Arizona Cardinals Football Club Game Release Game # 13 THIS WEEK S GAME Arizona will play its second straight prime time game a first in franchise history - when they take on the 49ers in San Francisco on Monday night. This marks the third consecutive season the Cardinals and 49ers have met on Monday Night, with the previous two games being decided by a combined seven points. The Cards are coming off a huge home win over Minnesota last Sunday night thanks to a complete effort that saw them neutralize the Vikings weapons. Brett Favre entered the game with three INTs all season but threw two in the 3 rd quarter while Adrian Peterson was limited to 19 yards (13 carries) for the 2 nd lowest total of his career. Facing the NFL leader in total sacks, an inspired effort from the Cards O-line held the Vikings sack-less for the first time in 24 games. Kurt Warner returned from a one-game absence (head) and was exceptional. He threw three first half TDs - two to Anquan Boldin, one to Larry Fitzgerald - and finished 22 of 32 for 285 yards. The win over Minnesota upped Arizona s record to 8-4 and extended its division lead to three games with four to play. That 8-4 mark is the team s best record through 12 games since 1976 (also 8-4). The Cardinals can clinch the NFC West title with a win on Monday night. It would be the team s second straight division crown. With a victory, the Cards would also match their regular season win total from a year ago. The 49ers look to rebound from a 20-17 loss at Seattle. Alex Smith threw for a career-best 310 yards and two TDs and TE Vernon Davis had 6 catches for a career-high 111 yards and his 10 th TD of the season. However, Olindo Mare s 30-yard FG as time expired gave the Seahawks a three-point win. After the 49ers, the Cardinals will close the road portion of their regular season schedule at Detroit. The 49ers travel across the country to take on the Eagles in Philadelphia. Monday, December 14, 2009 6:30 PM (MST) ARIZONA CARDINALS (8-4) vs. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (5-7) Candlestick Park ARIZONA CARDINALS 2009 SEASON SCHEDULE Regular Season Sun., Sep. 13 SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS L, 16-20 Sun., Sep. 20 @ Jacksonville Jaguars W, 31-17 Sun., Sep. 27 INDIANAPOLIS COLTS & L, 10-31 Sun., Oct. 4 BYE Sun., Oct. 11 HOUSTON TEXANS W, 28-21 Sun., Oct. 18 @ Seattle Seahawks W, 27-3 Sun., Oct. 25 @ New York Giants & W, 24-17 Sun., Nov. 1 CAROLINA PANTHERS L, 21-34 Sun., Nov. 8 @ Chicago Bears W, 41-21 Sun., Nov. 15 SEATTLE SEAHAWKS W, 31-20 Sun., Nov. 22 @ St. Louis Rams W, 21-13 Sun., Nov. 29 @ Tennessee Titans L, 17-20 Sun., Dec. 6 MINNESOTA VIKINGS & W, 30-17 Mon., Dec. 14 @ San Francisco 49ers # 6:30 PM Sun., Dec. 20 @ 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 BROADCAST INFORMATION TELEVISION CARDINALS RADIO Network: ESPN Flagship: Sports 620 KTAR Play-by-Play: Mike Tirico Play-by-Play: Dave Pasch Analyst: Ron Jaworski Analyst: Ron Wolfley Analyst: Jon Gruden Sideline: Paul Calvisi Sideline: Michele Tafoya WESTWOOD ONE CARDINALS SPANISH RADIO Play-by-Play: Marv Albert Flagship: KMIA 710 AM Analyst: Warren Moon Play-by-Play: Gabriel Trujillo Sideline: Steve Tasker Analyst: Rolando Cantu 2009 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 30-17 victory over Minnesota last week gives them a three-game lead in the NFC West following San Francisco s 20-17 loss at Seattle. Arizona can clinch the NFC West with a victory over San Francisco on Monday Night. Team W L PF PA Hm Road Div Arizona 8 4 297 234 3-3 5-1 3-1 San Francisco 5 7 245 233 4-2 1-5 3-1 Seattle 5 7 243 267 4-2 1-5 3-3 St. Louis 1 11 139 314 0-6 1-5 0-4 Mark Dalton Vice President, Media Relations Mike Helm Media Relations Coordinator mdalton@cardinals.nfl.net 602/379-1720 mhelm@cardinals.nfl.net 602/379-1647 Chris Melvin Media Relations Manager Nate LoCascio Media Relations Assistant cmelvin@cardinals.nfl.net 602/379-1882 nlocascio@cardinals.nfl.net 602/379-1620 8701 S. Hardy Drive, Tempe, AZ 85284 Phone: 602-379-0101 Fax: 602-379-1821 www.azcardinals.com
CARDINALS & 49ERS IN 2009 CARDINALS CATEGORY 49ERS 8-4 Record 5-7 297 Points Scored 245 234 Points Allowed 233 36 Touchdowns Scored 29 27 Touchdowns Allowed 24 10 Rushing TDs 7 23 Passing TDs 18 3 Return TDs 4 8 Rushing TDs Allowed 9 18 Passing TDs Allowed 13 1 Return TDs Allowed 2 18/140 Sacked/Yards Lost 32/190 20/10 Fumbles/Lost 18/8 12 Had Intercepted 9 15/16 Field Goals Made/Attempted 14/17 360.9 Total Yards Per Game 285.4 362.6 Opp. Total Yards Per Game 346.4 94.1 Rushing Yards Per Game 91.3 104.8 Opp. Rushing Yards Per Game 95.8 266.8 Passing Yards Per Game 194.2 257.8 Opp. Passing Yards Per Game 250.6-3 Turnover Ratio +1 30:41 Average Time of Possession 28:55 10/26/5 NFL Rank-Total Offense/Run/Pass 28/28/22 24/12/30 NFL Rank-Total Defense/Run/Pass 20/5/27 0/0 2-Point Conversions 0/0 @ Det Next Week @ Phi LAST WEEK S GAME CARDINALS 30, Vikings 17 December 6, 2009 University of Phoenix Stadium (64,121) In a nationally-televised game that was flexed into Sunday night, the Cards faced a formidable opponent in 10-1 Minnesota. The Vikings offense featured all pros Brett Favre and Adrian Peterson while their 5 th -ranked defense led the league in sacks behind NFC sack leader Jared Allen s 12.5. Arizona more than met the challenge. Favre, who entered the game with 3 INTs all season, threw 2 in the 3 rd quarter. Peterson was limited to 19 yards (13 carries) for the 2 nd lowest total of his career and the Vikings were held sackless for the first time in 24 games behind inspired offensive line play, highlighted by LT Jeremy Bridges, filling in for starter Mike Gandy. Kurt Warner returned from a onegame absence (head) and was exceptional. He threw 3 first half TDs - 2 to Anquan Boldin, 1 to Larry Fitzgerald - and finished 22 of 32 for 285 yards. The win upped Arizona s record to 8-4 and extended its division lead to 3 games with 4 to play. The game didn t start well for AZ. RB Tim Hightower lost a fumble at the AZ47 on the game s 2 nd play and that ultimately led to a 3-yard Favre TD pass to TE Visanthe Shiancoe. Later in the first, Steve Breaston s 64-yard punt return to the 2 set-up to a Warner TD pass to Boldin on the next play. While the AZ defense sent the Vikings attack 3-n-out on 3 straight series, the Cards offense was clicking. Midway thru the 2 nd, they went up 14-7 when Warner connected with Boldin on a 39-yard TD. Minnesota advanced deep into AZ territory on the next drive but came away with just a FG at the 1:55 mark. That left enough time for Warner to put the Cards back in the end zone. He completed all 5 passes (72 yards) and capped the drive with a 34-yard TD pass to Larry Fitzgerald. The Vikings got the ball to start the 2 nd half and advanced to the AZ45 but LB Karlos Dansby ended the drive with a pick, ending Favre s NFL-best INT-less streak at 159 attempts. That takeaway led to a 31-yard Rackers FG that put the Cards up 24-10. The defense swarmed on 3 straight plays on the next series. DT Darnell Dockett stopped Peterson for a 5-yard loss, Calais Campbell sacked Favre for a loss of 9, and nickel back Mike Adams picked him off to end the drive. That INT led to another Rackers FG and 27-10 lead. The next two MIN drives ended thanks to 3 rd down sacks from DE Bertrand Berry. The Cards then chewed 5:34 off the clock with a 10-play drive that ended on Rackers 3 rd FG of the game. With 1:20 left, Favre hit Percy Harvin with a 31-yard TD pass but the game was over when the onside kick attempt went out of bounds. VIKINGS 7 3 0 7 17 CARDINALS 7 14 6 3 30 Team Qtr. Time Scoring Play Drive Score Vikings 1 9:47 Shiancoe 3-yard pass from Favre (Longwell kick) 10-47, 4:25 7-0 CARDS 1 4:49 Boldin 2-yard pass from Warner (Rackers kick) 1-2, 0:03 7-7 CARDS 2 7:42 Boldin 39-yard pass from Warner (Rackers kick) 2-42, 7-14 Vikings 2 1:55 Longwell 25-yard FG 10-62, 5:47 10-14 CARDS 2 1:14 Fitzgerald 34-yard pass from Warner (Rackers kick) 5-77, 0:41 10-21 CARDS 3 7:45 Rackers 31-yard FG 10-46, 4:34 10-24 CARDS 3 3:19 Rackers 32-yard FG 5-32, 1:51 10-27 CARDS 4 4:18 Rackers 29-yard FG 10-69, 5:34 10-30 Vikings 4 1:20 Harvin 31-yard pass from Favre (Longwell kick) 9-84, 2:58 17-30 THE SERIES This week s game marks the 37 th all-time meeting between the Cardinals and 49ers, with the 49ers holding a 20-16 advantage in the series. Since the Cardinals joined the NFC West prior to the 2002 season, the teams have met twice annually with San Francisco holding an 8-7 advantage. The week s game also marks the third consecutive season the Cardinals will face the 49ers on Monday night. San Francisco now represents the Cardinals opponent in four of their last five games on Monday Night Football. SERIES NOTES Overall Regular Season Series: 16-20 Cardinals on the road @ SF: 8-11 Cardinals last win: 11/10/08, 29-24 vs. SF First Meeting: 11/18/51, W, 27-21 @ SF Last Meeting: 9/13/09, L, 16-20 vs. SF THE COACHES Ken Whisenhunt Mike Singletary 28-20 Overall Record 10-11 25-19 Regular Season Record 10-11 3-1 Playoff Record 0-0 3 rd Years as Head Coach in NFL 2 nd 3 rd Years with team 2 nd STATISTICS MIN AZ First Downs 22 20 Rushes-Yards 20-62 25-113 Net Passing Yards 253 285 Total Net Yards 315 398 Passing (A-C-I) 45-30-2 32-22-0 Sacked by Opp.-YL 3-22 0-0 Punts-Average 6-52.5 3-40.7 Fumbles-Lost 0-0 1-1 Penalties 6-48 6-50 Time of Possession 31:17 28:43 Weather: Indoors RUSHING Vikings: Harvin 2-22; Taylor 5-21; Peterson 13-19. CARDS: Hightower 6-50; Wells 13-28; Breaston 1-19; Rolle 1-9; Wright 1-8; Warner 3-(-1). PASSING Vikings: Favre 30-45, 275, 2 TD, 2 INT. CARDS: Warner 22-32, 285 yds, 3 TD, 0 INT. RECEIVING Vikings: Rice 7-72; Harvin 6-79, TD; Peterson 6-46; Berrian 5-36; Taylor 4-28; Shiancoe 2-14, TD. CARDS: Fitzgerald 8-143, TD; Boldin 7-98, 2 TD; Doucet 2-15; Hightower 1-8; Breaston 1-8; Patrick 1-7; Wright 1-4; Stephens-Howling 1-2. Cardinals vs. 49ers 2 of 46 www.azcardinals.com
NFC WEST AT A GLANCE Arizona 8-4 San Francisco 5-7 Seattle 5-7 St. Louis 1-11 (6-2 NFC; 3-1 Div) (4-4 NFC; 3-1 Div) (4-6 NFC; 3-3 Div) (1-9 NFC; 0-4 Div) L, 16-20 vs. SF W, 20-16 @ Ari W, 28-0 vs. StL L, 0-28 @ Sea W, 31-17 @ Jax W, 23-10 vs. Sea L, 10-23 @ SF L, 7-9 @ Was L, 10-31 vs. Ind L, 24-27 @ Min L, 19-25 vs. Chi L, 17-36 vs. GB BYE W, 35-0 vs. StL L, 17-34 @ Ind L, 0-35 @ SF W, 28-21 vs. Hou L, 10-45 vs. Atl W, 41-0 vs. Jax L, 10-38 vs. Min W, 27-3 @ Sea BYE L, 3-27 vs. Ari L, 20-23 @ Jax W, 24-17 @ NYG L, 21-24 @ Hou BYE L, 6-42 vs. Ind L, 21-34 vs. Car L, 14-18 @ Ind L, 17-38 @ Dal W, 17-10 @ Det W, 41-21 @ Chi L, 27-34 vs. Ten W, 32-20 vs. Det BYE W, 31-20 vs. Sea W, 10-6 vs. Chi L, 20-31 @ Ari L, 23-28 vs. NO W, 21-13 @ StL L, 24-30 @ GB L, 9-35 @ Min L, 13-21 vs. Ari L, 17-20 @ Ten W, 20-3 vs. Jax W, 27-17 @ StL L, 17-27 vs. Sea vs. Min @ Sea vs. SF @ Chi @ SF (MNF) vs. Ari (MNF) @ Hou @ Ten @ Det @ Phi vs. TB vs. Hou vs. StL vs. Det @ GB @ Ari vs. GB @ StL vs. Ten vs. SF NFC STANDINGS West W L T PF PA ARI 8 4 0 297 234 SF 5 7 0 245 233 SEA 5 7 0 243 267 StL 1 11 0 139 314 East W L T PF PA DAL 8 4 0 279 213 PHI 8 4 0 327 235 NYG 7 5 0 303 285 WAS 3 9 0 200 238 North W L T PF PA MIN 10 2 0 359 233 GB 8 4 0 323 229 CHI 5 7 0 233 270 DET 2 10 0 206 358 South W L T PF PA NO 12 0 0 440 251 ATL 6 6 0 279 279 CAR 5 7 0 215 262 TB 1 11 0 187 330 CONFERENCE RESULTS AT A GLANCE (NFC teams at.500 or better; listed in order of playoff seeding) Saints Vikings Cardinals Cowboys Eagles Packers Giants Falcons 12-0 10-2 8-4 8-4 8-4 8-4 7-5 6-6 8-0 NFC 8-1 NFC 6-2 NFC 6-3 NFC 7-2 NFC 6-3 NFC 5-3 NFC 5-5 NFC 3-0 Div. 5-0 Div. 3-1 Div. 2-2 Div. 3-1 Div. 3-2 Div. 3-1 Div. 2-2 Div. W 45-27 vs. DET W 34-20 @ CLE L 16-20 vs. SF W 34-21 @ TB W 38-10 @ CAR W 21-15 vs. CHI W 23-17 vs. WAS W 19-7 vs. MIA W 48-22 @ PHI W 27-13 @ DET W 31-17 @ JAC L 31-33 vs. NYG L 22-48 vs. NO L 24-31 vs. CIN W 33-31 @ DAL W 28-20 vs. CAR W 27-7 @ BUF W 27-24 vs. SF L 10-31 vs. IND W 21-7 vs. CAR W 34-14 vs. KC W 36-17 @STL W 24-0 @ TB L 10-26 @ NE W 24-10 vs. NYJ W 30-23 vs. GB Bye Week L 10-17 @ DEN Bye Week L 23-30 @ MIN W 27-16 @ KC Bye Week Bye Week W 38-10 @ STL W 28-21 vs. HOU W 26-20 @ KC W 33-14 vs. TB Bye Week W 44-7 vs. OAK W 45-10 @ SF W 48-27 vs. NYG W 33-31 vs. BAL W 27-3 @ SEA Bye Week L 9-13 @ OAK W 26-0 vs. DET L 27-48 @ NO W 21-14 vs. CHI W 46-34 @ MIA L 17-27 @ PIT W 24-17 @ NYG W 37-21 vs. ATL W 27-17 @ WAS W 31-3 @ CLE L 17-24 vs. ARI L 21-37 @ DAL W 35-27 vs. ATL W 38-26 @ GB L 21-34 vs. CAR W 38-17 vs. SEA W 40-17 vs. NYG L 26-38 vs. MIN L 17-40 @ PHI L 27-35 @ NO W 30-20 vs. CAR Bye Week W 41-21 @ CHI W 20-16 @ PHI L 16-20 vs. DAL L 28-38 @ TB L 20-21 vs. SD W 31-17 vs. WAS W 28-23 @ STL W 27-10 vs. DET W 31-20 vs. SEA L 7-17 @ GB L 23-31 @ SD W 17-7 vs. DAL Bye Week L 19-28 @ CAR W 38-7 @ TB W 35-9 vs. SEA W 21-13 @ STL W 7-6 vs. WAS W 24-20 @ CHI W 30-24 vs. SF W 34-31 vs. ATL L 31-34 @ NYG W 38-17 vs. NE W 36-10 vs. CHI L 17-20 @ TEN W 24-7 vs. OAK W 27-24 vs. WAS W 34-12 @ DET L 6-26 @ DEN W 20-17 vs. TB W 33-30 @ WAS L 17-30 @ ARI W 30-17 vs. MIN L 24-31 @ NYG W 34-7 @ ATL W 27-14 vs. BAL W 31-24 vs. DAL L 7-34 vs. PHI @ ATL vs. CIN @ SF vs. SD @ NYG @ CHI vs. PHI vs. NO vs. DAL @ CAR @ DET @ NO vs. SF @ PIT @ WAS @ NYJ vs. TB @ CHI vs. STL @ WAS vs. DEN vs. SEA vs. CAR vs. BUF @ CAR vs. NYG vs. GB vs. PHI @ DAL @ ARI @ MIN @ TB Cardinals vs. 49ers 3 of 46 www.azcardinals.com
DEFENSE SHUTS DOWN VIKINGS Favre Picked Off Twice The Cardinals defense held QB Brett Favre, who entered last week s game with the NFL s second-highest passer rating (112.1), to a passer rating of 79.4 with two INTs. Favre entered the game with only three INTs on the season and was not intercepted in the previous four games prior to last week. Favre s 159 consecutive pass attempts without an INT was the longest streak among starting QBs in the NFL. Against the Cardinals, Favre threw two INTs over a span of three passes in the third quarter. Grounding Peterson and the Run Game Arizona s defense held the Vikings offense to just 62 yards on the ground, 67.2 yards below their season average heading into the game (129.2) when they had the league s ninth ranked running attack. The Cardinals held the Vikings to their lowest team rushing total of the season. The defense held Vikings RB Adrian Peterson, the NFL s third-leading rusher, to just 19 yards on 13 carries (1.5 avg.), his lowest yardage total and lowest rushing average of the season. Entering last week s game, Peterson was averaging 98.5 yards per game in 09 and 4.7 yards per attempt. Peterson was held to five carries for minus-1 yards in the second half. Of his 13 attempts last week, seven resulted in negative yardage or no gain. Peterson s Yardage Total By Carry 5, 0, -1, 0, 4, 1, 11, 0, 1, -5, 0, 4, -1 Peterson s 19 rushing yards represent the second-lowest yardage output of his career. The only time in his career Peterson has been held to fewer rushing yards in a game was on 12/9/07 @ San Francisco, when he was held to three yards on 14 carries (0.2 avg.). OFFENSIVE LINE RISES TO THE CHALLENGE The Cardinals offensive line normally consisting of LT Mike Gandy, LG Reggie Wells, C Lyle Sendlein, RG Deuce Lutui and RT Levi Brown had started 27 consecutive regular season games as a unit before Gandy missed last week s game vs. Minnesota with a pelvic injury. Before Gandy s injury, the 27-game streak was tied with the NY Jets for the NFL s longest streak with the same starting five offensive linemen. Including the 2008 postseason, the Cardinals line had started 31 consecutive games with the same five starters. Going against the Vikings defensive front, widely considered one of the best in the NFL, wouldn t seem like a time to break continuity for the Cardinals. But the O-line responded with one of its best games of the season and an inspired performance by Gandy s backup, Jeremy Bridges. Bridges had appeared in 62 games in his career with 39 starts heading into last week s game. However, starting in place of Gandy, Bridges made his first career start at left tackle. It was Bridges first start for the Cardinals since 1/1/06 @ Indianapolis, the final game of the 2005 season when he started at guard. In his first start of the season, Bridges shut down Vikings DE Jared Allen (0 tackles, 0 sacks), who entered the game with 12.5 sacks on the season, the most in the NFC and the second-most in the NFL behind Denver s Elvis Dumervil (14.0). The play of Bridges was so impressive, even the Cardinals defenders took notice. DT Darnell Dockett went out of his way to praise Bridges after the game. When asked about the overall team performance, Dockett responded, We just played well. Our cornerbacks played their butts off. Our offense played well. I take my hat off to Jeremy Bridges though. He had his hands full with Jared Allen all day. All week he was motivated to do his best against him and he played well. A lot of guys will talk about what Jared Allen didn t do, but I give Jeremy Bridges a lot of credit. For his part, Bridges said he was just doing his job and didn t think too much about who he was facing in his first start of the season. I just kept my faith in myself, Bridges said after the game. I know what I can and can t do. I pride myself in being a versatile offensive lineman. I have played this game a long time. There is no reason to get scared or have stage fright because every Sunday is the same thing; you have to block a man. No matter who he is, no matter what position you are at, you have to block a man. That s the attitude I take every Sunday when I play. It played out pretty well. The offensive line did not allow a sack of QB Kurt Warner and led the way for the Cardinals to rush for 113 yards against the Vikings, the team that entered last week s game with an NFL-best 40 sacks in their first 11 games. It was the first game this season that the Vikings did not record a sack and it snapped a streak of 23 consecutive games with a sack for the Vikings. The last time the Vikings went without a sack in a game was 9/28/08 @ Tennessee. The improved play of the offensive line has sparked the emergence of the Cardinals running game over the last five games while also keeping the Cardinals fifth-ranked passing attack going. After rushing for 100+ yards just once as a team in the first seven contests of this season, the Cardinals totaled 113 yards on the ground last week, giving them 100+ rushing yards in four of the last five games, all four resulting in victories. Over the last five games, Arizona has totaled 675 yards on the ground and 1,359 yards through the air. During that five-game span, Arizona is averaging 135.0 yards per game on the ground and 271.8 yards per game through the air. After last week s performance, the Cardinals improved to 5-1 this season when allowing one sack or fewer in a game (3-0 when allowing no sacks) and they have a 5-0 record when rushing for 100 or more yards. Last week s game vs. Minnesota marked the 10 th time this season the offensive line has two or fewer sacks allowed. Cardinals vs. 49ers 4 of 46 www.azcardinals.com
CARDS DEFENSE ATTACKS The Cardinals sacked Brett Favre three times last week and have now accumulated 35 sacks on the season, tied for the third-highest total in the NFL. 2009 Sack Leaders Team Team Sacks 1. Minnesota 40 2. Pittsburgh 38 3t. Arizona 35 3t. Miami 35 5. Denver 34 Bertrand Berry recorded 2.0 sacks of Favre, his fourth and fifth sacks of the season. It also marked the 12 th career multisack game for Berry. He now has 39.0 sacks as a member of the Cardinals, passing Al Baker (37.5, 1983-86) for the sixthhighest total in franchise history. Cardinals Top 10 Career Sack Leaders Sacks Player Years 66.0 Freddie Joe Nunn 1985-93 53.5 Simeon Rice 1996-00 50.5 Curtis Greer 1980-88 47.5 Ken Harvey 1988-93 45.5 Eric Swann 1991-99 39.0 Bertrand Berry 2004-37.5 Al Baker 1983-86 37.0 David Galloway 1982-89 26.0 Darnell Dockett 2004-25.5 Karlos Dansby 2004- The pressure applied by Arizona is coming from all over. The Cards 35 sacks are spread among 12 different players. Arizona has recorded three sacks or more in nine of 12 games this season (including the last five consecutive games leading into this week) and Berry s performance last week marks just the third time this season that a single player has recorded 2.0+ sacks in game. Arizona has had three or more players record at least a partial sack in seven games this season, including five games with four different players taking down opposing QBs. Below is a list of the Cardinals 35 sacks broken down by player through the first 12 games. Player Sacks Darnell Dockett 7.0 Bertrand Berry 5.0 Calais Campbell 5.0 Clark Haggans 4.5 Chike Okeafor 3.5 Alan Branch 2.0 Will Davis 2.0 Antrel Rolle 1.5 Kenny Iwebema 1.0 Bryan Robinson 1.0 Karlos Dansby 1.0 Team 1.0 Adrian Wilson 0.5 With 35 sacks on the season, the Cardinals are on pace to record 46 sacks in 09. That would represent the highest total since 1984 (55) and the third-highest total since sacks became an official stat in 1982. The highest sack total for the Cardinals since moving to Arizona in 1988 was 39.0 (1988). Single-Season Sack Totals (1982-present) Sacks Season 59 1983 55 1984 41 1987 41 1986 BATTLING TURNOVERS Against the Vikings last week, the Cardinals picked off QB Brett Favre twice and held a plus-one advantage in turnovers. It marked the fifth time this season that the Cardinals have won the turnover battle and improves their record to 4-1 when they do so. The Cardinals now have a 17-1 record in the regular season (20-1 including playoffs) under Ken Whisenhunt when winning the turnover battle. Arizona is 6-2 under Whisenhunt when they break even and 2-17 when they lose the turnover battle. Prior to last week, the Cardinals overwhelming turnover trends had been reversed in the previous two weeks. In week 12 in Tennessee, Arizona lost for the first time under head Whisenhunt when winning the turnover battle. In week 11 against the Rams, the Cardinals won for just the second time in 18 contests when losing the turnover battle. Turnover Ratio Breakdown (2007-present) TO Ratio Plus Minus Even 2007 6-0 0-6 2-2 2008 7-0 1-7 1-0 08 Playoffs 3-0 0-1 0-0 2009 4-1 1-3 3-0 Totals 20-1 2-17 6-2 THIRD DOWN ANALYSIS After allowing the Vikings to convert just five of 15 third down attempts last week, the Cardinals defense moved up to second in the NFL in third down defense, allowing just 58-of- 175 third down attempts (33.1) to be successfully converted. Opponent 3 rd Down Conversion Pct. Team Att Con Pct. 1. Cincinnati 152 50 32.9 2. Arizona 175 58 33.1 3. Minnesota 147 49 33.3 4. Miami 146 49 33.6 5. Philadelphia 170 58 34.1 Below is a breakdown of Cardinals opponent s third-down attempts by yardage: Yards Att Conv. Pct 1 20 12 60.0 2-3 30 12 40.0 4-5 34 14 41.2 6-9 34 13 38.2 10+ 57 7 12.3 The Cardinals have been particularly successful in forcing opponents into third-and-long situations this season, when they have allowed just seven of 57 (12.3%) conversion attempts of 10+ yards to be completed. GRIMM GOING IN? Cardinals assistant head coach/offensive line/running game coordinator Russ Grimm was recently announced as one of the 25 modern era semi-finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame s Class of 2010. A member of the famed Hogs offensive line, Grimm started 11 seasons at guard for the Redskins (1981-91) and helped lead the team to four Super Bowl appearances and three victories. He was a four-time Pro Bowl selection and was a first-team selection to the 1980s all-decade team. Grimm was among the 17 finalists for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame the past three years (2007-09) and among the 10 finalists in 2006. Cardinals vs. 49ers 5 of 46 www.azcardinals.com
