Arizona Cardinals Football Club Game Release Sunday, September 13, :15 PM (MST)

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1 Arizona Cardinals Football Club Game Release Game 1 Sunday, September 13, :15 PM (MST) ARIZONA CARDINALS (9-7 in 2008) THE COACHES Ken Whisenhunt Mike Singletary Overall Record Regular Season Record Playoff Record rd Years as Head Coach in NFL 2 nd 3 rd Years with team 2 nd BROADCAST INFORMATION TELEVISION Network: FOX Play-by-Play: Sam Rosen Analyst: Tim Ryan Sideline: Nischelle Turner THIS WEEK S GAME Almost eight months after defeating the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game, the Cardinals return to University of Phoenix Stadium to open the 2009 regular season vs. the San Francisco 49ers. The Cards will commemorate that feat by raising the conference champion banner prior to kickoff on Sunday. This year marks the fourth consecutive season the Cardinals face the 49ers in the opener, but it s just the second time since moving to Arizona in 1988 that the team has a home game in week 1. The other was the inaugural regular season game at University of Phoenix Stadium in 06 when the Cards also hosted the 49ers. Because of the early season heat in AZ, the NFL schedule makers always put the Cards on the road in week 1 and often for the first two games. The Cardinals won both meetings vs. San Fran in 08, allowing the Cardinals to finish 9-7 and capture the NFC West crown. Arizona was one of two NFL teams (Pittsburgh) to go undefeated in division play which helped the Cards capture their first division title since 1975 and advance to Super Bowl XLIII. In two seasons at University of Phoenix Stadium under head coach Ken Whisenhunt, the team s 14-4 mark (including playoffs) is the best in the NFC as is their 28.9 points per game scoring average at home. CARDINALS RADIO Flagship: 92.3 KTAR (FM) Play-by-Play: Dave Pasch Analyst: Ron Wolfley Sideline: Paul Calvisi WESTWOOD ONE CARDINALS SPANISH RADIO Play-by-Play: Kevin Kugler Flagship: KMIA 710 AM Analyst: Mark Malone Play-by-Play: Gabriel Trujillo Analyst: Rolando Cantu vs. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (7-9 in 2008) University of Phoenix Stadium ARIZONA CARDINALS 2009 SEASON SCHEDULE Regular Season Sun., Sep. 13 SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS 1:15 PM Sun., Sep. Jacksonville Jaguars 10:00 AM Sun., Sep. 27 INDIANAPOLIS COLTS & 5:20 PM Sun., Oct. 4 BYE Sun., Oct. 11 HOUSTON TEXANS 1:15 PM Sun., Oct. Seattle Seahawks 1:05 PM Sun., Oct. New York Giants & 5:20 PM Sun., Nov. 1 CAROLINA PANTHERS 2:15 PM Sun., Nov. Chicago Bears 11:00 AM Sun., Nov. 15 SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 2:15 PM Sun., Nov. St. Louis Rams* 2:05 PM Sun., Nov. Tennessee Titans* Sun., Dec. 6 MINNESOTA VIKINGS* 2:15 PM Mon., Dec. San Francisco 49ers # 6:30 PM Sun., Dec. Detroit Lions* 11:00 AM Sun., Dec. 27 ST. LOUIS RAMS* 2:05 PM Sun., Jan. 3 GREEN BAY PACKERS* 2:15 PM # Monday night on ESPN & Sunday night on NBC * Subject to flexible scheduling decisions 2008 NFC WEST STANDINGS The Cardinals won their first NFC West title in 2008, finishing the season with a perfect 6-0 record in the division. The Cardinals joined the Pittsburgh Steelers as the only teams to go undefeated in their division in Arizona has a seven-game win streak in NFC West play heading into the regular season opener this week vs. San Francisco. Team W L PF PA Hm Road Div Arizona San Francisco Seattle St. Louis Mark Dalton Vice President, Media Relations Mike Helm Media Relations Coordinator mdalton@cardinals.nfl.net 602/ mhelm@cardinals.nfl.net 602/ Chris Melvin Media Relations Manager Nate LoCascio Media Relations Assistant cmelvin@cardinals.nfl.net 602/ nlocascio@cardinals.nfl.net 602/ S. Hardy Drive, Tempe, AZ Phone: Fax:

2 4 CARDINALS & 49ERS IN 2008 REGULAR SEASON CARDINALS CATEGORY 49ERS 9-7 Record Points Scored Points Allowed Touchdowns Scored Touchdowns Allowed Rushing TDs Passing TDs 21 6 Return TDs 5 13 Rushing TDs Allowed Passing TDs Allowed 22 3 Return TDs Allowed 3 28/201 Sacked/Yards Lost 55/345 27/15 Fumbles/Lost 36/16 15 Had Intercepted 19 25/28 Field Goals Made/Attempted 29/ Total Yards Per Game Opp. Total Yards Per Game Rushing Yards Per Game Opp. Rushing Yards Per Game Passing Yards Per Game Opp. Passing Yards Per Game Even Turnover Ratio :09 Average Time of Possession 29:22 4/32/2 NFL Rank-Total Offense/Run/Pass 23/27/13 19/16/22 NFL Rank-Total Defense/Run/Pass 13/13t/20 1/6 2-Point Conversions Next Week vs. Sea THE SERIES The Cardinals and 49ers have met 35 times dating back to 1951 with the 49ers holding a lead in the series. Since the Cardinals joined the NFC West prior to the 2002 season, the teams have met twice annually with the series tied at seven games apiece. This week s game marks the fourth consecutive season that the Cardinals begin regular season play against the 49ers. SERIES NOTES Overall Regular Season Series: Cardinals at home vs. SF: 8-8 Cardinals last win: 11/10/08, vs. SF First Meeting: 11/18/51, W, SF Last Meeting: 11/10/08, W, vs. SF Last 10 Meetings Date Site Result Nov. 10, 2008 Arizona W, Sept. 7, 2008 San Francisco W, Nov. 25, 2007 Arizona L, OT Sept. 10, 2007 San Francisco L, Dec. 24, 2006 San Francisco W, Sept. 10, 2006 Arizona W, Dec. 4, 2005 San Francisco W, Oct. 2, 2005 Mexico City W, Dec. 12, 2004 Arizona L, OT Oct. 10, 2004 San Francisco L, OT FOLLOWING UP SUCCESS After the success of the 2008 season for the Cardinals, now comes the expectations that come along with an NFC title and Super Bowl appearance. The Cardinals, led by head coach Ken Whisenhunt, are looking to sustain the style of play exhibited in the playoffs, a style that led to unprecedented success for the franchise. For Whisenhunt, the key to another successful season is to sustain the momentum seized in the 2008 playoffs. Heading into training camp, Whisenhunt talked about what the Cardinals need to do this season if they are going to repeat as NFC West Champions. What we have to do is we have to continue to work the way we finished last season, Whisenhunt said. Obviously we didn t win the Super Bowl so we don t have any laurels to rest on. But we can t think that we can just snap our fingers and we will magically be that team that played in the playoffs. Quarterback Kurt Warner summed up the high expectations that the players have for the current season after falling just seconds short of a Super Bowl title. Now that we have set the bar where we ve set it, that is the expectation and everything else is failure. For Whisenhunt and the Cardinals, they enter the season with a target on their backs, placed