Arizona Cardinals game vs Dallas Cowboys tests fans’ allegiances
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Somers, McManaman report on Wednesday’s practice | 2:33
Cardinals Insiders Kent Somers and Bob McManaman report from practice. Michael Chow/azcentral.com
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS David Johnson speaks for first time since injury | 1:28
Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson talks for the first time since his injury in Week 1. || Michael Chow/azcentral.com
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Cowboys are coming: don’t sell your tickets! | 2:24
Shot Clock: Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley discuss the upcoming Monday Night Football game between the Cardinals and Cowboys.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS azcentral sports’ Kent Somers and Bob McManaman discuss Cardinals victory over Colts | 3:03
Somers and McManaman discuss tension between Arians and Palmer. Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Bruce Arians discusses his thoughts about Colts, Cowboys | 1:30
Arians, on returning home: “I can’t remember the last time we did four road games, and three on the east coast.” Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Kent Somers, Dan Bickley discuss Cardinals’ win | 3:28
azcentral sports’ Kent Somers and Dan Bickley talk about the Cardinals’ 16-13 win over the Colts on Sunday. Kent Somers/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Shot Clock: Cards (eye) roll; ASU’s ‘real’ player | 1:51
Jay Dieffenbach and Doug Haller discuss the Cardinals and Sun Devils in our Shot Clock video.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Cardinals game vs. Colts preview with Kent Somers and Dan Bickley | 13:21
The Arizona Cardinals play the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. Dan Bickley and Kent Somers from azcentral sports give you everything you need to know before kickoff.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Somers and McManaman on the state of the Cardinals | 2:53
Kent Somers and Bob McManaman on how the Cardinals can rebound in Week 2.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Arizona Cardinals running back D. J. Foster talks after Wednesday practice in Tempe. | 1:05
Arizona Cardinals running back D. J. Foster talks after Wednesday practice in Tempe.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS CJ2K mad at Cards; Palmer needs to get right | 2:12
Shot Clock video: azcentral sports’ Dan Bickley and Jay Dieffenbach discuss the latest with the Cardinals, particularly Chris Johnson and Carson Palmer.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS azcentral sports’ Kent Somers and Bob McManaman discuss Cardinals practcie Wednesday | 2:55
azcentral sports’ Kent Somers and Bob McManaman discuss Arizona Cardinals highlights from Wednesday’s practice.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer talks after Wednesday practice in Tempe. | 1:29
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer talks after Wednesday practice in Tempe.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Shot Clock: Could the Cards recruit death stare Adrian Peterson? | 2:09
Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley hoping D-Backs and Dodgers series and Arizona Cardinals possibly looking at Adrian Peterson.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS David Johnson seeking a second opinion on wrist injury | 0:42
Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians discusses David Johnson’s wrist injury. By Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Bruce Arians discusses loss to Lions | 0:43
Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians discusses his team’s season opening loss top Detroit. By Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Bickley and Somers on Cardinals’ season-opening loss | 3:10
Bickley and Somers discuss the Cardinals’ 35-23 loss to the Lions on Sunday Kent Somers/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Kent Somers and Bob McManaman on David Johnson’s injury | 2:11
azcentral sports’ Kent Somers and Bob McManaman with injury news on Arizona Cardinals’ David Johnson. By Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Cardinals vs. Lions: Kent Somers and Dan Bickley preview the game | 11:58
Kent Somers and Dan Bickley from azcentral sports preview the Arizona Cardinals game against the Detroit Lions Sunday morning in Detroit. azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Bob McManaman wraps up Cardinals practice on Friday | 0:54
azcentral sports’ Bob McManaman discusses the Cardinals final preparations for the season opener against the Lions.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Shot Clock: Chiefs-Patriots lessons for Cardinals | 2:06
Greg Moore and Mark Faller discuss the Cardinals season opener against Detroit Lions on Sunday.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Arizona Cardinals report: Thursday’s practice | 2:52
azcentral sports’ Kent Somers and Bob McManaman discuss highlights from the Cardinals practice on Thursday.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Shot Clock: Cards a slim pick, what are the keys? | 1:59
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley discuss the Arizona Cardinals and their season opener against the Lions in our Shot Clock video.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Cardinals report: How will Bucannon’s absence affect team? | 3:25