RUSHING ATTACK ON THE WAY UP The Cardinals rushing attack has significantly improved over the last five games. Arizona has rushed for 675 yards over that span, including 113 rushing yards last week vs. Minnesota. In the first seven games of the season, the Cardinals totaled 454 net rushing yards, an average of 64.9 yards per games. In their last five games, Arizona has rushed for 675 yards. Cardinals 2009 Rushing Totals Stat First 7 Games Last 5 Games Net Yards 454 675 Yards/Game 64.9 135.0 Attempts 138 136 Yards/Att 3.3 4.9 Att/Game 19.7 27.2 The Cardinals offense has been more balanced in the last five games as well. Cardinals 2009 Offensive Production Stat First 7 Games Last 5 Games Total Plays 445 307 Rushing Att. 138 136 Pct. Rush Att. 31.0 44.3 Total Net Yds 2,206 2,034 Rushing Yds 454 675 Pct. Rush Yds 20.6 32.2 The big play runs of 10+ yards has been a major part of the improvement in the Cardinals rushing attack. Arizona has 38 runs of 10+ yards this season on 274 rushing attempts and their big-play percentage of 13.9 ranks third in the NFL in 09. Team Att 10+ Pct. Carolina 378 59 15.6 Dallas 311 46 14.8 Arizona 274 38 13.9 St. Louis 318 43 13.5 Philadelphia 289 38 13.1 NFC AWARD WINNERS When rookie LaRod Stephens-Howling was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance following week 12 against the Titans, it marked the fifth time this season that a Cardinals player has been selected as Player of the Week and the second special teams selection. Stephens-Howling became the first Cardinals rookie selected as NFC Special Teams Player of the Week since Steve Breaston in 2007 (week four). RB LaRod Stephens-Howling returned a kickoff 99 yards for a TD and downed punts at the Titans 5, 2 and 1 yard lines in week 12. DE Calais Campbell earned special teams honors following the Cardinals week two victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars, a game in which he blocked a 38-yard FG attempt that was returned 83 yards for a TD by Antrel Rolle. CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was named Defensive Player of the Week following the Cardinals week five win vs. Houston, after he intercepted a Matt Schaub pass and returned in 49 yards for the game winning TD. S Adrian Wilson was selected for defensive honors following the Cardinals week seven victory against the New York Giants after recording an INT, a fumble recovery and two tackles for loss. QB Kurt Warner collected offensive recognition following Arizona s week nine win in Chicago, a game in which Warner tied a career-high with five TD passes. THE RED ZONE Arizona has scored TDs in 28 of 42 trips inside the red zone this season and their 66.7 TD percentage is the best in the NFL. 2009 NFL TD Pct. Inside the Red Zone Team Poss TDs TD% 1. Arizona 42 28 66.7 2. Miami 40 25 62.5 3. Indianapolis 44 27 61.4 4. Minnesota 50 30 60.0 5. New Orleans 57 34 59.6 Arizona s 28 TDs inside the red zone this season represent the third-highest total in the NFL, trailing only New Orleans (34) and Minnesota (30). In the last seven games, the Cardinals have scored TDs on 19- of-26 trips to the red zone (73.1%). On the other side of the ball, the Cardinals defense has held opponents to just four TDs in 11 possessions inside the red zone over the last four games. For the season, opponents have 16 TDs in 35 trips in the red zone, and their (45.7) TD percentage is the 11 th best total in the NFL. PRO BOWL BOUND? Last season, 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. Arizona s five Pro Bowl selections represented the team s largest Pro Bowl group in 31 years. This season, there are a number of players worthy of Pro Bowl consideration: WR Larry Fitzgerald: Tied for the NFL lead with 10 TD receptions and leads the NFC with 83 receptions. Also ranks third in the NFC in receiving yards (969). P Ben Graham: Tied for first the NFL in punts inside the 20- yard line (32), second in the NFC in gross punting average (47.4) and third in the NFC in net punting average (41.0). QB Kurt Warner: Despite missing the week 12 contest in Tennessee due to injury, ranks second in the NFC in completions (273), third in completion percentage (67.6) and touchdowns (23) and fourth in passer rating (97.0). DT Darnell Dockett: His 7.0 sacks are the most among defensive tackles in the NFL and has recorded 49 tackles and 14 tackles for loss. Six of his seven sacks have come in the last five games. SS Adrian Wilson: Is the NFC s top vote getter among safeties. Has recorded 63 tackles, three INTs and his two fumble recoveries are tied for the second-most in the NFL among defenders. CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie: Has recorded 27 passes defensed, three INTs (one returned 49 yards for a TD) and forced two fumbles. Named NFC Defensive Player of the Week following week five. FS Antrel Rolle: Has recorded 75 tackles, four INTs, eight passes defensed and 1.5 sacks on the season. WR Anquan Boldin: Tied for sixth in the NFC in receptions (63) and has 763 receiving yards with four TDs so far this season despite missing time due to injury. On pace for his fifth career 1,000-yard season. ST LaRod Stephens-Howling: Leads the Cardinals in special teams tackles (19), has a 99-yard kickoff return for a TD and is averaging 24.9 yards per kickoff return. Cardinals vs. 49ers 6 of 46 www.azcardinals.com
WITH A WIN After defeating the Vikings last week on Sunday Night football, the Cardinals continue primetime play this week against the 49ers on ESPN s Monday Night Football. It marks the first time in franchise history that the Cardinals have appeared in primetime in consecutive weeks. This week, the Cardinals will make their 20 th appearance on Monday Night Football since 1970 and their seventh appearance since moving to Arizona in 1988. The Cardinals have a 6-12-1 record in their 20 appearances on MNF. Since moving to the Valley, the Cards have played on Monday night only six times, with this week s game marking the fourth consecutive year the team has played on MNF. The last time the Cards were on MNF in four consecutive seasons was 1974-77. The week s game marks the third consecutive season the Cardinals will face the 49ers on Monday night. San Francisco now represents the Cardinals opponent in four of their last five games on Monday Night Football. The Cardinals opened the 2007 season with a 20-17 loss to the 49ers as the second game in the opening weekend double header. Last season, the Cardinals prevailed 29-24 over the 49ers on a dramatic lastsecond goal-line stand. A win this week vs. San Francisco would give the Cardinals back-to-back wins on Monday Night for the first time since 1977. When the Cardinals-Vikings matchup last Sunday at University of Phoenix Stadium was flexed into a Sunday night game, it became the first time Arizona has been moved into the primetime game since flexible scheduling began in 2006. It was also Arizona s third appearance on Sunday Night Football this season, also a first for the franchise. This week s game also marks the Cards fourth prime time appearances in the 2009 regular season, their most ever. Arizona (8-4) would clinch the NFC West with a victory over San Francisco (5-7) on Monday Night. The Cardinals would secure back-to-back postseason appearances for the first time since 1974-75. Arizona would be guaranteed to open the postseason at home for the second-consecutive season for the first time in franchise history. Ken Whisenhunt would have 29 total wins (regular and postseason) as the Cardinals head coach, tied with Vince Tobin for the fourth-most in franchise history. The Cardinals would have six road wins on the season, their most wins away from home in a single season since 1963 (6). The Cardinals would have at least nine wins in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1975-76. The Cardinals would have three victories in primetime games in the same season for the first time in franchise history. The Cardinals would have back-to-back wins on Monday Night Football for the first time since 1977. BACK ON THE ROAD It took a fourth-down TD pass with no time left on the clock, but the Cardinals suffered their first defeat in six road games with their last second 20-17 loss to the Tennessee Titans in week 12. Prior to that, the last time the Cardinals were defeated on the road was on 12/21/08 in New England, a span of 342 days between road losses. The Cardinals are experiencing historic success on the road and can improve to 6-1 this week when they face the 49ers in a key NFC West matchup. The victory over the Rams in week 11 in St. Louis gave the Cardinals five straight road wins to start a season for the first time since 1948 when they finished the season 6-0 on the road. The Cardinals five road wins are the most in a single season since 1975 (5). A win in San Francisco this week on Monday Night would give them the most road wins in a single season since 1963 (6). With five victories on the road so far in 2009, the Cardinals are guaranteed their first winning record on the road since 1982 (4-1) and their most road victories in a single season since 1975 (5-2). The Cardinals have outscored their opponents 161-91 in road games this season. The Cardinals have won twice by at least 20 points this season on the road. The last time the Cardinals won two road games by at least 20 points in the same season was in 1984 (10/28 at Philadelphia, 34-14 and 12/2 at New England, 33-10). The Cardinals win over the Bears in week nine was their first in Chicago since 1982. The win over the Giants in week seven was the Cardinals first-ever road win on Sunday Night Football. The win against the Giants also snapped an 11-game road losing streak to teams from the NFC East. STINGY ON THE ROAD Arizona has allowed just 91 points in six road games this season, an average of 15.2 points per game, the secondlowest total in the NFL. Fewest Points Allowed Per Game on the Road Team G Pts PPG 1. Indianapolis 6 90 15.0 2. Arizona 6 91 15.2 3. Philadelphia 6 98 16.3 4. Denver 6 103 17.2 5. NY Jets 6 106 17.7 The Cardinals are on pace to allow just 121 points on the road this season, their fewest points on the road in a season since the NFL went to a 16-game schedule in 1978. Their previous low was 139, achieved in both 1978 and 1980. (Those totals exclude the strike shortened season of 1982). Fewest Points Allowed in Road Games 1978-present Year G Pts PPG 1980 8 139 17.4 1978 8 139 17.4 1994 8 148 18.5 2001 8 149 18.6 1997 8 158 19.8 Cardinals vs. 49ers 7 of 46 www.azcardinals.com
BY THE NUMBERS 1976 The last year the Cardinals had at least eight wins through their first 12 games (also 8-4). 18-2 Cardinals record under Ken Whisenhunt when scoring 30 or more points. Dating back to the 08 season and postseason, the Cardinals have won 12 games in a row when they score 30 or more points. 4 Consecutive games with a passer rating of 120.0+ for Kurt Warner, making him just the second QB in NFL history to accomplish the feat (Johnny Unitas, 1965). 121.9 Kurt Warner s passer rating the last time he faced the 49ers on Monday Night football (11/10/08), after completing 32 of 42 passes for 328 yards, three TDs and 0 INTs. 3 TD passes needed by Kurt Warner for him to reach 100 TD passes with the Cardinals and become just the second QB in NFL history with 100+ TD passes with two teams (Fran Tarkenton). 51 Consecutive punts for Ben Graham since he last allowed a touchback, a span of nine games. Over that same period, Graham has landed 27 punts inside the 20-yard line. 0 Sacks and tackles for All-Pro defensive end Jared Allen in last week s game against the Vikings. Cardinals left tackle Jeremy Bridges, making his first career start at left tackle, held Allen without a sack or tackle for the first time in 09. 19 Rushing yards for All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson last week on 13 carries (1.5 avg.), the second-lowest rushing output of his career. 159 Consecutive passes Brett Favre had attempted without throwing an INT before Karlos Dansby picked him off in the third quarter. Two passes later, CB Michael Adams recorded his first career INT, the second of the day off Favre, who had three all season coming into the game. 2 Sacks for Bertrand Berry last week against the Vikings, his first multi-sack game since 11/19/06 @ Detroit. 10 Receiving TDs for both Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald and 49ers TE Vernon Davis. The two are tied for the NFL lead in TD receptions in 09. 11 Meetings between the Cardinals and 49ers (out of 15) since 2002 that have been decided by seven points or fewer, including seven of the last eight. 735 On gameday, total number of days it will have been since the Cardinals last lost a road game against an NFC West opponent (12/9/07 @ Seattle). 15.2 Average number of points allowed by the Cardinals in road games this season, the second-lowest total in the NFL behind Indianapolis (15.0). A FEW THINGS TO LOOK FOR With a passer rating of 120.0 or above, Kurt Warner would become the first QB in NFL history to total five consecutive games with a passer rating of 120.0+. With a passer rating of 100.0+, Warner would have five consecutive games with a passer rating of 100.0 or better, tying his career-high (1999). Warner needs three TD passes to reach 100 TD passes with the Cardinals and become just the second player in NFL history to throw for at least 100 TDs with two separate team, joining Fran Tarkenton (Giants and Vikings). Larry Fitzgerald needs 56 receiving yards to reach 7,000 for his career and, at 26 years, 105 days old, become the youngest person to in NFL history to reach the career milestone. Fitzgerald needs 31 receiving yards to reach 1,000 yards on the season and become the first player in franchise history to record 1,000+ yards in three consecutive seasons. Fitzgerald needs 62 yards to pass Pat Tilley (7,005) and move into fourth place on the franchise receiving yardage list. Adrian Wilson needs a sack to become just the 10 th player in NFL history to record at least 20 INTs and 20 sacks. Ben Graham needs to land two punts inside the 20-yard line to establish a new franchise record for punts inside the 20 in a season. Jeff Feagles (33) holds the current record, established in 1994. BUILDING A WINNER In 2008, 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 and adding to it this past offseason in hopes of another trip to the postseason. The most significant tool used by Graves to assemble Arizona s roster has been the NFL Draft. Arizona currently has 28 players on the 53-man roster that were drafted by the Cardinals. 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. Six of Arizona s 2009 draft picks are on the 53-man roster, five of which have received playing time and two who appeared in all 12 games so far this season. The 2008 draft produced three current full-time starters in CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, DE Calais Campbell and RB Tim Hightower. Graves has made it clear that the organization wants to identify a core group of players to build the team around and keep that core intact. Dating back to 2004, the Cardinals have re-signed eight players to contract extensions, including all four players drafted by the Cardinals that have made the Pro Bowl. Wilson (2004, 2009), Boldin (2005), Neil Rackers (2005), Kurt Warner (2006, 2009), Gerald Hayes (2006), Reggie Wells (2006), Dockett (2006) and Fitzgerald (2008) have all signed contract extensions. LB Karlos Dansby, a 2004 draft selection, has been designated the team s franchise player the last two seasons. Another area that has been instrumental in building the Cardinals is unrestricted free agency. Recent free agent pickups include Mike Gandy and a full-time starter at left tackle and Sean Morey, a special teams ace who was named to the Pro Bowl in 2008. Continuing the trend of signing free agents to bolster the roster and compete for starting spots, the Cardinals signed former Steelers cornerback Bryant McFadden in 09. Cardinals vs. 49ers 8 of 46 www.azcardinals.com
CARDINALS AND 49ERS THE LAST MEETING 49ers 20, CARDINALS 16 September 13, 2009 University of Phoenix Stadium (61,981) Arizona opened the season with a home loss to the 49ers in a game dominated by the defenses and decided late. After spotting San Fran a 13-3 lead, the Cardinals took a 16-13 lead early in the 4 th quarter. The 49ers then turned in a 15-play, 80-yard drive and re-claimed the lead on a Frank Gore TD pass from Shaun Hill with 7:26 to go. The Cardinals, who enjoyed a 96-yard edge in total offense, were not able to answer. Defensively they limited SF to 21 rushing yards on 25 attempts (Gore 30 yards on 20 rushes) and forced 3-n-outs on 5 of San Fran s 6 2 nd half drives. The one exception was SF s lengthy go-ahead TD drive and that was the difference. On Arizona s second drive of the game, Kurt Warner s 3 rd -n-18 pass to Jerheme Urban was INT d by LB Patrick Willis setting the 49ers up at the AZ 36 and leading to a Joe Nedney FG. After a 3-nout by the Cards offense, Nedey s 50-yard FG put the Niners up 6-0. On the first play of the next drive, Warner and Urban connected on a 40-yard pass to the SF38 setting up Neil Rackers 44-yard FG to make it 6-3 early in the 2 nd quarter. Later in the quarter, SF faced a 3 rd -n-10 at its own 44 when a 50-yard Hill-to-Isaac Bruce pass took it to the 6. The next snap saw Gore score on a 6-yard run. On the next play from scrimmage, Warner attempted to pass while being dragged down but the pass was INT d by Nate Clements and the 49ers took over at the AZ34 with 2:13 left in the half. A sack for minus-14 by DT Darnell Dockett backed it up to the 44 and then FS Antrel Rolle hit Hill while passing. The play was originally called an incompletion but after a booth review it was changed to a fumble and Cards recovery at the AZ40 with 1:15 left. RB Tim Hightower, who finished with 11 catches for 121 yards, caught a pair of passes for 27 yards helping AZ move into position for a Rackers FG as the half expired. Arizona s best offensive drive of the day came midway thru the 3 rd when they moved 69 yards in 7 plays and tied the game on a 5-yard Larry Fitzgerald TD pass from Warner. The Cards then took the lead on their next possession thanks to a 43-yard Rackers FG. However, SF answered with their long go-ahead drive on which they converted four 3 rd downs including Gore s TD midway thru the 4 th. Arizona was forced to punt on the next drive but was able to down it on the SF2. After stuffing 3 runs for minus-1, they got the ball back at the SF38 with 3:11 left but were backed up by 2 of their 12 penalties and failed to convert on 4 th -n-5 from the SF33 just after the 2:00 warning. 49ERS 6 7 0 7 20 CARDINALS 0 6 7 3 16 Team Qtr. Time Scoring Play Drive Score 49ers 1 5:34 Nedney 37-yard FG 5-17, 2:30 3-0 49ers 1 1:22 Nedney 50-yard FG 6-24, 2:22 6-0 CARDS 2 14:03 Rackers 44-yard FG 6-52, 2:19 6-3 49ers 2 2:23 Gore 6-yard run (Nedney kick) 7-68, 3:03 13-3 CARDS 2 0:00 Rackers 29-yard FG 8-49, 1:15 13-6 CARDS 3 4:11 Fitzgerald 5-yard pass from Warner (Rackers kick) 7-69, 4:10 13-13 CARDS 4 14:52 Rackers 43-yard FG 8-36, 3:20 13-16 49ers 4 7:26 Gore 3-yard pass from Hill (Nedney kick) 15-80, 7:26 20-16 STATISTICS SF AZ First Downs 13 17 Rushes-Yards 25-21 17-40 Net Passing Yards 182 259 Total Net Yards 203 299 Passing (A-C-I) 31-18-0 44-26-2 Sacked by Opp.-YL 4-27 3-29 Punts-Average 8-49.1 6-54.7 Fumbles-Lost 1-1 1-0 Penalties 4-31 12-82 Time of Possession 31:37 28:23 Weather: Indoors RUSHING 49ers: Gore 22-30, TD; Norris 1-2; Coffee 1- (-3); Bruce 1-(-8). CARDS: Wells 7-29; Hightower 8-15; Warner 2-(-4). PASSING 49ers: Hill 18-31, 209 yds, 1 TD, 0 INT. CARDS: Warner 26-44, 288 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT. RECEIVING 49ers: V. Davis 5-40; Bruce 4-74; Morgan 3-38; Gore 3-18, TD; Battle 2-22; Walker 1-17. CARDS: Hightower 12-121; Fitzgerald 6-71, TD; Urban 5-74; Boldin 2-19; Kreider 1-3. WINNING IN THE NFC WEST The Cardinals have a 12-4 record against NFC West rivals dating back to 2007. Arizona has won 10 of its last 11 games against NFC West opponents, with the only loss being the 2009 season opener vs. San Francisco. In their last division matchup, the Cardinals earned their sixth consecutive win over the Rams and seventh in the last eight games. The Cardinals had not won six consecutive games against a single opponent since winning nine consecutive against the Eagles between 1974-78. The Cardinals have won their last five road games against NFC West opponents, with their last loss coming at Seattle on 12/9/07. When Arizona travels to San Francisco for this week s matchup, it will have been over two years (735 days) since the Cardinals last lost on the road against an NFC West opponent. Cardinals vs. the NFC West (Under Whisenhunt) Opponent W/L Score 11/22/09 @ StL W 21-13 11/15/09 vs. Sea W 31-20 10/18/09 @ Sea W 27-3 9/13/09 vs. SF L 16-20 2007-present 12/28/08 vs. Sea W 34-21 AZ vs. NFC West 12/7/08 vs. StL W 34-10 Sea: 5-1 11/16/08 @ Sea W 26-20 StL: 5-0 11/10/08 vs. SF W 29-24 SF: 2-3 11/2/08 @ StL W 34-13 9/7/08 @ SF W 23-13 12/30/07 vs. StL W 48-19 12/9/07 @ Sea L 21-42 11/25/07 vs. SF L 31-37 10/7/07 @ StL W 34-31 9/16/07 vs. Sea W 23-20 9/10/07 @ SF L 17-20 THE DUO VS. SAN FRANCISCO The Cardinals All Pro receiving duo of Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald have combined for eight 100-yard receiving games against the 49ers. Boldin 100-yard games vs. SF Date Rec. Yards TDs 12/4/05 @ SF 11 156 1 10/2/05 vs. SF 8 116 1 12/12/04 vs. SF 9 109 0 12/7/03 @ SF 9 123 1 Fitzgerald 100-yard game vs. SF Date Rec. Yards TDs 11/25/07 vs. SF 9 156 2 9/10/06 vs. SF 9 133 0 12/4/05 @ SF 8 129 0 10/2/05 vs. SF 7 102 1 NFC WEST GROUND GAME Dating back to 2007, six of the last seven individual 100-yard rushing performances for the Cardinals have come against teams from the NFC West. The Cardinals have a 6-0 record in those games and are 1-0 in 2009. Date Player Att Yards 11/22/09 @ StL Tim Hightower 14 110 12/28/08 vs. Sea Edgerrin James 14 100 11/2/08 @ StL Tim Hightower 22 109 9/7/08 @ SF Edgerrin James 26 100 12/30/07 vs. StL Edgerrin James 24 102 9/16/07 vs. Sea Edgerrin James 24 128 Cardinals vs. 49ers 9 of 46 www.azcardinals.com
CLOSE ENCOUNTERS Since Arizona joined the NFC West in 2002, the rivalry between the Cardinals and 49ers has featured quite a few close games. Of the 15 games between the two teams since 2002, 11 have been decided by seven points or fewer, including seven of the last eight. Four of the 15 games have gone into overtime. This week s matchup marks the third consecutive season the Cardinals and 49ers have met on Monday Night. The previous two games, including wins by each team, have been decided by a total of seven points. Last season s Monday Night matchup was decided by a Cardinals goal line stand in the final seconds. Nov. 10, 2008 (MNF) Cards 29, 49ers 24 A Monday night nail-biter, Arizona trailed from the get-go after Allen Rossum returned the opening kickoff 104 yards for a TD. The Cards stayed close and took their first lead with 4:16 to play with an Anquan Boldin TD reception. Still, the Cards had to withstand a pair of threats from the 49ers. On the drive following the Boldin TD, the 49ers drove to the Cards 14-yard line before Adrian Wilson ended the threat when he intercepted a shovel pass. After a three-and-out by the Cardinals, San Francisco reached the Arizona one-yard line. After spiking the ball, Frank Gore was stuffed on a run around left end and, with four seconds remaining, Michael Robinson was stopped on a run up the middle, ending the game. 2009 SEASON LEADERS RUSHING YARDS: Cards: 535, Tim Hightower (119 att., 4.5 avg., 6 TD) 49ers: 668, Frank Gore (137 att., 4.9 avg., 6 TD) RUSHING TDs: Cards: 6, Tim Hightower 49ers: 6, Frank Gore PASSING YARDS: Cards: 3,003, Kurt Warner (273-404, 23 TD, 11 INT, 97.0 rating) 49ers: 1,577, Alex Smith (149-241, 13 TD, 7 INT, 86.8 rating) RECEIVING YARDS: Cards: 969, Larry Fitzgerald (83 rec., 11.7 avg., 10 TDs) 49ers: 781, Vernon Davis (63 rec., 12.4 avg., 10 TDs) RECEPTIONS: Cards: 83, Larry Fitzgerald (969 yds., 11.7 avg., 10 TDs) 49ers: 63, Vernon Davis (781 yds., 12.4 avg., 10 TDs) RECEIVING TDs: Cards: 10, Larry Fitzgerald 49ers: 10, Vernon Davis TOUCHDOWNS: Cards: 10, Larry Fitzgerald 49ers: 10, Vernon Davis POINTS: Cards: 81, Neil Rackers (15/16 FG, 36/36 PAT) 49ers: 71, Joe Nedney (14/17 FG, 29/29 PAT) SACKS: Cards: 7.0, Darnell Dockett 49ers: 5.5, Manny Lawson INTERCEPTIONS: Cards: 4, Antrel Rolle 49ers: 2, Patrick Willis, Dashon Goldson BREAKING DOWN THE QB MATCHUPS The Cardinals matchup vs. San Francisco this week will feature Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner going-head-to-head against San Francisco quarterback Alex Smith. Although the Cards and 49ers meet twice a season, the Warner-Smith matchup last occurred in 2006. It will mark the sixth consecutive year that a different QB tandem will meet in the season s two divisional matchups. Only twice (2002 and 2003) has the same QB gone head-to-head in both games in a season. In the 2009 season opening win for the 49ers, Warner faced off against QB Shaun Hill. This week will mark Warner s fifth consecutive start against the 49ers. Below is a breakdown of the quarterbacks who have faced off since 2002. Highlighted are the nine different starting QB combinations: 2002 Game 1: Cards QB Jake Plummer vs. SF QB Jeff Garcia Game 2: Cards QB Jake Plummer vs. SF QB Jeff Garcia 2003 Game 1: Cards QB Jeff Blake vs. SF QB Jeff Garcia Game 2: Cards QB Jeff Blake vs. SF QB Jeff Garcia 2004 Game 1: Cards QB Josh McCown vs. SF QB Tim Rattay Game 2: Cards QB Josh McCown vs. SF QB Ken Dorsey 2005 Game 1: Cards QB Josh McCown vs. SF QB Tim Rattay Game 2: Cards QB Kurt Warner vs. SF QB Alex Smith 2006 Game 1: Cards QB Kurt Warner vs. SF QB Alex Smith Game 2: Cards QB Matt Leinart vs. SF QB Alex Smith 2007 Game 1: Cards QB Matt Leinart vs. SF QB Alex Smith Game 2: Cards QB Kurt Warner vs. SF QB Trent Dilfer 2008 Game 1: Cards QB Kurt Warner vs. SF QB J.T. O Sullivan Game 2: Cards QB Kurt Warner vs. SF QB Shaun Hill 2009 Game 1: Cards QB Kurt Warner vs. SF QB Shaun Hill Game 2: Cards QB Kurt Warner vs. SF QB Alex Smith FROM PLAYER TO COACH For the fifth time this season, the Cardinals matchup will feature two head coaches who previously spent time as players in the NFL. Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt and 49ers head coach Mike Singletary had a combined 21 years of experience as players in the NFL. Whisenhunt played nine seasons as a member of the Atlanta Falcons (1985-88), Washington Redskins (1989-90) and NY Jets (1991-93). 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 eight 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) Mike Singletary 49ers (12) Jack Del Rio Jaguars (11) Jeff Fisher Titans (5) Jim Zorn Redskins (11) Tom Cable Raiders (1) Sean Payton Saints (1) Cardinals vs. 49ers 10 of 46 www.azcardinals.com
