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Arizona Cardinals
Peyton Manning made a stop in Arizona during his "I am a Hall of Fame quarterback who needs a job" tour of America. The Cardinals seem to be quite interested in Manning, and have reportedly emerged as favorites to sign him, along with the Denver Broncos. Manning is clearly better than both Kevin Kolb (who has an option bonus coming up soon that the Cardinals need to make a decision on) and Tim Tebow (who is still under contract), but will he end up taking either quarterback's job?
A better fit?
Don't get all excited; this is only a clever Photoshop job. Peyton Manning hasn't signed with the Broncos or anybody just yet.
Tebow or Kolb?
Kevin Kolb's season ended a bit early, but the Cardinals seemed mostly satisfied with his performance after a rough start. Tim Tebow's season, of course, needs no further explanation.
Tebow's future?
Tebow, unlike Kolb, is still under contract for next season, and his miracle run in 2011 would leave the Broncos in a bit of an awkward position if they sign Manning.
The Panthers may not have won yesterday's contest against the Cardinals, but Cam Newton gave Carolina fans no small amount of hope with his debut performance. Newton threw for 422 yards and two touchdowns against one interception, connecting with Steve Smith on both of his TDs. He wasn't able to get in the end zone in the final seconds, but is this really a knock against the rest of his stellar performance?
- "Congratulations, you threw for a bunch of yards against the worst pass defense in the league. And still lost. Plenty of QB's rack up huge yardage when constantly playing from behind. " -- SN commenter jjb5mvp
- "Cam played a great game yesterday. For a rookie to come and play that way it is astonishing. Carolina needs to sure up that D and get the running game on track. Nice job Cam. " -- SN commenter trvlngman03
Is Newton a flash in the pan?
Newton's sample size of games played so far is one, and the Cardinals aren't known for having an exceptional pass defense, but 422 yards is 422 yards. Hard to argue with results.
Will the Panthers win?
Anything more than two wins this year would be an improvement for Carolina, but Newton's performance may have given Panthers fans more than a scintilla of hope.
The first game of the NFL season kicks off in a little more than 24 hours, and we'd be lying if we said we weren't at least a little excited. Pro football can be a messy affair at times -- see the entire labor battle during the offseason -- but it's a glorious sport at its heart. Most every team's fan base has something to look forward to this weekend, although Colts fans may be dreading a future without Peyton Manning after the news that he'll miss at least his first game with a neck injury.
- Rank: Is Peyton Manning still in the MVP race? | Which are football's best teams?
- Vote: Which teams are the favorite to win each division?
Best game?
There are a lot of good matchups in Week 1 of the NFL's 2011 regular season. Steelers-Ravens, for example, could be a preview of a future AFC playoff game.
Colts without Manning?
Peyton Manning is out for an undetermined amount of time. This could be a prime opportunity for other teams to break Indianapolis' stranglehold on the AFC South.
AFC East
The Patriots responded to their 14-2 record last season by signing or trading for several marquee names. Are they good enough to beat the Jets?
AFC North
The Steelers fell just short of winning the Super Bowl last season, as their vaunted defense wasn't able to stop Aaron Rodgers and the Packers.
AFC South
Peyton Manning took a pay cut in order for the Colts to keep some of their key players, but is it enough for Indianapolis to win the AFC South?
AFC West
There's a brewing quarterback controversy in Denver, with Kyle Orton delaying the seemingly inevitable succession of Tim Tebow to the starting job. Can the Broncos compete with Orton?
NFC East
The Eagles made a number of humongous moves this offseason, including trading Kevin Kolb and signing Nnamdi Asomugha. Are they the team to beat in the NFC East?
NFC North
Aaron Rodgers led the Packers on an incredible run to a Super Bowl title last year. Are they the favorites in the NFC North once again?
NFC South
The Saints looked to make another deep run at a Super Bowl, but were stunned by the lowly Seahawks. Are they still an elite team?
NFC West
Speaking of the Seahawks, they won the NFC West despite a 7-9 record. Will they sneak into the playoffs once more?
Kevin Kolb might have been the best quarterback in the league who wasn't a starter. Given that the QBs ahead of him were Donovan McNabb and Michael Vick, he didn't get much of a chance to strut his stuff in Philadelphia. Now, however, he'll finally be the focus of an offense, as the Arizona Cardinals traded for him in exchange for Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a second-round pick. Will Kolb finally live up to his enormous potential?
