SB Nation Arizona - NFL Week 15, Cardinals Vs. Panthers: Cards Head To Carolinahttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46593/arizona-fave.png2010-12-17T13:51:24-07:00http://arizona.sbnation.com/rss/stream/16395632010-12-17T13:51:24-07:002010-12-17T13:51:24-07:00NFL Week 15, Cardinals/Panthers: Injury Report, Tim Hightower and Beanie Wells 'Race' On YouTube
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<p>The Arizona Cardinals released the injury report for their Week 15 game against the Carolina Panthers. quarterback Derek Anderson is listed as doubtful for the game because he still is not fully recovered from a concussion he suffered at some point in the game against the St. Louis Rams. He did not practice on Friday, but if he progresses he could be the backup to John Skelton. Linebacker Clark Haggans (groin) is questionable. The rest of the players on the reports are listed as probable. All but Daryl Washington (groin), who was added today have been limited in practice all week. The others are Steve Breaston (knee), Jerry Porter (knee), Calais Campbell (ankle), Jay Feely (groin), O'Brien Schofield (hamstring) and Beanie Wells (illness). Wells was limited in practice is said to be ready to go. Ken Whisenhunt "hopes he has a good game."</p>
<p>In unrelated news, did you ever wonder who was the faster Arizona Cardinal running back, Beanie Wells or Tim Hightower? I'm sure most would choose Wells, although Hightower is the one with some very long runs in his career. Sometime before the Cardinals/Rams game a couple of weeks ago, a "race" between the two was caught on video, and it has made it to YouTube. Who wins? Take a look below:</p>
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<p>What did the two backs have to say? According to both, it <a target="_blank" href="http://blog.azcardinals.com/2010/12/17/tim-v-beanie-round-one/">wasn't anything to worry about</a>. Beanie said, "We were just getting warm. Running and getting warm." Sounds like a guy who lost, right? The winner (Hightower) said, "Hey man … we’re going to race again. It was close. There’s more to come. There’s more to come."</p>
<p>Hmm...sounds like an event to watch out for.</p>
<p>Nominations for guys we would also like to see race? Steve Breaston, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, and LaRod Stephens-Howling.</p>
<p>Guys we really would not want to watch in a footrace? Dan Williams, Levi Brown, Deuce Lutui, and Gabe Watson.</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-cardinals/2010/12/17/1882395/nfl-week-15-cardinals-panthers-injury-report-hightower-wells-race-youtubeJess Root2010-12-16T08:02:56-07:002010-12-16T08:02:56-07:00Arizona Cardinals Injury Report, Week 15: Anderson Still Out, Feely Wins Award, Pro Bowl Update
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<p>The Arizona Cardinals' injury report was mostly unchanged after Wednesday's practice. Derek Anderson is still suffering from concussion symptoms, so he sat out of practice. No one else sat out, but seven other players were limited. Beanie Wells is still recovering from his stomach illness. The other players were Jay Feely (groin), Steve Breaston (knee), Calais Campbell (ankle), Clark Haggans (groin), Joey Porter (knee) and O'Brien Schofield (hamstring). Schofield and Wells were the only new additions, based on who was limited last week. With the exception of Anderson, whose status for Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers is unknown because he has to be symptom-free, no one is expected to miss the game on Sunday.</p>
<p>Obviously the most concerning issue is that of Anderson's concussion. While to this point no one has been able to pinpoint the play that caused his concussion during the game against the Rams, it has clearly been a serious thing. To have symptoms lingering 10 days later is disconcerting. And while one can certainly joke about Anderson's performance and his head over the course of the season, head injuries are no laughing matter. The team hopes he can be symptom free by the end of the week so he can back up John Skelton on Sunday instead of newcomer Richard Bartel.</p>
<p>In other news, kicker Jay Feely, who personally scored 25 of the Cardinals points on Sunday against the Denver Broncos, was named NFC special teams player of the week. There are many who believe he should have been named the offensive player of the week, but in any case it is a nice feather in Feely's cap. Feely is having a superb season, having missed only two field goals all season. In a <a target="_blank" href="http://sportsradiointerviews.com/2010/12/14/jay-feely-brings-respect-to-kickers-everywhere/">radio interview earlier this week</a>, he talked about his performance this year:</p>