there during their Super Bowl run. Returning to the playoffs, Whisenhunt knows, will be a matter of working hard and not resting on last season s success. The reason we became that team was because of the work we put in. That s the biggest thing we have to understand. Nothing is certainly going to be given to us. We have to get back to that level of play. RESUME BUILDS FOR THE WHIZ Head coach Ken Whisenhunt has had an impressive run in his first two years with the Cardinals. Below are some of the highlights from Whisenhunt s tenure so far: Led the Cardinals to their first-ever Super Bowl appearance and more wins in a single season (12) than any coach in franchise history. Whisenhunt s 20 wins in his first two seasons as head coach are the most in franchise history for any head coach in his first two campaigns. The Cardinals won their first Divisional Playoff game in franchise history in 08. Heading into the game against the Panthers, the Cardinals were 0-3 in Divisional Playoff games. It was also just the second road win in franchise playoff history. The Cardinals win over the Atlanta Falcons in the Wild Card Game was the first playoff victory for the Cardinals since the 1998 season and was the first home playoff victory in 61 years. Under Whisenhunt, the Cardinals won their first division title since With the win over Seattle in the 2008 regular season finale, the Cardinals finished the 2008 regular season with a 9-7 record, matching their best regular season record since the franchise moved to Arizona in They previously went 9-7 in 1998, the last season they made the playoffs. The Cardinals have posted a 6-2 home record in each of the last two regular seasons. That 12-4 record is #1 in the NFC and second in the NFL behind only Pittsburgh and New England (13-3). The team has also averaged 28.9 points per home game in that two-year span, #1 in the NFC and third in the NFL behind New England (29.8) and San Diego (29.1). Cardinals vs. 49ers 2 of 29

3 CARDINALS & 49ERS IN 2008 CARDINALS 23, 49ers 13 September 7, 2008 Candlestick Park (67,186) The Cardinals opened the season with a 10-point victory at San Fran. It was the team s first week one road win since Combined with Seattle & St. Louis losses it also gave Arizona sole possession of first place in the NFC West. The Cardinals opening drive reached the SF 7 before a 25-yard Neil Rackers FG gave them an early lead. On the 2 nd play of the next series, FB Zak Keasey caught a pass from J. T. O Sullivan but DT Darnell Dockett forced a fumble that LB Karlos Dansby recovered at the SF 11. The drive reached the 2 but a personal foul on LT Mike Gandy backed it up and Rackers missed from 35. The Niners then moved quickly into AZ territory and Frank Gore put San Fran ahead with a 41-yard TD run. The next San Fran drive ended when SS Adrian Wilson INT d O Sullivan and returned the pick to the SF 33 but the Cards were forced to punt. Early in the 2 nd quarter, AZ faced a 3 rd -n-7 when Warner hit WR Steve Breaston with a 40-yard completion to the 1. On the next play he lofted a ball to the corner that Larry Fitzgerald snared for a TD. The next SF drive again ended with a turnover when Bertrand Berry stripped O Sullivan and Antonio Smith recovered but the ensuing drive ended with a punt. The Niners then tied it late in the 2 nd on a 39-yard Joe Nedney FG. Despite a 3-0 edge in takeaways and a decisive AZ advantage in field position, the game was tied at the half. Because they deferred on the opening coin flip, AZ got the ball to start the 3 rd quarter. Thanks to a pass heavy attack (including 3-47 to Boldin) the Cards took the lead on a 31-yard Rackers FG. Rackers then pooched the kickoff to the SF 33 where LB Takeo Spikes muffed it and Matt Ware recovered. The drive penetrated the red zone and on a 3 rd -n-4 pass from the 5, Warner s completion to Breaston was originally spotted at the 2 but a Cardinal challenge moved it inside the 1, though still shy of a first. On 4 th -n-inches, rookie RB Tim Hightower scored his 1 st career TD and gave AZ a lead. As a result of the 2 drives, AZ was able to chew up 11:03 before the Niners offense re-took the field. When they did, SF moved 60 yards in 13 plays and Nedney hit a 30-yard FG that made it with 12:05 to play. That s when the Cardinals were able to put the game out of reach with a sustained 18-play drive that consumed 10:08 and ended with a 30-yard Rackers FG. San Fran s next play from scrimmage saw LaBoy pull the hat trick on O Sullivan with a sack, forced fumble and recovery. CARDINALS ERS Team Qtr. Time Scoring Play Drive Score CARDS 1 11:06 Rackers 25-yard FG 7-33, 2: ers 1 6:00 Gore 41-yard run (Nedney kick) 5-75, 2: CARDS 2 10:25 Fitzgerald 1-yard pass from Warner (Rackers kick) 6-58, 2: ers 2 1:52 Nedney 39-yard FG 9-69, 4: CARDS 3 8:25 Rackers 31-yard FG 15-65, 6: CARDS 3 4:03 Hightower 2-yard run (Rackers kick) 8-33, 4: ers 4 12:05 Nedney 30-yard FG 13-60, 6: CARDS 4 1:57 Rackers 30-yard FG 18:62, 10: CARDINALS 29, 49ers 24 November 10, 2008 University of Phoenix Stadium (64,519) In a Monday night nail-biter, Arizona improved to 6-3 and extended its division lead to 4 games over the 3 other NFC West teams with a home victory over the Niners. Arizona trailed from the get-go after Allen Rossum returned the opening kickoff 104 yards for a TD. Behind another exceptional effort from Kurt Warner, the Cards stayed close and took their first lead with 4:16 to play when a Karlos Dansby INT set-up Anquan Boldin s 2 nd TD of the night (10 th of the year). Still the Cards had to withstand a pair of threats from the 49ers and did not seal it until a goal-line stop on the game s final play. After the Rossum score, the Cards moved to the SF10 but settled for a 28-yard Neil Rackers FG. Early in the 2 nd, a 31-yard Shaun Hill-to-Josh Morgan TD gave SF a 14-3 lead. AZ responded by moving 78 yards in 4 plays including consecutive completions of 18 & 46 yards to Steve Breaston. The drive ended with Warner s 13-yard TD pass to Boldin, who extended his streak of games with a TD to a club record 6 games. A 33-yard Rackers FG made it but with 0:29 left in the half, Hill hit Vernon Davis for an 18-yard TD on 3 rd -n-11. The Cards opened the 3 rd quarter with a 7-play, 61-yard drive that ended with a gamble. On 4 th -n- 1 at the 5, Warner hit Fitzgerald with a TD that cut it to 1. The 49ers faced a similar decision on their next drive with a 4 th -n-1 at the AZ24 and kicked a 41-yard Joe Nedney FG that made it Late in the 3 rd, the Cards appeared to take the lead when FS Antrel Rolle picked off Hill and returned it for a TD. However, the play was wiped