CARDINALS-49ERS CONNECTIONS Cardinals Defensive Coordinator Bill Davis served in the same position for San Francisco from 2005-06. Cardinals defensive end Chike Okeafor was originally drafted by San Francisco in the 3rd round of the 1999 NFL Draft (89th overall) and played in the Bay area through 2002 with 19 starts in 57 games played. Cardinals tight end Stephen Spach is from Clovis, CA and went to Fresno State and Cardinals defensive tackle Bryan Robinson also played collegiately at Fresno State (1995-96). San Francisco long snapper Brian Jennings is a Mesa, AZ native where he was prepped at Red Mountain High School lettering in football, basketball, and track. He played his college football at Arizona State from 1997-99. Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner (1998-2003) was teammates with 49ers wide receiver Isaac Bruce (1998-2003) and cornerback Dre Bly (1999-2002) on the Rams. All helped St. Louis win Super Bowl XXXIV and appear in Super Bowl XXXVI. Cardinals Quarterbacks coach Chris Miller was a teammate of Bruce s on the Rams from 1994-95. San Francisco kicker Joe Nedney played with the Cardinals from 1997 through the first four games of 1999 before being waived. San Francisco guard Tony Wragge played for Arizona in 2002, appearing in two games and starting one. San Francisco Wide Receivers/Senior Assistant Jerry Sullivan was the wide receivers coach for the Arizona Cardinals from 2001-2002 and the offensive coordinator in 2003. San Francisco Tight Ends coach Pete Hoener got his first NFL coaching job with the St. Louis Cardinals, tutoring tight ends from 1985-86. Hoener spent three seasons with the Cardinals in Arizona, 2001-02 as the tight ends coach and 2003 as the offensive line coach. San Francisco Special Teams Coordinator Al Everest served in the same capacity for the Cardinals from 1996-99. San Francisco Special Assistant to Head Coach/Secondary Johnnie Lynn moved up the career ladder at the University of Arizona, going from graduate assistant (1987) to outside linebackers coach (1988-1991) to secondary coach (1992-93) before moving onto the NFL the following season as the secondary coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. San Francisco Assistant Special Teams coach Dave Fipp served as a graduate assistant at the University of Arizona in 2000. San Francisco Quarterbacks coach Mike Johnson was a backup quarterback at Arizona State University (1985-86) before he transferred to Mesa Community College (AZ) where he became a Junior College All-American in 1987. In 1990 he signed with the Cardinals as a rookie free agent but was released during the final cuts of training camp. San Francisco Assistant Strength and Conditioning coach Mark Uyeyama was a graduate assistant at Arizona State from 2001-02 and was promoted to a full-time assistant in 2003. Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt played tight end/h-back for the Atlanta Falcons while 49ers offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye was the wide receivers coach from 1987-88. Cardinals Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt (2000) and Strength and Conditioning coach John Lott (1997-2004) were with the New York Jets while 49ers Director of Player Personnel Trent Baalke (1998-2000) served as a scout. While in New York Whisenhunt coached tight ends and Lott served in the same position. Cardinals Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt (1999) and Linebackers coach Bill Davis (1999) joined San Francisco Executive Vice President of Football Administration Lal Heneghan (1998-2004) in working for the Cleveland Browns. Whisenhunt coached special teams, Davis served as defensive assistant/linebackers and Heneghan was Vice President of Football Operations and General Counsel. From 1984-92 Cardinals General Manager Rod Graves was a regional scout for the Bears while 49ers Head Coach Mike Singletary played for Chicago. Cardinals Director of Pro Personnel T.J. McCreight served as the Ravens national scout in 2003-04 while San Francisco Head Coach Mike Singletary coached inside linebackers. San Francisco Pass Rush Specialist Al Harris played defensive end for Arizona State from 1975-78. Cardinals tackle Mike Gandy (2005-06) played with 49ers cornerback Nate Clements (2004-06) and linebacker Takeo Spikes (2003-06) in Buffalo. Cardinals safety Matt Ware (2004-05), wide receiver Sean Morey (2003) and tight end Stephen Spach (2005) were teammates in Philadelphia with 49ers safety Michael Lewis (2003-06). Cardinals kicker Neil Rackers (2001-02) was teammates in Cincinnati with 49ers defensive end Justin Smith (2001-07), linebacker Takeo Spikes (1998-2002), and safety Mark Roman (2000-02). Smith was also joined on the Bengals by Cardinals defensive tackle Bryan Robinson from 2005-07. Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (2002-03) played on the same team at the University of Pittsburgh as San Francisco cornerback Shawntae Spencer (2000-03) and punter Andy Lee (2000-03). Fitzgerald (3 rd overall), Spencer (58 th overall) and Lee (188 th overall) were all selected in the 2004 NFL Draft. Cardinals safety Antrel Rolle and San Francisco running back Frank Gore attended the University of Miami (FL) together from 2001-2004 and were both selected in the 2005 NFL Draft. Rolle was taken 8 th overall (1 st Round) and Gore was taken 65 th overall (3 rd round). Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart (2001-05) and guard Deuce Lutui (2004-05) were teammates at USC with San Francisco guard Chilo Rachal (2004-05). All helped the Trojans win the 2004 National Championship. Cardinals vs. 49ers 11 of 46 www.azcardinals.com
RESUME BUILDING FOR THE WHIZ Head coach Ken Whisenhunt has had an impressive run in his first two-plus seasons with the Cardinals. With 28 wins during the regular and postseason, Whisenhunt has the fifth-most victories for a head coach in team history and his next victory will tie him with Vince Tobin (1996-2000) for the fourth-most in franchise history. Arizona has an 8-4 record through 12 games and is looking for their first back-to-back postseason appearances since 1974-75. A win on Monday Night over the 49ers will give the Cardinals their second-consecutive NFC West title. The win over the Vikings makes Whisenhunt the first head coach in franchise history to go.500 or better in each of his first three seasons. The Cardinals were 8-8 in 2007, 9-7 in 2008 and are 8-4 this season with four games remaining. The Cardinals started the 2009 season with a 5-0 record on the road for the first time since 1975. The Cardinals have a 12-4 record in the NFC West under Whisenhunt and have won 10 of their last 11 games within the division. Led the Cardinals to their first-ever Super Bowl appearance in 2008 and more wins in a single season (12) than any coach in franchise history. The Cardinals 30-24 win over the Atlanta Falcons in the Wild Card Game was the first home playoff victory in 61 years. With the 34-21 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 1988. GETTING THE JOB DONE When Ken Whisenhunt promoted Bill Davis to defensive coordinator prior to the 2009 season, he made clear that two areas he wanted the defense to improve upon were cutting down on points allowed and cutting down on points in the red zone. So far this season, Davis has the defense significantly improved in both areas. Through 12 games, the Cardinals defense has allowed 234 points and are on pace to allow 312 points on the season. If the defense continues its current pace, 312 points would be the lowest point total allowed by a Cardinals defense since 1994 (267) and the fourth-lowest total for the franchise since the NFL went to a 16-game schedule in 1978. Fewest Points Allowed (1978 to 2008) Points Year 267 1994 269 1993 296 1978 322 2004 332 1992 If the Cardinals continue on pace, they will allow over 100 fewer points this season than they allowed in 2008 (426). In the red zone, the Cardinals have allowed just 16 TDs in 35 trips in the red zone, and their (45.7) TD percentage is the 11 th best in the NFL. Last season, Cardinals opponents had 35 TDs in 55 trips inside the red zone, a 63.6 TD percentage, which ranked 28 th overall in 2008. IN THE WHISENHUNT ERA Below is a breakdown of the Cardinals regular season win-loss record during Ken Whisenhunt s tenure: In NFC West Games 12-4 At Home 15-7 On the Road 10-12 Outdoors 12-13 Indoors 13-6 When won the turnover battle 17-1 When lost the turnover battle 2-16 When even in the turnover battle 6-2 When scored first 12-6 When Opp. Scores First 13-13 Out-rush opponent 16-3 Cardinals have 100-yard rusher 7-0 Yielding 20 Points or Less 15-4 Scoring 20 Points or More 25-9 Led at Halftime 18-3 Tied at Haltime 3-1 Led at the End of 3 rd Quarter 19-1 Tied at the End of 3 rd Quarter 5-2 BEST THROUGH 12 With an 8-4 record, the Cardinals now have their best record through 12 games since 1976, when they also started 8-4 and finished the season with a 10-4 record. Best Record After 12 Games Franchise History Season Record 1948 11-1 1925 9-2-1 1975 9-3 1974 9-3 1947 9-3 1922 9-3 1970 8-3-1 1966 8-3-1 2009 8-4 1976 8-4 1963 8-4 NFL CAREER PASSING LISTS Kurt Warner has 31,594 passing yards for his career and last week moved past John Brodie (31,548) for 27 th on the NFL all-time passing yardage list. Career Passing Yards Yds to pass 23. 32,942 Troy Aikman, 1989-2000 1,349 24. 32,838 Ken Anderson, 1971-86 1,245 25. 32,224 Sonny Jurgensen, 1957-74 631 26. 31,826 Mark Brunell, 1994-present 233 27. 31,594 Kurt Warner, 1998-present - 28. 31,548 John Brodie, 1957-73 - With 23 TDs passes this season, Warner now has 205 TD passes for his career, surpassing Jim Everett (203) for 27 th on the NFL alltime passing TD list. Career Passing Touchdowns TDs to pass 22. 214 John Brodie, 1957-73 10 23. 212 Terry Bradshaw, 1970-83 8 24. 209 Jim Hart, 1966-84 5 25. 208 Donovan McNabb, 1999-present 4 26. 207 Randall Cunningham, 1985-01 3 27. 205 Kurt Warner, 1998-present - 28. 203 Jim Everett, 1986-97 - Cardinals vs. 49ers 12 of 46 www.azcardinals.com
WARNER JOINS UNITAS Kurt Warner completed 22 of 32 pass attempts (68.7%) for 285 yards, three TDs and a passer rating of 127.7 last week against the Vikings. It was Warner s fourth consecutive game with a passer rating over 120.0, making him just the second QB in NFL history to record four consecutive games with a passer rating of 120.0+. Prior to Warner, only Hall of Famer Johnny Unitas (1965) had accomplished the feat. Warner s Consecutive Games with 120.0+ Rating Date Att Com Yds TD INT Rating 12/6 vs. Min 32 22 285 3 0 127.7 11/22 @ StL 19 15 203 2 0 146.3 11/15 vs. Sea 38 29 340 2 0 120.5 11/8 @ Chi 32 22 261 5 0 132.9 Totals 121 88 1,089 12 0 133.2 Unitas Consecutive Games with 120.0+ Rating Date Att Com Yds TD INT Rating 10/31 34 23 324 4 0 137.4 10/24 27 18 251 3 0 133.4 10/17 18 12 221 2 1 122.7 10/10 24 18 319 3 1 138.9 Totals 103 71 1,115 12 2 135.4 Warner became the first QB in franchise history with a passer rating of 100.0 or better in four consecutive games. Entering last week s game, Brett Favre had posted three consecutive games with a 100.0+ passer rating, making last week s matchup the first time in NFL history that two QBs entered a game with a 100.0 passer rating in each of their previous three games. Warner now has an 18-3 record with the Cards when he has a 100.0+ rating, winning the last 14 straight. For his career, Warner has a 43-3 record when he has a passer rating of 100.0+. 121 AND COUNTING Since his final pass of the week eight contest vs. Carolina was intercepted, Kurt Warner has been on a roll. In the last four games he has played, Warner has completed 88 of 121 pass attempts (72.7%) for 1,089 yards, 12 TDs, 0 INTs and a passer rating of 132.2. Warner has now attempted 121 consecutive passes without throwing an INT, the second-longest current streak in the NFL among starters (Brady Quinn-126). For the first time in his career, Warner has gone four consecutive starts in the same season without throwing an INT. THREE IN A ROW With 285 yards passing last week against the Vikings, Kurt Warner now has 3,003 passing yards on the season. He joins Neil Lomax as the only QBs in franchise history with at least three 3,000-yard seasons. Lomax threw for 3,000+ yards four times as a member of the Cardinals. Warner became the first QB in franchise history to throw for 3,000+ yards in three consecutive seasons. Warner s 3,000-Yard Seasons In Arizona Year G/S Att Com Yds TD INT 2009 11/11 404 273 3,003 23 11 2008 16/16 598 401 4,583 30 14 2007 14/11 451 281 3,417 27 17 WARNER ON MNF This week s game will mark Kurt Warner s eighth career start on Monday Night Football and second with the Cardinals. Warner holds a 4-3 record on MNF in his career and 1-0 record with Arizona. Coincidentally, all three of Warner s losses in Monday Night games have come against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With the start this week, Warner will have starts in back-to-back seasons on MNF for the first time since 2001-02. Warner on Monday Night Football Date Att Com Pct Yds TD INT Rate W/L 11/10/08 vs. SF 42 32 76.1 328 3 0 121.9 W 9/23/02 @ TB 45 30 66.7 301 0 4 48.5 L 10/8/01 @ Det 37 29 78.4 291 3 0 126.5 W 11/26/01 vs. TB 39 19 48.7 291 1 2 61.0 L 12/17/01 @ NO 32 23 71.9 338 4 0 145.6 W 9/4/00 vs. Den 35 25 71.4 441 3 3 106.5 W 12/18/00 @ TB 32 20 62.5 316 2 3 77.1 L Totals 262 178 67.9 2,306 16 12 96.6 4-3 MNF Breakdown 300-Yard Games: 5 100.0+ Passer Rating: 4 65.0+ Completion Pct: 6 Multi-TD Games: 5 In Warner s four wins on MNF, he has completed 109 of 146 pass attempts (74.7%) for 1,398 yards, 13 TDs, three INTs and a passer rating of 125.3. In his four wins, Warner has averaged 36.5 passing attempts, 27.3 completions, 349 yards, 3.3 TDs and 0.8 INTs per game. Combined with the Cardinals 29-24 win vs. San Francisco last season, a win this week vs. the 49ers would give Warner back-toback wins on Monday Night for the first time since 2000-01. THREE AWAY FROM 100 Kurt Warner has thrown 97 TD passes as a member of the Cardinals and with three more, will join Hall of Famer Fran Tarkenton as the only quarterbacks in NFL history with 100 or more TD passes with two teams. In addition to his TD total with the Cardinals, Warner threw for 102 TD passes with the St. Louis Rams from 1999-2003. Warner has 23 TD passes so far in 2009 and last season, established a franchise record with 30 TD passes during the regular season as he led the Cardinals to the NFC West title. Despite missing one game due to injury, Warner is on pace to throw 31 TD passes this season, which would break his own franchise record. Tarkenton threw for 239 TDs for the Minnesota Vikings (1961-66, 1972-78) and 103 TDs for the NY Giants (1967-71). With 23 TD passes so far this season, Warner has now thrown for at least 20 TDs six times in his career, three times with the Cardinals and three times with St. Louis. In addition to holding the two of the top three single-season TD totals in Cardinals history (30 in 2008 and 27 in 2007) Warner also holds the top two TD totals in Rams history (41 in 1999 and 36 in 2001). Earlier this season, Warner joined Tarkenton as the only QBs in NFL history with 13,000 passing yards with two teams. Cardinals vs. 49ers 13 of 46 www.azcardinals.com
WARNER S TD BREAKDOWN Kurt Warner s 18-yard TD pass to Larry Fitzgerald in the fourth quarter against the Seahawks on 11/5 was the 200 th TD pass of Warner s career. He became just the 29 th player in NFL history to throw for at least 200 career TDs. With his 11-yard TD pass to Fitzgerald in the second quarter in week 11 vs. St. Louis, his second TD pass of the day, Warner reached 20 TD passes in 2009 and became the first QB in franchise history to throw for 20+ TDs in three consecutive seasons. In reaching 200 TD passes in his 118 th career game, Warner became the fifth-fastest QB in NFL history to reach the career milestone. Fewest Games to 200 Career TD Passes Player Games Dan Marino 89 Peyton Manning 106 Brett Favre 107 Tom Brady 116 Kurt Warner 118 Below is a breakdown of Warner s 205 career TD passes: With Team Opponent (Top 3) Location Day of Week By Quarter Rams... 102 49ers...24 Home...104 Sunday...186 First...46 Cardinals... 97 Falcons...21 Road...101 Monday...16 Second...70 Giants... 6 Seahawks...15 Thursday...3 Third...44 Fourth...45 Distance Receiver (Top 5) Season (Top 5) 3 or fewer Yards... 39 Larry Fitzgerald... 37 1999...41 4-9 Yards... 62 Anquan Boldin... 27 2001...36 10-19 Yards... 46 Isaac Bruce... 22 2008...30 20-29 Yards... 16 Marshall Faulk... 18 2007...27 30+ Yards... 42 Torry Holt... 18 2009...23 PASSING CHARLEY With 285 passing yards last week against the Vikings, Kurt Warner now has 15,093 passing yards as a member of the Cardinals, passing Charley Johnson (14,982) for fourth place on the franchise career passing yardage list. Warner entered last week s game needing 121 yards to pass Johnson. Career Passing Yards Franchise Record Yards Player (Year) 34,639 Jim Hart (1966-83) 22,771 Neil Lomax (1981-89) 17,622 Jake Plummer (1997-02) 15,093 Kurt Warner (2005-present) 14,982 Charley Johnson (1961-69) Warner is close to passing Johnson in career pass attempts in franchise history as well. With 1,996 pass attempts as a member of the Cardinals, Warner needs just 52 more attempts to pass Johnson (2,047) for fourth place on the franchise list. THE BEST ON THE ROAD Kurt Warner is 5-0 as a starter on the road this season. The only other time Warner started a season 5-0 on the road was in his second league MVP season of 2001 when he went 8-0 as a starter in road games. For the season, Warner has completed 113-of-154 passes (73.4%) for 1,214 yards, 12 TDs and just two INTs with an NFL-best 116.6 passer rating in his five starts on the road. Warner On The Road In 2009 Date Com Att Pct. Yds TD INT Rating 11/22 @ StL 19 15 78.9 203 2 0 146.3 11/8 @ Chi 22 32 68.8 261 5 0 132.9 10/25 @ NYG 20 36 55.6 231 1 1 72.8 10/18 @ Sea 32 41 78.0 276 2 1 110.8 9/20 @ Jax 24 26 92.3 243 2 0 131.2 Totals 113 154 73.4 1,214 12 2 116.6 WARNER GETTING RECOGNIZED In a Sports Illustrated poll of 296 NFL players, QB Kurt Warner was named recently selected by his peers as the active player who serves as the best role model on and off the field. With 18% of the vote, Warner edged out Indianapolis QB Peyton Manning for the recognition. Sport Illustrated Poll Best Role Model On And Off The Field Player (Team) Pct. QB Kurt Warner (Ari) 18% QB Peyton Manning (Ind) 17% S Brian Dawkins (Den) 9% QB Drew Brees (NO) 6% TE Tony Gonzalez (Atl) 5% Warner was also recently recognized by USA WEEKEND as its Most Caring Athlete for 2009. In recognition of the honor, USA WEEKEND contributed $5,000 to "First Things First. The foundation also received a 2009 NFL Charities Player Foundation grant in recognition of its outstanding work in the community. For all of his on-field accomplishments, Warner's community work remains his biggest source of pride and the Most Caring Athlete honor is a reflection of that commitment. Kurt and Brenda Warner established the "First Things First" foundation in 2001 and have personally contributed more than $1.5 million since then to host trips to Disney for Make- A-Wish families, furnish homes for low income single moms, and host Punt, Pass and Kick clinics with Special Olympic athletes, to name just a few of their initiatives. After visiting flood-ravaged regions in 2008, he created a partnership with Habitat for Humanity to sponsor home builds throughout the Midwest and those efforts have raised over $675,000. Just before kickoff of Super Bowl XLIII between the Cardinals and Steelers last February, Warner received the 2008 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, the only league recognition that acknowledges a player's off-the-field community service as well as his playing excellence. Cardinals vs. 49ers 14 of 46 www.azcardinals.com
WARNER IN THE NFL RECORD BOOKS Single-Game Completion Percentage (min. 15 attempts) 92.30 Kurt Warner AZ at Jax, 9/20/09 (26-24) 91.30 Vinny Testaverde Cle. vs. LA Rams, 12/26/93 (23-21) 90.91 Ken Anderson Cin. vs. Pit., 11/10/74 (22-20) 90.48 Lynn Dickey GB vs. NO, 12/13/81 (21-19) Passing Yards Per Game (min. 100 games) 263.3 Kurt Warner, 120 Games (31,594 yards) 262.3 Peyton Manning, 188 Games (49,313 yards) 253.6 Dan Marino, 242 Games (61,361 yards) 250.4 Drew Brees, 119 Games (29,794 yards) 239.6 Brett Favre, 285 Games (68,276 yards) Career Completion Percentage (min. 1,500 attempts) 66.1 Chad Pennington, 2000-current (2,469-1,631) 65.6 Kurt Warner, 1999-current (3,961-2,600) 64.8 Peyton Manning, 1998- current (6,420-4,161) 64.4 Drew Brees, 2001-current (4,042-2,605) 64.3 Steve Young, 1985-99 (4,149-2,667) Highest Career Passer Rating (Min. 1,500 attempts) 96.8 Steve Young, 1985-99 95.4 Philip Rivers, 2004-current 95.3 Peyton Manning, 1998-current 95.1 Tony Romo, 2004-current 94.1 Kurt Warner, 1998-current Most Passing Yards in a Season 5,084 Dan Marino, Miami, 1984 5,069 Drew Brees, New Orleans, 2008 4,830 Kurt Warner, St. Louis, 2001 Most Completions in a Single Season Year Player Comp 2007 Drew Brees 440 2002 Rich Gannon 418 2008 Drew Brees 413 1991 Warren Moon 404 2008 Kurt Warner 401 Most 300-Yard Passing Games in a Season 10 Rich Gannon, Oakland 2002 Drew Brees, New Orleans 2008 9 Dan Marino, Miami 1984 Warren Moon, Houston 1990 Kurt Warner, St. Louis 1999 Kurt Warner, St. Louis 2001 8 Dan Fouts, San Diego 1980 Kurt Warner, St. Louis 2000 Trent Green, Kansas City 2004 Tom Brady, New England 2007 Peyton Manning, Indianapolis 2009 Most 300-Yard Passing Games in a Career 63 Dan Marino, 1983-1999 59 Bret Favre, 1991-current 55 Peyton Manning, 1998-current 51 Kurt Warner, 1998-current 51 Dan Fouts, 1973-87 49 Warren Moon, 1984-2000 Most Consecutive 300-Yard Passing Games 6 Steve Young, SF 1998 Kurt Warner, StL 2000 Rich Gannon, Oak 2002 5 Tom Brady, NE 2009 Peyton Manning, Ind 2009 Kurt Warner, AZ, 2008 Joe Montana, SF 1982 Kerry Collins, NYG 2001-02 Drew Brees, NO, 2006 Most Seasons Leading League in Average Gain Per Pass 7 Sid Luckman, Chicago Bears 1939-43, 1946-47 5 Steve Young, San Francisco 1991-94, 1997 3 Arnie Herber, Green Bay 1932, 1934, 1936 Norm Van Brocklin, Los Angeles 1950, 1952, 1954 Len Dawson, Dallas Texans 1962, Kansas City 1966, 1968 Bart Starr, Green Bay 1966-68 Kurt Warner, St. Louis 1999-2001 14,000 WITH TWO TEAMS With 242 passing yards in game seven vs. Carolina, Kurt Warner reached 14,000 passing yards as a member of the Cardinals, becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to reach 14,000 passing yards with two teams. In addition to his total with the Cardinals, Warner threw for 14,447 yards with the Rams from 1998-2003. In his last two-plus seasons, covering 42 starts, Warner has thrown for 11,571 yards for the Cardinals, an average of 275.5 yards per start. Against the Texans in week five, Warner reached 13,000 passing yards with the Cardinals and joined Hall of Famer Fran Tarkenton and the only QBs in NFL history with 13,000+ passing yards with two teams. Tarkenton threw for 33,098 yards with the Minnesota Vikings and 13,905 yards with the NY Giants. WARNER ADDS NUMBER 51 In week five against the Texans, Kurt Warner reached 50 career 300 yards games in just his 113 th career game, becoming the fastest quarterback in NFL history to reach 50 300-yard games, shattering the former record held by Dan Marino (176 games). In week 11 vs. Seattle, Warner threw for a season-high 340 yards against the Seahawks, the 51 st 300-yard passing game of his career. In doing so, he tied Dan Fouts for the fourth-highest total in NFL history. Only Peyton Manning (55), Brett Favre (58) and Dan Marino (63) have more 300-yard games than Warner. Career 300-Yard Passing Games NFL History Games 300-Yd Player Played Games Pct. Win % 1. Dan Marino 242 63 26.0 37-26 (.587) 2. Brett Favre 285 59 20.7 39-20 (.661) 3. Peyton Manning 188 55 29.3 34-21 (.618) 4t. Kurt Warner 120 51 42.5 32-19 (.627) 4t. Dan Fouts 181 51 28.2 26-25 (.510) The Seattle game represented Warner s 21 st 300-yard game as a member of the Cardinals, the most in team history. Neil Lomax was the previous record holder, totaling 19 career 300-yard games. WARNER REACHES 30,000 In week six in Seattle, in his 114 th career game, Kurt Warner threw for 276 yards, giving him 30,032 passing yards for his career. Warner tied Hall of Famer Dan Marino as the fastest players in the NFL history to reach 30,000 passing yards. Fewest Games to 30,000 Passing Yards NFL History Player Games 1t. Kurt Warner 114 1t.Dan Marino 114 2. Peyton Manning 115 3. Warren Moon 125 4t. Drew Bledsoe 126 4t. Brett Favre 126 Warner has averaged 263.3 passing yards per game in his career, the best average in NFL history. In 2001 with the Rams, Warner became the fastest player in NFL history to reach 10,000 passing yards, reaching the mark in just his 36 th career game. In 2006 as a member of the Cardinals and playing in his 76 th career game, Warner became the second fastest player in NFL history to reach 20,000 passing yards, with only Marino (74 games) doing it in fewer games. Cardinals vs. 49ers 15 of 46 www.azcardinals.com