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<p><em>"I’ll be real honest with you, I’ve felt that way the last three or four years. I felt like I’ve gotten better and better every year and you understand how to approach the position from a mental state of mind. I think that’s where most of the success is determined from the kicking position. … If you watch me in warmups, I’m running around, I’m fielding punts, I’m catching passes, I’m throwing the ball. I’m really trying to have fun and embrace the moment and enjoy it."</em></p>
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<p>With Pro Bowl voting in full swing, punter Ben Graham still leads NFC punters in votes. It should be noted that former Cardinal Antrel Rolle leads all NFC free safeties in voting, while current starter Kerry Rhodes is not even in the top five. Considering the season Rhodes has had, this is disappointing, but it should not be a surprise. Rolle plays in New York, where fans are passionate and the defense is good. With the Cardinals' season in the tank and a defense that has underachieved based on the talent in its personnel, Arizona fans aren't likely voting in large numbers. However, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2010/12/15/1878737/kerry-rhodes-a-bright-spot-in-an-otherwise-disappointing-season">a look at Rhodes statistics </a>will show that he deserves to be in the discussion.</p>
<p>When it comes to the Cardinals and the Pro Bowl, it will likely be disappointing. Previous Pro Bowlers Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Alan Faneca, Darnell Dockett and Larry Fitzgerald are not having impact seasons. Calais Campbell has not progressed as expected. The only players that likely will get any consideration are Graham, Feely (his season has been superb, but outside of his game Sunday, has been unmemorable on a bad team), maybe Rhodes and definitely LaRod Stephens-Howling.</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-cardinals/2010/12/16/1879705/arizona-cardinals-injury-report-week-15-derek-anderson-still-out-feely-award-pro-bowlJess Root2010-12-14T09:00:35-07:002010-12-14T09:00:35-07:00NFL Week 15, Cardinals Vs. Panthers: John Skelton To Start, No Tanking For Draft
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<p>As the <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arizona Cardinals</a> prepare for their Week 15 road game against the <a href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Carolina Panthers</a>, Coach Ken Whisenhunt announced that rookie <span>John Skelton</span> would start at quarterback again, regardless of the health of <span>Derek Anderson</span>. He also addressed the issue of draft status and the remaining games on the schedule. Despite the fact that mant fans and media members would prefer to see the Cardinals put themselves in a position to be able to have a higher draft pick to select a player such as Andrew Luck, he made it clear that winning is the goal of the team for the final three games.</p>
<p>Whisenhunt jokingly said that he talked to former coach Herm Edwards about playing out the rest of the season and quoted his famous "You play to win the game!" comment. Then, turning more serious, he said, "No, we want to win games. It's important to us. It's been a very tough stretch here the last seven weeks. That's what we're focused on. We'll worry about that (the draft) when the time comes." He wants to reward the players for the very hard work they have put into this season.</p>
<p>You would have to agree with him, even though the thought of drafting a potential franchise quarterback is enticing. Losing is contagious on a team. So is winning. Winning teams do not have the complaints by the players because they are winning. There is less of selfish behaviors. Any coach who told his team that they needed to lose games would lose his players. They don't like losing.</p>
<p>Now, do the Cardinals have a choice between winning and losing? This season has us asking that question. But with three very winnable games left on the schedule, the Cardinals could close out teh season with four straight wins and something to build on for next year. There would be the bitter taste of underachievement, but finishing strong could go a long way to keep memories of past Cardinal teams.</p>
<p>As for the quarterback situation, Derek Anderson passed his concussion test, but must show he is symptom-free before he can be cleared to play. When asked how DA's health would affect the decision on who would start at QB, Whiz said the team would follow the blueprint and motto they have used all year, "playing the player that gives us the best chance to win." At least for now, he believes that to be Skelton.</p>
<p>There was no news on the injury front, as Whiz had not yet spoken with the doctors. He did not believe that anyone would lose time because of injury unless something happens this week.</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/2010/12/14/2326305/nfl-week-15-cardinals-vs-panthers-john-skelton-to-start-no-tankingJess Root