Q&A with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
AZRedReport.com's Samantha Fillerup was one of the last reporters to interview Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie prior to the draft, when he claimed being draft by Arizona would be a "blessing." Now, Fillerup checks back in with the Cardinals' first-round pick to see if reality has met perception. Learn about Ro-Cro's goals, challenges and more. [Link]
NFL Expert Adam Caplan's Chat Roundup
Scout.com's NFL Insider Adam Caplan has been busy this week answering questions from fans around the network. Caplan dishes about Anquan Boldin, Chad Johnson and other big names in the league. He also explains what last year's prominent rookies need to improve on, which draftees will make the biggest impact and much more in this exclusive Q&A feature. [Link]
New crop of wide receivers ready to take over (SportingNews.com)
The crop of thirtysomething wide receivers is moving past its prime. It's time to get to know these six receivers, all of which are 25 and under. [Link]
Ex-NFL lineman gets 6-year prison term for drug offenses
Former NFL lineman Luis Sharpe was sentenced Friday to six years in prison and four years' probation for a series of drug offenses. The 47-year-old Sharpe played for the St. Louis and Arizona Cardinals from 1982-94 and was a three-time Pro Bowl selection. In a pre-sentence report, Sharpe admitted that he first started using cocaine when he was a 21-year-old rookie in the NFL and it was "the worst mistake I ever made. [Link]
Ex-Pro Bowler gets 6-year prison term for drug offenses
Former NFL lineman Luis Sharpe was sentenced Friday to six years in prison and four years' probation for a series of drug offenses. The 47-year-old Sharpe played for the St. Louis and Arizona Cardinals from 1982-94 and was a three-time Pro Bowl selection. In a pre-sentence report, Sharpe admitted that he first started using cocaine when he was a 21-year-old rookie in the NFL and it was "the worst mistake I ever made. [Link]
Ex-NFL lineman gets 6-year prison term for drug offenses (AP)
Former NFL lineman Luis Sharpe was sentenced Friday to six years in prison and four years' probation for a series of drug offenses. The 47-year-old Sharpe played for the St. Louis and Arizona Cardinals from 1982-94 and was a three-time Pro Bowl selection. In a pre-sentence report, Sharpe admitted that he first started using cocaine when he was a 21-year-old rookie in the NFL and it was "the worst… [Link]
Leinart: 'It is time for me to step up'
Quarterback Matt Leinart has been dogged by the label that he's too "Hollywood" to fulfill his potential. In the subsequent two years, Leinart has done little to prove the label inaccurate. [Link]
Unhappy Campers Come Through for Cardinals
The Cardinals had 100 percent attendance at their recent minicamp, but that doesn't mean everyone is happy. Receiver Anquan Boldin, who wants a new deal, didn't practice because he said he "tweaked" a hamstring just days before. Defensive end Darnell Dockett, who thinks he's underpaid, practiced but didn't seem thrilled to be there. [Link]
Best Available NFL Free Agents-Defense
With the NFL draft behind us, here's an updated look at the best available free agents from the defensive side of the ball. [Link]
Best Available NFL Free Agents-Offense
Here's a post-draft look at the best available NFL free agents from the offensive side of the ball. [Link]
This NFL offseason has been anything but uneventful
Who says nothing happens in the NFL offseason? Peter Schrager hands out some awards after a seriously hectic couple of months. [Link]
This NFL off-season has been anything but uneventful
Who says nothing happens in the NFL off-season? Peter Schrager hands out some awards after a seriously hectic couple of months. [Link]
Three Months & Counting: Depth Chart Picks
The Arizona Cardinals were movers and shakers this offseason, but mostly on the defensive side of the ball. AZRedReport.com breaks down how the depth chart is shaking up and answers the questions: 1) Which rookies will step up? 2) Where will returning veterans fit in? and 3) Where, exactly, are all those defensive ends going? [Link]
Cardinals Draft Analysis: Rodgers-Cromartie
In the wake of the 2008 NFL draft excitement, AZRedReport.com delves into each of the Arizona Cardinals' selections. Here's the inside scoop on the player no one expected to be available at No. 16: Tennessee State's Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. [Link]
Kurt response to QB dilemma (Yahoo! Sports)
With questions swirling about Matt Leinart's maturity, Kurt Warner wonders why he couldn't lead the Cardinals. [Link]
Can the Cardinals QBs earn a passing grade?