KURT S CANTON CREDENTIALS In the minds of many, Kurt Warner s performance as a Cardinal combined with his earlier success with the Rams has secured an eventual spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. For those not yet decided, perhaps the best case can be made by comparing Warner s career to those of QBs already enshrined -- particularly the 14 modern era quarterbacks enshrined in the last quarter century. None of the 14 can match Kurt in completion percentage, yards per attempt or yards per game. Only Steve Young had a higher career passer rating than Warner s 94.1. Only Dan Marino had more career 300-yard passing games. Warner s career totals for completions and yards already exceed the totals for five of the 14. His TD total (205) exceeds those of five. And Warner has done it all in fewer games. While the 14 Hall of Famers in question averaged 186 games, Kurt has needed only 120 to rank among them. The late start to his career, improbable emergence and subsequent career twists have become part of his legend. Warner & Tom Brady are among 10 quarterbacks to start at least three Super Bowls. The other eight are in the Hall. Warner, Brett Favre and Peyton Manning are among six players to win multiple MVP awards. The other three Montana, Unitas and Young are in the Hall. Below are career statistics & achievements of the 14 H.O.F. quarterbacks of the last 25 years compared to Warner: Psr 300-yd Pro SB SB NFL Player, HOF Yr. Years Gms Att Comp Pct Yds Y/A Y/G TD INT Rtg Games Bwl (W/L) MVP MVP Joe Namath, 85 ( 65-77) 140 3,762 1,886 50.1 27,663 7.35 197.6 173 220 65.5 21 5 (1-0) 1 - Roger Staubach, 85 ( 69-79) 131 2,958 1,685 56.9 22,700 7.67 173.3 153 109 83.4 6 6 (2-2) 1 - Fran Tarkenton, 86 ( 61-71) 246 6,467 3,686 56.9 47,003 7.27 191.1 342 266 80.4 13 9 (0-3) - 1 Len Dawson, 87 ( 57-75) 211 3,741 2,136 57.1 28,711 7.67 136.1 239 183 82.6 9 7 (1-1) 1 - Terry Bradshaw, 89 ( 70-83) 168 3,901 2,025 51.9 27,989 7.17 166.6 212 210 70.9 4 3 (4-0) 2 1 Bob Griese, 90 ( 67-80) 161 3,429 1,926 56.2 25,092 7.32 155.9 192 172 77.1 3 8 (2-1) - - Dan Fouts, 93 ( 73-87) 181 5,604 3,297 58.8 43,040 7.68 237.8 254 242 80.2 51 6 - - - Joe Montana, 00 ( 79-94) 192 5,391 3,409 63.2 40,551 7.52 211.2 273 139 92.3 39 8 (4-0) 3 2 Jim Kelly, 02 ( 86-96) 160 4,779 2,874 60.1 35,467 7.42 221.7 237 175 84.4 26 5 (0-4) - - John Elway, 04 ( 83-98) 234 7,250 4,123 56.9 51,475 7.10 219.9 300 226 79.9 36 9 (2-3) 1 1 Dan Marino, 05 ( 83-99) 242 8,358 4,967 59.4 61,361 7.34 253.6 420 252 86.4 63 9 (0-1) - 1 Steve Young, 05 ( 85-99) 169 4,149 2,667 64.3 33,124 7.98 196.0 232 107 96.8 28 7 (1-0) 1 2 Warren Moon, 06 ( 84-00) 208 6,823 3,988 58.4 49,325 7.23 237.1 291 233 80.9 49 9 - - - Troy Aikman, 06 ( 89-00) 165 4,715 2,898 61.5 32,942 6.99 199.6 165 141 81.6 13 6 (3-0) 1 - AVG of the 14 HOF QBs 186.2 5,094 2,969 58.3 37,603 7.38 201.9 248 191 82.0 26 6.9 Kurt Warner (1998-) 120 3,961 2,600 65.6 31,594 7.98 263.3 205 125 94.1 51 4 (1-2) 1 2 Additional Modern Era QBs not included above: George Blanda (played 1949-58, 1960-75; enshrined in 1981), Y.A. Tittle (played 1948-64; enshrined in 1971), Otto Graham (played 1946-55; enshrined in 1965), Bart Starr (played 1956-71; enshrined in 1977), Bob Waterfield (played 1945-52; enshrined in 1965), Bobby Layne (played 1948-62; enshrined in 1967), Norm Van Brocklin (played 1949-60; enshrined in 1971), Johnny Unitas (played 1956-73; enshrined 1979) and Sonny Jurgensen (played 1957-74; enshrined 1983). Where Warner Ranks In NFL History: Statistic Games With Perfect Passer Rating (3) Single Game Completion Pct (93.3) Passing Yards Per Game (263.3) Most Consecutive 300-Yard Passing Games (6) Career Completion Pct (65.6) Most 300 Yard Passing Games In A Season (9, 2x) Most Passing Yards In A Season (4,830) Most 300-Yard Passing Games In A Career (51) Highest Career Passer Rating (94.1) Most Completions In A Season (401) Passing Yards Per Attempt (7.98) Rank 1 st 1 st 1 st 1 st 2 nd 2 nd 3 rd 4 th 5 th 5 th 6 th Career Milestones: Two-time NFL MVP (1999 and 2001); was also named Super Bowl XXXIV MVP after leading the Rams to a victory over Tennessee. Became just the second QB (Craig Morton, Dallas and Denver) in NFL history to start a Super Bowl for two different teams. Both franchises Warner led to the Super Bowl had not earned a playoff berth in the previous 10+ years. In the decade preceding their Super Bowl appearance, the Rams had eight seasons of 10-or-more losses and the Cardinals had seven. Threw for 1,147 yards in the 2008 playoffs with Arizona, an NFL record for most passing yards in a single postseason. It topped the record he set in 1999 with the Rams when he threw for 1,063 yards. Owns the top three passing totals in Super Bowl history and is the only QB in Super Bowl history with three 300-yard performances. He has totaled 1,156 yards passing in his three Super Bowl appearances, the most passing yards of any QB in Super Bowl history. Has passed for at least 365 yards in five postseason games, an NFL record. Became the fastest player in NFL history to reach 10,000 passing yards and 30,000 passing yards. Has thrown for 300+ yards 51 times in his career. Became the fastest QB in NFL history to reach 50 300-yard games (114 games), shattering the previous record held by Dan Marino (176). Has thrown for 300+ yards in 42.5% of his career games, the highest percentage in NFL history. Is the only QB in NFL history pass for 14,000 yards with two different teams. On 9/20/09 at Jacksonville, set the NFL single-game record for completion percentage (92.3% on 24-26 passing). On 11/15/09 vs. Seattle threw his 200 th career TD. Only Marino, Manning, Favre and Brady reached 200 passing TDs in fewer career games than Warner s 118 and Kurt became just the 29 th player in NFL history to throw for 200 TDs. Last week s 127.7 passer rating was Warner s fourth consecutive game with a passer rating over 120.0, making him just the second QB in NFL history to record four consecutive games with a passer rating of 120.0+. Prior to Warner, only Hall of Famer Johnny Unitas (1965) had accomplished the feat. Cardinals vs. 49ers 16 of 46 www.azcardinals.com
FITZGERALD NEARING 1,000 BOLDIN ON PACE Larry Fitzgerald needs 31 receiving yards to reach 1,000 yards on the season, his fourth 1,000-yard season. He will join Anquan Boldin as the only receivers in franchise history with at least four 1,000-yard seasons. Fitzgerald would also become the first receiver in franchise history to record 1,000 yards receiving in three consecutive seasons. Cardinal Receivers Four 1,000-Yard Seasons Year Player Rec. Yds 2009 Anquan Boldin 63 763 2008 Anquan Boldin 89 1,038 2006 Anquan Boldin 83 1,203 2005 Anquan Boldin 102 1,402 2003 Anquan Boldin 101 1,377 2009 Larry Ftizgerald 83 969 2008 Larry Fitzgerald 72 1,010 2007 Larry Fitzgerald 100 1,409 2005 Larry Fitzgerald 103 1,409 IN FIRST SIX SEASONS Fitzgerald will be just the fifth active player to reach 1,000 yards four times in his first six NFL seasons. WR With 4+ 1,000-Yard Seasons in 1 st 6 NFL Seasons Player 1,000-Yd Seasons Randy Moss 6 Torry Holt 5 Chad Ochocinco 5 Anquan Boldin 4 Boldin has 763 yards receiving so far in 2009 as is on pace to become the first Cardinals player to reach five career 1,000-yard seasons. Boldin needs to average 59.3 yards per game over the final four games to reach the 1,000-yard mark. BACK ON TOP Larry Fitzgerald hauled in eight receptions for a season-high 143 yards last week, including a season-long 34-yard TD reception. The second quarter TD reception was his 10 th of the season and Fitzgerald becomes the first player in franchise history to record three consecutive seasons with 10+ TDs. Fitzgerald TD Totals (2007-09) 2007: 10 2008: 12 (career-high) 2009: 10 (four games to play) Fitzgerald is tied with San Francisco TE Vernon Davis for the most receiving TDs in the NFL this season. NFL Receiving TD Leaders TDs Player (Team) 10 Larry Fitzgerald (AZ) Vernon Davis (SF) 9 Randy Moss (NE) Reggie Wayne (Ind) Miles Austin (Dal) Visanthe Shiancoe (Min) 8 Roddy White (Atl) Marques Colston (NO) Robert Meachem (NO) Fitzgerald is closing in on Roy Green s franchise record for most receiving TDs in a two-year span. Green had 26 TD receptions between 1983-84. Since 2008, Fitzgerald has 22 TD receptions during the regular season. New England s Randy Moss, who has nine receiving TDs this season, is the only player in the NFL other than Fitzgerald who is on pace to record 10+ TDs in each of the last three seasons. FITZ WITH 100 With a season-high 143 receiving yards last week vs. Minnesota, Larry Fitzgerald now has 23-career 100-yard receiving games, the second-highest total in franchise history behind Anquan Boldin (26). 100-Yd Games Player (Years) 26 Anquan Boldin (2003-present) 23 Larry Fitzgerald (2004-present) 22 Jackie Smith (1963-77) 20 Roy Green (1979-90) 18 Rob Moore (1995-2001) WHILE HE S YOUNG Larry Fitzgerald reached 6,000 receiving yards for his career in the season opener against the 49ers. He became the secondyoungest receiver in NFL history to reach 6,000 yards. At 26 years and 13 days old, Fitzgerald trails only Randy Moss, who reached the milestone at 25 years and 270 days old. Youngest Receivers to 6,000 Yards Receiver (Team) Age Randy Moss (Min) 25 years, 270 days Larry Fitzgerald (AZ) 26 years, 13 days Jerry Rice (SF) 27 years, 37 days Herman Moore (Det) 27 years, 49 days Lance Alworth (SD) 27 years, 73 days Last season, Fitzgerald became the youngest receiver in NFL history (25 years and 119 days) to record 400 career receptions. Fitzgerald will be 26 years, 105 days old when the Cardinals play in San Francisco on Monday Night. He needs 56 receiving yards in that game to reach 7,000 yards for his career and become the youngest player in NFL history to reach the career milestone. Randy Moss (26 years, 220 days old) holds the current NFL record. Youngest Receivers to 7,000 Yards Receiver (Team) Age Randy Moss (Min) 26 years, 220 days Isaac Bruce (StL) 28 years, 10 days Herman Moore (Det) 28 years, 13 days Jerry Rice (SF) 28 years, 15 days Lance Alworth (SD) 28 years, 63 days YOUNGEST TO 500 In week 12 at Tennessee, Fitzgerald became the youngest player in NFL history to record 500 career receptions. Fitzgerald reached the 500 receptions milestone at 26 years, 90 days old, breaking the previous mark held by Randy Moss (26 years, 297 day old). In terms of games played, Fitzgerald became the second-fastest receiver in NFL history to reach the mark, trailing only Anquan Boldin, who reached 500 receptions in 80 games. Fastest Players to Reach 500 Receptions Player Team Games Anquan Boldin Arizona 80 Larry Fitzgerald Arizona 87 Andre Johnson Houston 88 Lionel Taylor Denver 89 Marvin Harrison Indianapolis 90 Cardinals vs. 49ers 17 of 46 www.azcardinals.com
BOLDIN IS FRANCHISE RECEPTIONS LEADER With three receptions against the Panthers in week eight before leaving the game with a sprained ankle, Anquan Boldin reached 537 career receptions and passed Larry Centers (535) to become the Cardinals all-time receptions leader. With seven receptions last week vs. Minnesota, he continues to build upon his record. Career Receptions Franchise Record Rec Player (Years) 565 Anquan Boldin (2003-present) 535 Larry Centers (1990-98) 522 Roy Green (1979-90) 509 Larry Fitzgerald (2004-present) 493 Frank Sanders (1995-02) Boldin wasted no time making his way up the franchise receptions list. In fact, no one in NFL history has made their way to 500 career receptions (or 400, or 300 or 200) faster than Boldin. Fastest Players to Reach 500 Receptions Player # of Games Anquan Boldin, Arizona 80 Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona 87 Andre Johnson, Houston 88 Lionel Taylor, Denver 89 Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis 90 Randy Moss, Minnesota 93 Fastest Players to Reach 400 Receptions Player, Team # of Games Anquan Boldin, Arizona 67 Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona 71 Kellen Winslow, San Diego 72 Lionel Taylor, Denver 73 Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis 75 Andre Johnson, Houston 75 Fastest Players to Reach 300 Receptions Player, Team # of Games Anquan Boldin, Arizona 47 Lionel Taylor, Denver 54 Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona 56 Kellen Winslow, San Diego 57 Andre Johnson, Houston 58 Isaac Bruce, St. Louis 58 Fastest Players to Reach 200 Receptions Player, Team # of Games Anquan Boldin, Arizona 34 Reggie Bush, New Orleans 34 Lionel Taylor, Denver 36 Tom Fears, L.A. Rams 36 Terry Glenn, New England 39 Kellen Winslow, San Diego 39 BOLDIN REACHES 7,000 With 105 receiving yards in week 10 against the Seahawks, his 88 th career game, Anquan Boldin tied Isaac Bruce as the fifthfastest receiver in NFL history to reach the career 7,000 receiving yards. Fewest Game to Reach 7,000 Receiving Yards Player Games Lance Alworth 72 Torry Holt 82 Randy Moss 83 Jerry Rice 83 Anquan Boldin 88 Isaac Bruce 88 MOVING FAST Pro Bowl receivers Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald have done a lot of moving this season. Both the receivers have made significant jumps up the franchise receiving lists so far in 2009. Most recently, Fitzgerald passed Frank Sanders (493) for fourth place on the franchise career receptions list in week 11 with eight catches against the Rams. Three weeks ago, against Chicago, Fitzgerald moved past Jackie Smith into fifth place on the career receiving yardage list. Against the Panthers in week eight, Boldin became the franchise all-time leader in receptions. IN week 11, Boldin s 103 receiving yards put him into third place on the career receiving yardage list. Boldin entered the game in a third place tie with Pat Tilley, each with 7,005 career receiving yards. Boldin needs two TD receptions to move into 4 th place on the career TD list, a spot now occupied by Mel Gray (45). Fitzgerald needs 62 yards to pass Pat Tilley (7,005) and move into fourth place on the career receiving yardage list. Rec. to Pass Total Career Receptions Boldin Fitz 1. 565 Anquan Boldin, 2003- - 57 2. 535 Larry Centers, 1990-98 - 27 3. 522 Roy Green, 1979-90 - 14 4. 509 Larry Fitzgerald, 2004- - - 5. 493 Frank Sanders, 1995-02 - - 6. 480 Jackie Smith, 1963-77 - - 7. 469 Pat Tilley, 1976-86 - - 8. 418 Bobby Joe Conrad, 1958-68 - - Yds. to Pass Career Receiving Yardage Boldin Fitz 1. 8,497 Roy Green, 1979-90 1,238 1,554 2. 7,918 Jackie Smith, 1963-77 660 975 3. 7,259 Anquan Boldin, 2003- - 316 4. 7,005 Pat Tilley, 1976-86 - 62 5. 6,944 Larry Fitzgerald, 2004- - - 6. 6,644 Mel Gray, 1971-82 - - 7. 6,579 Frank Sanders, 1995-02 - - 8. 5,828 Bobby Joe Conrad, 1958-68 - - TDs to Pass Career Touchdown Receptions Fitz Boldin 1. 66 Roy Green, 1979-90 11 23 2. 60 Sonny Randle, 1959-66 5 17 3. 56 Larry Fitzgerald, 2004- - 12 4. 45 Mel Gray, 1971-82 - 2 5t. 44 Anquan Boldin, 2003- - - 5t. 40 Jackie Smith, 1963-77 - - ON PACE FOR 100 With 83 receptions for 969 yards through the first 12 games, Larry Fitzgerald is on track for another 100-catch season. He is on pace for 110 receptions in 09 which would be a career-high. Should he reach 100 catches in 09, he would have three 100-catch seasons and become just the second receiver in NFL history to record three 100-catch seasons in his first six NFL campaigns (Marvin Harrison). In NFL history, there have been 60 total 100-catch seasons accomplished by 41 different players. Jerry Rice and Marvin Harrison share the NFL record with four apiece while Herman Moore totaled three 100-catch campaigns. Cardinals vs. 49ers 18 of 46 www.azcardinals.com
BREASTON, THE NOT SO SECRET WEAPON In the 11 games he has played this season (sat out the season opener with a knee injury), Steve Breaston has totaled 579 yards and three TDs on 44 receptions. The third-year wide receiver is now on pace to catch 60 passes for 790 yards this season. It wasn t that long ago that Breaston broke out as a receiver. In fact, it was against the NY Jets in week four of the 2008 season and since then, he has become a key part of the Cardinals passing attack. Below is a look at Breaston s stats over the last 24 regular season games compared to his first 19 NFL games: First 19 Games Last 24 Games Rec Yds Lg TD Rec Yds Lg TD 12 164 40 0 117 1,513 58 6 Not Just A Receiver Down 7-0 to the Vikings in the first quarter last week, Breaston s 64-yard punt return to the Vikings two-yard line set up Anquan Boldin s two-yard TD reception on the following play and the Cardinals would never trail again in the game. It marked the second-longest punt return of Breaston s career, trailing only his 73-yard TD return on 9/30/07 vs. Pittsburgh. Breaston also added a 19-yard run on a reverse, his second rushing attempt on the season. His only other rushing attempt this season was a 25-yard gain on a reverse on 11/8 @ Chicago. For his career, Breaston now has six rushing attempts for 60 yards. RUNNING STRONG After rushing for a career-high 110 yards in week 11 in St. Louis, Tim Hightower put together strong performances in the next two games. Hightower rushed 11 times for 55 yards and a TD and caught three passes for 23 yards in week 12 in Tennessee and last week against Minnesota, ran six times for 50 yards (8.3 avg.), including a key 32-yard run in the fourth quarter. Last week s game vs. Minnesota marked Hightower s third consecutive games averaging over 5.0 yards per carry. Three weeks ago, the second-year back rushed for a career-high 110 yards on 14 carries (7.9 avg.) against the Rams. It was Hightower s second career 100-yard rushing game, with the other coming on 11/2/08 in St. Louis, when he rushed for 109 yards on 22 carries. In his last three games combined, Hightower has rushed for 215 yards and a TD on 31 carries, an average of 6.9 yards per attempt. TOUCHDOWN TIM Tim Hightower has six rushing TDs on the season, the most recent coming on a six-yard run in week 12 at Tennessee. It was his first rushing TD in four games. Combined with his franchise rookie record of 10 rushing TDs in 2008, Hightower needs just three more rushing TDs this season to set a new franchise record for rushing TDs in consecutive seasons. Ottis Anderson holds the current record of 18 (1980-81). Rushing TDs in Back-to-Back Seasons Player TDs Seasons Ottis Anderson 18 1980-81 Ernie Nevers 18 1929-30 Ottis Anderson 17 1979-80 Tim Hightower 16 2008-09 Johnny Roland 15 1966-67 CARDS NEWEST RECEIVING THREAT RB Tim Hightower has 51 receptions on the season, the second-highest total in the NFL among running backs. Hightower has easily surpassed his reception total from his rookie season, when he caught 34 passes. Most Receptions By RB NFL (2009) Player, Team G Rec Yds Ray Rice, Bal 12 64 599 Tim Hightower, AZ 12 51 374 Matt Forte, Chi 12 47 438 Steve Slaton, Chi 12 44 417 Steven Jackson, StL 12 44 267 As a receiver, Hightower put his name in the franchise record books in week one against the 49ers. With 12 receptions for 121 yards, Hightower became the first Cardinals running back with 100+ yards receiving in a game since Larry Centers totaled 108 yards on 11 receptions at Indianapolis on 9/1/96. Hightower s 12 receptions in week one tied for the secondhighest single-game total by a running back in franchise history, matching Larry Centers 12 receptions vs. Dallas on 12/25/95 and Ottis Anderson s 12 receptions at Washington on 12/16/84. Most Receptions In a Game By RB Franchise History Rec Player (Game) 13 Larry Centers (vs. StL, 9/29/96, OT) 12 Tim Hightower (vs. SF, 9/13/09) 12 Larry Centers (vs. Dal, 12/25/95) 12 Ottis Anderson (at Was, 12/16/84) BEANIE TIME Rookie RB Beanie Wells, taken by the Cardinals in the first round of the 2009 draft, has shown why the Cardinals took him with the 31 st overall selection. In week 10 against the Seahawks, Wells established career highs in rushing attempts (16), rushing yards (85) and TDs (2). He also had a career-long run of 29 yards and careerlong reception of 23 yards. Wells had TD runs of 10 and 13 yards against the Seahawks, making him the first rookie in franchise history with two 10+ yard TD runs in a single game since Dave Mann accomplished the feat in 1955 vs. the Bears. Wells rushed for 74 yards and a TD on 14 carries (5.3 avg.) three weeks ago against the Rams, marking his fourth consecutive game averaging over five yards per carry. Wells one-yard TD run in the second quarter was his fourth TD in five games. In the last seven games, Wells has rushed for 393 yards and four TDs on 86 carries, an average of 4.6 yards per attempt. With 517 yards on the season, Wells ranks third in the NFL in rushing yards among rookies, behind only Denver s Knowshon Moreno (774) and Philadelphia s LeSean McCoy (530). Wells 4.3 yards per carry average is the third-best among all rookie runners and his four rushing TDs are second among rookies. NFL Rookie Rushing Leaders Player (Team) Att Yds Avg TD Knowshon Moreno (Den) 182 774 4.3 5 LeSean McCoy (Phi) 129 530 4.1 3 Beanie Wells (Ari) 121 517 4.3 4 Shonn Greene (NYJ) 65 312 4.8 2 Bernard Scott (Cin) 68 301 4.4 0 Cardinals vs. 49ers 19 of 46 www.azcardinals.com
