Arizona Cardinals’ Adrian Peterson brings energy to a team in disarray
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Bruce Arians on traveling to London | 1:27
Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians talks about the travel schedule his team will face flying to London to face the Rams. Michael Chow/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Monday report: London calling Cardinals | 1:38
Cardinals Insider Bob McManaman reports from the team’s training facility in Tempe. Michael Chow/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Shot Clock: Turning point for ASU, Cardinals? | 2:18
azcentral sports’ Mark Faller and Doug Haller react to the big football victories for Arizona teams last weekend.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Arizona Cardinals top Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 2:45
After the Cardinals held on for a 38-33 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, azcentral sports’ Dan Bickley and Kent Somers talk about what the win means for the team going forward. Thomas Hawthorne/ azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Arizona Cardinals on the win over the Buccaneers | 1:31
Cardinals players Larry Fitzgerald, Adrian Peterson and Carson Palmer and coach Bruce Arians talk about the team’s 38-33 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. Thomas Hawthorne/ azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Recapping Cardinals’ 38-33 win over Buccaneers | 1:46
Sarah McLellan and Bob McManaman recap the Arizona Cardinals’ 38-33 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday at University of Phoenix Stadium. Sarah McLellan/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Carson Palmer analyzes the Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 0:54
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer analyzes their next opponent, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Michael Chow/azcentral.com
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Somers, McManaman on offensive line changes at practice | 2:50
Cardinals insiders Kent Somers and Bob McManaman talk changes they think are coming to left and right guard and how Fitzgerald says he got his black eye. Cheryl Evans/azcentral.com
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Cardinals offensive coordinator excited to have Adrian Peterson | 1:29
Harold Goodwin, Cardinals offensive coordinator, is excited to have new addition and veteran running back Adrian Peterson as part of the team. Cheryl Evans/azcentral.com
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Shot Clock: Peterson’s arrival and D-Backs’ Greinke situation | 1:54
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley discuss Adrian Peterson behind the Cardinals’ offensive line and what the Diamondbacks can do with Zack Greinke to afford J.D. Martinez.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Somers, Mac on Adrian Peterson’s arrival | 3:16
Cardinals insiders Kent Somers and Bob McManaman break down the trade for running back Adrian Peterson. Michael Chow/azcentral.com
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Adrian Peterson on how he learned he became a Cardinal | 1:32
Arizona Cardinals running back Adrian Peterson talks about how he found out he was traded. Michael Chow/azcentral.com
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS On the Arizona Cardinals embarrassing loss to the Eagles | 3:18
Kent Somers and Bob McManaman of azcentral sports, analyze the Arizona Cardinals embarrassing loss to the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday. Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Bruce Arians gives his take on loss to the Eagles | 1:31
Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians faces the media, Monday, October 9, 2017, at the Tempe training facility, to talk about the embarrassing loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Somers, Moore discuss Cardinals loss to Eagles | 0:00
Kent Somers and Greg Moore discuss the Cardinals’ loss to the Eagles.
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The Arizona Cardinals play the Eagles in Philadelphia on Sunday morning and azcentral sports’ Kent Somers and Greg Moore have everything you need to know before kickoff.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Somers, McManaman talk Cardinals injuries and Eagles | 3:27
Cardinals insiders Kent Somers and Bob McManaman discuss the Cardinals’ injury situation and their upcoming road game at Philadelphia.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Harold Goodwin talks offensive struggles and getting back to the run game | 1:33
Cardinals offensive coordinator Harold Goodwin breaks down the first few weeks of struggles and keeping the quarterback upright after practice on Thursday, October 5, 2017.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Bruce Arians talks about the Las Vegas mass shooting | 0:36
Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians: “It’s another tragedy and it kinda puts football back in place.” Video: Michael Chow/azcentral.com
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Bruce Arians talks about his QB | 0:49
Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians talks about his quarterback play, the hits he’s taking and hints at a no-huddle offense. Michael Chow/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Monday report: Latest on Arizona Cardinals | 4:02
Cardinals Insiders Kent Somers and Bob McManaman report from the team’s headquarters after an OT win against the 49ers. Michael Chow/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Shot Clock: What we know about Cards, NFL now | 1:55
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Kent Somers discuss the state of the NFL and the Arizona Cardinals after the season’s first four weeks.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Somers, Bickley discuss Cardinals win over 49ers | 2:48
Cardinals insider Kent Somers and columnist Dan Bickley discuss a win the team needed over the 49ers.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Cardinals discuss win over the 49ers | 1:18
Larry Fitzgerald: It was a must-win game in October. Thomas Hawthorne/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Somers and McManaman talk Cardinals injuries | 3:02
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Deone Bucannon on his return to the field for Cardinals | 1:34
Cardinals safety Deone Bucannon is back from injury and is slated to play against San Francisco. He is excited to be back in playing condition. || Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Somers and McManaman at Cards practice Wednesday | 2:31
Kent Somers and Bob McManaman of azcentral sports break down the Arizona Cardinals after practice at the Tempe training facility, Wednesday, September 27, 2017.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Carson Palmer looks ahead to 49ers | 1:34
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer talks about adjusting to the loss of running back David Johnson and looks ahead to the game with the San Francisco 49ers. || Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Somers and McManaman on the Cardinals following loss to Cowboys | 2:53
Azcentral sports’ Kent Somers and Bob McManaman on the Cardinals’ loss to the Cowboys and where they are at heading toward their game against the 49ers next week. David Wallace/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Arians recaps the Cardinals’ loss to the Cowboys | 1:19
Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians recaps the Cardinals’ loss to the Cowboys on Monday night. David Wallace/azcentral sports David Wallace/ azcentral sports
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When was the last time you saw an entire crowd at an NFL stadium rise and give a standing ovation to a running back after an 8-yard gain on the first snap of a game?
