close second here, but the Cowboys we all saw in the first two weeks won't show its face again.

WORST team with 3 wins: Chicago Bears
Even with Jay Cutler, the Bears have some major issues...and now they don't even have him.

BEST team without a win: San Francisco 49ers
Almost went with the Panthers here, but the 49ers just have too much talent to keep this losing streak - plus, they get to play every team in the NFC West...twice.

WORST team with 2 wins: Arizona Cardinals
Take your pick of first-place teams in the NFC West - Seattle, St. Louis, and Arizona all aren't getting it done, but the Cardinals have the most question marks.

BEST team with 2 wins: Indianapolis Colts
This one was easy.  Peyton Manning will bring this team back from their temporary lull.

Some notes on the upcoming games for the above teams:

• The Cardinals will have a very tough time with the Saints this weekend starting an undrafted rookie in Max Hall at quarterback.  This will definitely test the resolve of Arizona's struggling defense.
• Who would have thought that the Chiefs would be the undefeated of the two teams in the Colts-Chiefs matchup (and the Colts at just .500).  Incredible.
• Dallas-Tennessee should be a great matchup, but if the Titans aren't careful, I could see Romo ripping them up after beating a very good Houston team.
• The Bears are last in rushing and allowed double-digit sacks last week - not good when going up against an angry Panthers team that needs to play well as not to get booed out of their own stadium.
• The football Gods have taken pity on the 49ers by making Kevin Kolb the starter in this game.  Vick would have given them fits.  Instead, I think they come out the victors here.

Arizona Cardinals 2009 Red and White Practice LIVE

For the entire play-by-play transcript for the "Red and White" game and links to some other Cardinals training camp articles:
Arizona Cardinals Examiner

How the Arizona Cardinals match-up with: the Jacksonville Jaguars

Week 1 - @Jacksonville, Jacksonville Stadium
Sunday, Sept. 20th, 1:00 PM, FOX

All-time series: Jacksonville 2 - Arizona 0
Last 10 games: Jacksonville 2 - Arizona 0

Interesting Stat: In two games, Jacksonville has outscored Arizona 68-27

Quarterback
Jaguars - Let's just say that if David Garrard gets injured for any amount of time, the Jags are in big trouble. After releasing Cleo Lemon so they didn't have to pay a back-up quarterback $3 million a year to ride the pine, the Jaguars were left with, well, nothing. Todd Boeckman didn't even play that much in college, nonetheless the pros, and Todd Bouman is 106 years old. To make matters worse, Garrard's not even all that good.
Cardinals - If you ask me if I want Garrard or Warner, I pick Warner. If you ask me if I want Garrard or Leinart, I pick Leinart.
Edge: Cardinals, because their back-up is better than the Jags starter.

Running Back
Jaguars - Much like the quarterback position, the Jaguars are sparse at running back. This being the first year in a good while that the Jacksonville fans won't be able to see Fred Taylor on the field, Maurice Jones-Drew will have to become a 30-carry back for the first time as well. The question then becomes, "Can he do it?" I think he can, but as is the case with most shared-carry backs that move into the featured roll, I expect his production (per carry) to go down. If a solid back-up can be found in rookie Rashad Jennings, Alvin Pearman, or Chauncey Washington, there is a chance the run game won't suffer the loss of Taylor too much...but don't count on it.
Cardinals - "Lean" and "Mean," Tim Hightower and Chris "Beanie" Wells. have huge potential, but as you will hear me reiterate again and again before the season starts, they are wholly unproven. Potential in no way equals production and I cannot in good objective standards annoint them...yet.
Edge: Jaguars, if Maurice Jones-Drew stays healthy.

Wide Receiver
Jaguars - Another trouble area for the Jaguars, although landing veteran Torry Holt does help matters at least. Without Holt, this write-up would be very easy: they're bad. However, there is a lot of youth here, and like the Cardinals run game, has a lot of potential. Reggie Williams is solid, but not mind-blowing (he didn't have over 55 yards in any game last year); Mike Thomas was a stud at the University of Arizona and should see playing time quickly if he pays attention in training camp; the other Mike, Mike Walker, had some games last year that looked promising, so he could easily become Garrard's second or third option; and the rest will be figured out in the pre-season, with the young receivers battling it out (all with a chance to play).
Cardinals - This comparison is kind of sad, really. I mean, c'mon, Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, and Steve Breaston vs. Holt, Williams, and Thomas? Let's just say that if you add all the receiving yards of the wide receivers currently on the Jaguars roster (not counting Jones-Drew, a running back), it is less than Larry Fitzgerald or Anquan Boldin by themselves.
Edge: Cardinals, with no explanation needed.