VERY SPECIAL TEAMS AUSSIE RULES P Ben Graham dropped two of his three punts inside the Vikings 20- yard line last week, giving him 32 punts inside the 20-yard line this season. He needs two more to break the franchise record of 33, currently held by Jeff Feagles (1994). Franchise Record Punts Inside the 20 Player Year Punts In-20 % In-20 Jeff Feagles 1994 98 33 33.7 Ben Graham 2009 65 32 49.2 Scott Player 2004 98 32 32.6 Scott Player 2002 88 28 31.8 Jeff Feagles 1997 91 24 26.4 Graham s 32 punts inside the 20 this season are tied for the most in the NFL. He is now on pace to land 43 punts inside the 20-yard line this season. The NFL record is 42, established by San Francisco s Andy Lee in 2007. Graham s five punts inside the Titans 20-yard line in week 12 tied the franchise record for a single game. The only other player to accomplish the feat was Scott Player, who landed five-of-seven punts inside the 20-yard line on 10/20/02 vs. Dallas. Ken Whisenhunt recently praised Graham for his ability to get the ball downed deep inside opponent s territory. I think Ben (Graham) has been as consistent as anyone I have ever seen putting the ball (inside the 20-yard line) and giving our players the opportunity to down it. Obviously, when you know you have a punter who is going to do that, it certainly inspires you to get down there, which is really big for us. Graham s accuracy has not affected his punting distance this season. He is averaging 47.4 yards per punt on the season, the thirdbest average in the NFL and second-best in the NFC. NFL Punting Avg. Player (Team) No. Yds Avg. Shane Lechler (Oak) 76 3,914 51.5 Andy Lee (SF) 75 3,621 48.3 Ben Graham (Ari) 65 3,081 47.4 Jon Ryan (Sea) 66 3,117 47.2 Brian Moorman (Buf) 69 3,236 46.9 Graham is on pace to establish numerous single-season franchise records if he continues to play the way he has through the first 12 games. Punting Records Graham s Pace Franchise Record Avg. Yards Per Punt 47.4 45.6 (Jerry Norton, 1960) Most Inside the 20 43 33 (Jeff Feagles, 1994) RACKERS RIGHT ON TARGET Neil Rackers tied a season-high with three field goals last week vs. Minnesota, connecting from 31, 30 and 29 yards out. Rackers has now been good on 15 of 16 FG attempts on the season and his 93.8 FG percentage is the third best in the NFL behind Miami s Dan Carpenter and Minnesota s Ryan Longwell. 2009 NFL Field Goal Pct Leaders Player (Team) FGA FGM FG% 1t. Dan Carpenter (Mia) 20 19 95.0 1t. Ryan Longwell (Min) 20 19 95.0 3. Neil Rackers (Ari) 16 15 93.8 4. Olindo Mare (Sea) 23 21 91.3 5. Sebastian Janekowski (Oak) 19 17 89.5 Rackers has connected on 11 consecutive FG attempts this season, tying the third-longest streak in franchise history. He already has the two longest streaks in franchise history, hitting 31 consecutive attempts in 2005 and 15 consecutive attempts in 2008. SEVENTH ROUND STEAL With his 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the third quarter in week 12, LaRod Stephens-Howling became the first Cardinals rookie to return a kickoff for a TD since Roy Green s 106-yard kickoff return at Dallas on 10/21/79. Stephens Howling also played a large role in Ben Graham s big day. He was responsible for downing three of Graham s five punts inside the 20-yard line. Stephens- Howling downed punts at the Titans 5, 2 and 1-yard line in the game. It was a performance that earned Stephens-Howling NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. Throughout the season, he has been a standout on special teams, leading Arizona with 19 tackles on the year. For the season, Stephens-Howling has returned 36 kickoffs for 897 yards (24.9 avg.), leads the team with 19 special teams tackles, has seven receptions for 60 yards and a TD and has also run the ball three times out of the backfield. It is impressive production for the Cardinals seventh-round selection in 2009 draft out of Pittsburgh. Taken with the 240 th overall pick, Stephens-Howling didn t start his final two seasons in college, instead serving as the backup to Philadelphia second round pick (54 th overall), LeSean McCoy. THE FIELD POSITION GAME The Cardinals special teams units have been one of the best in the league. Cardinals opponents have started (44) drives inside their own 20-yard line this season, the highest total in the NFL. Opp. Drives Started Inside Own 20 Def Start Team Series In-20 Arizona 148 48 Cleveland 139 47 Dallas 140 45 Kansas City 152 42 Thanks to the punting of Ben Graham, the Cards also rank fifth in the NFL in net punting yards, gaining (41.0) yards per punt. NFL Net Punt Average Team Punt Yds Ret. Yds Net Avg. Oakland 76 3,914 360 44.4 San Francisco 75 3,621 409 41.8 St. Louis 63 2,926 177 41.4 Kansas City 76 3,479 214 41.4 Arizona 65 3,081 355 41.0 A LOOK AT THE BLOCKS The Cardinals have blocked an NFL-high three field goal attempts this season, two by 6-8 defensive end Calais Campbell and one by CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, his second in two seasons. 11/8 @ Chi: Rodgers-Cromartie blocked a 48-yard FG attempt. 10/11 vs. Hou: Campbell blocked a 35-yard FG attempt by Texans kicker Kris Brown. 9/20 @ Jax: Campbell blocked a 38-yard FG attempt that would have cut the Cardinals lead to 10-6. The blocked kick was recovered and returned 83 yards for a TD by Antrel Rolle. Cardinals vs. 49ers 20 of 46 www.azcardinals.com
THE 20/20 CLUB Adrian Wilson entered the 2009 season on the verge of joining an elite club among NFL defenders. The Pro Bowl safety is working to join the 20/20 club and become just the 10 th player in NFL history with at least 20 sacks and 20 interceptions. He is right on the verge after collecting his 20 th career INT in week 10 vs. Seattle. It could come at any time, as Wilson needs just one sack to reach his goal. Players with 20 Sacks/20 INTs Player Sacks Ints S Ronde Barber (TB, 1997- present) 24.0 37 S LeRoy Butler (GB, 1990-2001) 20.5 38 S Brian Dawkins (Phi/Den, 1996-present) 21.0 34 LB Donnie Edwards (KC/SD, 1996-2008) 23.5 28 S Rodney Harrison (SD/NE, 1994-2008) 30.5 34 LB Seth Joyner (Phi/Ari/GB/Den, 1986-98) 52.0 24 LB Ray Lewis (Bal, 1996- present) 35.5 28 LB Wilber Marshall 45.0 23 (Chi/Was/Hou/Ari/NYJ, 1984-95) LB William Thomas (Phi/Oak, 1991-01) 37.0 27 Wilson snagged his 21 st career INT (and third of 2009) in the third quarter in week 11 when he picked off Marc Bulger. Franchise Interception Leaders INTs Player (Years) 52 Larry Wilson (1960-72) 46 Aeneas Williams (1991-2000) 40 Roger Wehrli (1969-82) 30 Night Train Lane (1954-59) 29 Pat Fischer (1961-67) 24 Kwamie Lassiter (1995-2002) 22 Norm Thompson (1971-76) 21 Adrian Wilson (2001-present) Jerry Davis (1948-51) Ray Ramsey (1950-53) 20 Cedrick Mack (1983-90) Tim McDonald (1987-92) Jerry Norton (1959-61) Billy Stacy (1959-63) Ken Stone (1977-80) Wilson is having another Pro Bowl caliber year in 09, collecting 63 tackles, three INTs, 11 passes defensed, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble. He is now one INT shy of tying his career-high (4), established in 2002 and matched in 2006. Combined with his INT in week 10 against Seattle, Wilson had INTs in back-to-back games for just the second time in his career (2007). Wilson signed his second contract extension with the Cardinals during the offseason, agreeing to a five-year deal on 6/4/09 that will keep him under contract through the 2013 season. The twotime Pro Bowler showed his loyalty to the franchise when he signed his first contract extension in 2004, opting not to become a free agent and signing the first of two five-year deals. MAKING HIS CASE As he showed with his three sack performance in Super Bowl XLII against the Steelers, Darnell Dockett is a dominant force in the middle of the Cardinals defense. As the 2009 season wears on, Dockett is really heating up. Dockett matched his Super Bowl XLII in Tennessee in week 12 when he collected a regular season career-high 3.0 sacks of QB Vince Young. His previous regular season best was 2.5 sacks vs. Pittsburgh on 9/30/07. Dockett finished the game with six tackles, 3.0 sacks, four QB hits and three tackles for loss. Dockett now has 49 tackles, 7.0 sacks and a career-high 14 tackles for loss so far this season. With 7.0 sacks in 2009, Dockett now has 26.0 in his career and ranks 9 th on the franchise all-time list, and third all-time among defensive tackles. His 7.0 sacks are also the most in the NFL among defensive tackles this season. 2009 Sack Leaders Defensive Tackles Player (Team) Sack Yds Darnell Dockett (Ari) 7.0 54.0 Kevin Williams (Min) 6.0 32.0 Jonathan Babineaux (Atl) 5.0 27.5 Jonathan Fanene (Cin) 5.0 28.0 Trevor Pryce (Bal) 5.0 30.0 Dockett became the 10 th player in team history to record three or more sacks in a game. AMONG THE ELITE The country got to know Dockett by way of his three sacks in Super Bowl XLIII against Pittsburgh, tying the NFL record for sacks in a Super Bowl, a record he now shares with Hall of Famer and sack legend Reggie White. But since coming into the league in 2004, there aren t many players at his position that have dominated the way he has. Dating back to 2004, no player at his position has appeared in more games (92) than Dockett. He has started every game the last four-plus years for Arizona and has an ongoing streak of 77 consecutive starts, the team s longest active streak. Dockett has started 91 of 92 games in his first fiveplus NFL seasons and has never missed a contest. Since 2007, Dockett is among the league leaders in many categories at the defensive tackle position. Below is a look at Dockett s sack total since then compared to some of the more well-known defenders at defensive tackle. Sack Comparison 2007 to Present Player Sacks Yds Darnell Dockett (AZ) 20.0 141.5 Albert Haynesworth (Was) 17.5 105.5 Kevin Williams (Min) 17.5 114.5 Tommie Harris (Chi) 14.5 90 Shaun Rogers (Cle) 13.5 89 MONEY MIKE CB Michael Adams started his second career game last week against the Vikings and recorded the first INT of his career, a third quarter pick of Brett Favre at the Arizona 39-yard line that halted a Minnesota drive. Now in his third season with the Cardinals, Adams is a locker room favorite who originally came to the Cardinals as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Louisiana-Lafayette prior to the 2007 season. Just like fellow standout special teamer LaRod Stephens-Howling, Adams has not let his relatively small size (5-8, 181 pounds) get in the way of him becoming a fixture on the special teams units and a regular in the team s numerous defensive packages. One of the most reliable tacklers on the team, Adams has recorded career-highs in both tackles (22) and special teams tackles (12) this season. For his career, Adams as appeared in 24 games (two starts) and has recorded 26 tackles, one INT, four passes defensed and 27 special teams tackles. Cardinals vs. 49ers 21 of 46 www.azcardinals.com
ROLLE SCORES IN NEW POSITION After spending his first three NFL seasons as a cornerback for the Cardinals, Antrel Rolle moved to free safety in 2008. The move suited him well, as he recorded 119 tackles on the season, the first 100-tackle campaign of his career. This season, Rolle has continued that improvement, becoming a standout next to Adrian Wilson in the secondary. On the season, Rolle has collected 75 tackles, 1.5 sacks, four INTs, eight passes defensed, a forced fumble and two tackles for loss. Rolle recorded his fourth INT of the season in week 10, leaving him one shy of his single-season career-high (5), set in 2007. Rolle now has 12 career INTs in the regular season. Including the 2008 postseason, Rolle has five career defensive TDs on 14 career takeaways. Of his 13 career interceptions, Rolle has returned four for TDs, with a fifth called back due to an erroneous penalty on the return. He also had another pick wiped out by an offsides penalty in last year s MNF game vs. the 49ers. Below is a breakdown of Rolle s six career TDs: 9/20/09 at Jacksonville (83-yard Blocked FG Return) 1/3/09 vs. Atlanta (27-yard Fumble Return) 11/2/08 at St. Louis (40-yard INT Return) 12/30/07 vs. St. Louis (47-yard INT Return) 11/18/07 at Cincinnati (55-yard INT Return) 11/18/07 at Cincinnati (54-yard INT Return) FILLING IN NICELY When Antonio Smith left for the Houston Texans during the offseason, second-year DE Calais Campbell was tabbed to take over the starting role. He has been outstanding through the first 12 games, culminating in his performance last week vs. Minnesota, when he recorded four tackles, a tackle for loss and his fifth sack of the season. Through the first 12 games, Campbell has totaled 41 tackles, along with 5.0 sacks, five passes defensed and a forced fumble. Campbell s contributions aren t limited to defense either. In week two in Jacksonville, he blocked a 38-yard FG attempt, his first of two blocked FGs this season. The blocked kick was recovered a returned 83 yards for a TD by Antrel Rolle. Campbell earned NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his efforts. His second blocked FG attempt of the season came in week five against Houston. DRC YEAR TWO CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie broke into the starting lineup during his rookie campaign in 2008 and has been showing why he was a first-round pick ever since. In week five against the Texans and playing with a bulky cast on his hand due to a broken finger, Rodgers-Cromartie stepped in front of a Matt Schaub pass and returned it 49 yards for a TD that proved to be the game-winning points for the Cardinals in their 28-21 victory. It was a performance that earned him his first-ever NFC Defensive Player of the Week award. In week seven against the Giants, Rodgers-Cromartie recorded his third INT of the season on a highlight reel play in which he out-jumped Giants WR Dominique Hixon on a deep ball in the endzone. He was putting on dominate show in the secondary against the Giants before leaving the game with an ankle sprain in the third quarter. Including the 2008 playoffs, Rodgers-Cromartie has nine INT in 24 career starts at cornerback. His first three career starts came as a nickel back last season. He has two INT returns for TDs in his career, the latest coming against the Texans. He has also collected 22 passes defensed so far in 2009. For the season, Rodgers-Cromartie has 36 tackles, three INTs, 27 passes defensed and two forced fumbles. He recorded three passes defensed and a forced fumble in week 12 at Tennessee. DANSBY LEADS AGAIN LB Karlos Dansby has recorded a team-high 95 tackles on the season and is right on the verge of his fourth-career 100- tackle campaign and third in a row. After starting all 16 games for the first time in his career in 2008, Dansby has now started 36 consecutive games dating back to 2007 (40 including playoffs). Dansby has led the Cardinals in tackles the last two seasons. He recorded a career-high 128 tackles during the 2008 season, surpassing his previous career-high of 117, established in 2007. Last week against the Vikings, the Auburn alum had a big game. He surpassed 600 tackles for his career while his third quarter INT of Brett Favre was his first INT of the season and first since 11/16/08 @ Seattle. Dansby was drafted by the Cardinals in 2004 and was designated the franchise player each of the last two years. 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 second-ranked 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 2006. 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. 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 Cardinals vs. 49ers 22 of 46 www.azcardinals.com
RECAPPING THE SUPER BOWL 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 1947. 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 30-24 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 33-13. 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 32-25 after storming out to a 24-6 halftime lead. The Eagles fought back in the second half to take a 25-24 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 151.6 million viewers, the Cardinals fell to the Steelers 27-23. Down 20-7 entering the fourth quarter, the Cardinals made the biggest comeback in Super Bowl history, taking a 23-20 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 2008. 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. 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 23 of 46 www.azcardinals.com
Thursday, Dec. 10 Pittsburgh at Cleveland Sunday, Dec. 13 New Orleans at Atlanta Denver at Indianapolis Buffalo at Kansas City Green Bay at Chicago Detroit at Baltimore NY Jets at Tampa Bay Miami at Jacksonville Cincinnati at Minnesota Carolina at New England Seattle at Houston Washington at Oakland St. Louis at Tennessee San Diego at Dallas Philadelphia at NY Giants Monday, Dec. 14 Arizona at San Francisco Tues., 12/8 Wed., 12/9 UPCOMING PRACTICE SCHEDULE Thurs., 12/10 Fri., 12/11 Sat., 12/12 Mon., 12/14 THIS WEEK IN THE NFL All Times Arizona Players Day Off Players Day Off 10:45 AM 12:50 PM QB Kurt Warner avail. after practice 49ers Conference Calls: TBD Mike Singletary TBD TE Vernon Davis 10:40 AM 12:45 PM 10:15 AM 12:00 PM 6:20 PM NFLN 11:00 AM FOX 11:00 AM CBS 11:00 AM CBS 11:00 AM FOX 11:00 AM FOX 11:00 AM CBS 11:00 AM CBS 11:00 AM CBS 11:00 AM FOX 11:00 AM FOX 2:05 PM FOX 2:05 PM FOX 2:15 PM CBS 6:20 PM NBC 6:30 PM ESPN CARDINALS PRONUNCIATIONS Monty Beisel Steve Breaston Calais Campbell Early Doucet Clark Haggans Ali Highsmith Kenny Iwebema Dan Kreider Deuce Lutui Sean Morey Chike Okeafor Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie Antrel Rolle Lyle Sendlein Stephen Spach Jerheme Urban Ken Whisenhunt BYE-sull BREST-in kuh-lay-us doo-sett HAY-ginns AH-lee uh-web-uh-muh CRY-der luh-too-ee MORE-ee CHEE-kay oh-key-for dah-muh-neek AHN-trel SEND-line Spock Jeremy WIZZ-en-hunt Cardinals at 49ers 6:30 PM (MNF) Candlestick Park Photographers/videographers may shoot until the team portion of practice begins (approximately the first 25 minutes) Players and coaches will be available coming off the field each day and the locker room will be open for 45 minutes after practice. Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt will also be available following each session. RECENT TRANSACTIONS Tues, 11/24 Cardinals signed LB Monty Beisel and released TE Dominique Byrd from the 53-man roster. The team re-signed DE Jason Banks and LB Pago Togafau to the practice squad and released FB Jed Collins and DT Antoine Holmes. Wed, 11/4 Tue, 11/3 Cardinals signed FB Jed Collins to the practice squad, taking the place of FB Fui Vakapuna, who was signed to the Bengals 53-man roster. Cardinals placed DT Keilen Dykes on practice squad injured reserve and signed DT Antoine Holmes to practice squad. Wed, 10/21 Cardinals signed LB Brandon Renkart to the practice squad and released LB Lee Robinson from the practice squad. Sat, 10/17 Cardinals activated TE Ben Patrick to the 53-man roster. BROADCAST SCHEDULE The following Cardinals broadcasts will air this week: Radio Big Red Rage With Bertrand Berry and Karlos Dansby Live from Majerle s in Chandler Thursday, 6:00 7:00 PM (Sports 620 KTAR) The Arizona Cardinals NFL Kickoff Show Monday, 3:00 4:00 PM Hosted by Mike Goldberg, Bill Lewis and Darren Urban (News Talk 92.3 KTAR/ Sports 620 KTAR) Schwartzlaser. Com Cardinals Pre-Game Huddle Monday, 4:00 6:30 PM Hosted by Paul Calvisi, Rob Moore, Rob Fredrickson (News Talk 92.3 KTAR/ Sports 620 KTAR) Arizona Cardinals @ San Francisco 49ers Monday, 6:30pm Dave Pasch, Ron Wolfley, and Paul Calvisi (News Talk 92.3 KTAR/ Sports 620 KTAR) Cardinal Talk Monday, Immediately following the game Hosted by Bill Lewis and Rob Fredrickson (News Talk 92.3 KTAR/ Sports 620 KTAR) Television Cardinals Headquarters (FS Arizona) Thursday 11:00 PM, 2:00 AM, 4:00 AM Friday 6:3o AM, 4:30 PM Maximum Cardinals (12 News) Saturday, 4:00 4:30 PM Hosted by Jody Jackson The Ken Whisenhunt Show (12 News) Saturday at Midnight Hosted by Ron Wolfley Cardinals Overtime (FS Arizona) Monday 10:00 PM Tuesday 9:30 PM Wednesday 8:00 PM, 11:30 PM, 2:00 AM Thursday 6:30 AM, 1:30 AM Friday 4:00 PM Hosted by Jody Jackson, Rob Fredrickson and Rob Moore Cardinals vs. 49ers 24 of 46 www.azcardinals.com
Game 1 49ers 20, CARDINALS 16 September 13, 2009 University of Phoenix Stadium (61,981) Arizona opened the season with a home loss to the 49ers in a game dominated by the defenses and decided late. After spotting San Fran a 13-3 lead, the Cardinals took a 16-13 lead early in the 4 th quarter. The 49ers then turned in a 15-play, 80-yard drive and re-claimed the lead on a Frank Gore TD pass from Shaun Hill with 7:26 to go. The Cardinals, who enjoyed a 96-yard edge in total offense, were not able to answer. Defensively they limited SF to 21 rushing yards on 25 attempts (Gore 30 yards on 20 rushes) and forced 3-n-outs on 5 of San Fran s 6 2 nd half drives. The one exception was SF s lengthy go-ahead TD drive and that was the difference. On Arizona s second drive of the game, Kurt Warner s 3 rd -n-18 pass to Jerheme Urban was INT d by LB Patrick Willis setting the 49ers up at the AZ 36 and leading to a Joe Nedney FG. After a 3-n-out by the Cards offense, Nedey s 50-yard FG put the Niners up 6-0. On the first play of the next drive, Warner and Urban connected on a 40-yard pass to the SF38 setting up Neil Rackers 44-yard FG to make it 6-3 early in the 2 nd quarter. Later in the quarter, SF faced a 3 rd -n-10 at its own 44 when a 50-yard Hill-to-Isaac Bruce pass took it to the 6. The next snap saw Gore score on a 6-yard run. On the next play from scrimmage, Warner attempted to pass while being dragged down but the pass was INT d by Nate Clements and the 49ers took over at the AZ34 with 2:13 left in the half. A sack for minus-14 by DT Darnell Dockett backed it up to the 44 and then FS Antrel Rolle hit Hill while passing. The play was originally called an incompletion but after a booth review it was changed to a fumble and Cards recovery at the AZ40 with 1:15 left. RB Tim Hightower, who finished with 11 catches for 121 yards, caught a pair of passes for 27 yards helping AZ move into position for a Rackers FG as the half expired. Arizona s best offensive drive of the day came midway thru the 3 rd when they moved 69 yards in 7 plays and tied the game on a 5-yard Larry Fitzgerald TD pass from Warner. The Cards then took the lead on their next possession thanks to a 43-yard Rackers FG. However, SF answered with their long go-ahead drive on which they converted four 3 rd downs including Gore s TD midway thru the 4 th. Arizona was forced to punt on the next drive but was able to down it on the SF2. After stuffing 3 runs for minus-1, they got the ball back at the SF38 with 3:11 left but were backed up by 2 of their 12 penalties and failed to convert on 4 th -n-5 from the SF33 just after the 2:00 warning. 49ERS 6 7 0 7 20 CARDINALS 0 6 7 3 16 Team Qtr. Time Scoring Play Drive Score 49ers 1 5:34 Nedney 37-yard FG 5-17, 2:30 3-0 49ers 1 1:22 Nedney 50-yard FG 6-24, 2:22 6-0 CARDS 2 14:03 Rackers 44-yard FG 6-52, 2:19 6-3 49ers 2 2:23 Gore 6-yard run (Nedney kick) 7-68, 3:03 13-3 CARDS 2 0:00 Rackers 29-yard FG 8-49, 1:15 13-6 CARDS 3 4:11 Fitzgerald 5-yard pass from Warner (Rackers kick) 7-69, 4:10 13-13 CARDS 4 14:52 Rackers 43-yard FG 8-36, 3:20 13-16 49ers 4 7:26 Gore 3-yard pass from Hill (Nedney kick) 15-80, 7:26 20-16 Game 2 CARDINALS 31, Jaguars 17 September 20, 2009 Jacksonville Municipal Stadium (46,520) Needing a road win at Jacksonville to even their record at 1-1, the Cardinals got it thanks to a record-setting - and nearly perfect performance - from Kurt Warner plus another solid effort from the defense (4 sacks, 3 takeways). The week before, the Cardinals offense struggled to find its rhythm in the season opener vs. San Francisco. On a hot and muggy afternoon in Jacksonville, they found it. Warner completed his first 15 passes to tie the club record for consecutive completions (most ever to open a game) and set the NFL s single-game record for completion percentage (92.3% on 24 of 26 passing). He threw for 2 TDs and was not sacked or intercepted before exiting the game late in the 3 rd with the Cards up 31-3. A pair of late TDs brought the Jags to within 2 scores but it was as close as they got. The Cards never trailed after moving 75 yards in 11 plays on the first drive and capped it with a 1-yard Tim Hightower TD run. They caught a break on the play before the TD when TE Anthony Becht recovered a Beanie Wells fumble near the goal line. The Jags and Cards then traded field goals and it was 10-3 when a Jacksonville drive that was set-up by a muffed Cardinal punt stalled at the AZ28. But on the game s pivotal play, 6-8 DE Calais Campbell blocked the 38-yard Josh Scobee try and Antrel Rolle returned it 83 yards for a TD that made it 17-3. The Jags advanced to the AZ35 late in the 2 nd but CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie forced a fumble by WR Troy Williamson and SS Adrian Wilson recovered at the AZ32. Six plays later, Warner hit RB Jason Wright on a 5-yard TD that made it 24-3 at intermission, marking the largest home first-half deficit in Jaguars history. The Cards missed a 48-yard FG in the 3 rd quarter but got the ball back on a David Garrard fumble forced by Karlos Dansby and recovered by Bertrand Berry at the JAX38. That led to a 22-yard Warner-to-Larry Fitzgerald TD pass that made it 31-3. It would be Warner s last pass as he made way for Matt Leinart before the next AZ drive. Garrard connected with TE Marcedes Lewis on a 25-yard pass late in the 3 rd and a 19-yarder to WR Mike Sims-Walker midway thru the 4 th that made it 31-17.They had a chance to make narrow the gap on the next drive but WR Nate Hughes dropped consecutive passes in the end zone and the Jags turned it over on downs. Their final drive ended when Rodgers-Cromartie INT d Garrard to seal the victory. CARDINALS 10 14 7 0 31 JAGUARS 3 0 7 7 17 Team Qtr. Time Scoring Play Drive Score CARDS 1 8:07 Hightower 1-yard run (Rackers kick) 11-75, 6:53 7-0 Jaguars 1 4:41 Scobee 30-yard FG 7-62, 3:26 7-3 CARDS 1 0:03 Rackers 45-yard FG 8-53, 4:38 10-3 CARDS 2 11:30 Rolle 83-yard return of blocked FG (Rackers kick) -- 17-3 CARDS 2 0:55 Wright 5-yard pass from Warner (Rackers kick) 7-68, 1:18 24-3 CARDS 3 5:28 Fitzgerald 22-yard pass from Warner (Rackers kick) 4-38, 2:04 31-3 Jaguars 3 1:31 Lewis 25-yard pass from Garrard (Scobee kick) 8-64, 3:57 31-10 Jaguars 4 7:11 Sims-Walker 19-yard pass from Garrard (Scobee kick) 14-85, 5:09 31-17 STATISTICS SF AZ First Downs 13 17 Rushes-Yards 25-21 17-40 Net Passing Yards 182 259 Total Net Yards 203 299 Passing (A-C-I) 31-18-0 44-26-2 Sacked by Opp.-YL 4-27 3-29 Punts-Average 8-49.1 6-54.7 Fumbles-Lost 1-1 1-0 Penalties 4-31 12-82 Time of Possession 31:37 28:23 Weather: Indoors RUSHING 49ers: Gore 22-30, TD; Norris 1-2; Coffee 1-(-3); Bruce 1-(-8). CARDS: Wells 7-29; Hightower 8-15; Warner 2-(- 4). PASSING 49ers: Hill 18-31, 209 yds, 1 TD, 0 INT. CARDS: Warner 26-44, 288 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT. RECEIVING 49ers: V. Davis 5-40; Bruce 4-74; Morgan 3-38; Gore 3-18, TD; Battle 2-22; Walker 1-17. CARDS: Hightower 12-121; Fitzgerald 6-71, TD; Urban 5-74; Boldin 2-19; Kreider 1-3. STATISTICS AZ JAX First Downs 22 18 Rushes-Yards 28-118 20-92 Net Passing Yards 265 280 Total Net Yards 383 372 Passing (A-C-I) 32-27-0 43-23-1 Sacked by Opp.-YL 0-0 4-2 Punts-Average 3-46.3 4-45.3 Fumbles-Lost 5-2 4-2 Penalties 7-58 8-50 Time of Possession 31:21 28:39 Weather: 83 degrees, 74% humidity, Wind E 8 mph. RUSHING CARDS: Hightower 15-72, TD; Wells 7-44; Boldin 1-4; Stephens-Howling 1-2; Warner 1-(-1); Leinart 3-(-3). Jaguars: Jones-Drew 13-66; Garrard 4-27; Jennings 2-1; Owens 1-(-2). PASSING CARDS: Warner 24-26, 243 yds, 2 TD, 0 INT; Leinart 3-6, 22 yds, 0 TD, 0 INT. Jaguars: Garrard 23-42, 282 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT. RECEIVING CARDS: Boldin 8-69; Breaston 5-83; Fitzgerald 4-34, TD; Hightower 3-12; Urban 2-25; Stephens-Howling 2-14; Becht 1-16; Spach 1-7; Wright 1-5. Jaguars: Sims-Walker 6-106, TD; Holt 6-65; Jones-Drew 4-17; Lewis 3-62, TD; Williamson 2-24; Hughes 2-8. Cardinals vs. 49ers 25 of 46 www.azcardinals.com