- "Kolb was playing with the Eagles, a well oiled machine who has proven success overcoming adversity. He is now heading to one hit wonder Arizona where he will have to become "Montana" in order to get that ship moving. This may be a trap for him." -- SN commenter jrcomo35713
More moves: Donovan McNabb | Albert Haynesworth | Sidney Rice | Santonio Holmes | Matt Hasselbeck | Johnathan Joseph | Reggie Bush
How good is Kevin Kolb?
Kolb hasn't had much chance to prove his worth in his short career, but he's played well in limited time. Did Arizona snag a potential Pro Bowler?
Is he worth the money?
Kolb is expected to sign a contract worth $63 million over five years, with $22 million guaranteed. Is this a fair deal?
Which team won the trade?
The Eagles had the best backup QB in the game, but now they have a potential impact player in the secondary and a high-round draft pick.
Kolb or Vick?
The QB controversy in Philadelphia is long past, but could Kolb win the debate over the next few years?
We can understand if you don't want to take the time to grade your tech-support help on the other end of the telephone, but when we're talking about the dollars and emotion you've invested in sports, we think it's worth the effort. It's time for ESPN The Magazine's Ultimate Standings, in which SportsNation grades organizations on everything from ticket prices and stadium experience to the talent on the field, court or rink. Which team will end up on top this year? It depends on what you say.
Take part in the 2011 MLB survey
2010 MLB Ultimate Standings
1. Los Angeles Angels (Overall: No. 3)
2. Tampa Bay Rays (Overall: No. 6)
3. Colorado Rockies (Overall: No. 13)
4. Minnesota Twins (Overall: No. 14)
5. Atlanta Braves (Overall: No. 15)
Take part in the 2011 NFL survey
2010 NFL Ultimate Standings
1. New Orleans Saints (Overall: No. 1)
2. Indianapolis Colts (Overall: No. 4)
3. Green Bay Packers (Overall: No. 9)
4. Arizona Cardinals (Overall: No. 19)
5. Baltimore Ravens (Overall: No. 20)
Take part in the 2011 NBA survey
2010 NBA Ultimate Standings
1. Orlando Magic (Overall: No. 2)
2. San Antonio Spurs (Overall: No. 7)
3. Cleveland Cavaliers (Overall: No. 10)
4. Dallas Mavericks (Overall: No. 24)
5. Oklahoma City Thunder (Overall: No. 25)
Take part in the 2011 NHL survey
2010 NHL Ultimate Standings
1. Pittsburgh Penguins (Overall: No. 5)
2. Detroit Red Wings (Overall: No. 8)
3. Washington Capitals (Overall: No. 11)
4. San Jose Sharks (Overall: No. 12)
5. Chicago Blackhawks (Overall: No. 16)
The NFC West was its usual underwhelming self this season -- really, not much else needs to be said save for the fact that the top two teams in the division were both 7-9. The Seahawks ended up at the head of this motley crew, but that's not a terribly impressive accomplishment. What grade would you give each team in the NFC West? Cast your vote now!
AFC Grades: East | North | South | West | NFC Grades: East | North | South
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals have struggled to find a decent quarterback since Kurt Warner retired. They didn't find the answer at QB this season.
San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco was the pick to win the NFC West in some circles, but their general haplessness led to Mike Singletary's in-season firing.
St. Louis Rams
The Rams were a "good" bad team in Sam Bra dford's first season -- a losing squad that showed flashes of excellence.
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks were a much different team at home than on the road -- 5-3 as opposed to 2-6. Not great, but enough to win the NFC West.
- Rank 'Em What will the order of finish be in the NFC West this season?
- More NFC Rank 'Em: East | North | South AFC Rank 'Em: East | North | South | West
It seemed within the realm of probability that a quarterback with ties to the Arizona Cardinals would fall flat on his face this fall, but to be honest, our money was on "Dancing with the Stars" neophyte Kurt Warner. Instead, Matt Leinart came metaphorically crashing to terra firma by losing the starting job in Arizona before the end of August. That worked out pretty well the last time it happened in the desert, but Derek Anderson doesn't appear to be the second coming of Warner.
While the Cardinals ponder whether to keep the former first-round pick of send him packing, SportsNation blogger 3rdStoneFromTheSun says a fresh start won't help Leinart.
- "Leinart was known as the pretty boy in college, a guy who some were trying to put in the category of future Hall of Famer Tom Brady as far as good looks combined with winning games. ... Unfortunately, like many Heisman winners, his game soon was shown to not have what it takes to be an effective NFL player, even in the modern where rules are heavily slanted to the quarterbacks favor. Some will say his party boy attitude early in his career derailed his progress, but the real reasons run deeper. ...