Scott Bordow and Kent Somers from azcentral sports break down the Cardinals practice on Weds., Sept. 6, 2017. David Kadlubowski/ azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Shot Clock: Detroit Lions, Super Bowl champions? | 1:57
azcentral sports’ Greg Moore and Jay Dieffenbach discuss Moore’s Super Bowl pick in our Shot Clock video.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Reaction to Cardinals’ move at punter | 2:54
Cardinals Insiders Kent Somers and Bob McManaman weigh in on the Cardinals’ move at punter on Monday and more 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 Somers wraps up the Cardinals’ preseason finale | 3:00
Cardinals insider Kent Somers breaks down the end of the preseason.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Cardinals vs Broncos preview | 12:19
The Arizona Cardinals game at Denver Broncos Thursday night offers some interesting position battles as roster cuts loom. Kent Somers/ azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Somers and McManaman wrap up Cardinals’ Tuesday practice | 2:19
Cardinals insiders Kent Somers & Bob McManaman wrap up the Cardinals’ practice on Tuesday in Tempe, including the team’s punting situation going into the final preseason game. Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Shot Clock: CJ2K stays?; Drown out LA fans | 2:05
Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley discuss Chris Johnson and the Cardinals roster as well as Diamondbacks fans vs. Dodgers in our Shot Clock video.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Sights and sounds from 9th Annual Fitz’s Supper Club | 1:46
Sights and sounds from the 9th Annual Fitz’s Supper Club, themed “The Grand Illusion,” at Dominick’s Steakhouse in Scottsdale on Monday. David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Arizona Cardinals break camp | 4:35
The Arizona Cardinals broke training camp on Thursday as the team prepares to face the Atlanta Falcons in a preseason game on Saturday. Kent Somers and Bob McManaman from azcentral sports break down the last four weeks. Kent Somers/ azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS McLellan and McManaman wrap up Cardinals practice | 3:07
Sarah McLellan and Bob McManaman of azcentral sports wrap up the Cardinals’ practice on Monday. Topics include the improvement of Kareem Martin, the status of Chris Johnson and the play of John Brown. Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Somers on Cardinals vs. Falcons | 3:32
The Cardinals settled down after a rough start in Atlanta. Kent Somers/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Cardinals treating final preseason game seriously | 8:32
The Cardinals game planned for tonight’s game with the Falcons, something out of the ordinary, Kent Somers explains. Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Kent and Bob talk Cardinals game planning and remaining preseason games | 2:31
Kent Somers and Bob McManaman break down what the Cardinals have in front of them for the rest of preseason. Patrick Breen/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Bickley and Moore: Cardinals looked ‘sluggish’ | 8:24
Bickley and Moore breakdown the starters’ performances in the Cardinals game vs. the Bears. Patrick Been/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Shot Clock: Cards’ Palmer, ‘D’ gotta get better | 2:08
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Kent Somers discuss the Arizona Cardinals.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Kent and Bob break down Cards’ preseason loss to Bears | 3:59
Kent Somers and Bob McManaman talk Bruce Arians’ decision to go for it with Saturday’s preseason game on the line and other moments against the Bears. Patrick Breen/ azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Somers, McManaman on the Cardinals’ ‘boring’ camp | 3:35
Arizona Cardinals Insiders Kent Somers and Bob McManaman talks about the dog days of training camp. David Kadlubowski/azcentral.com
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Somers, McManaman on Arians’ anger, receiving issues | 2:59
Arizona Cardinals insiders Kent Somers and Bob McManaman with the latest news from Cardinals training camp on Tuesday. David Kadlubowski/azcentral.com
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Shot Clock: Cards WRs stink; anthem issue solved | 1:58
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley talk about Cardinals wide receivers and more in our Shot Clock video.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Insider: Was Arians’ criticism truth or motivational chatter? | 2:53
Arizona Cardinals Insiders Kent Somers and Bob McManaman with the latest news from Cardinals Training Camp on Monday. David Kadlubowski/azcentral.com
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Shot Clock: Stanton stands out for Cardinals | 2:01
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Kent Somers talk about Cardinals’ win over the Raiders and LaVar Ball not being the big baller he claims to be.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Shot Clock: Cardinals protecting QB Palmer? | 1:56
Mark Faller and Kent Somers discuss the Arizona Cardinals’ strategy with QB Carson Palmer.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Greg Moore and Bruce Arians talk charities | 0:59
