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Cardinals coach Bruce Arians discusses free agency, quarterbacks and cornerbacks in the draft on Wednesday night. Kent Somers/azcentral sports
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Cardinals GM Steve Keim discusses this year’s rookie quarterback class ahead of the NFL draft on Wednesday night. Kent Somers/azcentral sports
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USA TODAY Sports’ Tom Pelissero examines the big issues expected to be on the docket next week at NFL owners meetings in Phoenix.
USA TODAY Sports
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azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Bob McManaman tackle the Cardinals and the draft and the latest with Roger Goodell and the NFL.
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Shot Clock: Why isn’t Paul Goldschmidt playing? Will Cardinals draft QB Mitchell Trubisky? Kurt Warner also had a Super Bowl jersey stolen? The Shot Clock tackles the burning topics in Arizona sports.
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Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins says he did not demand a trade away from the team, but instead asked about the franchise’s plans after having the franchise tag placed on him.
Time_Sports
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The MMQB’s Andy Benoit takes a look at the on-field problem facing free agent QB Colin Kaepernick.
Time_Sports
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Free agent kicker Phil Dawson signed a 2-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals on March 10, 2017 at the Cardinals training facility in Tempe.
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Shot Clock: NFL free agency moves, including Chandler Jones staying and Calais Campbell and Tony Jefferson likely leaving the Arizona Cardinals. Video: azcentral sports
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The Texans have traded quarterback Brock Osweiler and a 2018 second-round draft pick to the Browns, according to multiple reports. ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported the news.
Time_Sports
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Quarterback Tony Romo posted a message on Instagram to say goodbye to all the Dallas Cowboys fans who supported him during the course of his 13-year career.
USA TODAY Sports
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Washington Quarterback Kirk Cousins reportedly asked Dan Snyder to trade him, but ESPN’s Chris Mortensen is reporting Snyder told Cousins not to get his hopes up.
Time_Sports
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Shot Clock: The beginning of the new NFL year, what the Cardinals’ chances are for keeping Calais Campbell and Tony Jefferson and who might make an impact around the league. Video: azcentral sports
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USA TODAY Sports’ Tom Pelissero fills you in on how the top quarterback prospects fared during Day 4 of the NFL Scouting Combine.
USA TODAY Sports
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Clemson QB Deshaun Watson said he could benefit from backing up a veteran when he enters the NFL. Video: Kent Somers/azcentral sports
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Quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw for 5,052 total and 41 TDs with 10 INTs in 2016 at Texas Tech. Video: Kent Somers/azcentral sports
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USA TODAY Sports’ Lorenzo Reyes gives insight as to which teams will be searching for a quarterback at the NFL Scouting Combine.
USA TODAY Sports
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John Ross, former wide receiver from the University of Washington, broke Chris Johnson’s 40-yard dash record at the NFL Combine.
Time
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Washington receiver John Ross in 2016 was a second-team All-American and first-team All-Pac-12 standout with 81 catches for 1,150 yards and 17 TDs . Video: Kent Somers/azcentral sports
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USA TODAY Sports’ Lindsay H. Jones says that San Francisco 49ers GM John Lynch spoke very highly of a number of high-profile quarterback prospects.
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azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley break down the NBA MVP race and a possible reunion in the Cardinals defensive backfield.
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Cardinals insider Kent Somers talks with GM Steve Keim about how the Cardinals conduct business at the NFL combine and how they will handle their free agents.
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Cardinals coach Bruce Arians discusses finding the team’s future quarterback in the draft.
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azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Kent Somers discuss Cardinals free agency and Larry Fitzgerald’s reaction to an extra NFL preseason game. Video: azcentral sports
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USA TODAY Sports’ Nate Davis gives us his top five picks of the 2017 NFL draft.
USA TODAY Sports
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Not everyone is happy that ex-Cardinals WR Michael Floyd, who was waived by the Cardinals three days after an arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence, is a Super Bowl champion. Video: azcentral sports
Wochit
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Arizona Cardinals’ Larry Fitzgerald skates for the first time with Arizona Coyotes’ Shane Doan. (Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports)
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Third time is the charm for former Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner, as he and four others were inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Feb. 4, 2017. Hannah Gaber/azcentral.com
Wochit
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Atlanta and New England will face off in Houston after winning the NFC and AFC championships, respectively.
USA TODAY Sports
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Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Mike Iupati talks about his experiences of growing up fishing on a small island. Video: Michael Chow and David Wallace/azcentral sports
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Arizona Cardinals safety Tony Jefferson is also an impersonator, and, was once haunted by a ghost. Video: Michael Chow and David Wallace/azcentral sports
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Arizona Cardinals linebacker Kevin Minter sits down with Steve Benson of The Republic, and admits a weak spot for good food. Video: Michael Chow and David Wallace/azcentral sports
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Cardinals players reflect on the 2016 season as they clear out their lockers on Monday. Nick Oza/ azcentral sports
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Cardinals Insider Kent Somers says Bruce Arians is high on younger backups who got a chance to play last week. Michael Chow/azcentral sports
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Here’s a look at some of the top underclassmen planning on entering the 2017 NFL Draft.
USA TODAY Sports
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A time-lapse view from field level during the pre-game introductions for the Arizona Cardinals: Video: David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports
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Watch video of the Cardinals field rolling into University of Phoenix Stadium before the start of the first practice of the 2016 training camp. Video by Patrick Breen/azcentral sports
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Cardinals’ Arians talks free agency and draft
Cardinals GM Keim on draft’s QBs
NFL votes on Raiders move, rule changes coming soon
Shot Clock: Which QB do Cardinals draft?