There are many questions facing the Cardinals as the NFL offseason continues down the road to opening day. One position of particular intrigue is quarterback, where Matt Leinart and Kurt Warner are set for a desert duel. AZRedReport.com's James Jones analyzes the quarterback spot and compares Arizona's group to the rest of the West. [Link]
Top 10: Worst franchises in pro sports
They're rarely in the playoffs and their best moment came in a movie. The Cards have surely earned their spot on this dubious list. [Link]
NFL Draft: 2009 Mock Draft
The 2008 NFL Draft is behind us, but it doesn't mean we can't have a little fun and take a look at the 2009 draft. Scout.com's NFL Draft Analyst Chris Steuber releases his first 2009 mock draft and includes draft-eligible underclassmen. [Link]
Cardinals Draft Grade: Ro-Cro Sets The Curve
Whatever nickname sticks for Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, one thing is for sure: he has energized the Cardinals' fan base. The Ro-Cro pick had Cards fans smiling on day one of the draft, but the grins weren't quite as big on day two. Team expert Amberly Richardson takes a look at the popular and the questionable choices Arizona made. [Link]
Boldin says he wants to stay with Cardinals
Anquan Boldin says it's news to him that he's unhappy and wants out of Arizona. To the contrary, the two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver says he wants to remain with the Cardinals and is not upset that he has yet to get a new contract on par with teammate Larry Fitzgerald. "I've always wanted to be in Arizona," Boldin said Friday, the first day of the Cardinals' mini-camp. "This is the only place I've known professionally. I don't want to uproot my family and leave. I'm happy here. [Link]
Is Fitz's new deal dividing the locker room?
Now that the draft is complete and the free agency pool is drained, Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt will start to fully confront what could be a large problem. Several of the team's key veterans are unhappy with their contracts, and they're not hiding their feelings. [Link]
Boldin says he wants to stay with Cardinals (AP)
Anquan Boldin says it's news to him that he's unhappy and wants out of Arizona. To the contrary, the two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver says he wants to remain with the Cardinals and is not upset that he has yet to get a new contract on par with teammate Larry Fitzgerald. "I've always wanted to be in Arizona," Boldin said Friday, the first day of the Cardinals' mini-camp. [Link]
Former Buckeye Fullbacks Get Their Shot
It is not a glamorous position, but both Dionte Johnson and Tyler Whaley find themselves trying to make an NFL roster at the fullback position. Both signed free-agent deals after manning the position for Ohio State last season, and both talked about their respective situations to BuckeyeSports.com about their future prospects. [Link]
Pressing needs for every NFL team
The draft can't fix everything (see the Jets' and 49ers' QB quandaries). Alex Marvez runs down every team's pressing needs. [Link]
A Scout's Report: Undrafted Rookies, Part III
AZRedReport.com's James Jones and former pro scout Tom Marino come together for the final installment of a three-part series analyzing Arizona's crop of rookie free agents. Which of these rookies will push for roster spots and which are merely training camp fodder? Marino's insider scouting reports hold the answers. [Link]
Cardinals welcome Rodgers-Cromartie
First-round pick Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie plans to take a moment before he takes the field Friday for his first practice with the Arizona Cardinals. The workout will mark the start of the cornerback's pro football career. It also will mark the end of a long journey that started in Bradenton, Fla., and went through Tennessee State, well off the path taken by many NFL prospects. [Link]
Cardinals welcome Rodgers-Cromartie (AP)
First-round pick Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie plans to take a moment before he takes the field Friday for his first practice with the Arizona Cardinals. The workout will mark the start of the cornerback's pro football career. It also will mark the end of a long journey that started in Bradenton, Fla., and went through Tennessee State, well off the path taken by many NFL prospects.
[Link]
Scout.com NFL Draft Report Card
Only five NFL teams earned an "A" in last weekend's NFL Draft according to former pro scout Tom Marino. Was your favorite team one of them? Or was it one of the handful who earned a failing grade? Check out Marino's grades for all 32 teams in this Scout.com feature. [Link]
Draft Remix: Could Graves Have Done Better?
The Cardinals failed to address key needs in the draft, such as speed at the skill positions and depth across the offensive line. Rod Graves shrugs this off as inevitability and insists he took the best player available with each pick. But could he of filled his needs and still gotten good value? Michael Lombardo takes a closer look in this draft remix. [Link]
A Scout's Report: Undrafted Rookies, Part II
AZRedReport.com's James Jones continues to serve up the inside scoop on this year's class of undrafted free agents. Jones paired up with Tom Marino, a former pro scout with more than 30 years experience, to dissected the undrafted players signed by the Cardinals. Here's a look at four more rookies in part two of this three-part series. [Link]
Top questions heading into mini-camps
Which rookies will thrive? Will Brett Favre return? What are the Bears doing? Our NFL Czar tackles the biggest looming questions. [Link]
Top questions heading into mini-camps
Which rookies will thrive? Will Brett Favre return? What are the Bears doing? Our NFL Czar tackles the biggest looming questions. [Link]
A Scout's Report: Undrafted Rookies, Part I
The Cardinals have needs at more then one position. While some were filled in last weekend's draft, there is hope that help could come from a pool of undrafted free agents. The team signed 13 college players after the draft concluded. James Jones breaks them down with insight from Tom Marino, a former pro scout with 35 years experience. [Link]
On the Clock: 15 prospects for '09 NFL Draft
With the '08 draft in the books, who's ready for next year? Peter Schrager gives you his draft wrap, complete with names for '09. [Link]
Which free agents will soar into September?