out by a neutral zone infraction called on Adrian Wilson. Two plays later, a blitzing Wilson forced a Hill fumble that Clark Haggans recovered at the SF 10. The Cards could only turn it into a FG that cut the SF lead to However, when Dansby picked Hill with a little over 5:00 to go and returned it 34 yards to the 5, it set the Cards up for their first lead. Warner s 4- yard TD pass to Boldin put AZ up (2-point try failed). The gritty Niners responded by moving to the Cards 18 but Wilson again snuffed the drive with a diving INT of a Hill shovel pass. When the AZ offense went 3-n-out, SF took over at the AZ 42 with 1:06 left after the punt (no timeouts). Three straight passes to Jason Hill quickly moved it downfield, including the final one of 14 yards that took it to the 1. In the final frenetic seconds, SF stopped the clock with a spike before Frank Gore ran for minus-1 on a play that was reviewed and upheld. After the review, SF had 0:04 left with the ball on the 2 when Michael Robinson was stuffed by Haggans and others to preserve the win. 49ERS CARDINALS Team Qtr. Time Scoring Play Drive Score 49ers 1 14:48 Rossum 104-yard kickoff return (Nedney kick) CARDS 1 9:46 Rackers 28-yard FG 9-65, 5: ers 2 14:13 Morgan 31-yard pass from Hill (Nedney kick) 3-55, 1: CARDS 2 11:48 Boldin 13-yard pass from Warner (Rackers kick) 4-78, 2: CARDS 2 4:41 Rackers 33-yard FG 12-65, 5: ers 2 0:29 Davis 18-yard pass from Hill (Nedney kick) 14-77, 4: CARDS 3 11:37 Fitzgerald 5-yard pass from Warner (Rackers kick) 7-61, 3: ers 3 7:02 Nedney 41-yard FG 9-33, 4: CARDS 4 14:33 Rackers 23-yard FG 4-5, 1: CARDS 4 4:16 Boldin 4-yard pass from Warner (pass failed) 2-5, 0: STATISTICS AZ SF First Downs Rushes-Yards Net Passing Yards Total Net Yards Passing (A-C-I) Sacked by Opp Punts-Average Fumbles-Lost Penalties Time of Possession 37:05 22:56 Weather: Sunny, 70 degrees, 70% humidity, Wind WNW 20 mph. RUSHING CARDS: James ; Hightower 8-13, TD; Warner 5-(-4). 49ers: Gore 14-96, TD; Foster 4-11; O Sullivan 2-1. PASSING CARDS: Warner 19-30, 197 yds, 1 TD, 0 INT. 49ers: O Sullivan 14-20, 195 yds, 0 TD, 1 INT. RECEIVING CARDS: Boldin 8-82; Breaston 3-54; Fitzgerald 3-31, TD; Hightower 3-21; Pope 1-5; Castille ers: Gore 4-55; Davis 3-51; Johnson 3-48; Keasey 2-13; Battle 1-16; Foster STATISTICS SF AZ First Downs Rushes-Yards Net Passing Yards Total Net Yards Passing (A-C-I) Sacked by Opp Punts-Average Fumbles-Lost Penalties Time of Possession 28:23 31:37 Weather: Temp 62 degrees, Humidity 35%, Wind SSW 4 mph RUSHING 49ers: Gore 23-99; Hill 2-12; Robinson 3-8. CARDS: Hightower 13-22; Boldin 3-19; James 2-4; Arrington 1-1. PASSING 49ers: Hill 19-40, 217 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT. CARDS: Warner , 328 yds, 3 TD, 0 INT. RECEIVING 49ers: Hill 7-84; Morgan 4-54, TD; B. Johnson 3-17; Zeigler 1-22; Davis 1-18, TD; Bruce 1-12; Gore 1-6; Walker 1-4. CARDS: Fitzgerald 8-49, TD; Breaston 7-121; Boldin 7-92, 2 TD; Hightower 6-28; Urban Cardinals vs. 49ers 3 of 29

4 RECAPPING THE RUN The Cardinals capped the 2008 season with the most remarkable playoff run in franchise history, one that ended with the team s first-ever Super Bowl appearance. Arizona qualified for the postseason by clinching its first division title since 1975 and the team s first-ever NFC West crown. It was the team s first playoff appearance since 1998 and first home playoff game since The Cardinals started out the season strong, jumping out to a 7-3 record and a three-game lead in their division. The Cardinals won the NFC West behind a perfect 6-0 division record, but stumbled late in the season with losses to Philadelphia, Minnesota and New England. Those losses had some critics questioning whether the Cardinals deserved a playoff berth. Arizona responded by rattling off three impressive postseason wins. Along the way they earned their first-ever Conference Championship and a meeting with the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII As the NFC West Champions, the Cardinals hosted their first playoff game since 1947, defeating Atlanta in the Wild Card round. The Cardinals defense limited the Falcons #2 rushing offense to a season-low 60 rushing yards on 24 attempts. Arizona then traveled to Carolina where they faced the heavily favored Panthers. Carolina was the only NFL team to finish the regular season undefeated at home while Arizona was 0-5 on the east coast. Behind the play of WR Larry Fitzgerald and a defense that forced six turnovers (5 INTs), the Cardinals jumped all over the Panthers, winning In what seemed like an unlikely scenario at the outset of the playoffs, the Cardinals returned home the following week to host the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship game. Arizona won its first-ever conference title by defeating the Eagles after storming out to a 24-6 halftime lead. The Eagles fought back in the second half to take a lead before the Cardinals went on a 14-play fourth quarter drive that ate up 7:52 and resulted in the game-winning TD. With the win, the Cardinals made their first-ever Super Bowl appearance. In front of a record national television audience of million viewers, the Cardinals fell to the Steelers Down 20-7 entering the fourth quarter, the Cardinals made the biggest comeback in Super Bowl history, taking a lead after a 64-yard TD pass from Kurt Warner to Fitzgerald with under 3:00 remaining. Pittsburgh responded with a 78-yard drive that ended with Santonio Holmes tip-toe TD reception and the game s deciding score in one of the most exciting Super Bowls ever played. WHAT THE CARDINALS ACCOMPLISHED IN 2008 The Cardinals recorded 12 wins in 2008, the most in a single-season in franchise history. They won more playoff games in 2008 (3) than they had in their total playoff history (2) entering the season. Including the playoffs, the Cardinals finished 8-2 at University of Phoenix Stadium in 2008, bringing their overall record to 14-4 at home in two seasons under Whisenhunt. The Cardinals finished the regular season by scoring a franchise record 427 points, the third-highest total in the NFL in Their 118 points scored in the postseason were the third-most in playoff history. Arizona finished the regular season with the fourth ranked offense in the NFL and the second ranked passing offense. It marked the third time in the last four seasons that the Cardinals passing offense has been ranked among the league s top five. QB Kurt Warner Was selected to his fourth career Pro Bowl and first since 2001 as a member of the Rams. Threw for 377 yards in Super Bowl XLIII, the second-highest total in Super Bowl history, behind the 