Greg Moore of azcentral sports talks with Arizona Cardinals Head Coach about charities in the Valley. Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Gabbert’s big chance, special team auditions | 1:51
azcentral sports’ Greg Moore and Jay Dieffenbach discuss the latest with the Cardinals and the Hall of Fame Game.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Shot Clock: Arians changes tone with Cardinals | 2:07
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley discuss Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians being tough on the team and the Diamondbacks’ playoff chase.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Greg Moore and Bob McManaman break down the Red-White practice | 8:44
azcentral sports’ Greg Moore and Bob McManaman break down the Arizona Cardinals’ Red-White practice Saturday afternoon in Glendale. Hannah Gaber-Saletan/ azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Somers, McManaman on Gruden possibility, CB battle | 2:35
Kent Somers and Bob McManaman of azcentral sports give their take after Arizona Cardinals practice at University of Phoenix Stadium, Friday, July 28, 2017. || Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Shot Clock: Early hiccups for Cardinals | 1:52
azcentral sports’ Greg Moore and Mark Faller discuss early concerns for the Arizona Cardinals at training camp.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Moore, McManaman wrap up opening day at Cardinals training camp | 2:26
azcentral sports’ Greg Moore and Bob McManaman on the first day of Arizona Cardinals training camp. || By Rob Schumacher
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS David Johnson’s work load; D-Backs’ head games | 2:01
Shot Clock: azcentral sports’ Greg Moore and Jay Dieffenbach weigh in on pressing issues with the Cardinals and Diamondbacks.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Shot Clock: Cards kick off fan-friendly camp | 1:58
azcentral sports’ Kent Somers and Jay Dieffenbach discuss Cardinals camp, Tyrann Mathieu’s status and more in our Shot Clock video.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Somers sits down with Cardinals rookie Budda Baker | 1:39
Kent Somers of azcentral sports sits down to talk with new Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker at the team’s Tempe training facility. Baker played college ball at the University of Washington. | Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Shot Clock: Blaine Gabbert a keeper for Cardinals? | 1:54
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Kent Somers discuss Blaine Gabbert’s role with the Cardinals and LeBron James’ performance in the NBA finals.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Kent and Bob talk new NFL rules and wide out depth | 2:07
Azcentral’s Kent Somers and Bob McManaman catch up during second week of OTAs at the Cardinals Training Facility. azcentral.com sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Arians Family Foundation Fundraiser at Top Golf | 1:44
Coaches and players talk about the importance of head coach Bruce Arians’ family fundraiser at Top Golf in Gilbert. (Michael Chow/azcentral sports)
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Report card on Cardinals QB Blaine Gabbert | 0:58
How has free-agent QB Blaine Gabbert adjusted so far to the Arizona Cardinals? (Michael Chow/azcentral sports)
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS David Johnson No. 1 on NFL Players Association list | 1:11
The NFLPA has released its 2017 Rising 50 list of players poised to break out and rank among next season’s top-sellers in officially licensed merchandise and the Cardinals running back is No. 1.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Bruce Arians talks about his annual fundraisers | 2:36
Cardinals insider Kent Somers talks with Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians about Arians’ annual fundraiser at Steak 44 on Wednesday. Michael Chow/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Keim, Arians striking gold in draft’s third round | 0:59
Arizona Cardinals’ general manager Steve Keim and head coach Bruce Arians have found some of their best players in the third round. Wochit
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Top 3 games in Cardinals schedule | 1:06
Breaking down the top three games of the Cardinals’ 2017 season. Wochit
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Larry Fitzgerald holding 7th annual charity softball tournament | 3:17
azcentral sports’ Kent Somers and the Cardinals’ Larry Fitzgerald discuss Fitzgerald’s charity softball tournament on Saturday.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Larry Fitzgerald 1-on-1 with Kent Somers | 5:24
The Cardinals’ Larry Fitzgerald joined azcentral sports’ Kent Somers to discuss the team and the upcoming season.
azcentral sports’ Kent Somers and Bob McManaman discuss Cardinals victory over Colts
Bruce Arians discusses his thoughts about Colts, Cowboys
Kent Somers, Dan Bickley discuss Cardinals’ win
Shot Clock: Cards (eye) roll; ASU’s ‘real’ player
Cardinals game vs. Colts preview with Kent Somers and Dan Bickley
Somers and McManaman on the state of the Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals running back D. J. Foster talks after Wednesday practice in Tempe.