Well, it happened on Sunday at University of Phoenix Stadium, which was absolutely roaring after Adrian Peterson’s first official run in a Cardinals’ uniform. It was the first of many long gains by Peterson, who rushed for 134 yards and two touchdowns during Arizona’s 38-33 victory over Tampa Bay.
But a standing ovation after just one play? Had even one of the greatest running back of all-time ever seen something like that?
“No, that was a first,” Peterson said Monday, chuckling.
“You know what, though? Maybe in 2012 when I came back after ACL surgery. But yeah, that was pretty special.”
Peterson’s magical debut with the Cardinals did more than just allow him to prove to the rest of the league, at least for a week, that he still has the moves at age 32. It did more than just make the stadium shake.
His performance lifted up the spirits of a Cardinals team that had been in disarray. It sent a shockwave through the locker room, a streak of energy through the sideline and a burst of pride to a beleaguered offensive line that showed its appreciation by blocking their butts off for the three-time NFL rushing champion.
“Couldn’t have done it without those guys,” Peterson said. “They played great.”
The Cardinals (3-3) couldn’t have won Sunday’s game without Peterson, whose 26 rushes and 48 overall snaps allowed Carson Palmer to attempt only 22 passes – far below his previous season average of 46 passes per game. That, of course, allowed for the line to better hold up in pass protection, it re-opened the door to the Cardinals’ play-action game, and it kept Palmer on his feet, not his backside.
And with every big run Peterson rattled off, it sent a jolt throughout the entire organization. It also made a long flight to London on Monday for this Sunday’s game against the Rams (4-2) a lot more relaxing.
Peterson saw it from the field and admitted it made his trade last week from the Saints for a conditional draft pick all that much sweeter.
“Yeah, yeah. You know. I was able to glance over to the sideline a few times and just seeing the guys all fired up,” Peterson said, smiling. “And then just watching the tape today, looking at the sideline, the guys were really all wired up. That’s all part of it. That’s the type of impact I want to make on my teammates and the fans.
“It was easy for me. I was just happy to have the opportunity.”
It could have been the Saints enjoying what Peterson brought to the Cardinals on Sunday, but New Orleans used Peterson as its third-team back. That entered Peterson’s mind Sunday night, he acknowledged on Monday.
“You’re just like, ‘Hey, it could have been the same thing in New Orleans had things worked out differently. It could have played out the same way.’ … I had two runs within the first three plays and I actually stayed out there, here vs. I was on the sidelines there. It was just a different feeling, but I know everything happens for a reason.”
Cardinals coach Bruce Arians saw the psychological impact Peterson had on the rest of the team.
“I think there was a lot of hope until that first run and then that touchdown run,” Arians said. “I haven’t seen this team run to the locker room at halftime with that much spring in their step in a long time. I wish we would’ve come out with a little more spring, or finished it, but it brought a lot of energy. He had to prove it, too, and he did.”
It was everything the Cardinals thought they would be getting when they made the trade. Cardinals General Manager Steve Keim said he watched every touch Peterson got for the past two seasons and that he saw “flashes that he still has the foot speed, the acceleration.”
Once David Johnson went down in Week 1 with a fractured wrist, Keim began poring over video of Peterson and everybody else on his ready list – and others he might consider acquiring via a trade. Keim was part of the contingent that wanted the Cardinals to draft Peterson 11 years ago, but the team selected offensive lineman Levi Brown instead.
“You never know how he fits in your offense. You’d like to project that he’d fit well,” Keim said Monday during his weekly radio appearance on Arizona Sports 98.7-FM. “The fact that I’ve done so much homework on him the past 11 years, I knew the type of person he was, the type of player, the passion he runs with. That part of it, I felt was easy.”
Reach McManaman at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @azbobbymac and listen to him live every Wednesday night between 7-9 on Fox Sports 910-AM on The Freaks with Kenny and Crash.