414 yards he threw for against Tennessee in Super Bowl XXXIV. He now has the top three passing totals in Super Bowl history, having also thrown for 365 yards against New England in Super Bowl XXXVI. Warner established regular season franchise records for attempts (598), completions (401), completion percentage (67.1), passer rating (96.9), TD passes (30) and consecutive games with a TD pass (22). He also passed for 4,583 yards, the second-highest total in franchise history (Neil Lomax 4,614, 1984). WR Larry Fitzgerald Had one of the best postseasons of any player in NFL history, shattering the NFL record for receiving yards (546), receptions (30), and receiving TDs (7) in a single postseason. For the second consecutive season, led the NFC in both receptions and receiving yards, hauling in 96 receptions for a career-high 1,431 yards. He also established a career-high with 12 TD receptions during the regular season. He tied Detroit s Calvin Johnson for the league lead in TD receptions, finished second in the league in receiving yards and tied for fourth in receptions. Became the youngest receiver in NFL history (25 years, 119 days) to collect 400 career receptions, reaching the milestone vs. the Giants on 11/23/08. He broke the mark previously held by Randy Moss (25 years, 305 days). WR Anquan Boldin Despite missing four games due to injury, caught 89 passes for 1,038 yards and 11 TDs during the regular season, earning his third trip to the Pro Bowl as a starter. His 1,000-yard season was the fourth of his career for the Cardinals, becoming the first receiver in franchise history to accomplish the feat. LB Karlos Dansby For the second consecutive season, led the Cardinals in tackles with a career-high 128 during the regular season. Dansby also led the team in tackles during the postseason, collecting 37 tackles in four playoff games. DT Darnell Dockett With three sacks in Super Bowl XLIII against the Steelers, he tied the NFL record for sacks in a Super Bowl, a record he now shares with Hall of Famer and sack legend Reggie White. He also added six tackles and two tackles for a loss in a dominant Super Bowl performance. Cardinals vs. 49ers 4 of 29

5 DAVIS TAKES OVER DEFENSE The Cardinals did not have to look far to find their new defensive coordinator during the offseason. Former linebackers coach Bill Davis takes over the reins of the defense after the departure of Clancy Pendergast. Davis had been with the Cardinals as the linebackers coach for the last two seasons. Prior to joining Arizona s coaching staff, Davis was the defensive coordinator for the 49ers for two seasons. Now in his 17 th NFL season, Davis has an impressive NFL pedigree. Much like Cardinals Owner Bill Bidwill, President Michael Bidwill, General Manager Rod Graves and Pro Bowl WR Larry Fitzgerald, Davis grew up as a ball boy in the NFL. He did so under such head coaches as Don Shula (Miami) and Dick Vermeil (Philadelphia) as his dad served 13 years in the NFL, including six seasons as Vice President of player personnel for the Cleveland Browns. Davis has coached for seven other NFL teams during his career, including the 49ers ( ), Giants (2004), Falcons ( ), Packers (2000), Browns (1999), Panthers ( ) and Steelers ( ) after beginning his coaching career at Michigan State University in Other coaching moves on the defensive side include Matt Raich being elevated from defensive quality coach to linebackers coach in place of Davis. Raich joined the coaching staff with the arrival of Whisenhunt in Ryan Slowik was hired to replace Raich as the new defensive quality control coach. Slowik was with the Denver Broncos from , serving as defensive assistant, special teams assistant and assistant defensive backs coach. TITLE CHANGES Although the personnel on the field largely remains the same as the 2008 Cardinals team, some changes to the coaching staff did occur in the offseason. The most notable change on the offensive side of the ball was the departure of offensive coordinator Todd Haley, who left to become the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs. His position will be filled by committee, with former wide receivers coach Mike Miller being elevated to passing game coordinator and assistant head coach/offensive line Russ Grimm adding run game coordinator to his duties. Head coach Ken Whisenhunt will call the plays, like he did in his first year with Arizona in For the last two seasons, Miller has overseen a Cardinals wide receiving corps that is among the best in the league. In 2008, Arizona had three receivers reach 1,000 yards on the season. Both Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald earned Pro Bowl nods while Steve Breaston became a 1,000-yard receiver in just his second year in the NFL. Grimm, a member of the famed Hogs offensive line with the Washington Redskins in the 1980 s, has overseen an offensive line that has become one of the best in the NFL at protecting Kurt Warner and the Cardinals formidable passing attack. Other offseason additions to the offensive coaching staff include Curtis Modkins (running backs), Chris Miller (quarterbacks), John McNulty (wide receivers) and Chad Grimm (offensive quality control). PROTECTING THE NEST Including the regular season and playoffs, the Cardinals went 8-2 at University of Phoenix Stadium last season and enter the 2009 season having won 11 of their last 13 games in their home stadium. With sellouts in the first two preseason games this season, Arizona extended it streak of consecutive sellouts to 34 games. A sellout this week against the 49ers would push that number to 35. The Cardinals eight-point loss to the NY Giants on 11/23/08 was their first defeat at home since they lost to the 49ers in overtime on 11/25/07, snapping a seven-game home win streak that was the team s longest since 1925 when they won nine straight. Arizona scored 463 points in their 16 regular season home games between 2007 and Their 28.9 points per game average over that span ranks as the third-highest average in the NFL. Home Scoring Leaders ( ) Team Gms TDs FG Pts PPG New England San Diego Arizona New Orleans Dallas Including their two postseason games in 08, the Cardinals scored 30+ points in seven of their 10 home contests in Below is a look at the results from the Cardinals home games in 2008, including the playoffs. Date Result 9/14/08 vs. Mia W, /5/08 vs. Buf W, /12/08 vs. Dal W, (OT) 11/10/08 vs. SF (MNF) W, /23/08 vs. NYG L, /7/08 vs. StL W, /14/08 vs. Min L, /28/08 vs. Sea W, /3/09 vs. Atl W, /18/09 vs. Phi W, HOME FOR THE OPENER The game against the 49ers this week marks just the second time since moving to Arizona that the Cardinals will start the year at home. It is the fourth consecutive season the Cards have opened with the 49ers, with Arizona going 2-1 in the previous three seasons. The Cardinals 12-4 regular season record at home over the last two seasons is #1 in the NFC and second in the NFL behind only Pittsburgh and New England (13-3). Arizona has averaged 28.9 points per home game in the regular season over that two-year span, #1 in the NFC and third in the NFL behind New England (29.8) and San Diego (29.1). Cardinals vs. 49ers 5 of 29

