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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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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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Somers and McManaman talk Cardinals injuries | 3:02
Cardinals reports Kent Somers and Bob McManaman discuss a growing injury concern after Friday’s practice.
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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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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.
Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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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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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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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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Somers, Bickley discuss Cardinals’ loss to Cowboys | 2:29
azcentral sports’ Kent Somers, Dan Bickley discuss the Cardinals’ loss to Cowboys on Monday night at University of Phoenix Stadium.
Thomas Hawthorne/azcentral sports
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McLellan and McMananan discuss Cardinals loss to Cowboys | 2:34
Summary: It was a failure to execute for the Cardinals.
azcentral sports
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Arians, Palmer and Fitzgerald talk on Cardinals’ loss to Cowboys | 1:23
Bruce Arians, Carson Palmer and Larry Fitzgerald talk on Cardinals loss to Cowboys. Thomas Hawthorne/azcentral
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Kent Somers and Bob McManaman on Cardinals vs. Cowboys | 10:17
The Dallas Cowboys come to Glendale to play the Arizona Cardinals on Monday Night Football. Kent Somers and Bob McManaman from azcentral sports break down the match ups and offer predictions on Monday night’s game.
Thomas Hawthorne/ azcentral sports
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Shot Clock: Anthem, matchup questions surround MNF | 2:01
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Kent Somers discuss the Monday Night Football game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Dallas Cowboys.
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Somers, McManaman preview Cards-Cowboys | 2:50
Cardinals insiders Kent Somers and Bob McManaman preview the Cardinals’ first home game of the season against the Cowboys on Monday night.
Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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Arizona Cardinals Harold Goodwin and James Bettcher on prep for Cowboys | 1:35
Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Harold Goodwin and defensive coordinator James Bettcher talk Friday, September 22, 2017, about the teams preparation for the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night football.
Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Somers wraps up the Cardinals’ preseason finale | 3:00
Cardinals insider Kent Somers breaks down the end of the preseason.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Somers, Bickley discuss Cardinals win over 49ers
Cardinals discuss win over the 49ers
Somers and McManaman talk Cardinals injuries
Deone Bucannon on his return to the field for Cardinals
Somers and McManaman at Cards practice Wednesday
Carson Palmer looks ahead to 49ers
Somers and McManaman on the Cardinals following loss to Cowboys
Arians recaps the Cardinals’ loss to the Cowboys
Somers, Bickley discuss Cardinals’ loss to Cowboys
McLellan and McMananan discuss Cardinals loss to Cowboys
Arians, Palmer and Fitzgerald talk on Cardinals’ loss to Cowboys
Kent Somers and Bob McManaman on Cardinals vs. Cowboys
Shot Clock: Anthem, matchup questions surround MNF
Somers, McManaman preview Cards-Cowboys
Arizona Cardinals Harold Goodwin and James Bettcher on prep for Cowboys
Somers, McManaman report on Wednesday’s practice
David Johnson speaks for first time since injury
Cowboys are coming: don’t sell your tickets!
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
The roof was closed on a steamy October afternoon. So was the window of opportunity in Arizona.
The Cardinals pried it back open with a miracle and a crowbar.
They won an awful football game on Sunday, their second overtime victory of the season. They scored their only touchdown with 32 seconds remaining in the game. They were in danger of being outscored by the 49ers and the Diamondbacks; falling out of contention in the NFC West; and losing a chunk of their fan base in the process.
Somehow, they forged a happy ending.
“I told our guys on Friday that this was the game I wanted to see,” Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians said. “I wanted to see us get in a game that was going to go to the wire and see what we’re made of. I’m really, really pleased to see it.”
Arians doesn’t mind stretching a few truths when necessary, but that’s ridiculous. We’re talking about an old-school coach that loves to light up an opponent and run up the score whenever possible. And this was like putting lipstick on a pigskin, a nauseating festival of field goals and penalty flags. It was a punt, pass and kick competition without the passing yardage.
It was so bad that many Cardinals fans were seen leaving before the start of overtime, and no one could blame them.
Why would any sane coach prefer this kind of struggle?
“Those blowouts don’t help you,” Arians said. “When you play a game like this, it really has a good effect on your football team.”
We’ll see about that.
The savior was Carson Palmer, who absorbed another physical beating and somehow led his team downfield for the victory. His one stupid decision is completely absolved by his clutch performance on the game’s final drive and the courage he displayed behind a patchwork offensive line.
Palmer entered the game having endured a league-high 27 hits. He added 16 more to that total on Sunday and still walked out of the stadium on his own two feet.
The hero was Larry Fitzgerald, who was a non-factor for most of the game and had to plead with his head coach for a little action down the stretch. He was targeted only seven times, which is a Cardinal sin, especially in a game like this.
The amount of empty seats at kickoff was astonishing. I believe it was the boycott of a mediocre football team and not a reaction to these displays of unity during the national anthem. During the game, the stadium was as quiet as it’s ever been during a close game. That’s when you have to feed the ball to Fitzgerald, who can ignite a Valley crowd like no other.
“In critical moments, he’s like, ‘Give me the ball,’” Arians said. “And I say, ‘I’m trying, brother. I’m trying.’”
They weren’t trying hard enough on Sunday, and they should consider that the best kind of lesson learned: the kind that comes without the pain of defeat.
Nevertheless, the ending was nerve-wracking for Cardinals fans. A recovered fumble by the Cardinals’ defense was overturned on replay. A game-winning catch from John Brown was also denied on second glance. And in the end, a tie might’ve been the worst outcome possible for local fans.
After all, a loss would’ve given them a much-needed dose of primal scream therapy, a chance to truly vent their disgust.
But the Cardinals wouldn’t accept a tie or a loss, and the sight of Fitzgerald hauling in a game-winning catch resuscitated some of the waning hope in the Valley.
Fitzgerald has played in over 200 NFL games and scored over 100 touchdowns. Many games have ended with “Larry” chants erupting from a jubilant crowd. Few have ever been more important to the scope of a season in progress.
“He’s the best I’ve ever seen,” Palmer said. “And I’ve seen some real good ones.”
This victory will not do much for civic confidence. The Cardinals have prevailed against two bad teams that still don’t know how to win at the end of close games. At least Arizona has some pride and pedigree left on their aging roster.
Will this victory help them grow, as Arians suggested? Or is it just another sign that injuries and a diminished offense will conspire to make this another long season?
There are plenty of warning signs. But if this 2-2 start ends in a playoff berth, nobody will remember these early victories, when the Cardinals were successful in buying time and nothing else.
“It was great to get a ‘W,’ and we needed it,” Fitzgerald said. “We would like to win some games that don’t come down to the wire maybe once, but we’ll take them.”
Remember, winning means never having to say you’re sorry. It’s one of the NFL’s unwritten rules. But let’s hope the Cardinals are tired of not apologizing. And if they don’t want that window of opportunity to close again in the near future, they better start looking and playing like a real contender.
Cardinals Star Watch: Carson Palmer, Larry Fitzgerald gut it out
Arizona Cardinals report card: Carson Palmer carries offense
Reach Bickley at [email protected] or 602-444-8253. Follow him on twitter.com/dan.bickley. Listen to “Bickley and Marotta” weekdays from 12-2 p.m. on 98.7 Arizona’s Sports Station.
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