(continued)

For the rest of the article, go to: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-15203-Arizona-Cardinals-Examiner~y2009m7d8-How-the-Arizona-Cardinals-matchup-with-the-Jacksonville-Jaguars

Krag Klages is the Arizona Cardinals Examiner

How do the Arizona Cardinals Matchup with: the San Francisco 49ers

Week 1 - @Arizona, University of Phoenix Stadium
Sunday, Sept. 13th, 4:15 PM, FOX

Week 14 - @San Francisco, Candlestick Park
Monday, Dec. 14th, 8:30 PM, ESPN *Monday Night Football

All-time series: San Francisco 19 - Arizona 16Last 10 games: Arizona 6 - San Francisco 4
Interesting Stat: 4 out of last 12 games have gone into overtime

Quarterback
49ers - Another quarterback battle is in store for a team that desperately needs a leader. It really comes down to the returning starter, Shaun Hill, and the 2005 number-one draft pick, Alex Smith. If history is any indication where this is going, Shaun Hill will come out of this thing the victor, expecially with Singletary's love for the blue-collar type quarterback.
Cardinals - No brainer, here. Apart from any injury set-backs (which is a possibility, even in the pre-season), Kurt Warner will be the starting quarterback for the Cardinals. Sorry, Leinart, you've got at least another year of waiting.
Edge: Cardinals, by a mile.

Running Back
49ers - Frank Gore is an outstanding back and the new rookies, Glen Coffee (Alabama) and Kory Sheets (Purdue), could be two great additions to what has been a one-man show. That said, if the offensive line doesn't create better opportunities, it doesn't matter who's behind them.
Cardinals - "Beanie" Wells dropping to #31 in the draft was just one more indication that the winds are changing for the Arizona Cardinals. They needed a big, bruising running back more than anything else and they think they've found it in Wells. Paired together with the speedy edge-rusher, Tim Hightower, the Cardinals could quite possibly have the next great tandem in the NFL. Tim Hightower and "Beanie" Wells - I shall from here on out call them "Lean" and "Mean," respectively.
Edge: 49ers, as the Cardinals are too young and unproven.

Wide Receiver
49ers - This receiving corps is a couple of veterans (Arnaz Battle and Isaac Bruce) followed by a bunch of babies, albeit a bunch of very talented babies. Whoever ends up at quarterback better be able to get rid of the ball fast and on target, because these guys can catch and these guys can run. Michael Crabtree needs to prove himself in the NFL before I start comparing him to Larry Fitzgerald like many other media pundits, but even I can admit that his potential is unmatched at his age.
Cardinals - It's too bad for the 49ers that the Cardinals have the best wide receiving corps in the country, because the 49ers are pretty solid themselves. But, alas, Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin make up the best one-two punch in football, hands-down.
Edge: Cardinals, but not by as much as you might think.

(continued)

To read the rest of this article, go to: http://www.examiner.com/x-15203-Arizona-Cardinals-Examiner~y2009m7d6-How-do-the-Arizona-Cardinals-matchup-with-the-San-Francisco-49ers

Krag Klages is the Arizona Cardinals Examiner

Cardinals Training Camp Schedule - 2009

Thanks to azCardinals.com for this bit of insight - it is the current training camp schedule for the Cardinals this summer:

Friday, 7/31/09
9:05-10:30 AM
3:05-5:05 PM

Saturday, 8/1/09
3:05-5:05 PM

Sunday, 8/2/09
3:05-5:05 PM

Monday, 8/3/09
9:05-10:30 AM
3:05-5:05 PM

Tuesday, 8/4/09
3:05-5:05 PM

Wednesday, 8/5/09
9:05-10:30 AM
7:05-9:10 PM (Lumberjack Stadium)