6 NFC WEST SUCCESS The Cardinals begin the regular season this week, looking towards a repeat as NFC West champs. The last time the Cardinals won back-to-back division titles was in when they repeated as NFC East champions. The Cardinals had unprecedented success in the NFC West in Arizona finished the season with a perfect 6-0 record vs. division opponents and enter the 2009 season having won seven straight division games dating back to the final game of The Cardinals 2008 division performance represents their first perfect season of divisional play. The only other time the Cards went undefeated in their division was in 1968 when they went in their first season in the Century Division (with the Browns, Giants and Steelers). Cardinals in 2008 vs. the NFC West Opponent W/L Score 12/28/08 vs. Sea W /7/08 vs. StL W Sea W /10/08 vs. SF W StL W SF W The Cardinals seven-game winning streak against the NFC West is the longest divisional winning streak for the franchise since winning eight straight in as members of the NFC East. Since 2002, the longest divisional win streak belongs to Seattle, who won 10 consecutive division games between 2004 and A LOOK AT THE SCHEDULE Below is a look at the teams the Cardinals will face during the 2009 regular season and their record in Home 2008 Away 2008 San Francisco 7-9 Jacksonville 5-11 Indianapolis 12-4* Seattle 4-12 Houston 8-8 NY Giants 12-4* Carolina 12-4* Chicago 9-7 Seattle 4-12 St. Louis 2-14 Minnesota 10-6* Tennessee 13-3* St. Louis 2-14 San Francisco 7-9 Green Bay 6-10 Detroit 0-16 *2008 Playoff Team The teams the Cardinals face in 2009 finished last season with a combined regular season record. Aside from their normal NFC West opponents, the Cardinals will play the AFC South and the NFC North. The Cards will also play the Carolina Panthers and New York Giants, who also won their respective divisions in The Cards will face five teams that made the playoffs in 2008: Indianapolis, Carolina, NY Giants, Minnesota and Tennessee. The Cards will face three of those teams on the road. Of the five teams that won at least 12 games during the 2008 regular season, the Cardinals will play four of them: Indianapolis, Carolina, NY Giants and Tennessee. The Cardinals will play four of the eight 2008 division winners: Tennessee, NY Giants, Minnesota and Carolina. HOME IS WHERE THE START IS For just the second time since the Cardinals moved to the Valley in 1988, the team will play at home in the first week of the regular season. The only other time Arizona played a home game in week one was in 2006 against the 49ers, the inaugural season at University of Phoenix Stadium. Not only have the Cardinals had to battle the competitive disadvantage of starting nearly every season on the road, in four seasons the first two games were away and in three other seasons the Cards started the first three games on the road. The Cardinals will play two of their first three games at home for only the third time since moving to the Valley. Not including 2001, when the Cardinals started the season with a bye week and the following week s game was postponed due to the 9/11 tragedy, the only other years the Cardinals started two of three at home were 2003 and How the Cards Started the Season ( ) 2008: 3-of-4 on the road 1994: 2-of-3 on the road 2007: 2-of-3 on the road 1993: 3-of-4 on the road 2006: 2-of-3 at home 1992: 2-of-3 on the road 2005: 2-of-3 on the road 1991: First 3 on the road 2004: 2-of-3 on the road 1990: First 3 on the road 2003: 2-of-3 at home 1989: First 3 on the road 2002: 2 on the road 1988: 2-of-3 on the road 2001: 9/11 tragedy 2000: Away, home, bye 1999: 3-of-4 on the road 1998: 3-of-4 on the road 1997: 2-of-3 on the road 1996: 3-of-4 on the road 1995: 3-of-4 on the road CARDINALS HISTORY WEEK 1 Rushing Last 100-yard game: Cin, Stump Mitchell, 110 yards Most yards: 193, Ottis Anderson, 9/2/79 vs. Dal Two 100-yard rushers: Sea, Jim Otis (140), Terry Metcalf (113) Total 100-yard games: 8 Receiving Last 100-yard game: 9/10/06 vs. SF, Larry Fitzgerald, 133 yards Most yards: 217, Anquan Boldin, Det Two 100-yard receivers: LA Rams, John Gilliam (133), Jackie Smith (102) Total 100-yard games: 17 Most 100-yard games on opening day: 3, David Boston (2000, 2001, 2002) Passing Last 300-yard game: 9/10/06 vs. SF, Kurt Warner, 301 yards Most yards: 383, Charley Johnson, Phi Total 300-yard games: 6 Cardinals vs. 49ers 6 of 29

7 WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN WEEK ONE With a win over the 49ers this week, the Cardinals would have back-to-back season opening victories for the first time since under head coach Don Coryell. Since moving to University of Phoenix Stadium, the Cardinals have not lost a home opener, going 3-0 since With a win against San Francisco the Cardinals would have their eighth consecutive win in divisional play dating back to the final game of the 2007 season. It would be the longest winning streak in divisional play for the Cardinals since when the team won eight consecutive games against NFC East opponents. A win would give the Cardinals their sixth season opening victory since the team moved to Arizona in A win would guarantee the Cardinals a tie for the NFC West lead after week one. The Cardinals would be tied with the winner of the Seahawks-Rams game in Seattle. WR Anquan Boldin needs 84 yards receiving to pass Frank Sanders for fifth place on the franchise career receiving yardage list. Boldin enters the game with 6,496 career receiving yards and Sanders sits at 6,579. WR Larry Fitzgerald needs 25 yards receiving to reach 6,000 career receiving yards. If he reaches it against the 49ers, he will be the second-youngest receiver in NFL history to reach 6,000 yards. At 26 years and 13 days old, Fitzgerald would trail only Randy Moss, who reached the milestone at 25 years and 270 days old. With 100 yards receiving, Fitzgerald would have seven consecutive 100-yard games dating back to the 2008 season and postseason. QB Kurt Warner is 3-0 in opening day starts at home in his career, completing 76-of-116 passes for 