"Leinart wants a reason, and perhaps the truth will set him free. He was an overrated, overhyped college athlete surrounded by immensely talented teammates. The best comparison to him might be Todd Marinovich, a weak armed lefty drafted in the first round by the Los Angeles Raiders in the 1991 draft." -- Check out 3rdStoneFromTheSun's blog
Dave (AZ)
what do you make of this QB situation in Arizona?
Scouts Inc.'s Gary Horton
You've had so long to look at this guy. He's not an unknown. You've been around Matt Leinart for 3-4 years now. The reasons that we think he was benched was his demeanor, body language, command of the huddle, etc. These are all things that the coaches have been around for years. So, why now? Even though he had a statistically strong game this weekend.
Whisenhunt said he doesn't judge a QB by stats. This might just be a clash of personalities. You have a coach that comes from the Pittsburgh mentality and a QB from L.A. and Hollywood. That might be oversimplifying, but I don't know how you can turn this thing upside down two weeks from the opener. If I'm in Arizona right now, I have no idea what to do at the QB position. I don't believe in Derek Anderson over the long term. But I get the feeling that the coaches aren't sold on Leinart. They better hope to run the football and not ask the QB to win the game right now.
I will say one last time, if you weren't comfortable with Leinart, why didn't you make that determination a long time ago? Full transcript
It's just like the census, only this one is fun and doesn't come in the mail. And nobody from FOX News or MSNBC will yell at you about it. It's time for ESPN The Magazine's Ultimate Standings, in which SportsNation grades organizations on everything from ticket prices and stadium experience to the talent on the field, court or rink. Which team will end up on top this year? It depends on what you say.
Take part in the 2010 MLB survey
2009 MLB Ultimate Standings
1. Los Angeles Angels (Overall: No. 1)
2. Milwaukee Brewers (Overall: No. 7)
3. Tampa Bay Rays (Overall: No. 16)
4. Minnesota Twins (Overall: No. 23)
5. Philadelphia Phillies (Overall: No. 24)
Take part in the 2010 NFL survey
2009 NFL Ultimate Standings
1. Pittsburgh Steelers (Overall: No. 3)
2. Green Bay Packers (Overall: No. 13)
3. Indianapolis Colts (Overall: No. 14)
4. Tennessee Titans (Overall: No. 15)
5. New England Patriots (Overall: No. 19)
Take part in the 2010 NBA survey
2009 NBA Ultimate Standings
1. Cleveland Cavaliers (Overall: No. 5)
2. San Antonio Spurs (Overall: No. 9)
3. New Orleans Hornets (Overall: No. 12)
4. Houston Rockets (Overall: No. 17)
5. Orlando Magic (Overall: No. 18)
Take part in the 2010 NHL survey
2009 NHL Ultimate Standings
1. Carolina Hurricanes (Overall: No. 2)
2. Detroit Red Wings (Overall: No. 4)
3. Washington Capitals (Overall: No. 6)
4. Pittsburgh Penguins (Overall: No. 8)
5. St. Louis Blues (Overall: No. 10)
Not many people can pull off a neck beard and successfully play quarterback in the National Football League. Actually, let's reword that: Not many people can pull off a neck beard, period. As Dr. Aaron Perlut (a friend of SportsNation) would put it, beards are compromises for those not committed enough to wearing a mustache.
Obviously, Dr. Perlut has never met Kyle Orton. He's been able to do both quite well in the past year, heading a surprisingly competitive Broncos squad and rocking a thick and extensive beard. The Broncos don't seem to be totally confident in him, however, as they've acquired clean-shaven Brady Quinn as a backup plan. Sure, Orton is starting now, but how long will that last? For certain, he can sympathize with Marion Barber (soul patch), Flozell Adams (mustache/beard combo) and Matt Leinart (stubble). One day, you've got a starting position and a full beard -- the next, nothing. At least Orton can take solace in the fact that SportsNation sees him as the starter for the majority of the Broncos' games this season. Is that the right choice?
“Look Orton wasn't the total problem with this team, his numbers speaks for themselves...had the running game been a lil better and the D played a lil better no one would have questioned Orton ability...I think his arm decent to throw downfield had McDaniels allowed him too (see Redskins game to Marshall). Quinn is only an upgrade of Simms who stunk and looked terrified to be out there.
” -- lbmore33
“Do it. Jones starting, Barber closing. ...don't forget to use Choice.
” -- blueliner2k3
“Flozell is a cheap-shot tackle who only gets by on his garbage tricks. He cannot handle the better ends in the league. You will not win with his blocking.
” -- sauce1977
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