The Cardinals completed the 2008 draft by adding 13 undrafted free agents. While some may be long-shots to make the active roster, a handful of players could become core special-teams players or provide additional depth. Brad Wilbricht analyzes which rookies could make an immediate impact in this AZRedReport.com exclusive. [Link]
10-pack: Booty could challenge Jackson in Minnesota (SportingNews.com)
Pro Football Talk.com's Mike Florio offers postdraft coverage. [Link]
2009 NFL Draft: Steuber's Big Board
With the 2008 NFL Draft complete, it's never too early to take a look at the top senior prospects that will be available for the 2009 NFL Draft. Scout.com's NFL Draft Analyst Chris Steuber debuts his Big Board of the Top 19 seniors who will be available in 2009. [Link]
Cards Draft Recap: No Need Left Behind
The Cardinals managed to fill immediate needs and plan for the future, occasionally accomplishing both missions with the same picks. The brain trust entered the weekend believing that it didn't have an aching need at any position. Yet, the Cardinals filled two of them on the first day, selecting cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and defensive end Calais Campbell. [Link]
NFL Post-Draft Insider 1.0
Scout.com's NFL insider Adam Caplan gives you the inside skinny in what went behind the selections of eight teams in this post-draft update. Caplan also breaks down how some of drafted players will fit in with their new teams. [Link]
Cardinals Tack On 13 Free Agents
The Cardinals moved on Monday to bolster depth and increase training-camp competition, signing 13 undrafted free agents to complete this year's rookie haul. Is the next Jason Peters or Antonio Gates somewhere on this list? The Cardinals certainly hope so and will find out in a matter of months. [Link]
NFC grades: Redskins, Panthers earn high marks (Yahoo! Sports)
The two teams combined for 19 picks with plenty of potential starters on offense and defense. [Link]
Anthony Morelli Agrees to Terms with Arizona
Ken Whisenhunt said that the Cardinals would like to sign between 12-13 undrafted players, which they would like to solidify as soon as possible. And Scout.com's Ed Thompson is reporting that Penn State quarterback Anthony Morelli has agreed to sign with the Cardinals as one those undrafted players. [Link]
NFL Draft Superlatives
Now that the NFL Draft is behind us, Scout.com's NFL Draft Analyst Chris Steuber hands out his Draft Superlatives. [Link]
Arizona Adds Keith To Developing O-Line
In the final round of the 2008 draft, the Arizona Cardinals chose offensive lineman Brandon Keith. This choice demonstrates their commitment to more offensive production and quarterback protection. AZRedReport.com takes a look at this draft pick and how he will fit in the Cardinals' roster. [Link]
Handing out draft grades for NFC teams
Atlanta got its franchise QB in Matt Ryan. But did the Falcons earn a high grade from our NFL Czar? See how the entire NFC fared. [Link]
Chat Transcript With Chris Harrington
The Cardinals selected Chris Harrington out of Texas A&M in the sixth round. On Sunday he caught up with local media to talk about his future in the desert. [Link]
Cardinals Pack Deck With Harrington
The Cardinals draft strategy clearly emphasized bringing in DE/OLB prospects to help complete their transition to the 3-4 defense. After selecting two defensive ends in the previous five rounds, GM Rod Graves pulled the trigger on another multitalented defender. DE Chris Harrington from Texas A&M is the latest addition to the Cardinals 2008 draft class. [Link]
Kenny Iwebema: PHOTOS.
Photos from Iwebema's time with the Iowa Hawkeyes. [Link]
Cards Keen on Kenny
The Cardinals added defensive end Kenny Iwebema out of Iowa in the fourth round to continue loading their defensive front seven with the hopes that the competition will make everybody better. Iwebema comes to Arizona injury-prone, but the Cardinals hope he can stay healthy in a limited role with plans to switch him to outside linebacker. [Link]
Cards Tab WR Early-er Than Expected
Arizona's heavy-hitting receiving corps just hit a home run with the addition of WR Early Doucet out of LSU. The Cardinals need more out of the run game, but with Bryant Johnson out of town and Anquan Boldin hoping to follow suit, the Cardinals picked up some major insurance in the third round. Doucet, however, is the first to say he'd like Boldin to stay. [Link]