1,051 yards, 9 TDs, 5 INTs and a passer rating of in those three starts. With 300 yards passing, Warner would have his 19 th 300- yard game with the Cardinals, tying the franchise record currently held by Neil Lomax. He would also tie Warren Moon for fourth most in NFL history with 49. If RB Tim Hightower rushes for 100 yards it would be the first 100-yard game for an Arizona RB in week one since Stump Mitchell ran for 110 yards on 9/4/88 at Cincinnati. If rookie RB Beanie Wells rushes for 100 yards this week, he would be the first Cardinals rookie to rush for 100 yards in his first NFL game since Ottis Anderson ran for 193 yards in the season opener vs. Dallas on 9/2/79. KEEPING IT CLOSE Since Arizona joined the NFC West in 2002, the rivalry between the Cardinals and 49ers has featured quite a few close games. Of the 14 games between the two teams since 2002, 10 have been decided by seven points or fewer, including six of the last seven. Four of the 14 games have gone into overtime. The series is tied at seven wins apiece since the divisional realignment. In six out of seven years, one team has swept the season series. Arizona has swept the series three times in the last four seasons. COACHING FROM EXPERIENCE This week s game between the Cardinals and the 49ers features two head coaches who played in the NFL before moving into the coaching ranks. Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt and 49ers head coach Mike Singletary have a combined 21 years of experience as players in the NFL. Whisenhunt played nine seasons as a member of the Atlanta Falcons ( ), Washington Redskins ( ) and NY Jets ( ). Singletary is a Hall of Fame defender who played 12 seasons with the Chicago Bears and went to 10 consecutive Pro Bowls. He was named to the NFL team of the 80 s and started in a Bears defensive team record 172 games. Below is a list of the nine current head coaches across the league that have experience as NFL players and the number of years they played. Ken Whisenhunt Cardinals (9) Gary Kubiak Texans (9) Dick Jauron Bills (8) Jack Del Rio Jaguars (11) Mike Singletary 49ers (11) Jim Zorn Redskins (11) Jeff Fisher Titans (5) Sean Payton Saints (1) Tom Cable Raiders (1) Besides Singletary, Whisenhunt will face off against three other coaches will NFL playing experience in Fisher, Kubiak and Del Rio. STARTING STRONG Quarterback Kurt Warner and wide receivers Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald have turned in week one performances that rank in the top three in NFL history on opening weekend. Most Yards Passing Yds Att Comp TD INT Norm Van Brocklin, L.A. Rams vs. N.Y. Yanks, 9/28/ Dan Marino, Miami vs. New England, 9/4/ Kurt Warner, St. Louis vs. Denver, 9/4/ Drew Bledsoe, New England vs. Miami, 9/4/ Glenn Foley, N.Y. Jets vs. San Francisco, 9/6/ Most Yards Receiving Yds Rec LG TD Frank Clarke, Dallas vs. Washington, 9/16/ t 3 Anquan Boldin, Arizona vs. Detroit, 9/7/ t 2 Hugh Taylor, Washington vs. Philadelphia, 9/28/ t 3 Lance Alworth, San Diego vs. Denver, 9/11/ Irving Fryar, Miami vs. New England, 9/4/ t 3 Most Receptions Rec Yds LG TD Andre Rison, Atlanta vs. Detroit, 9/4/ t 2 Marshall Faulk, St. Louis vs. Denver, 9/8/ Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona vs. N.Y. Giants *Fitzgerald tied with three others for third-most receptions Cardinals vs. 49ers 7 of 29

8 2008 REGULAR SEASON LEADERS RUSHING YARDS: Cards: 514, Edgerrin James (133 att., 3.9 avg., 3 TD) 49ers: 1,036, Frank Gore (240 att., 4.3 avg., 6 TD) RUSHING TDs: Cards: 10, Tim Hightower 49ers: 6, Frank Gore PASSING YARDS: Cards: 4,583, Kurt Warner (30 TD, 14 INT, 96.9 rating) 49ers: 2,046, Shaun Hill (13 TD, 8 INT, 87.5 rating) RECEIVING YARDS: Cards: 1,431, Larry Fitzgerald (96 rec., 14.9 avg., 12 TD) 49ers: 835, Isaac Bruce (61 rec., 13.7 avg., 7 TD) RECEPTIONS: Cards: 96, Larry Fitzgerald (1,431 yds, 14.9 avg., 12 TD) 49ers: 61, Isaac Bruce (835 yds, 13.7 avg., 7 TD) RECEIVING TDs: Cards: 12, Larry Fitzgerald 49ers: 7, Isaac Bruce TOUCHDOWNS: Cards: 12, Larry Fitzgerald 49ers: 8, Frank Gore POINTS: Cards: 119, Neil Rackers (25/28 FG, 44/44 PAT) 49ers: 121, Joe Nedney (29/33 FG, 34/34 PAT) SACKS: Cards: 5.0, Bertrand Berry 49ers: 8.0, Parys Haralson INTERCEPTIONS: Cards: 4, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie 49ers: 3, Takeo Spikes, Walt Harris FUMBLE RECOVERIES: Cards: 3, Antonio Smith, Karlos Dansby 49ers: 1, Six Different Players PUNT RETURNS: Cards: 33, Steve Breaston (237 yds, 7.2 avg., 25-long) 49ers: 15, Allen Rossum (223 yds, 14.9 avg., 45-long) KICKOFF RETURNS: Cards: 36, J.J. Arrington (923 yds, 25.6 avg., 93t-long) 49ers: 47, Allen Rossum (1,259 yds, 26.8 avg., 104t-long) 2009 PRESEASON LEADERS RUSHING YARDS: Cards: 111, Tim Hightower (24 att., 4.6 avg., 0 TD) 49ers: 249, Glen Coffee (42 att., 5.9 avg., 0 TD) PASSING YARDS: Cards: 507, Matt Leinart (3 TD, 2 INT, 85.8 rating) 49ers: 314, Nate Davis (2 TD, 1 INT, 83.2 rating) RECEIVING YARDS: Cards: 161, Jerheme Urban (10 rec., 16.1 avg., 0 TD) 49ers: 97, Micheal Spurlock (7 rec., 13.9 avg., 0 TD) RECEPTIONS: Cards: 10, Lance Long, Jerheme Urban 49ers: 7, Arnaz Battle, Micheal Spurlock TOUCHDOWNS: Cards: 2, Beanie Wells, Onrea Jones 49ers: 3, Kory Sheets AERIAL ASSAULT IS INTACT With Pro Bowlers Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin and the emergence of both Steve Breaston and Jerheme Urban, the Cardinals have had one of the NFL s most dangerous passing attacks over the last few seasons. Each one of those receivers returns in 2009, and along with talented youngsters like Early Doucet and Lance Long earning roster spots, the Cardinals enter the 2009 season with one of the deepest pools of receivers in the league. In 2008, the Cardinals passing attack broke virtually every major franchise passing record. With 4,875 total yards through the air during the regular season, Arizona piled up the 10 th highest yardage total in NFL history dating back to the 1970 NFL-AFL merger. Over the last two seasons, the Cardinals have totaled 9,103 gross yards passing (8,739 net), the second-highest total in the NFL behind the New Orleans Saints. Team Att Comp Yds TD Saints 1, , Cardinals 1, , Patriots 1, , Packers 1, , Colts 1, , The Cardinals passing attack has been ranked in the top 10 each of the last four seasons dating back to 2005, Warner s first season with the Cardinals. The Cardinals had the league s top passing attack in 2005, ranked 10 th overall in 2006, fifth overall in 2007 and second overall in CONTINUITY ALONG THE LINE In the NFL, continuity is key, especially along the offensive line. For the Cardinals and coach Russ Grimm, the