CJ2K mad at Cards; Palmer needs to get right
azcentral sports’ Kent Somers and Bob McManaman discuss Cardinals practcie Wednesday
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer talks after Wednesday practice in Tempe.
Shot Clock: Could the Cards recruit death stare Adrian Peterson?
David Johnson seeking a second opinion on wrist injury
Bruce Arians discusses loss to Lions
Bickley and Somers on Cardinals’ season-opening loss
Kent Somers and Bob McManaman on David Johnson’s injury
Cardinals vs. Lions: Kent Somers and Dan Bickley preview the game
Bob McManaman wraps up Cardinals practice on Friday
Shot Clock: Chiefs-Patriots lessons for Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals report: Thursday’s practice
Shot Clock: Cards a slim pick, what are the keys?
Cardinals report: How will Bucannon’s absence affect team?
Shot Clock: Detroit Lions, Super Bowl champions?
Reaction to Cardinals’ move at punter
Somers wraps up the Cardinals’ preseason finale
Cardinals vs Broncos preview
Somers and McManaman wrap up Cardinals’ Tuesday practice
Shot Clock: CJ2K stays?; Drown out LA fans
Sights and sounds from 9th Annual Fitz’s Supper Club
Arizona Cardinals break camp
McLellan and McManaman wrap up Cardinals practice
Somers on Cardinals vs. Falcons
Cardinals treating final preseason game seriously
Kent and Bob talk Cardinals game planning and remaining preseason games
Bickley and Moore: Cardinals looked ‘sluggish’
Shot Clock: Cards’ Palmer, ‘D’ gotta get better
Kent and Bob break down Cards’ preseason loss to Bears
Somers, McManaman on the Cardinals’ ‘boring’ camp
Somers, McManaman on Arians’ anger, receiving issues
Shot Clock: Cards WRs stink; anthem issue solved
Insider: Was Arians’ criticism truth or motivational chatter?
Shot Clock: Stanton stands out for Cardinals
Shot Clock: Cardinals protecting QB Palmer?
Greg Moore and Bruce Arians talk charities
Gabbert’s big chance, special team auditions
Shot Clock: Arians changes tone with Cardinals
Greg Moore and Bob McManaman break down the Red-White practice
Somers, McManaman on Gruden possibility, CB battle
Shot Clock: Early hiccups for Cardinals
Moore, McManaman wrap up opening day at Cardinals training camp
David Johnson’s work load; D-Backs’ head games
Shot Clock: Cards kick off fan-friendly camp
Somers sits down with Cardinals rookie Budda Baker
Shot Clock: Blaine Gabbert a keeper for Cardinals?
Kent and Bob talk new NFL rules and wide out depth
Arians Family Foundation Fundraiser at Top Golf
Report card on Cardinals QB Blaine Gabbert
David Johnson No. 1 on NFL Players Association list
Bruce Arians talks about his annual fundraisers
Keim, Arians striking gold in draft’s third round
Top 3 games in Cardinals schedule
Larry Fitzgerald holding 7th annual charity softball tournament
Larry Fitzgerald 1-on-1 with Kent Somers
For the Cardinals, the Cowboys coming to town has been like enduring a visit from a richer and more popular older brother. Everyone fawns over him for a few days and ignores the sibling who is around to take out the trash and clean up after the dog.
A couple of decades passed before the Cardinals became the most popular NFL team in their own town.
Vai Sikahema, a running back and returner for the Cardinals from 1986-90, grew up in Mesa, so he knew how popular the Cowboys were in Arizona. Still, Sikahema was taken aback when the Cardinals played their first home game in Arizona on Monday night, Sept. 12, 1988.
“It was a sea of silver and blue,” he said. “I remember I trotted out to pregame warmups with (teammates) Roy Green and Stump Mitchell and we actually got booed.”
The Cowboys’ popularity in Arizona dates to the pre-Cardinals days. When the Valley didn’t have an NFL team, Cowboys games were routinely broadcast in the market. The team won consistently, and it didn’t hurt that it had a handful of good players from Arizona State during some of those years.