Thursday, 8/6/09
3:05-5:05 PM

Friday, 8/7/09
9:05-10:30 AM
3:05-5:05 PM

Saturday, 8/8/09
11:30-1:20 PM

Monday, 8/10/09
9:05-10:30 AM
3:05-5:05 PM

Tuesday, 8/11/09
3:05-5:05 PM

Wednesday, 8/12/09
7:30-8:30 AM (Walk Thru)

Sunday, 8/16/09
4:15-5:30 PM

Monday, 8/17/09
3:05-5:05 PM

Tuesday, 8/18/09
9:05-10:30 AM
7:05-9:10 PM (Lumberjack Stadium)

Wednesday, 8/19/09
3:05-5:05 PM

Thursday, 8/20/09
9:05-10:30 AM

Starting almost a week later than last year and ending one day earlier, the workout is a bit shorter, but there are still plenty of opportunities to go see your beloved Cardinals in beautiful and temperate Flagstaff, AZ.

Cardinals Sign 4th Round Pick Toler

The Cardinals have confirmed that they have signed their fourth-round pick from St. Paul's College, cornerback Greg Toler.

Toler's story is one of a lot of obstacles and strife, but he has overcome all adversity to end up here: a 3-year, $1.5 million deal, with a $316,000 signing bonus. Good for him.

Toler comes into a great situation with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Bryant McFadden in the secondary and should be able to learn quickly and contribute fairly early. It still might be a year before he has a consistent impact, but when he develops, putting him next to DRC and McFadden should have teams a little more worried about throwing the ball against the Cardinals.

A Quick Look at the Arizona Cardinals 2009 NFL Draft Picks

Here’s a quick breakdown of the Cardinals’ eight 2009 Draft Picks and their possible impact:

RB Chris “Beanie” Wells – The big, bruising Ohio State running back has had some injury problems through college, but if stays healthy, he could be the next great back in the NFL.

OLB Cody Brown – Brown is a solid outside pass rusher, which is exactly what the Cardinals were looking for with this pick. If he works on his mobility and getting around blocks, he could have an impact earlier than expected.

S Rashad Johnson – This Alabama Safety could definitely see playing time this year if he bulks up. His ability is unmatched at the position, but he needs to get bigger to compete with NFL wide receivers.

CB Gregory Toler – This little-known player out of tiny St. Paul’s College was overlooked by everyone in the draft, but his story is one of overcoming obstacles and he could end up being a great cornerback. Give Toler a year or two.

OG Herman Johnson – If Johnson keeps his weight in check (he is on record as the biggest player in LSU football history) and works on his mobility (I repeat, he is a BIG boy), he could be a very solid blocker for a sometimes-lacking Cardinals offensive line.

DE Will Davis – With the Cardinals' depth at this position, look for Davis to be more of a developmental project. Good upside, but needs work.

RB LaRod Stephens-Howling – The sleeper of the entire draft, the Cardinals love LaRod’s upside (and his speed) – look for him to make an immediate impact on special teams.

OG Trevor Canfield – A pick-and-pray draft pick, Canfield will be a total bust or an amazing value. Then again, the offensive line can use anyone at this point.

What Should the Super Bowl Cardinals Do Next?

Okay, so the Cardinals have signed Warner...Check. They have gotten a new shut-down cornerback in McFadden from the Steelers...Check. So what should happen next? What is the future of Boldin? Who should they go after in the draft?

Here's what they OUGHT to do:

1. The Kansas City Chiefs filled a HUGE need at quarterback by paying for Matt Cassel (smart move, KC), so the next logical step is to get Cassel a receiver to throw to.

Anquan Boldin enter stage right.

The Cardinals should trade the unhappy Boldin to the Chiefs for this year's first AND third round picks. Now, the Cardinals' first three rounds looks like this:

Round 1 - #3 Pick
Round 1 - #31 Pick
Round 2 - #63 Pick
Round 3 - #67 Pick
Round 3 - #95 Pick

2. They can get TWO huge needs in the first round instead of settling for later, less-worthy draft-picks. My suggestions would be to take Aaron Curry, DB from Wake Forest with the #3 pick and Donald Brown, RB from Connecticut with the #31 pick.

Get a not-so-bad tight-end with #63 or #67 and grab value-players with the other two. Done.