only change entering the 2009 season will be the addition of run game coordinator to his job title. Grimm enters his third season in Arizona with an offensive line that consisted of the same five starters for all 20 regular and postseason games in The anchors of one of the most potent offensive attacks in the NFL in 2008, the returning starters along the line include LT Mike Gandy, LG Reggie Wells, C Lyle Sendlein, RG Deuce Lutui and RT Levi Brown. The Cardinals were one of only six teams to play the same offensive line the entire season in 2008, joining the Giants, Jets, Denver, Houston and Chicago. As primarily a passing team during much of the 2008 regular season, the Cardinals offensive line did an outstanding job of protecting QB Kurt Warner, especially under fire. According to Stats Inc, Arizona was the most heavily pressured team in the NFL during the regular season, facing a blitz on 218 of their 630 pass attempts. The Cardinals offensive line allowed just six sacks in those 218 blitzing situations and their 2.68 sack percentage was the secondbest in the NFL behind Tennessee Blitz Passing Situations Regular Season Team Att Com Sacks Sack Pct. 1. Tennessee Arizona Indianapolis Denver Cardinals vs. 49ers 8 of 29

9 BUILDING A WINNER The Cardinals clinched the NFC West, earned their first home playoff victory in 61 years and appeared in their first Super Bowl in franchise history. The talent on the Cardinals roster was the key to that Super Bowl run, and General Manager Rod Graves is the man responsible for assembling that roster. The most significant tool used by Graves to assemble Arizona s roster has been the NFL Draft. That s really the lifeblood of any successful NFL team, said Graves. Our scouts and personnel department have done an outstanding job in identifying the types of players that will not only succeed at the NFL level but also excel in our particular system. Recent drafts have not only produced Pro Bowlers in Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald, Adrian Wilson, and Darnell Dockett but also scores of other full-time starters and contributors. In the 2009 draft, the Cardinals added six more players who made the final roster and one who made the practice squad. The 2009 draft class includes, among others, Ohio State running back Beanie Wells, Connecticut linebacker Cody Brown and Alabama safety Rashad Johnson. In 2008, draft picks Tim Hightower and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie both made huge impacts and five of the seven 08 draftees received playing time during their rookie season, with a sixth landing on the 53-man roster. Hightower established a Cardinals rookie record with 10 rushing TDs while Rodgers-Cromartie led the team with four INTs and 23 passes defensed while starting in just 11 games. He was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month for December and added two INTs and seven passes defensed in the postseason. Another area that has been instrumental in building the Cardinals is unrestricted free agency. The big splash free agents get a lot of attention, said Graves. But I m extremely proud of players that may have generated less fanfare when we signed them, but have made significant contributions and filled important roles. Recent free agent pickups include Mike Gandy, a full-time starter at left tackle and Sean Morey, a special teams ace who was named to the Pro Bowl in Continuing the trend of signing free agents to bolster the roster and compete for starting spots, the Cardinals signed former Steelers cornerback Bryant McFadden, who has two Super Bowl rings to his name, and running back Jason Wright, who will compete with Hightower and Wells for playing time in the backfield. According to Graves, University of Phoenix Stadium is also a major factor in the team s ability to build a championship-caliber team. There s no question that the stadium has delivered everything that the team had hoped for, Graves said. Since the start of 2007, we re 14-4 at home and a big part of that success can be attributed to the home field advantage that s been created by a sold out stadium and a large, passionate fan base. It s also provided the revenue streams that we were lacking previously and gives us the chance to compete aggressively with the other teams in the league. SUPER RETURNS The Cardinals enter the 2009 season with a roster that features many of the same starters from the 2008 season when the Cardinals earned a trip to Super Bowl XLIII. Of the 22 regular starters from the 2008 squad, 16 return to their starting spot entering the 2009 season. Of the projected starters on the offensive side of the ball in 2009, only FB Dan Kreider was not on the Cardinals roster last season. On defense, CB Bryant McFadden is the lone newcomer to the roster. The regular starters for the Cardinals in 2008 and the projected starters in 09 compare as follows: 2008 Offense 2009 Projected LT: Mike Gandy LT: Mike Gandy LG: Reggie Wells LG: Reggie Wells C: Lyle Sendlein C: Lyle Sendlein RG: Deuce Lutui RG: Deuce Lutui RT: Levi Brown RT: Levi Brown TE: Leonard Pope TE: Stephen Spach WR: Larry Fitzgerald WR: Larry Fitzgerald WR: Anquan Boldin WR: Anquan Boldin QB: Kurt Warner QB: Kurt Warner RB: Edgerrin James RB: Tim Hightower FB: Terrelle Smith FB: Dan Kreider 2008 Defense 2009 Projected LE: Antonio Smith DE: Calais Campbell NT: Bryan Robinson NT: Bryan Robinson DT: Darnell Dockett DT: Darnell Dockett RE: Travis LaBoy ROLB: Chike Okeafor SLB: Chike Okeafor ILB: Karlos Dansby MLB: Gerald Hayes ILB: Gerald Hayes WLB: Karlos Dansby LOLB: Clark Haggans CB: Rod Hood CB: Bryant McFadden CB: D. Rodgers-Cromartie CB: D. Rodgers-Cromartie SS: Adrian Wilson SS: Adrian Wilson FS: Antrel Rolle FS: Antrel Rolle READY WHEN CALLED Quarterback Matt Leinart is in his fourth season with the Cardinals and during the preseason, showed that he will be ready for action if and when needed in Leinart led the NFL in both passing yards and TD passes in the 09 preseason, throwing for 507 yards and 3 TDs in four games. Many of Leinart s passing yards came as he led the Cardinals back from a halftime deficit against the Packers in the third preseason game. Leinart finished the day completing 24-of-38 passes for 360 yards, 3 TDS, 1 INT and a QB rating of 109.5, all coming in the second half. Leinart was 15-of-24 for 204 yards and 3 TDs in the fourth quarter alone. After a much publicized preseason battle for the starting QB spot during the 2008 preseason, Kurt Warner was named the starter and went on to complete one of the best seasons of any QB in franchise history. He led to Cardinals to their first conference title and first Super Bowl appearance. Head coach Ken Whisenhunt has consistently praised Leinart for his dedication to learning and his acceptance of his role. It s never easy to accept the type of role that Matt has had to accept, especially because of having success in college, Whisenhunt said. But I really believe that when Matt gets his opportunity to play and it is coming he s going to do very well. In three seasons, Leinart has appeared in 21 games (16 starts) and completed 289-of-518 passes for 3,458 yards 14 TDs and 17 INTs. His record as a starter is 7-9. Cardinals vs. 49ers 9 of 29