It took a couple of decades for the dynamic to begin to shift in the Cardinals’ favor. The Cardinals moved into a stadium of their own in 2006, won more frequently and it was no longer uncool to buy tickets and apparel.
It hasn’t completely flipped, however, and the 2017 Cardinals know there will be plenty of Cowboys fans with Arizona driver’s licenses when the teams meet Monday night at University of Phoenix Stadium.
When he arrived in Arizona in 2013, it didn’t take Cardinals coach Bruce Arians long to find out how popular the Cowboys were here.
“I was here about a week,” he said. “I heard all the stories, and rightfully so. They had no team they could root for (pre-Cardinals), so obviously they’re not going to change their allegiance.”
Much of the Cardinals’ history in Arizona can be told through their games against the Cowboys, beginning with the first home game at Sun Devil Stadium.
The Cardinals lost 17-14, partly due to a decision made by coach Gene Stallings before the last play of the first half.
The Cardinals were in position to kick a 42-yard field goal, but Stallings decided to run a fake. Kicker Al Del Greco took the lateral and was tackled at the 16-yard line.
Afterward, Stallings admitted the obvious: It was not a wise decision on his part.
“It doesn’t take a Phi Beta Kappa to figure that out,” he said.
The game also illustrated the Cardinals’ problems in prime time. From 1970 through 2014, the Cardinals were 7-15-1 on Monday nights, including losing eight of their first nine after moving from St. Louis to Arizona.
After the 1988 game, the Cardinals didn’t play on Monday night again until 1995, when they met the Cowboys on Christmas night. It turned out to be Buddy Ryan’s last game as coach and general manager.
Two players got into a fight in the locker room before the game, with broadcaster and ex-Cardinals great Dan Dierdorf witnessing the scuffle.
The Cowboys whipped the Cardinals 37-13, and Ryan watched the end of the game from the tunnel, mistakenly leaving a bit early because he thought the game was over.
His tenure was over the next day.
For the Cardinals, the most memorable part of the game was fullback Larry Centers leaping over cornerback Larry Brown, which was shown in the movie “Jerry Maguire.”
Playing the Cowboys always provided a little extra motivation, Centers said.
“When things aren’t going great, you look for anything you can to motivate you,” Centers said. “That’s definitely something I used as fuel to help me step my game up any way I could.
“Plus, being from Texas and not necessarily being a Cowboys fan, it was always special when I got to compete against them.”
In 1998, the Cardinals made the playoffs for first time in a non-strike year since 1975. They met the Cowboys on Jan. 2, 1999, in the first round and upset them 20-7 in Dallas. It was the Cardinals’ first playoff victory since 1947.
Two years later, coach Vince Tobin was fired after the Cardinals lost to Dallas 48-7.
As an organization, the Cardinals’ fortunes began to shift when they moved into University of Phoenix Stadium in 2006. Two years later, they went 9-7 and made it to their first Super Bowl.
One of those nine wins was in overtime over the Cowboys in Glendale. Sean Morey blocked a punt in overtime, and linebacker Monty Beisel returned it for the winning touchdown.
That started the Cardinals’ current four-game winning streak over the Cowboys, which includes two overtime victories and another that was settled by a field goal with seconds left.
There will be a considerable number of Cowboys fans at Monday’s game, but it’s not like the old days, when a red jersey at Cardinals-Cowboys games stood out like a pimple.
Receiver Larry Fitzgerald pointed to the victory in 2008 as the pivot point.
“It’s been positive since then,” he said. “So hopefully we’ll have a good contingency of Cardinals fans in the building and not too much blue.”
The Lasso
4: Cardinals have won their past four games with the Cowboys. A fifth consecutive win would be the second-longest win streak in the history of the series.
9: Number of touchdowns scored by Cardinals receiver J.J. Nelson in his past 11 games.
20: Inside linebacker Karlos Dansby is one interception shy of 20 or his career. If he gets it, he would become the fifth player in NFL history to have at least 40 sacks and 20 interceptions. The others are Seth Joyner, Ray Lewis, Wilbur Marshall, Brian Urlacher.
37: Number of days that have passed since the Cardinals last played at home, a preseason game against Chicago.