USA Baseball, Trubisky to Cards, Kurt Warner’s stolen jersey
Kirk Cousins says he did not demand trade from Redskins
The issue with Colin Kaepernick
Phil Dawson talks about joining Cardinals
NFL free agency and how it affects the Arizona Cardinals
Reports: Texans trade QB Brock Osweiler to Browns with second-round pick
Tony Romo says goodbye to Cowboys fans
Report: Kirk Cousins asked Dan Snyder to trade him
Shot Clock: Key issues for Cardinals in NFL free agency
NFL Scouting Combine: Quarterbacks show off their skills
Deshaun Watson says it’d be awesome to learn from a veteran NFL quarterback
Patrick Mahomes: I’m a competitor and I want to play
NFL Scouting Combine: Teams looking for quarterbacks
John Ross runs fastest 40-yard dash ever at NFL Combine
Washington Huskies receiver John Ross on his versatility
NFL scouting combine: 49ers high on Kizer
Shot Clock: NBA MVP debate, Cardinals DBs
Cardinals GM Steve Keim on combine process, free agency
Arians on finding quarterback of the future
Shot Clock: Tough free agency decisions looming for Cardinals
NFL mock draft: How will top 5 picks shake out?
Michael Floyd’s message for his critics
Arizona Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald skates for the first time with Shane Doan
Kurt Warner inducted to Pro Football Hall of Fame
Falcons and Patriots advance to Super Bowl LI
On the drawing board: Cardinals lineman Mike Iupati
On the drawing board: Tony Jefferson of the Arizona Cardinals
On the drawing board: Cardinals linebacker Kevin Minter
Cardinals players clear out lockers, reflect on season
Cardinals looking to play several younger backups
Top underclassmen entering the NFL draft early
Time-lapse: On the field during pre-game festivities
Grass field rolls in at University of Phoenix Stadium
The NFL Network reported Cardinals worked out Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes on Thursday. That’s not surprising since the Cardinals are likely to have private workouts with most, if not all, of the top quarterback prospects.
The team can glean more information from private workouts than from a school’s pro day, General Manager Steve Keim said.
“I would stray away from pro days if I could,” said Keim. “They’ve become so big that you don’t have the individual attention you need. You’re wasting some time.”
The most important part of the private workouts is not even the workout, Arians said. Arm strength and accuracy can be seen on video. What Arians wants to know is how quickly the quarterback can learn and how much information he can retain.
RELATED: Keim: Free agent losses sign of a healthy team
“I think it’s huge on guys you don’t have a real good feel for,” Arians said. “You want to get them on the blackboard, see them answer questions, recite information.”
The Cardinals are searching for Carson Palmer’s eventual replacement and are expected to draft a quarterback next month.
“I think there are five or six really good arms in this draft,” Arians said. “Whether there are five or six quarterbacks, that’s what we have to find out. I’m feeling more and more there are a couple of sleepers who, because of their offenses, didn’t show as much as they are capable of.”
The corner market
For the second consecutive year, the Cardinals aren’t sure who will be starting at cornerback opposite of Patrick Peterson.
In 2016, the Cardinals let Jerraud Powers leave via free agency. This year, they watched Marcus Cooper leave for the Bears.
The main contenders for the job on the current roster are Brandon Williams and Justin Bethel. Both struggled at times in 2016. Williams’ problem was inexperience. A third-round pick last year, Williams played cornerback just one season in college.
Bethel was hindered by a foot injury most of the season.
BICKLEY: Cardinals facing NFL draft dilemma
“Brandon is ready,” Arians said. “Justin will be much, much better.”
The upcoming draft is deep in cornerbacks, too, Arians said.
“I don’t think we need a starter, but we’ll need a quality player who can help us on special teams.”
Paying Gresham
Tight end Jermaine Gresham hasn’t made a Pro Bowl since the 2012 season, and Pro Football Focus ranked him as the NFL’s 59th best tight end last season.
The Cardinals, however, value Gresham highly. They proved that by signing him earlier this month to a four-year deal that includes $13 million fully guaranteed.
“There have been years when I felt like some people might have identified us as a finesse team,” Keim said. “I feel like in the last couple years we’ve been able to line up toe to toe and run the football against anybody. And Jermaine Gresham is one of the primary reasons. To me, he is one of the best blocking tight ends in the NFL.”
In 2014, the year before Gresham arrived, the Cardinals averaged 81.8 rushing yards a game, 31st in the NFL.
In 2015, Gresham’s first season, the Cardinals were eighth with a 119.8-yard average and last year were 18th with a 108.3-yard average.
Gresham is not the only reason for the improvement, but the Cardinals obviously think he played a big role.
Good player, wrong team
The Cardinals opted to sign veteran kicker Phil Dawson rather than attempt to re-sign Chandler Catanzaro.
Catanzaro, who missed some clutch kicks in 2016, signed with the Jets.
“I really believe Chandler Catanzaro will kick in this league for 15 years,” Arians said. “I love Cat. But this team, right now, needs someone like Phil Dawson.”
The Cardinals believe they are built to win now, so they decided they couldn’t risk going through more growing pains with Catanzaro, their kicker the past three years.
Dawson, 42, is entering his 19th NFL season.
“He’s probably the most consistent kicker in the last 10 years,” Arians said.
Arians has known Dawson for years, and the two had a running joke going every time they saw each other.
“When are you coming to the desert?” Arians would ask.
“When are you signing me?” Dawson would reply.
“When you quit asking for $3 million (a year).”
The Cardinals apparently are the ones who blinked, because Dawson’s two-year contract is worth $6 million.
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