Game 3 Colts 31, CARDINALS 10 September 27, 2009 University of Phoenix Stadium (62,692) The Cardinals dropped to 1-2 for the season (0-2 at home) by falling to the Colts in a nationally-televised Sunday night affair. Indy QB Peyton Manning threw 4 TD passes to 4 different receivers and amassed 379 yards through the air. Arizona counterpart Kurt Warner was pressured throughout the night by a ferocious Indy pass rush that sacked him 4 times, including twice by DE Dwight Freeney. Most costly, however, was a pair of Cardinal turnovers inside the Colt 5 that topped the list of missed Arizona opportunities. Arizona held Indy scoreless in the 1 st quarter and forced them to punt on their first 3 drives (including two 3-n-outs). Up 3-0 early in the 2 nd thanks to a Neil Rackers FG, the Cards seemed poised to make it 10-0 when they had the ball deep in Colt territory but RB Tim Hightower fumbled and DB Antoine Bethea recovered at the Indy 5. The Colts then scored on their next 3 drives via Manning TD passes while AZ went 3-n-out in between. The TDs to WR Reggie Wayne, TE Dallas Clark, and WR Pierre Garcon put the Colts up 21-3. The Cards were at the doorstep again in the final minute of the first half but on 1 st -n-goal from the 1, Warner s pass to Larry Fitzgerald was tipped and INT d in the end zone by Bethea. Arizona opened the 2 nd half by going no-huddle and found success. They moved 73 yards in 8 plays and capped the drive with a 10-yard Warner TD pass to Anquan Boldin that made it 21-10. The Cards caught a break when the next Indy drive reached the AZ14 but Adam Vinatieri s 32-yard FG bounced off the left upright. On the next series Fitzgerald beat his man down the left sideline but Warner slightly overthrew him, missing a prime scoring opportunity that would have made it a 4-point game. Indy then capitalized when rookie RB Donald Brown turned a short pass from Manning into a 72-yard completion that set-up a 3-yard Joseph Addai TD reception and a 28-10 lead. The Cardinals would never threaten again and a 26-yard Vinatieri FG in the 4 th quarter provided the game s final points. COLTS 0 21 7 3 31 CARDINALS 3 0 7 0 10 Team Qtr. Time Scoring Play Drive Score CARDS 1 2:46 Rackers 38-yard FG 7-48, 3:16 0-3 Colts 2 9:04 Wayne 20-yard pass from Manning (Vinatieri kick) 11-95, 5:09 7-3 Colts 2 5:49 Clark 10-yard pass from Manning (Vinatieri kick) 6-57, 2:24 14-3 Colts 2 1:52 Garcon 53-yard pass from Manning (Vinatieri kick) 4-68, 1:54 21-3 CARDS 3 10:50 Boldin 10-yard pass from Warner (Rackers kick) 8-73, 4:10 21-10 Colts 3 2:26 Addai 3-yard pass from Manning (Vinatieri kick) 4-80, 2:07 28-10 Colts 4 11:31 Vinatieri 26-yard FG 6-32, 3:22 31-10 STATISTICS IND AZ First Downs 22 21 Rushes-Yards 31-126 12-24 Net Passing Yards 379 299 Total Net Yards 505 323 Passing (A-C-I) 35-24-1 54-32-2 Sacked by Opp.-YL 0-0 4-40 Punts-Average 4-42.0 6-47.8 Fumbles-Lost 1-0 3-1 Penalties 7-69 5-35 Time of Possession 31:42 28:18 Weather: Indoors RUSHING Colts: Addai 13-63; Brown 14-40; Garcon 1-17; Clark 1-7; Manning 2-(-1). CARDS: Hightower 9-22; Wright 1-4; Wells 2-(- 2). PASSING Colts: Manning 24-35, 379, 4 TD, 1 INT CARDS: Warner 30-52, 332 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT; Leinart 2-2, 7 yds, 0 TD, 0 INT. RECEIVING Colts: Wayne 7-126, TD; Clark 7-62, TD; Garcon 3-64, TD; Collie 3-47; Addai 3-8, TD; Brown 1-72. CARDS: Breaston 7-94; Fitzgerald 7-76; Boldin 6-83, TD; Hightower 5-39; Urban 2-14; Spach 2-9; Becht 1-11; Stephens-Howling 1-8; Wright 1-5. Game 4 CARDINALS 28, Texans 21 October 11, 2009 University of Phoenix Stadium (61,819) The Cardinals returned from their bye week and evened their record at 2-2 with a down-tothe-wire home win over the Houston Texans. While the offense provided a large early cushion, it was the defense that stepped up late. The Cards D not only produced the game-winning TD late in the 4 th but followed it with a huge goal-line stand that turned away the Texans on 3 straight plays from the 1-yard line in the game s final minute. The first-half was dominated by Arizona. A 1-yard Tim Hightower TD run capped the team s opening drive and a pair of TD passes from Kurt Warner to Larry Fitzgerald in the final 1:44 of the 1 st half gave AZ a 21-0 lead at intermission. The Cards also had huge statistical leads in almost every category, including 1 st downs (18-5), total yards (297-130) and passing yards (262-92). The Cardinals missed a chance for another score in the 1 st quarter when Anquan Boldin turned it over at the HOU 1 on a fumble but Calais Campbell prevented the Texans from converted the takeaway into points when he blocked Kris Brown s 35-yard FG try. That 21-point halftime advantage evaporated when Houston scored TDs on 3 straight possessions in the 3 rd and 4 th quarters. After Texans WR Andre Johnson tied the game with 6:59 to play on his second TD in as many drives, the Cardinals went 3-n-out and gave the ball back on a punt. Houston took over at its own 11 with 5:52 to play and advanced to its 42 before facing a 3 rd -n-8 with 2:30 left. CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie then turned in the game s decisive play when he stepped in front of a Matt Schaub pass intended for WR Kevin Walter and raced 49 yards down the right sideline for the pick-six. However, the Titans would not go away. Andre Davis returned the ensuing kickoff 63 yards, giving Houston the ball at the AZ40 with 2:30 remaining. Five straight Schaub passes quickly moved it to the 1. But after Chris Brown was stuffed for no gain on 2 nd down and Schaub overthrew his open TE in the end zone on 3 rd, the game came down to a 4 th -n-goal play at the 1. With 0:47 left, the Cards defense secured the win when they stuffed Brown for no gain on a ruling that replay upheld. Individually Warner became the fifth player with 50 career 300-yard days and also the 2 nd to eclipse 13,000 yards with two different franchises (Fran Tarkenton, MIN & NYG). Also, Boldin moved past Roy Green and into second place on the club s all-time receptions list. The win gave the Cardinals their first-ever win against Houston and left the Denver Broncos the only team against whom they have never recorded a victory. TEXANS 0 0 7 14 21 CARDINALS 7 14 0 7 28 Team Qtr. Time Scoring Play Drive Score CARDS 1 9:29 Hightower 1-yard run (Rackers kick) 8-64, 4:15 0-7 CARDS 2 1:44 Fitzgerald 9-yard pass from Warner (Rackers kick) 7-68, 2:35 0-14 CARDS 2 0:21 Fitzgerald 26-yard pass from Warner (Rackers kick) 3-48, 0:53 0-21 Texans 3 3:39 C. Brown 1-yard run (Brown kick) 10-64, 5:54 7-21 Texans 4 12:18 A. Johnson 11-yard pass from Schaub (Brown kick) 8-77, 3:16 14-21 Texans 4 6:59 A. Johnson 17-yard pass from Schaub (Brown kick) 8-66, 4:15 21-21 CARDS 4 2:20 Rodgers-Cromartie 49-yard INT return (Rackers kick) -- 21-28 STATISTICS HOU AZ First Downs 23 19 Rushes-Yards 21-45 16-44 Net Passing Yards 371 296 Total Net Yards 416 340 Passing (A-C-I) 50-35-1 28-26-0 Sacked by Opp.-YL 0-0 1-6 Punts-Average 5-40.0 7-50.9 Fumbles-Lost 1-0 1-1 Penalties 6-53 7-40 Time of Possession 33:25 26:35 Weather: Indoors RUSHING Texans: Slaton 13-39; Schaub 3-5; C. Brown 1-2, TD; Walter 1-(-1). CARDS: Wells 7-24; Hightower 6-17, TD; Boldin 1-3; Warner 2-0. PASSING Texans: Schaub 35-50, 371 yds, 2 TD, INT. CARDS: Warner 26-38, 302 yds, 2 TD, 0 INT. RECEIVING Texans: A. Johnson 8-101, 2 TD; Daniels 8-94; Slaton 6-59; Walter 4-37; Anderson 3-32; Leach 3-31; Brown 2-9; Dreessen 1-4; J. Jones 1-4. CARDS: Boldin 7-81; Fitzgerald 5-79, 2 TD; Hightower 5-30; Breaston 4-66; Urban 4-41; Becht 1-5. Cardinals vs. 49ers 26 of 46 www.azcardinals.com
Game 5 CARDINALS 27, Seahawks 3 October 18, 2009 Qwest Field (67,588) In a pivotal NFC West battle, Arizona headed to hostile Qwest field to face a Seahawks team that has shut-out two of its first three home opponents, including a 41-0 blanking of Jacksonville the week before. But the Cardinals dominated throughout in what Ken Whisenhunt called the team s most complete effort on both sides of the ball. The convincing 27-3 win moved Arizona into a first-place tie with idle San Francisco atop the NFC West. Offensively Kurt Warner was again very sharp, completing his first 12 passes en route to a completion percentage of 78 and passer rating of 100.8. Larry Fitzgerald matched a career-best with 13 catches and 100 yards with a TD. Defensively, AZ held Seattle to a franchise-low 14 rushing yards, sacked Matt Hasselbeck 5 times, and held the Seahawks to 3 plays or fewer on 8 of its 12 drives. Of Seattle s 128 total yards, 42 came on a fake punt in the 2 nd quarter that led to Seattle s only points of the afternoon. The Cards dominated from the get-go and had a 14-0 lead before the Seattle offense took the field. On the game s opening drive, AZ went 80 yards in 15 plays and chewed 10:42 off the clock thanks to a solid rushing attack and Warner s 9-9 passing. The final completion was a 2- yard TD pass to Fitzgerald. On the following kickoff, Neil Rackers pooched it perfectly between Seattle players and Greg Toler recovered at the SEA23. Three plays later, Tim Hightower ran it on from a yard out to give the visiting Cards a 14-0 lead. On the 3 rd play of the ensuing Seattle drive, Clark Haggans sacked Hasselbeck forcing a fumble that Bryan Robinson recovered at the SEA23 and led to a Neil Rackers FG with 13:38 to play in the half. At that point, the Cards led 17-0 and the Seahawks offense had the ball for just 0:43. Midway thru the 2 nd quarter, Seattle came up with its biggest play of the game when punter Jon Ryan executed a great fake and threw it down the middle to TE John Carlson for a 42-yard gain to the AZ20. That drive reached the AZ3 but on 3 rd down Kenny Iwebema s sack forced Seattle to settle for an Olindo Mare FG that made it 17-3. The fake punt play would be the only time Seattle ventured into Arizona territory all afternoon. The Seahawks offense found the going just as tough in the 2 nd half. Steve Breaston s 36- yard punt return to the SEA41 gave the Cards great starting field position and he capped that drive with a leaping 16-yard TD that made it 24-3. On the play, Warner reached 30,000 career passing yards and by doing so in just his 114 th career game matched Dan Marino as the fastest player in NFL history to hit the milestone. Late in the 4 th quarter, an Antrel Rolle INT off Hasselbeck set-up a 31-yard Rackers FG that accounted for the game s final points. CARDINALS 14 3 7 0 27 SEAHAWKS 0 3 3 0 3 Team Qtr. Time Scoring Play Drive Score CARDS 1 4:18 Fitzgerald 2-yard pass from Warner (Rackers kick) 15-80, 10:42 7-0 CARDS 1 3:07 Hightower 1-yard run (Rackers kick) 3-23, 1:11 14-0 CARDS 2 13:38 Rackers 29-yard FG 7-12, 3:46 17-0 Seahawks 3 3:57 Mare 28-yard FG 9-59, 4:12 17-3 CARDS 3 2:54 Breaston 16-yard pass from Warner (Rackers kick) 5-41, 2:14 24-3 CARDS 4 6:05 Rackers 31-yard FG 4-2, 0:38 27-3 Game 6 CARDINALS 24, Giants 17 October 25, 2009 Giants Stadium (78,299) The Cardinals headed east to face the 5-1 Giants in a nationally-televised Sunday night tilt against Pro Bowl QB Eli Manning and the Giants #1 ranked defense. They came away with a huge win fueled by a defense that forced 4 takeaways and re-claimed sole possession of first place in the NFC West. The Cards improved to 3-0 on the road in 09 and upped their overall mark to 4-2. In a scoreless 1 st quarter, Arizona s best chance came on the game-opening drive that reached the NY27 but ended on a Tim Hightower fumble. The Cards evened the takeaway battle later in the quarter when CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie made a leaping INT of a deep Manning pass in the end zone. It was an INT by Giant CB Terrell Thomas early in the 2 nd quarter that set NY up at the AZ29 and led to a 4-yard Brandon Jacobs TD run. Later in the quarter, rookie RB Beanie Wells scored his first career TD on a 13-yard jaunt that knotted the score at 7. The Giants then got a gift on the next series when Manning went deep down the middle for Mario Manningham but Rodgers-Cromartie was in perfect position and batted the ball away. Unfortunately it caromed right to WR Hakeem Nicks who snatched it out of the air and turned it into a 62-yard TD with 2:09 left in the first half. The Cards responded on the next play from scrimmage when Anquan Boldin s 44-yard catch took it to the NY19 and set-up a 30- yard Neil Rackers FG that made it 14-10 at intermission. The tough Cardinal defense was especially so in the second half, allowing just one 1 st down in the 3 rd quarter and that came by penalty. Arizona s first offensive drive saw a pair of long Kurt Warner passes to Larry Fitzgerald (26 & 27 yarders) set-up a 1-yard Hightower TD that gave the Cards their first lead. Later in the 3 rd, DE Calais Campbell tipped a pass that SS Adrian Wilson INT d and returned to the NY20. That led to a 6-yard Warner TD pass to RB Jason Wright that put AZ up 24-14. With 8:14 to go, the Giants reached the AZ2 and came away with a Lawrence Tynes FG that made it a 7-point game. NY would get the ball back twice more but the Cardinals defense responded to each challenge with huge plays. With 4:48 to play, RB Ahmad Bradshaw raced to the AZ44 but S Matt Ware forced a fumble that Wilson recovered to end the threat. With 1:15 left, the Giants had the ball at the AZ39 when S Antrel Rolle recorded the 3 rd INT of the game off Manning when he stepped in front of a pass intended for Steve Smith, thereby sealing the game. CARDINALS 0 10 14 0 24 GIANTS 0 14 0 3 17 Team Qtr. Time Scoring Play Drive Score Giants 2 13:28 Jacobs 4-yard run (Tynes kick) 3-29, 0:38 0-7 CARDS 2 4:18 Wells 13-yard run (Rackers kick) 7-46, 3:09 7-7 Giants 2 2:09 Hicks 62-yard pass from Manning (Tynes kick) 4-75, 2:09 7-14 CARDS 2 0:15 Rackers 30-yard FG 5-51, 1:54 10-14 CARDS 3 10:19 Hightower 1-yard run (Rackers kick) 7-55, 3:42 17-14 CARDS 3 2:32 Wright 6-yard pass from Warner (Rackers kick) 3-20, 1:37 24-14 Giants 4 8:14 Tynes 20-yard FG 10-42, 4:57 24-17 STATISTICS AZ SEA First Downs 21 7 Rushes-Yards 26-62 11-14 Net Passing Yards 282 114 Total Net Yards 344 128 Passing (A-C-I) 43-34-1 30-11-1 Sacked by Opp.-YL 2-10 5-40 Punts-Average 6-42.5 8-45.0 Fumbles-Lost 1-1 2-1 Penalties 7-76 6-56 Time of Possession 42:50 17:10 Weather: Temp 58 degrees, Humidity 82%, Wind S 4 mph. RUSHING CARDS: Hightower 13-32, TD; Wells 12-29, Leinart 1-1. Seahawks: J. Jones 5-5; Forsett 2-4; James 3-3; Hasselbeck 1-2. PASSING CARDS: Warner 32-41, 276 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT; Leinart 2-2, 16 yds, 0 TD, 0 INT. Seahawks: Hasselbeck 10-29, 112 yds, 0 TD, 1 INT; Ryan 1-1, 42 yds, 0 TD, 0 INT, RECEIVING CARDS: Fitzgerald 13-100, TD; Breaston 7-77, TD; Boldin 6-54; Hightower 4-26; Urban 2-18; Patrick 1-10; Wells 1-7. Seahawks: Houshmandzadeh 4-34; Carlson 2-55; Burleson 2-40; Branch 2-9; Forsett 1-16. STATISTICS AZ NYG First Downs 15 15 Rushes-Yards 22-72 26-107 Net Passing Yards 216 220 Total Net Yards 288 327 Passing (A-C-I) 216 220 Sacked by Opp.-YL 2-15 3-23 Punts-Average 8-44.3 7-34.4 Fumbles-Lost 2-1 2-1 Penalties 7-60 7-30 Time of Possession 29:44 30:16 Weather: Temp 57 degrees, Humidity 43%, Wind WNW 3 mph. RUSHING CARDS: Wells 14-67, TD; Hightower 4-9, TD; Stephens-Howling 1-(-1); Warner 3-(-3). Giants: Jacobs 17-76, TD; Bradshaw 12-32; Manning 1-(-1). PASSING CARDS: Warner 20-36, 231 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT. Giants: Manning 19-37, 243 yds, 1 TD, 3 INT. RECEIVING CARDS: Fitzgerald 6-83; Boldin 3-75; Wells 3-10; Patrick 2-4; Hightower 2-11; Breaston 1-23; Becht 1-23; Wright 1-6, TD; Urban 1-1. Giants: Hicks 4-80, TD; Smith 4-69; Manningham 4-47; Boss 3-35; Jacobs 2-11; Hixon 2-6; Bradshaw 1-(-5). Cardinals vs. 49ers 27 of 46 www.azcardinals.com
Game 7 Panthers 34, CARDINALS 21 November 1, 2009 University of Phoenix Stadium (62,031) The Panthers visited Arizona looking to avenge a home loss in the previous year s Divisional Playoff. They did just that in a near reversal of that contest, forcing 6 turnovers (5 INT, a fumble) while committing none. They also racked up 270 rushing yards against a Cardinal unit that entered the game ranked #1 in the NFL in that category. The victory improved the Panthers to 3-4 and snapped a 3-game win streak for Arizona, who fell to 4-3 but remained in first in the NFC West. The teams traded TDs to open the game. Carolina had an efficient 15-play drive that ended on Jonathan Stewart s 6-yard TD run. Arizona responded when Kurt Warner s 14-yard TD pass to RB LaRod Stephens-Howling capped an 81-yard drive that tied the game. On the next play from scrimmage, DeAngelo Williams ran 77 yards to the Cards 7 setting up another Stewart rushing TD. Midway thru the 2 nd quarter, the Panthers went up 21-7 when Jake Delhomme hit Steve Smith on a pump-n-go down the left sideline that was good for a 50-yard score. The play accounted for more than half of Carolina s passing total for the day. Five seconds later, DE Julius Peppers snared a 1 st down pass that Warner tried to loft over him to Beanie Wells out of the backfield and Peppers returned the INT 13 yards for a TD that made it 28-7 at the half. Arizona cut the lead to 14 on a 1-yard Warner TD pass to TE Ben Patrick with 6:13 to go in the 3 rd. Delhomme left the game later in that quarter with a chest injury suffered on a hit by Darnell Dockett and Chike Okeafor. Down 14 with a full quarter to play, Arizona WR Jerheme Urban hauled in a pass but was separated from the ball by CB Chris Gamble and S Sherrod Martin grabbed it out of the air for another INT. The pick led to a 35-yard John Kasay FG that made it a 17-point margin. The Cards responded with a Tim Hightower TD followed by a 3-n-out from the defense. Arizona found itself at its own 39 with 7:13 to play and down 10. However, Peppers then sacked Warner forcing a fumble that the Panthers recovered and turned into a 31-yard FG that provided the game s final points. PANTHERS 7 21 0 6 34 CARDINALS 7 0 7 7 21 Team Qtr. Time Scoring Play Drive Score Panthers 1 7:22 Stewart 6-yard run (Kasay kick) 15-74, 7:38 7-0 CARDS 1 0:47 Stephens-Howling 14-yard pass from Warner (Rackers) 11-81, 6:35 7-7 Panthers 2 14:53 Stewart 10-yard run (Kasay kick) 3-87, 0:54 14-7 Panthers 2 7:33 Smith 50-yard pass from Delhomme (Kasay kick) 4-75, 2:02 21-7 Panthers 2 7:28 Peppers 13-yard INT return (Kasay kick) -- 28-7 CARDS 3 6:13 Patrick 1-yard pass from Warner (Rackers kick) 11-67, 6:21 28-14 Panthers 4 11:40 Kasay 35-yard FG 4-3, 2:14 31-14 CARDS 4 9:44 Hightower 1-yard run (Rackers kick) 5-49, 1:56 31-21 Panthers 4 2:40 Kasay 31-yard FG 7-18, 4:22 34-21 STATISTICS CAR AZ First Downs 13 23 Rushes-Yards 44-270 17-94 Net Passing Yards 85 226 Total Net Yards 355 320 Passing (A-C-I) 15-7-0 46-27-5 Sacked by Opp.-YL 1-5 2-16 Punts-Average 6-47.0 4-52.5 Fumbles-Lost 0-0 2-1 Penalties 7-72 5-35 Time of Possession 32:58 27:02 Weather: Indoors RUSHING Panthers: Williams 12-158; Stewart 17-87; Smith 1-17; Delhomme 1-7; Hoover 1-2; Moore 1-(-1). CARDS: Wells 8-47; Hightower 8-39, TD; Warner 1-8. PASSING Panthers: Delhomme 7-14, 90 yds, 1 TD, 0 INT; Moore 0-1, 0 yds, 0 TD, 0 INT. CARDS: Warner 27-46, 242 yds, 2 TD, 5 INT. RECEIVING Panthers: Smith 3-56, TD; Jarrett 2-22; Barnidge 1-7; King 1-5. CARDS: Hightower 8-57; Fitzgerald 6-66; Breaston 6-57; Boldin 3-23; Patrick 2-18, TD; Stephens-Howling 1-24, TD; Becht 1-7. Game 8 CARDINALS 41, Bears 21 November 8, 2009 Soldier Field (62,309) On an unseasonably warm November afternoon in Chicago, Kurt Warner and the Cardinals offense was even hotter. A week after throwing 5 INTs vs. Carolina, he matched his career-high with 5 scoring strikes. Warner TD passes ended the first four AZ drives and a pair of Neil Rackers FGs gave AZ points on its first 6 straight possessions. Two of the TDs went to Larry Fitzgerald who had 123 yards on 9 catches stepping up in the absence of fellow wideout Anquan Boldin (inactive/ankle). Behind a solid overall effort from the AZ o-line, Tim Hightower (77 yards) and Beanie Wells (72 yards) helped the Cardinal run game roll up 131 yards in the first half and 182 for the game. With the win, AZ remained a perfect 4-0 on the road in 09 and upped its overall mark to 5-3. For the 5 th time in 8 games, the Cards scored a TD on their opening drive. This one was an 11- yard Fitzgerald reception that capped an 8-play, 81-yard opening series. A key play was a 23-yard completion to Steve Breaston on 3 rd -n-10, the first of 8 straight third down conversions to open the game. Also pivotal was the game s 4 th play when Bears DT Tommie Harris was ejected for slugging AZ guard Deuce Lutui. Chicago did answer Arizona s opening TD drive with one of its own. A 42- yard Jay Cutler to Devin Hester pass led to the 1 st of TE Greg Olson s 3 TD catches on the day. But with a mix of run and pass, the Cards built a 28-7 lead thanks to Warner TD passes on the next three drives 6 yards to TE Ben Patrick, 17 to Fitzgerald and 15 to TE Anthony Becht. In the final minute of the first half, Bears kicker Robbie Gould was lined up for a 48-yard FG try but Dominique Rodgers- Cromartie deflected it. Antrel Rolle caught the miss 8 yards deep in the end zone and returned it 59 yards to the CHI49 with 0:22 left. It was enough time for Warner to move the team into position for Neil Rackers 43-yard FG as the half expired that gave AZ a 31-7 halftime lead. The lead grew to 34-7 on a 30-yard Rackers FG midway thru the 3 rd that provided that quarter s only points. A 3-yard Olsen TD catch made it 34-14 and on the next AZ series Matt Leinart replaced Warner. However a pick by CB Zackary Bowman led to another Olsen TD that made it a 13-point game with 9:04 to go and Warner went back in. The Cardinal lead remained 13 when Chicago took over at its own 17 with 6:41 left. But on that drive s 3 rd play, S Matt Ware INT d Cutler and returned it 18 yards to the 17. It set up the game s final score, Warner s 4-yard TD to Breaston. CARDINALS 14 17 3 7 41 BEARS 7 0 0 14 21 Team Qtr. Time Scoring Play Drive Score CARDS 1 12:13 Fitzgerald11-yard pass from Warner (Rackers kick) 8-81, 2:48 7-0 Bears 1 9:13 Olsen 33-yard pass from Cutler (Gould kick) 6-90, 2:59 7-7 CARDS 1 3:26 Patrick 6-yard pass from Warner (Rackers kick) 9-74, 5:47 14-7 CARDS 2 11:19 Fitzgerald 17-yard pass from Warner (Rackers kick) 6-70, 3:30 21-7 CARDS 2 2:49 Becht 15-yard pass from Warner (Rackers kick) 10-86, 5:01 28-7 CARDS 2 0:00 Rackers 43-yard FG 4-24, 0:22 31-7 CARDS 3 7:46 Rackers 30-yard FG 11-57, 5:32 34-7 Bears 4 11:50 Olsen 3-yard pass from Cutler (Gould kick) 9-93, 4:27 34-14 Bears 4 9:04 Olsen 20-yard pass from Cutler (Gould kick) 3-28, 0:52 34-21 CARDS 4 4:30 Breaston 4-yard pass from Warner (Rackers kick) 4-17, 2:11 41-21 STATISTICS AZ CHI First Downs 27 20 Rushes-Yards 31-182 12-70 Net Passing Yards 256 347 Total Net Yards 438 417 Passing (A-C-I) 32-22-1 47-29-1 Sacked by Opp.-YL 2-5 4-22 Punts-Average 4-41.5 4-40.3 Fumbles-Lost 2-0 0-0 Penalties 2-15 9-89 Time of Possession 33:16 26:44 Weather: Sunny, 65 degrees, 71% humidity, Winds SSE at 12 mph. RUSHING CARDS: Hightower 15-77; Wells 13-72; Breaston 1-25; Stephens-Howling 1-5; Warner 1-3. Bears: Forte 5-33; Peterson 2-23; Cutler 3-17; Hester 2-(-3). PASSING CARDS: Warner 22-31, 261 yds, 5 TD, 0 INT; Leinart 0-1, 0 yds, 0 TD, 1 INT. Bears: Cutler 29-47, 369 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT. RECEIVING CARDS: Fitzgerald 9-123, 2 TD; Breaston 5-66, TD; Doucet 4-31; Patrick 2-15, TD; Becht 1-15, TD; Hightower 1-11. Bears: Bennett 7-93; Hester 6-94; Forte 6-74; Olsen 5-71, 3 TD; Knox 4-30; Clark 1-7. Cardinals vs. 49ers 28 of 46 www.azcardinals.com