10 CARDINALS FASTEST GROWING TEAM BRAND In May of 2009, Forbes released the results of a study that looked at the fastest growing team brands in sports over the last three seasons. It should be noted that the study included the NFL s 2008 regular season but not the postseason. Even though the Cardinals run to Super Bowl XLIII wasn t considered, Arizona still was the fastest growing team brand in the four major sports. Over the three year span analyzed by Forbes, the Cardinals brand grew to $68 million, at a rate of 143%. The rate is nearly double that of the secondranked football team, the New York Giants and well above the 115% growth that the Tampa Bay Rays registered for second place in the four major sports. Forbes attributes the Cardinals growth mainly to the opening of University of Phoenix Stadium in The team has sold out every game since moving into the new stadium in Glendale and Arizona s 20-year, $155 million naming rights deal with University of Phoenix that began in 2006 is the third largest in the NFL. Forbes also states that stars such as Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin contribute to the team s brand growth. NFL Four Major Sports Team Growth Value Team League Growth Value Cardinals 143% $68M Cardinals NFL 143% $68M Giants 75% $100M Rays MLB 115% $28M Cowboys 74% $207M Penguins NHL 88% $28M Jets 73% $90M Mets MLB 83% $159M Colts 71% $72M Giants NFL 75% $100M Dodgers MLB 75% $112M PRO BOWLERS RETURN QB Kurt Warner, WRs Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald, SS Adrian Wilson and special teamer Sean Morey were all selected to represent the NFC in the Pro Bowl in All five of them return for the Cardinals in With Warner, Boldin and Fitzgerald each being selected as starters, it marked the first time since the AFC-NFC Pro Bowl began in 1970 that a team has had a starting quarterback and both starting wide receivers. The five players selected to the Pro Bowl in 2008 represented the highest total for the Cardinals since 1977 when seven were selected (C Tom Banks, G Conrad Dobler, T Dan Dierdorf, WR Mel Gray, QB Jim Hart, RB Terry Metcalf, CB Roger Wehrli). The last time the Cards had at least one selection on offense, defense and special teams was 1995 (CB Aeneas Williams, DT Eric Swann, FB Larry Centers, P Jeff Feagles). The 2008 Pro Bowl nods marked the fourth career selection for Warner (1999, 2000, 2002), third for both Fitzgerald (2005, 2007) and Boldin (2003, 2006), second for Wilson (2006), and first for Morey. LB Karlos Dansby & DT Darnell Dockett were named alternates in SIX DRAFT PICKS MAKE OPENING ROSTER The Cardinals had six of their eight 2009 Draft selections make the opening day roster. RB Beanie Wells, SRashad Johnson, CB Greg Toler, GT Herman Johnson, LB Will Davis and RB LaRod Stephens-Howling. Second round selection LB Cody Brown suffered a broken hand in the second preseason game against the Chargers and was placed on injured reserve on 8/31, ending his season. The second of the Cardinals seventh round selections, G Trevor Canfield, was added to the practice squad. RB Beanie Wells: (1 st Round, 31 st overall)-during his three seasons at Ohio State, started 21-of-36 games and rushed for 3,382 yards and 30 TDs on 585 carries (5.8 avg.). S Rashad Johnson: (3 rd Round, 95 th overall)-earned a reputation as a ball-hawk at Alabama, recording 11 INTs and 19 passes defensed in his two seasons as a full-time starter. Became just the eighth player in the storied history of Alabama to be named team captain twice. CB Greg Toler: (4 th Round, 131 st overall)-became the first player ever drafted from Saint Paul s College, a Division II school outside Lawrenceville, VA. G/T Herman Johnson: (5 th Round, 167 th overall)-remains the largest baby ever born in the state of Louisiana, weighing in at 15 pounds and 14 ounces. He started 38-of-52 games played for LSU, including starts in his final 37 games. OLB Will Davis: (6 th Round, 204 th overall)-began his college career with the Illini as a wide receiver and tight end before switching to the defensive side of the ball in RB LaRod Stephens-Howling: (7 th Round (a), 240 th overall)-a backup to 2009 second-round pick LeSean McCoy, served as the kickoff returner at Pitt, totaling 775 yards and a TD on 34 returns in his collegiate career. THE VETERAN NEWCOMERS TE Anthony Becht: Drafted by the Jets in the first round (27 th overall) in the 2000 Draft, Becht has played in a team-high 142 consecutive games over the last nine seasons with the Jets ( ), Buccaneers ( ) and Rams (2008). TE Dominique Byrd: A third round selection (93 rd overall) in the 2006 NFL Draft, Byrd was out of football in 2008 after playing two seasons in St. Louis, catching six passes for 83 yards and a TD. FB Dan Kreider: In his 10 th NFL season, Kreider comes to the Cardinals after spending his first eight seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers and one with the St. Louis Rams. An undrafted rookie free agent, Kreider has appeared in 124 career games (70 starts) during the regular season and 10 games (8 starts) during the postseason, including a Super Bowl title with the Steelers in LS Mike Leach: A veteran of nine NFL seasons, Leach spent the previous seven seasons in Denver after playing his first two seasons in Tennessee. His 104 consecutive games played (including all 16 games each of the last six seasons) represent the second-longest active streak on the Cardinals roster behind Becht. CB Bryant McFadden: The Cardinals most highly publicized free agent pickup during the offseason, McFadden signed a two-year contract with Arizona after spending his first four seasons in Pittsburgh, a stint that saw him earn two Super Bowl titles. The latter of the two came as a starting cornerback against the Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII. McFadden was a second-round draft pick (62 nd overall) by the Steelers in 2005 and is the starter alongside Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Cardinals vs. 49ers 10 of 29