Game 9 CARDINALS 31, Seahawks 20 November 15, 2009 University of Phoenix Stadium (62,278) The Cardinals improved to 6-3 and maintained their 2-game division lead with a come-frombehind home win over the Seahawks. After trailing 14-0 in the 1 st half, Arizona outscored Seattle 21-3 after intermission. Leading the way was rookie RB Beanie Wells who had a career-best 85 rushing yards and a pair of 2 nd half TD runs. WR Anquan Boldin returned to the lineup and had 105 yards on 8 catches while Kurt Warner threw for 340 yards and a pair of TDs with no sacks or INTs. The Cardinals had the first chance for points late in the 1 st quarter. After a 46-yard interference call set Arizona up at the SEA8, CB Marcus Trufant had an apparent INT in the end zone. However, the Cards challenged that he did not re-establish in bounds after stepping out and referee Walt Coleman agreed. Two plays later, the Cards went for it on 4 th -n-goal at the one but RB Tim Hightower was stopped short. On the next snap, Matt Hasselbeck hit T.J. Houshmandzadeh with a 53-yard pass down the right sideline. Five plays later RB Justin Forsett, who played most of the game in place of an injured Julius Jones, scored on an 11-yard rush to make it 7-0. Midway through the 2 nd quarter, Seattle faced a 3 rd -n-1 at the AZ31 when Hasselebeck hit TE John Carlson on a play action pass that went for a TD. The Cards answered quickly as Warner connected with WR Steve Breaston on a 28-yard scoring strike to cut the lead in half. A 32-yard Olindo Mare FG on the next drive upped the Seattle lead to 10 with 1:09 to go in the half. After a touchback, 5 straight Warner completions covered 77 yards to the SEA3. A holding penalty wiped out a Warner-to-Breaston TD pass but Neil Rackers 27-yard FG as the half expired made it 17-10. The AZ offense moved downfield quickly to open the 2 nd half but after reaching the SEA4 a Wells personal foul backed it up to the 19. Beanie atoned for the error when he converted a 4 th -n-1 run for a 10-yard TD. Early in the 4 th, an interference penalty in the end zone gave Seattle the ball at the AZ1 but an AZ defensive stand held them to just a FG. Down 20-17, the Cards responded quickly. A pair of Boldin catches covered 47 yards and led to Wells 13-yard TD on a 4-play, 80-yard drive. After a Seattle punt, Wells had a 23-yard catch and 29-yard run that helped set-up an 18-yard Warner TD pass to Larry Fitzgerald. Down 11 with 6:11 to play, Seattle would get the ball back 3 more times but a 3-n-out was followed by INTs from FS Antrel Rolle and SS Adrian Wilson. SEAHAWKS 7 10 0 3 20 CARDINALS 0 10 7 14 31 Team Qtr. Time Scoring Play Drive Score Seahawks 1 0:20 Forsett 11-yard run (Mare kick) 6-99, 2:32 7-0 Seahawks 2 8:29 Carlson 31-yard pass from Hasselbeck (Mare kick) 5-54, 1:27 14-0 CARDS 2 5:30 Breaston 28-yard pass from Warner (Rackers kick) 6-65, 2:59 14-7 Seahawks 2 1:09 Mare 32-yard FG 12-67, 4:21 17-7 CARDS 2 0:00 Rackers 27-yard FG 8-71, 1:09 17-10 CARDS 3 8:13 Wells 10-yard run (Rackers kick) 13-82, 6:47 17-17 Seahawks 4 13:02 Mare 20-yard FG 13-91, 5:30 20-17 CARDS 4 11:20 Wells 13-yard run (Rackers kick) 4-80, 1:42 20-24 CARDS 4 6:11 Fitzgerald 18-yard pass from Warner (Rackers kick) 6-85, 3:14 20-31 Game 10 CARDINALS 21, Rams 13 November 22, 2009 Edward Jones Dome (59,839) With a 21-13 win in St. Louis, the Cardinals upped their record to 7-3 and extended their division lead to 3 games after losses by the 49ers and Seahawks. The victory was Arizona s 6 th straight against the Rams and gave the Cards a 5-0 road mark for the first time since 1948. Kurt Warner improved his record as a starter at the Edward Jones Dome to 26-4 and had the Cards up 21-3 before exiting late in the 2 nd quarter with a head injury. RB Tim Hightower gained a career-best 110 rushing yards while Beanie Wells ran for another 74 yards and a TD. The Cards rolled up 400 yards of offense for the 3 rd straight game and had a season-high 183 yards rushing. WR Anquan Boldin topped 100 receiving yards for the 2 nd straight week and finished with 103 on 8 catches. The Rams scored first when they capitalized on a Cardinal turnover. After Wells mishandled a pitch from Warner, St. Louis took over at the AZ25 but the Cards defense held them to just a FG. Arizona would score TDs on 3 straight drives to go up 21-3. A 50-yard Hightower rush set-up a 5- yard Warner TD pass to Boldin. That 87-yard scoring drive was followed by another of 90 yards that ended with an 11-yard scoring pass from Warner to Larry Fitzgerald. After stopping a 4 th -n-1 Rams run, the Cards took over on downs and Wells capped a 9-play, 78-yard drive with his 1-yard TD run. Six plays before the score, Warner was injured when he hit his head on the turf after scrambling for a completion. He finished the drive but left the game after the TD. Matt Leinart came on in relief and completed 10 of 14 passes with no INTs or TDs. The third quarter was scoreless until Rams RB Steven Jackson raced 48 yards to the AZ4 but the Cardinal D again stiffened and allowed just a FG. On the next series, Cards TE Anthony Becht fumbled after a catch and the Rams took over at the AZ44. After converting 3 straight 4 th downs that included a 4 th -n-11 at the AZ26, Jackson s 1-yard TD run made it 21-13 with 7:08 left. The next St. Louis drive reached the AZ7 but Marc Bulger s 4 th down pass fell incomplete and the Rams again turned it over on downs. Leinart picked up a key 1 st down with a 20-yard completion to Early Doucet on 3 rd -n-4 at the AZ13 allowing the Cards to chew up key clock time and the Rams did not seriously threaten again. CARDINALS 7 14 0 0 21 RAMS 3 0 3 7 13 Team Qtr. Time Scoring Play Drive Score Rams 1 12:20 Brown 40-yard FG 4-3, 0:11 0-3 CARDS 1 2:28 Boldin 5-yard pass from Warner (Rackers kick) 6-87, 3:00 7-3 CARDS 2 11:48 Fitzgerald 11-yard pass from Warner (Rackers kick) 9-90, 4:09 14-3 CARDS 2 2:23 Wells 1-yard run (Rackers kick) 9-78, 4:50 21-3 Rams 3 0:13 Brown 20-yard FG 9-77, 4:35 21-6 Rams 4 7:08 Jackson 1-yard run (Brown kick) 12-44, 4:47 21-13 STATISTICS SEA AZ First Downs 29 22 Rushes-Yards 24-164 30-122 Net Passing Yards 308 340 Total Net Yards 472 462 Passing (A-C-I) 53-27-2 38-29-0 Sacked by Opp.-YL 4-23 0-0 Punts-Average 7-42.6 7-52.0 Fumbles-Lost 0-0 0-0 Penalties 9-113 11-136 Time of Possession 28:30 31:30 Weather: Indoors RUSHING Seahawks: Forsett 17-123, TD; Rankin 3-24; Jones 2-10; Hasselbeck 2-7. CARDS: Wells 16-85, 2 TD; Hightower 10-37; Warner 4-0. PASSING Seahawks: Hasselbeck 26-52, 315 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT; Wallace 1-1, 16 yds, 0 TD, 0 INT. CARDS: Warner 29-38, 340 yds, 2 TD, 0 INT. RECEIVING Seahawks: Houshmandzadeh 9-165; Forsett 5-26; Branch 4-50; Butler 3-26; Rankin 3-24; Carlson 1-31, TD; Wallace 1-5; Griffith 1-4. CARDS: Boldin 8-105; Fitzgerald 7-73, TD; Hightower 5-21; Breaston 4-79, TD; Wells 2-32; Stephens-Howling 2-22; Doucet 1-8. STATISTICS AZ STL First Downs 24 16 Rushes-Yards 30-183 27-123 Net Passing Yards 261 191 Total Net Yards 444 314 Passing (A-C-I) 33-25-0 37-19-1 Sacked by Opp.-YL 2-16 3-24 Punts-Average 5-40.4 4-51.3 Fumbles-Lost 2-2 2-0 Penalties 6-40 7-50 Time of Possession 31:28 28:22 Weather: Indoors RUSHING CARDS: Hightower 14-110; Wells 14-74, TD; Warner 1-0; Leinart 1-(-1). Rams: Jackson 24-116, TD; Avery 1-4; Bulger 1-3; Gado 1-0. PASSING CARDS: Warner 15-19, 203 yds, 2 TD, 0 INT; Leinart 10-14, 74 yds, 0 TD, 0 INT. Rams: Bulger 19-37, 215 yds, 0 TD, 1 INT. RECEIVING CARDS: Boldin 8-103, TD; Fitzgerald 8-87, TD; Hightower 2-15; Wells 2-11; Patrick 1-27; Doucet 1-20; Wright 1-8; Kreider 1-7; Becht 1-(-1). Rams: Gibson 5-61; Avery 4-65; Amendola 4-61; McMichael 2-17; Jackson 2-0; Bajema 1-6; Martin 1-5. Cardinals vs. 49ers 29 of 46 www.azcardinals.com
Game 11 Titans 20, CARDINALS 17 November 29, 2009 LP Field (69,143) In their first-ever visit to Nashville, the Cardinals suffered a gut-wrenching defeat when Titans QB Vince Young capped an 18-play, 99-yard drive with a 10-yard TD pass to rookie WR Kenny Britt as time expired. The loss snapped a 3-game win streak for the Cards and was their first road defeat of the year after starting 5-0. Tennessee recorded its 5 th straight win after opening the season 0-6. The loss overshadowed a gritty effort from QB Matt Leinart who made his first start since October of 07. Kurt Warner was inactive due to lingering effects of a head injury suffered the week before at St. Louis, ending his consecutive start streak at 41. The Titans took a 6-0 lead with Rob Bironas field goals on each of their first two drives. Late in the 2 nd quarter, the Cards cut it to 6-3 when Neil Rackers capped an 11-play, 55-yard drive with a 41- yard FG. Arizona withstood a Tennessee threat just before halftime when the Titans had the ball at the AZ11 with 0:08 left and one timeout. However, Young let the time tick off while scrambling in the pocket and Darnell Dockett sacked him for the 2 nd time on the drive to send the Titans away with no points. Dockett would finish the game with a career-best 3 sacks. The Titans entered the game with an NFL-low 7 sacks allowed and Young had been sacked just once all season but he went down 4 times in this game. After the teams traded punts to open the 2 nd half, Titans RB Chris Johnson ran for an 85-yard TD that made it 13-3. However rookie LaRod Stephens-Howling returned the ensuing kickoff 99 yards for a TD, making it a 3-point game again. On the next AZ drive, Leinart completed 4-5 passes for 61 yards and Tim Hightower scored on a 6-yard TD run to give the Cards a 17-13 lead. In the 2 nd half, Leinart was 13-16 passing for 137 yards. With just under 5:00 to play, Young connected with Britt on a 51-yard pass to the AZ24 but Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie forced a fumble that Bryant McFadden recovered to kill the threat. A holding call hampered the next Arizona drive and on the punt Ben Graham pinned the Titans at the 1 with 2:37 left. It was Graham s 5 th straight punt inside the 20 and 3 rd inside the 5, all of which were downed by Stephens-Howling. On the ensuing drive, the Titans twice faced 4 th -n-4 but converted each and ultimately reached the AZ9. After a 1-yard sack and a pair of incompletions, TEN faced a 4 th -n-goal at the 10 with 0:06 left when Young and Britt connected on the game-winner. CARDINALS 0 3 7 7 17 TITANS 3 3 7 7 20 Team Qtr. Time Scoring Play Drive Score Titans 1 10:33 Bironas 52-yard FG 5-31, 2:52 0-3 Titans 2 13:28 Bironas 24-yard FG 14-89, 8:55 0-6 CARDS 2 1:55 Rackers 41-yard FG 11-55, 5:58 3-6 Titans 3 3:37 C. Johnson 85-yard run (Bironas kick) 2-85, 0:19 3-13 CARDS 3 3:25 Stephens-Howling 99-yard kick return (Rackers) -- 10-13 CARDS 4 12:20 Hightower 6-yard run (Rackers kick) 9-80, 4:21 17-13 Titans 4 0:00 Britt 10-yard pass from Young (Bironas kick) 18-99, 2:37 17-20 Game 12 CARDINALS 30, Vikings 17 December 6, 2009 University of Phoenix Stadium (64,121) In a nationally-televised game that was flexed into Sunday night, the Cards faced a formidable opponent in 10-1 Minnesota. The Vikings offense featured all pros Brett Favre and Adrian Peterson while their 5 th -ranked defense led the league in sacks behind NFC sack leader Jared Allen s 12.5. Arizona more than met the challenge. Favre, who entered the game with 3 INTs all season, threw 2 in the 3 rd quarter. Peterson was limited to 19 yards (13 carries) for the 2 nd lowest total of his career and the Vikings were held sackless for the first time in 24 games behind inspired offensive line play, highlighted by LT Jeremy Bridges, filling in for starter Mike Gandy. Kurt Warner returned from a onegame absence (head) and was exceptional. He threw 3 first half TDs - 2 to Anquan Boldin, 1 to Larry Fitzgerald - and finished 22 of 32 for 285 yards. The win upped Arizona s record to 8-4 and extended its division lead to 3 games with 4 to play. The game didn t start well for AZ. RB Tim Hightower lost a fumble at the AZ47 on the game s 2 nd play and that ultimately led to a 3-yard Favre TD pass to TE Visanthe Shiancoe. Later in the first, Steve Breaston s 64-yard punt return to the 2 set-up to a Warner TD pass to Boldin on the next play. While the AZ defense sent the Vikings attack 3-n-out on 3 straight series, the Cards offense was clicking. Midway thru the 2 nd, they went up 14-7 when Warner connected with Boldin on a 39-yard TD. Minnesota advanced deep into AZ territory on the next drive but came away with just a FG at the 1:55 mark. That left enough time for Warner to put the Cards back in the end zone. He completed all 5 passes (72 yards) and capped the drive with a 34-yard TD pass to Larry Fitzgerald. The Vikings got the ball to start the 2 nd half and advanced to the AZ45 but LB Karlos Dansby ended the drive with a pick, ending Favre s NFL-best INT-less streak at 159 attempts. That takeaway led to a 31-yard Rackers FG that put the Cards up 24-10. The defense swarmed on 3 straight plays on the next series. DT Darnell Dockett stopped Peterson for a 5-yard loss, Calais Campbell sacked Favre for a loss of 9, and nickel back Mike Adams picked him off to end the drive. That INT led to another Rackers FG and 27-10 lead. The next two MIN drives ended thanks to 3 rd down sacks from DE Bertrand Berry. The Cards then chewed 5:34 off the clock with a 10-play drive that ended on Rackers 3 rd FG of the game. With 1:20 left, Favre hit Percy Harvin with a 31-yard TD pass but the game was over when the onside kick attempt went out of bounds. VIKINGS 7 3 0 7 17 CARDINALS 7 14 6 3 30 Team Qtr. Time Scoring Play Drive Score Vikings 1 9:47 Shiancoe 3-yard pass from Favre (Longwell kick) 10-47, 4:25 7-0 CARDS 1 4:49 Boldin 2-yard pass from Warner (Rackers kick) 1-2, 0:03 7-7 CARDS 2 7:42 Boldin 39-yard pass from Warner (Rackers kick) 2-42, 7-14 Vikings 2 1:55 Longwell 25-yard FG 10-62, 5:47 10-14 CARDS 2 1:14 Fitzgerald 34-yard pass from Warner (Rackers kick) 5-77, 0:41 10-21 CARDS 3 7:45 Rackers 31-yard FG 10-46, 4:34 10-24 CARDS 3 3:19 Rackers 32-yard FG 5-32, 1:51 10-27 CARDS 4 4:18 Rackers 29-yard FG 10-69, 5:34 10-30 Vikings 4 1:20 Harvin 31-yard pass from Favre (Longwell kick) 9-84, 2:58 17-30 STATISTICS AZ TEN First Downs 15 20 Rushes-Yards 20-75 23-163 Net Passing Yards 217 369 Total Net Yards 292 532 Passing (A-C-I) 31-21-0 43-27-0 Sacked by Opp.-YL 1-3 4-18 Punts-Average 6-49.7 4-46.0 Fumbles-Lost 1-0 1-1 Penalties 4-25 6-38 Time of Possession 28:53 31:07 Weather: Cloudy, 59 degrees, Winds SSW 9 mph. RUSHING CARDS: Hightower 11-55, TD; Wells 8-20; Leinart 1-0. Titans: C. Johnson 18-154, TD; Young 4-8; Ringer 1-1. PASSING CARDS: Leinart 21-31, 220 yds, 0 TD, 0 INT. Titans: Young 27-43, 387 yds, 1 TD, 0 INT. RECEIVING CARDS: Boldin 5-53; Fitzgerald 4-34; Breaston 4-26; Hightower 3-23; Doucet 1-28; Patrick 1-23; Wells 1-21; Wright 1-10; Kreider 1-2. Titans: Britt 7-128, TD; Scaife 5-68; Hawkins 4-44; Washington 3-68; C. Johnson 3-32; Cook 2-29; Hall 2-10; Crumpler 1-8. STATISTICS MIN AZ First Downs 22 20 Rushes-Yards 20-62 25-113 Net Passing Yards 253 285 Total Net Yards 315 398 Passing (A-C-I) 45-30-2 32-22-0 Sacked by Opp.-YL 3-22 0-0 Punts-Average 6-52.5 3-40.7 Fumbles-Lost 0-0 1-1 Penalties 6-48 6-50 Time of Possession 31:17 28:43 Weather: Indoors RUSHING Vikings: Harvin 2-22; Taylor 5-21; Peterson 13-19. CARDS: Hightower 6-50; Wells 13-28; Breaston 1-19; Rolle 1-9; Wright 1-8; Warner 3-(-1). PASSING Vikings: Favre 30-45, 275, 2 TD, 2 INT. CARDS: Warner 22-32, 285 yds, 3 TD, 0 INT. RECEIVING Vikings: Rice 7-72; Harvin 6-79, TD; Peterson 6-46; Berrian 5-36; Taylor 4-28; Shiancoe 2-14, TD. CARDS: Fitzgerald 8-143, TD; Boldin 7-98, 2 TD; Doucet 2-15; Hightower 1-8; Breaston 1-8; Patrick 1-7; Wright 1-4; Stephens-Howling 1-2. Cardinals vs. 49ers 30 of 46 www.azcardinals.com
Arizona Cardinals / Week 13 / Through Sunday, December 06, 2009 / Regular Season Won 8, Lost 4 9/13/2009 L 16-20 San Francisco 49ers 9/20/2009 W 31-17 at Jacksonville Jaguars 9/27/2009 L 10-31 Indianapolis Colts 10/11/2009 W 28-21 Houston Texans 10/18/2009 W 27-3 at Seattle Seahawks 10/25/2009 W 24-17 at New York Giants 11/1/2009 L 21-34 Carolina Panthers 11/8/2009 W 41-21 at Chicago Bears 11/15/2009 W 31-20 Seattle Seahawks 11/22/2009 W 21-13 at St. Louis Rams 11/29/2009 L 17-20 at Tennessee Titans 12/6/2009 W 30-17 Minnesota Vikings Arizona Opponent Total First Downs 246 218 Rushing 56 54 Passing 171 151 Penalty 19 13 3rd Down: Made/Att 52/145 58/175 3rd Down Pct. 35.9% 33.1% 4th Down: Made/Att 4/8 11/20 4th Down Pct. 50.0% 55.0% Possession Avg. 30:41 29:19 Total Net Yards 4331 4351 Avg. Per Game 360.9 362.6 Total Plays 752 785 Avg. Per Play 5.8 5.5 Net Yards Rushing 1129 1257 Avg. Per Game 94.1 104.8 Total Rushes 274 284 Net Yards Passing 3202 3094 Avg. Per Game 266.8 257.8 Sacked/Yards Lost 18/140 35/211 Gross Yards 3342 3305 Attempts/Completions 460/311 466/269 Completion Pct. 67.6% 57.7% Had Intercepted 12 13 Punts/Average 65/47.4 67/45.2 Net Punting Avg. 41.0 39.1 Penalties/Yards 79/652 82/701 Fumbles/Ball Lost 20/10 15/6 Touchdowns 36 27 Rushing 10 8 Passing 23 18 Returns 3 1 Score By Periods Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT Pts Team 69 105 72 51 0 297 Opponents 43 82 31 78 0 234 Scoring TD Ru Pa Rt PAT FG 2Pt Pts N.Rackers 0 0 0 0 36/36 15/16 0 81 L.Fitzgerald 10 0 10 0 0/0 0/0 0 60 T.Hightower 6 6 0 0 0/0 0/0 0 36 A.Boldin 4 0 4 0 0/0 0/0 0 24 C.Wells 4 4 0 0 0/0 0/0 0 24 S.Breaston 3 0 3 0 0/0 0/0 0 18 B.Patrick 2 0 2 0 0/0 0/0 0 12 L.Stephens- Howling 2 0 1 1 0/0 0/0 0 12 J.Wright 2 0 2 0 0/0 0/0 0 12 A.Rolle 1 0 0 1 0/0 0/0 0 6 D.Rodgers- Cromartie 1 0 0 1 0/0 0/0 0 6 A.Becht 1 0 1 0 0/0 0/0 0 6 Team 36 10 23 3 36/36 15/16 0 297 Opponents 27 8 18 1 27/27 15/19 0 234 2-Pt. Conversions: Team 0/ 0, Opponents: 0/ 0 Sacks: D.Dockett 7.0, C.Campbell 5.0, B.Berry 5.0, C.Haggans 4.5, C.Okeafor 3.5, A.Branch 2.0, W.Davis 2.0, A.Rolle 1.5, B.Robinson 1.0, K.Iwebema 1.0, K.Dansby 1.0, A.Wilson 0.5 Team: 34.0, Opponents: 18.0 Rushing No. Yds Avg Long TD T.Hightower 119 535 4.5 50 6 C.Wells 121 517 4.3 29 4 S.Breaston 2 44 22.0 25 0 J.Wright 2 12 6.0 8 0 A.Rolle 1 9 9.0 9 0 A.Boldin 2 7 3.5 4 0 L.Stephens-Howling 3 6 2.0 5 0 K.Warner 18 2 0.1 8 0 M.Leinart 6-3 -0.5 1 0 Team 274 1129 4.1 50 10 Opponents 284 1257 4.4 85t 8 Receiving No. Yds Avg Long TD L.Fitzgerald 83 969 11.7 34t 10 A.Boldin 63 763 12.1 44 4 T.Hightower 51 374 7.3 23 0 S.Breaston 44 579 13.2 28t 3 J.Urban 16 173 10.8 40 0 B.Patrick 10 114 11.4 27 2 E.Doucet 9 102 11.3 28 0 C.Wells 9 81 9.0 23 0 A.Becht 7 61 8.7 16 1 L.Stephens-Howling 7 60 8.6 15 1 J.Wright 6 38 6.3 10 2 S.Spach 3 16 5.3 9 0 D.Kreider 3 12 4.0 7 0 S.Morey 0 0 0 0 0 L.Long 0 0 0 0 0 Team 311 3342 10.7 44 23 Opponents 269 3305 12.3 72 18 Interceptions No. Yds Avg Long TD A.Rolle 4 71 17.8 29 0 D.Rodgers-Cromartie 3 56 18.7 49t 1 A.Wilson 3 8 2.7 4 0 M.Ware 1 18 18.0 18 0 M.Adams 1 17 17.0 17 0 K.Dansby 1 11 11.0 11 0 R.Brown 0 5 0 5 0 Team 13 186 14.3 49t 1 Opponents 12 127 10.6 39 1 Punting No Yds Avg Net TB In Lg B B.Graham 65 3081 47.4 41.0 3 32 64 0 Team 65 3081 47.4 41.0 3 32 64 0 Opponents 67 3028 45.2 39.1 6 21 64 0 Punt Returns Ret FC Yds Avg Long TD S.Breaston 26 10 230 8.8 64 0 A.Rolle 6 2 55 9.2 27 0 G.Toler 1 0 0 0.0 0 0 Team 33 12 285 8.6 64 0 Opponents 34 11 355 10.4 62 0 Kickoff Returns No. Yds Avg Long TD L.Stephens-Howling 36 897 24.9 99t 1 J.Wright 2 27 13.5 18 0 Team 38 924 24.3 99t 1 Opponents 43 876 20.4 63 0 Field Goals 1-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50+ N.Rackers 0/ 0 4/ 4 6/ 6 5/ 6 0/ 0 Team 0/ 0 4/ 4 6/ 6 5/ 6 0/ 0 Opponents 0/ 0 7/ 7 5/ 7 1/ 3 2/ 2 Fumbles Lost: K.Warner 3, T.Hightower 3, G.Toler 1, C.Wells 1, A.Becht 1, A.Boldin 1 Total: 10 Opponent Fumble Recoveries: B.Berry 2, A.Wilson 2, B.McFadden 1, B.Robinson 1 Total: 6 Passing Att Cmp Yds Cmp% Yds/Att TD TD% Int Int% Long Sack Lost Rating K.Warner 404 273 3003 67.6% 7.4 23 5.7% 11 2.7% 44 16/ 128 97.0 M.Leinart 56 38 339 67.9% 6.1 0 0.0% 1 1.8% 28 2/ 12 76.4 Team 460 311 3342 67.6% 7.3 23 5.0% 12 2.6% 44 18/ 140 94.5 Opponents 466 269 3305 57.7% 7.1 18 3.9% 13 2.8% 72 35/ 211 81.0 Cardinals vs. 49ers 31 of 46 www.azcardinals.com
Arizona Cardinals 2009 Defensive Statistics (based on coaches film review) QB QB SPECIAL TEAMS Name TT UT AT TFL Sacks/Yds INT PD FF FR PRS HITS TT UT AT FF FR BP/K Karlos Dansby 95 74 21 3 1/4 1 3 1-1 2 - - - - - - Antrel Rolle 75 53 22 1 1.5/9 4 8 1-1 4 1 1 - - - - Bryant McFadden 65 52 13 1 - - 26-1 - - - - - - - - Adrian Wilson 63 42 21 8.5/0 3 11 1 2 1 3 - - - - - - Gerald Hayes 51 40 11 5 - - - 1 - - - - - - - - - Darnell Dockett 49 36 13 14 7/54-1 - - 3 7 - - - - - - Clark Haggans 46 35 11 5 4.5/23-2 2-13 - 4 2 2 - - - Calais Campbell 41 28 13 4 5/50-5 1-2 5 1 1 - - - 2 D. Rodgers-Cromartie 36 34 2 1-3 27 2 - - - - - - - - 1 Chike Okeafor 27 20 7 1 3.5/32-1 - - 4 - - - - - - - Matt Ware 27 21 6 - - 1 1 1 - - - 2 2 - - - - Bryan Robinson 25 15 10 1 1/7-3 - 1-1 - - - - - - Michael Adams 22 17 5 - - 1 2 - - - - 12 8 4 - - - Ralph Brown 21 16 5 - - - 4 - - - - 1 1 - - - - Gabe Watson 17 13 4 2 - - - - - - - - - - - - - Alan Branch 13 9 4 3 2/12-2 - - 1 2 - - - - - - Ali Highsmith 8 6 2 2 - - - - - - - 10 4 6 - - - Bertrand Berry 5 3 2 1 5/27 - - - 2 6 - - - - - - - Rashad Johnson 5 4 1 - - - - - - - - 3-3 - - - Will Davis 4 1 3-2/8 - - - - 2-8 6 2 - - - Kenny Iwebema 3 3-1 1/7 - - - - - - 6 3 3 - - - Keilen Dykes 1 1 - - - - - - - - 1 - - - - - - L. Stephens-Howling - - - - - - - - - - - 19 15 4 - - - Sean Morey - - - - - - - - - - - 14 13 1 - - - Jason Wright - - - - - - - - - - - 13 5 8 - - - Mike Leach - - - - - - - - - - - 9 5 4 - - - Greg Toler - - - - - - - - - - - 6 5 1-1 - Neil Rackers - - - - - - - - - - - 6 3 3 - - - Early Doucet - - - - - - - - - - - 3 1 2 - - - Jerheme Urban - - - - - - - - - - - 2 2 - - - - Reggie Walker - - - - - - - - - - - 2 2 - - - - Monty Beisel - - - - - - - - - - - 2 1 1 - - - Miscellaneous: Antrel Rolle: 83-yard return of a Calais Campbell blocked field goal for a TD at Jacksonville, Sept. 20 Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie: 49-yard interception return for a TD vs. Houston, Oct. 11 LaRod Stephens-Howling: 99-yard kickoff return for a TD at Tennessee, Nov. 29 Cardinals vs. 49ers 32 of 46 www.azcardinals.com
2009 Cardinals Regular Season Game-By-Game Offensive Stats 9/13 vs. SF 9/20 @ Jax 9/27 vs. Ind 10/11 vs. Hou 10/18 @ Sea 10/25 @ NYG 11/1 vs. Car Totals First Downs 17 22 21 19 21 15 23 27 22 24 15 20 246 Rushing 1 7 0 3 4 5 5 8 4 9 5 5 56 Passing 13 15 18 15 16 10 15 17 15 14 10 13 171 Penalty 3 0 3 1 1 0 3 2 3 1 0 2 19 Third Downs 14 9 14 9 16 14 10 14 12 11 12 10 145 Converted 4 2 4 2 8 3 4 8 2 6 5 4 52 Efficiency 28.6% 22.2% 28.6% 22.2% 50% 21.4% 40% 57.1% 17% 54.5% 42% 40% 35.9% Fourth Downs 1 1 2 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 8 Converted 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 4 Efficiency 0% 100% 50% 0% 0% 0% 50% 0% 50% 0% 0% 0% 50% Total Net Yards 299 383 323 340 344 288 320 438 462 444 292 398 4331 Plays 64 60 70 55 71 60 65 65 68 65 52 57 752 Avg./Play 4.7 6.4 4.6 6.2 4.8 4.8 4.9 6.7 6.8 6.8 5.6 7.0 5.8 Net Yards Rushing 40 118 24 44 62 72 94 182 122 183 75 113 1129 Attempts 17 28 12 16 26 22 17 31 30 30 20 25 274 Avg./Rush 2.4 4.2 2.0 2.8 2.4 3.3 5.5 5.9 4.1 6.1 3.8 4.5 4.1 Touchdowns 0 1 0 1 1 2 1 0 2 1 1 0 10 Net Yards Passing 259 265 299 296 282 216 226 256 340 261 217 285 3202 Sacks 3 0 4 1 2 2 2 1 0 2 1 0 18 Yards Lost 29 0 40 6 10 15 16 5 0 16 3 0 140 Gross Yards 288 265 339 302 292 231 242 261 340 277 220 285 3342 Attempts 44 32 54 38 43 36 46 33 38 33 31 32 460 Completions 26 27 32 26 34 20 27 22 29 25 21 22 311 Pct. 59.1% 84.4% 59.3% 68.4% 79.1% 55.6% 58.7% 66.7% 76.3% 75.8% 67.7% 68.8% 67.6% Touchdowns 1 2 1 2 2 1 2 5 2 2 0 3 23 Interceptions 2 0 2 0 1 1 5 1 0 0 0 0 12 Yards Per Attempt 5.5 8.3 5.2 7.6 6.3 5.7 4.7 7.5 8.9 7.5 6.8 8.9 6.7 Kickoffs-EZ-TB 4-3-2 6-4-2 3-2-2 5-4-1 6-4-2 5-3-2 4-2-0 7-3-0 5-4-2 4-1-0 4-0-0 7-1-1 60-31-14 Punting 6 3 6 7 6 8 4 4 7 5 6 3 65 Average 54.7 46.3 47.8 50.9 42.5 44.3 52.5 41.5 52.0 40.4 49.7 40.7 47.4 Net Average 45.2 36.0 42.2 36.6 37.8 40.9 41.3 41.0 43.4 36.6 48.0 40.0 41.0 Had Blocked 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 FG-PAT Had Blocked 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 Penalties/Yards 12-82 7-58 5-35 7-40 7-76 7-60 5-35 2-15 11-136 6-40 4-25 6-50 79-652 Fumbles/Lost 1-0 5-2 3-1 1-1 1-1 2-1 2-1 1-0 0-0 2-2 1-0 1-1 20-10 Touchdowns 1 4 1 4 3 3 3 5 4 3 2 3 36 Rushing 0 1 0 1 1 2 1 0 2 1 1 0 10 Passing 1 2 1 2 2 1 2 5 2 2 0 3 23 Returns 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 3 PAT/ 2-Point Made/Att. 1-1 4-4 1-1 4-4 3-3 3-3 3-3 5-5 4-4 3-3 2-2 3-3 36-36 Kicking Made/Att. 1-1 4-4 1-1 4-4 3-3 3-3 3-3 5-5 4-4 3-3 2-2 3-3 36-36 2-pt Rushing Made/Att. 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 2-pt Passing Made/Att 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 Field Goals Made/Att. 3-3 1-2 1-1 0-0 2-2 1-1 0-0 2-2 1-1 0-0 1-1 3-3 15-16 Safeties Yielded 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Points Scored 16 31 10 28 27 24 21 41 31 21 17 30 297 Time Of Possession 28:23 31:21 28:18 26:35 42:50 29:44 27:02 33:16 31:30 31:38 28:53 28:43 30:41 11/8 @ Chi 11/15 vs. Sea 11/22 @ StL 11/29 @ Ten 12/6 vs. Min 12/14 @ SF 12/20 @ Det 12/27 vs. StL 1/3 vs. GB Cardinals vs. 49ers 33 of 46 www.azcardinals.com
2009 Cardinals Regular Season Game-By-Game Defensive Stats 9/13 vs. SF 9/20 @ Jax 9/27 vs. Ind 10/11 vs. Hou 10/18 @ Sea 10/25 @ NYG 11/1 vs. Car Totals First Downs 13 18 22 23 7 15 13 20 29 16 20 22 218 Rushing 1 4 6 5 0 6 10 4 7 4 4 3 54 Passing 10 13 15 17 6 8 3 16 17 11 16 19 151 Penalty 2 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 5 1 0 0 13 Third Downs 18 16 11 13 11 15 16 13 15 16 16 15 175 Converted 7 6 3 4 0 4 8 5 6 4 6 5 58 Efficiency 38.9% 37.5% 27.3% 30.8% 0% 26.7% 50% 38.5% 40% 25% 37.5% 33.3% 33.1% Fourth Downs 0 2 2 2 1 1 0 2 0 5 4 1 20 Converted 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 2 4 1 11 Efficiency 0% 50% 50% 0% 100% 100% 0% 0% 0% 40% 100% 100% 55% Total Net Yards 203 367 505 416 128 327 355 417 472 314 532 315 4351 Plays 60 67 66 71 46 66 60 63 81 67 70 68 785 Avg./Play 3.4 5.6 7.7 5.9 2.8 5.0 5.9 6.6 5.8 4.7 7.6 4.6 5.5 Net Yards Rushing 21 92 126 45 14 107 270 70 164 123 163 62 1257 Attempts 25 20 31 21 11 26 44 12 24 27 23 20 284 Avg./Rush 0.8 4.6 4.1 2.1 1.3 4.1 6.1 5.8 6.8 4.6 7.1 3.1 4.4 Touchdowns 1 0 0 1 0 1 2 0 1 1 1 0 8 Net Yards Passing 182 275 379 371 114 220 85 347 308 191 369 253 3094 Sacks 4 4 0 0 5 3 1 4 4 3 4 3 35 Yards Lost 27 7 0 0 40 23 5 22 23 24 18 22 211 Gross Yards 209 282 379 371 154 243 90 369 331 215 387 275 3305 Attempts 31 43 35 50 30 37 15 47 53 37 43 45 466 Completions 18 23 24 35 11 19 7 29 27 19 27 30 269 Pct. 58.1% 53.5% 68.6% 70% 36.7% 51.4% 46.7% 61.7% 50.9% 51.4% 62.8% 66.7% 57.7% Touchdowns 1 2 4 2 0 1 1 3 1 0 1 2 18 Interceptions 0 1 1 1 1 3 0 1 2 1 0 2 13 Yards Per Attempt 5.2 5.9 10.8 7.4 3.3 5.5 5.3 6.8 5.4 4.8 7.9 5.3 6.2 Kickoffs-EZ-TB 5-5-2 4-3-2 6-4-2 4-1-0 2-1-1 4-0-0 7-6-3 4-2-1 5-4-3 4-3-0 4-2-0 4-0-0 53-31-14 Punting 8 4 4 5 8 7 6 4 7 4 4 6 67 Average 49.1 45.3 42.0 40.0 45.0 34.4 47.0 40.3 42.6 51.3 46.0 52.5 45.2 Net Average 42.3 45.3 38.8 39.6 37.0 34.3 39.2 36.3 40.0 46.5 41.3 34.0 39.1 Had Blocked 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 FG-PAT Had Blocked 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 3-0 Penalties/Yards 4-31 8-50 7-69 6-53 6-56 7-30 7-72 9-89 9-113 7-50 6-38 6-50 82-701 Fumbles/Lost 2-1 4-2 1-0 1-0 2-1 2-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 2-0 1-1 0-0 15-6 Touchdowns 2 2 4 3 0 2 4 3 2 1 2 2 27 Rushing 1 0 0 1 0 1 2 0 1 1 1 0 8 Passing 1 2 4 2 0 1 1 3 1 0 1 2 18 Returns 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 PAT/ 2-Point Made/Att. 2-2 2-2 4-4 3-3 0-0 2-2 4-4 3-3 2-2 1-1 2-2 2-2 27-27 Kicking Made/Att. 2-2 2-2 4-4 3-3 0-0 2-2 4-4 3-3 2-2 1-1 2-2 2-2 27-27 2-pt Rushing Made/Att. 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 2-pt Passing Made/Att 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 Field Goals Made/Att. 2-2 1-2 1-2 0-1 1-1 1-1 2-2 0-1 2-2 2-2 2-2 1-1 15-19 Safeties Awarded 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Points Allowed 20 17 31 21 3 17 34 21 20 13 20 17 234 Time Of Possession 31:37 28:39 31:42 33:25 17:10 30:16 32:58 26:44 28:30 28:22 31:07 31:17 29:19 11/8 @ Chi 11/15 vs. Sea 11/22 @ StL 11/29 @ Ten 12/6 vs. Min 12/14 @ SF 12/20 @ Det 12/27 vs. StL 1/3 vs. GB Cardinals vs. 49ers 34 of 46 www.azcardinals.com
Regular Season The Last Time RUSHING 200 Yards Rushing By Cardinals: 214 by LeShon Johnson at New Orleans, Sept. 22, 1996 By Opponent: 228 by Clinton Portis at Denver, Dec. 29, 2002 150 Yards Rushing By Cardinals: 165, Marcel Shipp vs. San Francisco, Oct. 26, 2003 (35 att.) By Opponent: 154, Chris Johnson at Tennessee, Nov. 29, 2009 (18 att., TD) 100 Yards Rushing By Cardinals: 110, Tim Hightower at St. Louis, Nov. 22, 2009 (14 att.) By Opponent: 154, Chris Johnson at Tennessee, Nov. 29, 2009 (18 att., TD) Two 100-Yard Rushers By Cardinals: 126 yards, Ottis Anderson/102 yards, Wayne Morris at New Orleans, Oct. 5, 1980 By Opponent: 106 yards, Ahman Green/101 yards Vernand Morency at Green Bay, Oct. 29, 2006 Three Rushing Touchdowns By Cardinals: Marcel Shipp at St. Louis, Dec. 3, 2006 (1, 6, 9 yards) By Opponent: Shaun Alexander (4) at Seattle, Sept. 25, 2005 (25, 1, 1, 1 yards) Two Rushing Touchdowns By Cardinals: Beanie Wells vs. Seattle, Nov. 15, 2009 (10, 13 yards) By Opponent: Jonathan Stewart vs. Carolina, Nov. 1, 2009 (6, 10 yards) PASSING 500 Yards Passing By Cardinals: 522 by Boomer Esiason at Washington, Nov. 10, 1996-OT (35 comp., 59 att.) By Opponent: Never happened 400 Yards Passing By Cardinals: 472 by Kurt Warner at New York Jets, Sept. 28, 2008 (40 comp., 57 att.) By Opponent: 417 by Tim Rattay at San Francisco, Oct. 10, 2004 (38 comp., 57 att.) 300 Yards Passing By Cardinals: 340 by Kurt Warner vs. Seattle, Nov. 15, 2009 (29 comp., 38 att., 2 TDs, 0 INT) By Opponent: 387 by Vince Young at Tennessee, Nov. 29, 2009 (27 comp., 43 att., 1 TD, 0 INT) Six Touchdown Passes By Cardinals: Charley Johnson vs. New Orleans, Nov. 2, 1969 By Opponent: Brett Favre at New York Jets, Sept. 28, 2008 (12, 34, 2, 17, 40, 24 yards). Five Touchdown Passes By Cardinals: Kurt Warner at Chicago, Nov. 8, 2009 (11, 6, 17, 15, 4 yards) By Opponent: Brett Favre (6) at New York Jets, Sept. 28, 2008 (12, 34, 2, 17, 40, 24 yards). Four Touchdown Passes By Cardinals: Kurt Warner (5) at Chicago, Nov. 8, 2009 (11, 6, 17, 15, 4 yards) By Opponent: Peyton Manning vs. Indianapolis, Sept. 27, 2009 (20, 10, 53, 3 yards). Three Touchdown Passes By Cardinals: Kurt Warner vs. Minnesota, Dec. 6, 2009 (2, 39, 34 yards) By Opponent: Jay Cutler at Chicago, Nov. 8, 2009 (33, 3, 20 yards). RECEIVING 200 Yards Receiving By Cardinals: 217, Anquan Boldin at Detroit, Sept. 7, 2003 (10 receptions, 2 TD) By Opponent: 203, Kevin Williams vs. Dallas, Dec. 24, 1995 (9 rec.) 150 Yards Receiving By Cardinals: 186, Anquan Boldin (13 rec.), 151, Larry Fitzgerald (10 rec.) at Seattle, Nov. 16, 2008 By Opponent: 165, T.J. Houshmandzadeh vs. Seattle, Nov. 15, 2009 (9 rec.) Cardinals vs. 49ers 35 of 46 www.azcardinals.com
100 Yards Receiving By Cardinals: 143, Larry Fitzgerald vs. Minnesota, Dec. 6, 2009 (8 rec., TD) By Opponent: 128, Kenny Britt at Tennessee, Nov. 29, 2009 (7 rec., TD) Two 100-Yard Receivers By Cardinals: 186, Anquan Boldin (13 rec.), 151, Larry Fitzgerald (10 rec.) at Seattle, Nov. 16, 2008 By Opponent: 141, Roddy White vs. Atlanta, Dec. 23, 2007 (12 rec.), 114, Laurent Robinson vs. Atlanta, Dec. 23, 2007 (7 rec., TD) Four Receiving Touchdowns By Cardinals: J.T. Smith at Washington, Oct. 8, 1989 By Opponent: Earnest Gray vs. N.Y. Giants, Sept. 7, 1980 Three Receiving Touchdowns By Cardinals: Anquan Boldin vs. Miami, Sept. 14, 2008 (79, 3, 8 yards) By Opponent: Greg Olsen at Chicago, Nov. 8, 2009 (33, 3, 20 yards) Two Receiving Touchdowns By Cardinals: Anquan Boldin vs. Minnesota, Dec. 6, 2009 (2, 39 yards) By Opponent: Greg Olsen (3) at Chicago, Nov. 8, 2009 (33, 3, 20 yards) 10 or More Receptions in a Game By Cardinals: Larry Fitzgerald (13 for 100 yards, TD) at Seattle, Oct. 18, 2009 By Opponent: Marion Barber vs. Dallas, Oct. 12, 2008 (11 for 128 yards, TD) COMBOS 100-Yard Rusher/100-Yard Receiver By Cardinals: Tim Hightower, 110 yards rushing/anquan Boldin, 103 yards receiving at St. Louis, Nov. 22, 2009 By Opponent: Chris Johnson, 154 yards rushing/kenny Britt, 128 yards receiving at Tennessee, Nov. 29, 2009 100-Yard Rusher/Two 100-Yard Receivers By Cardinals: Johnny Johnson, 103 yards rushing/ernie Jones, 117 yards receiving/roy Green, 120 yards receiving vs. Green Bay, Nov. 18, 1990 By Opponent: Robert Smith, 117 yards rushing/cris Carter, 119 yards receiving/randy Moss, 104 yards receiving at Minnesota, Nov. 12, 2000 100-Yard Rusher/100-Yard Receiver/300- Yard Passer By Cardinals: Edgerrin James, 102 yards rushing/larry Fitzgerald, 171 yards receiving/kurt Warner 300 yards passing vs. St. Louis, Dec. 30, 2007 By Opponent: Chris Johnson, 154 yards rushing/kenny Britt, 128 yards receiving/vince Young 387 yards passing at Tennessee, Nov. 29, 2009 Two 100-Yard Receivers/300-Yard Passer By Cardinals: 186, Anquan Boldin, 151 Larry Fitzgerald; 395, Kurt Warner at Seattle, Nov. 16, 2008 By Opponent: 141, Roddy White; 114, Laurent Robinson; 315 Chris Redman vs. Atlanta, Dec. 23, 2007 SCORING Four Total Touchdowns By Cardinals: Ronald Moore vs. L.A. Rams, Dec. 5, 1993 (4 rush) By Opponent: Brian Westbrook at Philadelphia, Nov. 27, 2008 (2 rush, 2 rec.) Three Total Touchdowns By Cardinals: Anquan Boldin vs. Miami, Sept. 14, 2008 (3 rec.) By Opponent: Greg Olsen at Chicago, Nov. 8, 2009 (3 rec.) Two-Point Conversion By Cardinals: Edgerrin James run at New York Jets, Sept. 28, 2008 By Opponent: Leon Washington run at New York Jets, Sept. 28, 2008 Safety By Cardinals: Gerald Hayes blocked Donnie Jones punt out of end zone vs. Seattle, Oct. 24, 2004. Ball goes out of the endzone. By Opponent: Mitch Berger pushed out of endzone at Seattle, Dec. 9, 2007. KICKING Six Field Goals By Cardinals: Neil Rackers vs. San Francisco, Oct. 2, 2005 (40, 45, 48, 23, 43, 24 yards) By Opponent: Has Never Happened Five Field Goals By Cardinals: Neil Rackers (6) vs. San Francisco., Oct. 2, 2005 (40, 45, 48, 23, 43, 24 yards) By Opponent: Morten Andersen at Atlanta, Oct. 1, 2006 (34, 40, 36, 26, 28 yards) Cardinals vs. 49ers 36 of 46 www.azcardinals.com
Four Field Goals By Cardinals: Neil Rackers at Seattle, Nov. 16, 2008 (38, 48, 54, 26 yards) By Opponent: Stephen Gostkowski at New England, Dec. 21, 2008 (38, 35, 24, 30 yards) Three Field Goals By Cardinals: Neil Rackers vs. Minnesota, Dec. 6, 2009 (31, 30, 29 yards) By Opponent: Stephen Gostkowski at New England, Dec. 21, 2008 (38, 35, 24, 30 yards) Missed Point-After-Touchdown By Cardinals: Neil Rackers at Washington, Oct. 21, 2007 (blocked) By Opponent: Josh Brown vs. Seattle, Nov. 6, 2005 (blocked) Blocked Punt By Cardinals: Sean Morey vs. Dallas, Oct. 12, 2008 (Mat McBriar punt) By Opponent: DeDe Dorsey at Cincinnati, 11/18/07 (Mike Barr punt) Blocked Punt Return For Touchdown By Cardinals: Monty Beisel vs. Dallas, Oct. 12, 2008 (Mat McBriar punt, blocked by Sean Morey, returned by Beisel three yards) By Opponent: DeDe Dorsey at Cincinnati, 11/18/07 (Mike Barr punt, returned 19 yards) Blocked Field Goal Attempt By Cardinals: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie at Chicago, Nov. 8, 2009 (Robbie Gould 48-yard attempt) By Opponent: Kris Jenkins at New York Jets, Sept. 28, 2008 (Neil Rackers 37-yard attempt) Blocked Field Goal Attempt For Touchdown By Cardinals: Antrel Rolle (Calais Campbell block) at Jacksonville, Sept. 20, 2009, 83 yards (Josh Scobee kick) By Opponent: Mike Bass (Verlon Biggs block) at Washington, Sept. 24, 1972, 32 yards (Jim Bakken kick) RETURNS Punt Return For Touchdown By Cardinals: Steve Breaston vs. Pittsburgh, Sept. 30, 2007, 73 yards (Daniel Sepulveda punt) By Opponent: Yamon Figurs at Baltimore, Sept. 23, 2007, 75 yards (Mike Barr punt) Kickoff Return For Touchdown By Cardinals: LaRod Stephens-Howling at Tennessee, Nov. 29, 2009, 99 yards (Rob Bironas kickoff) By Opponent: Allen Rossum vs. San Francisco, Nov. 10, 2008, 104 yards (Neil Rackers kickoff) Interception Return For Touchdown By Cardinals: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie vs. Houston, Oct. 11, 2009 (49 yards, Matt Schaub pass). By Opponent: Julius Peppers vs. Carolina, Nov. 1, 2009 (13 yards, Kurt Warner pass). Fumble Return For Touchdown By Cardinals: Darnell Dockett vs. St. Louis, Dec. 7, 2008, 11 yards (Steven Jackson fumble) By Opponent: Tully Banta-Cain vs. San Francisco, Nov. 25, 2007, recovered in end zone (Kurt Warner fumble) DEFENSE Four Interceptions By Cardinals: Kwamie Lassiter vs. San Diego, Dec. 27, 1998 By Opponent: Never has happened Three Interceptions By Cardinals: Antrel Rolle at Cincinnati, Nov. 18, 2007 By Opponent: Marcus Trufant at Seattle, Dec. 9, 2007 Two Interceptions By Cardinals: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie at. Seattle, Nov. 16, 2008 By Opponent: Sherrod Martin vs. Carolina, Nov. 1, 2009 Two Interceptions By Teammates By Cardinals: At Washington, Oct. 16, 1994 (Aeneas Williams and James Williams) By Opponent: At Baltimore, Nov. 16, 1978 (Bobby Boyd and Lenny Lyles) Four Quarterback Sacks By Cardinals: Bertrand Berry vs. New York Giants, Nov. 14, 2004 By Opponent: Never has happened Three Quarterback Sacks By Cardinals: Darnell Dockett at Tennessee, Nov. 29, 2009 By Opponent: Patrick Kearney at Seattle, Dec. 9, 2007 Two QB Sacks By Teammates By Cardinals: vs. Philadelphia, Dec. 24, 2005 (Adrian Wilson and Chike Okeafor) By Opponent: vs. New England, Sept. 19, 2004 (Rodney Harrison and Willie McGinest) Cardinals vs. 49ers 37 of 46 www.azcardinals.com
Two Opponent Fumble Recoveries By Cardinals: Renaldo Hill at Carolina, Oct. 6, 2002 By Opponent: Rod Coleman at Atlanta, Oct. 1, 2006 TEAM SCORING 50 Points Scored By Team By Cardinals: St. Louis 56 at Minnesota 14, Oct. 6, 1963 By Opponent: At New York Jets 56, Arizona 35, Sept. 28, 2008 40 Points Scored By Cardinals: Arizona 41, at Chicago 21, Nov. 8, 2009 By Opponent: At New England 47, Arizona 7, Dec. 21, 2008 20 First-Quarter Points By Cardinals: 21 vs. San Francisco, Sept. 10, 2006 By Opponent: 21 vs. Minnesota, Dec. 14, 2008 20 Second-Quarter Points By Cardinals: 24 at St. Louis, Nov. 2, 2008 By Opponent: 21 vs. Carolina, Nov. 1, 2009 20 Third-Quarter Points By Cardinals: 21 at New York Jets, Sept. 28, 2008 By Opponent: 21 at Carolina, Oct. 26, 2008 20 Fourth-Quarter Points By Cardinals: 22 at St. Louis, Nov. 20, 2005 By Opponent: 22 at New York Jets, Sept. 28, 2008 30 One-Half Points By Cardinals: 31 in first half at Chicago, Nov. 8, 2009 By Opponent: 31 in first half at New England Patriots, Dec. 21, 2008 Score Touchdown In Each Quarter By Cardinals: Vs. Buffalo, Oct. 5, 2008 (7, 17, 7, 10 points) By Opponent: At Philadelphia, Nov. 27, 2008 (14, 10, 10, 14 points) By Opponent: vs. Dallas, Nov. 12, 2006 DEFENSE Shutout By Cardinals: At Arizona 19, N.Y. Giants 0, Dec. 12, 1992 By Opponent: vs. Seattle 38, Cardinals 0, Sept. 14, 2003 Shutout At Home By Cardinals: Cardinals 19, N.Y. Giants 0, Dec. 12, 1992 By Opponent: at New England 31, Cardinals 0, Sept. 15, 1996 Shutout On The Road By Cardinals: Cardinals 38, at Dallas 0, Nov. 16, 1970 By Opponent: vs. Seattle, 38, Cardinals 0, Sept. 14, 2003 MISCELLANEOUS Overtime Win At Home By Cardinals: Oct. 12, 2008 vs. Dallas, 30 24 By Opponent: Oct. 10, 2004 vs. San Francisco, 31 28 Overtime Win On The Road By Cardinals: Dec. 2, 2001 at Oakland, 34 31 By Opponent: Dec. 12, 2004 vs. San Francisco, 31 28 10 Or More Penalties By Cardinals: 11, Nov. 15, 2009 vs. Seattle (136 yards) By Opponent: 11, Dec. 28, 2008 vs. Seattle (82 yards) Tie Game By Cardinals: Dec. 7, 1986 at Philadelphia, 10 10 Over 40:00 Time of Possession (Non-OT) By Cardinals: 42:50 at Seattle, Oct. 18, 2009 By Opponent: 43:07 at Tampa Bay, Nov. 4, 2007 OFFENSE 500 Yards Total Offense By Cardinals: 510 at St. Louis, Nov. 2, 2008 By Opponent: 532 at Tennessee, Nov. 29, 2009 No Sacks/No Interceptions Allowed By Cardinals: vs. Minnesota, Dec. 6, 2009 Cardinals vs. 49ers 38 of 46 www.azcardinals.com
Arizona Cardinals 2009 Participation San Fran. at Jacksonville Indianapolis Houston at Seattle at New York Giants Carolina GP/GS/DNP/IA No. Player 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Total 27 Adams, Michael P P P P P P P P P P P DB 12-1-0-0 79 Banks, Jason - - - - - - - - - - PS PS N/A 23 Barksdale, Rashad PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS N/A 84 Becht, Anthony P TE TE TE TE P TE TE TE TE TE P 12-9-0-0 50 Beisel, Monty - - - - - - - - - - P P 2-0-0-0 92 Berry, Bertrand P ROLB DE P P P P P ROLB ROLB P DE 12-5-0-0 81 Boldin, Anquan WR WR WR WR WR WR WR IAJ WR WR WR WR 11-11-0-1 78 Branch, Alan P P P P P P P P P P P P 12-0-0-0 15 Breaston, Steve IAJ P P P P WR P WR P P P WR 11-3-0-1 73 Bridges, Jeremy P P P P P P P P P P P LT 12-1-0-0 52 Brown, Cody IR IR IR IR IR IR IR IR IR IR IR IR N/A 75 Brown, Levi RT RT RT RT RT RT RT RT RT RT RT RT 12-12-0-0 20 Brown, Ralph P P CB P P P P P P P P P 12-1-0-0 86 Byrd, Dominique IA IA IA IA IA IA IA IA IA IA - - 0-0-0-10 93 Campbell, Calais DE DE DE DE DE DE DE DE DE DE DE P 12-11-0-0 60 Canfield, Trevor PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS N/A 62 Claxton, Ben DNP DNP DNP DNP P DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP 1-0-11-0 44 Collins, Jed - - - - - - - PS PS PS - - N/A 58 Dansby, Karlos ILB ILB ILB ILB ILB ILB ILB ILB ILB ILB ILB ILB 12-12-0-0 59 Davis, Will P P P P P P P P P P IAJ IAJ 10-0-0-2 90 Dockett, Darnell DT DT DT DT DT DT DT DT DT DT DT DT 12-12-0-0 80 Doucet, Early IAJ IA IA IA IA IA IA P P P P P 5007 5-0-0-7 94 Dykes, Keilen PS P P IA PS PS PS IR IR IR IR IR 2-0-0-1 71 Field, Alex PS PS PS PS - - - - - - - - N/A 11 Fitzgerald, Larry WR WR WR WR WR WR WR WR WR WR WR WR 12-12-0-0 69 Gandy, Mike LT LT LT LT LT LT LT LT LT LT LT IAJ 11-11-0-1 16 Gant, Edward PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS N/A 18 Garvin, Michael Ray IR IR IR IR IR IR - - - - - - N/A 5 Graham, Ben P P P P P P P P P P P P 12-0-0-0 33 Green, Justin IR IR IR IR IR IR IR IR IR IR IR IR N/A 53 Haggans, Clark LOLB LOLB P LOLB LOLB LOLB LOLB LOLB LOLB LOLB LOLB P 12-10-0-0 96 Harrington, Chris PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS N/A 54 Hayes, Gerald ILB ILB ILB ILB ILB ILB ILB IAJ IAJ ILB ILB P 10-9-0-2 95 Highsmith, Ali P P P P P P P ILB ILB P P P 12-2-0-0 34 Hightower, Tim RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB 12-12-0-0 71 Holmes, Antoine - - - - - - - PS PS PS - - N/A 91 Iwebema, Kenny P IAJ IAJ IAJ P P IAJ P P P P P 8-0-0-4 67 Johnson, Herman IA IA IA IA IA IA IA IA IA IA IA IA 0-0-0-12 49 Johnson, Rashad P P P P IA IA IA IA P IA IA P 6-0-0-6 17 Jones, Onrea - PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS N/A 72 Keith, Brandon IA IA IA IA IA IA IA IA IA IA IA P 1-0-0-11 35 Kreider, Dan P P FB FB FB P P P P P P P 12-3-0-0 82 Leach, Mike P P P P P P P P P P P P 12-0-0-0 7 Leinart, Matt DNP P P DNP P DNP DNP P DNP P QB DNP 6160 6-1-6-0 19 Long, Lance P - - - - - - - - - - - 1-0-0-0 76 Lutui, Deuce RG RG RG RG RG RG RG RG RG RG RG RG 12-12-0-0 25 McFadden, Bryant RCB RCB RCB RCB RCB RCB RCB RCB RCB RCB RCB RCB 12-12-0-0 87 Morey, Sean P P P P P P P P IAJ P P P 11-0-0-1 56 Okeafor, Chike ROLB IAJ ROLB ROLB ROLB ROLB ROLB ROLB IAJ IAJ ROLB ROLB 9-9-0-3 89 Patrick, Ben SUS SUS SUS SUS P TE TE TE IAJ TE TE TE 7-6-0-1 1 Rackers, Neil P P P P P P P P P P P P 12-0-0-0 47 Renkart, Brandon - - - - - PS PS PS PS PS PS PS N/A 97 Robinson, Bryan NT NT P NT NT NT NT NT NT NT NT NT 12-11-0-0 51 Robinson, Lee PS PS PS PS PS - - - - - - - N/A 29 Rodgers-Cromartie,, D. LCB LCB LCB LCB LCB LCB LCB LCB LCB LCB LCB LCB 12-12-0-0 21 Rolle, Antrel FS FS FS FS FS FS FS FS FS FS FS FS 12-12-0-0 63 Sendlein, Lyle C C C C C C C C C C C C 12-12-0-0 83 Spach, Stephen TE TE P P IAJ IAJ IAJ IAJ TE IA IA IA 5-3-0-7 36 Stephens-Howling, L. RB P P P P P P P P P P P 12-1-0-0 2 St. Pierre, Brian IA IA IA IA IA IA IA IA IA IA DNP IA 0-0-1-11 51 Togafau, Pago - - - - - - - - - - PS PS N/A 28 Toler, Greg IA P P P P P P P P P P IA 10-0-0-2 85 Urban, Jerheme P P P P P P P P DNP IA IA IA 8-0-1-3 44 Vakapuna, Fui PS PS PS PS PS PS PS - - - - - N/A 55 Walker, Reggie IA P IA IA IA IA P P P P IA IA 5-0-0-7 22 Ware, Matt P IAJ IAJ P P P P P P P P DB 10-1-0-2 13 Warner, Kurt QB QB QB QB QB QB QB QB QB QB IAJ QB 11-11-0-1 98 Watson, Gabe P P P P P P P P P P P P 12-0-0-0 26 Wells, Beanie P P P P P P P P P P P P 12-0-0-0 74 Wells, Reggie LG LG LG LG LG LG LG LG LG LG LG LG 12-12-0-0 24 Wilson, Adrian SS SS SS SS SS SS SS SS SS SS SS SS 12-12-0-0 31 Wright, Jason P P P P P P P P P P P P 12-0-0-0 at Chicago Seattle at St. Louis at Tennessee Minnesota at San Fran. at Detroit St. Louis Green Bay P-Played, Position-Started, INJ-Injured, DNP-Did Not Play, IA-Inactive, IAJ-Inactive/Injured, IR-Injured Reserve, PS-Practice Squad, PUP-Physically Unable to perform list, SUS-NFL Suspension, NFI-Reserve/Non-Football Injury, RE-Roster Exemption Cardinals vs. 49ers 39 of 46 www.azcardinals.com
Arizona Cardinals 2009 Starters OFFENSE Opponent, Date WR LT LG C RG RT TE WR QB RB RB SF, Sep. 13 Boldin Gandy Wells Sendlein Lutui L. Brown Spach Fitzgerald Warner Hightower Steph-Howling WR LT LG C RG RT TE WR QB RB TE at Jacksonville, Sep. 20 Boldin Gandy Wells Sendlein Lutui L. Brown Spach Fitzgerald Warner Hightower Becht WR LT LG C RG RT TE WR QB RB FB Indianapolis, Sep. 27 Boldin Gandy Wells Sendlein Lutui L. Brown Becht Fitzgerald Warner Hightower Kreider Houston, Oct. 11 Boldin Gandy Wells Sendlein Lutui L. Brown Becht Fitzgerald Warner Hightower Kreider at Seattle, Oct. 18 Boldin Gandy Wells Sendlein Lutui L. Brown Becht Fitzgerald Warner Hightower Kreider WR LT LG C RG RT TE WR QB RB WR at N. Y. Giants, Oct. 25 Boldin Gandy Wells Sendlein Lutui L. Brown Patrick Fitzgerald Warner Hightower Breaston WR LT LG C RG RT TE WR QB RB TE Carolina, Nov. 1 Boldin Gandy Wells Sendlein Lutui L. Brown Patrick Fitzgerald Warner Hightower Becht at Chicago, Nov. 8 Breaston Gandy Wells Sendlein Lutui L. Brown Patrick Fitzgerald Warner Hightower Becht Seattle, Nov. 15 Boldin Gandy Wells Sendlein Lutui L. Brown Spach Fitzgerald Warner Hightower Becht at St. Louis, Nov. 22 Boldin Gandy Wells Sendlein Lutui L. Brown Patrick Fitzgerald Warner Hightower Becht at Tennessee, Nov. 29 Boldin Gandy Wells Sendlein Lutui L. Brown Patrick Fitzgerald Leinart Hightower Becht WR LT LG C RG RT TE WR QB RB WR Minnesota, Dec. 6 Boldin Bridges Wells Sendlein Lutui L. Brown Patrick Fitzgerald Warner Hightower Breaston at SF, Dec. 14 at Detroit, Dec. 20 St. Louis, Dec. 27 Green Bay, Jan. 3 DEFENSE Opponent, Date DE NT DT ROLB ILB ILB LOLB LCB RCB SS FS SF, Sep. 13 Campbell Robinson Dockett Okeafor Dansby Hayes Haggans R-Cromartie McFadden Wilson Rolle at Jacksonville, Sep. 20 Campbell Robinson Dockett Berry Dansby Hayes Haggans R-Cromartie McFadden Wilson Rolle DE DT DE OLB LB LB DB LCB RCB SS FS Indianapolis, Sep. 27 Campbell Dockett Berry Okeafor Dansby Hayes Brown R-Cromartie McFadden Wilson Rolle DE NT DT ROLB ILB ILB LOLB LCB RCB SS FS Houston, Oct. 11 Campbell Robinson Dockett Okeafor Dansby Hayes Haggans R-Cromartie McFadden Wilson Rolle at Seattle, Oct. 18 Campbell Robinson Dockett Okeafor Dansby Hayes Haggans R-Cromartie McFadden Wilson Rolle at N. Y. Giants, Oct. 25 Campbell Robinson Dockett Okeafor Dansby Hayes Haggans R-Cromartie McFadden Wilson Rolle Carolina, Nov. 1 Campbell Robinson Dockett Okeafor Dansby Hayes Haggans R-Cromartie McFadden Wilson Rolle at Chicago, Nov. 8 Campbell Robinson Dockett Okeafor Dansby Highsmith Haggans R-Cromartie McFadden Wilson Rolle Seattle, Nov. 15 Campbell Robinson Dockett Berry Dansby Highsmith Haggans R-Cromartie McFadden Wilson Rolle at St. Louis, Nov. 22 Campbell Robinson Dockett Berry Dansby Hayes Haggans R-Cromartie McFadden Wilson Rolle at Tennessee, Nov. 29 Campbell Robinson Dockett Okeafor Dansby Hayes Haggans R-Cromartie McFadden Wilson Rolle DE NT DT ROLB ILB DB DB LCB RCB SS FS Minnesota, Dec. 6 Berry Robinson Dockett Okeafor Dansby Adams Ware R-Cromartie McFadden Wilson Rolle at SF, Dec. 14 at Detroit, Dec. 20 St. Louis, Dec. 27 Green Bay, Jan. 3 2009 Arizona Cardinals Inactives SF, Sep. 13 at Seattle, Oct. 18 Seattle, Nov. 15 at SF, Dec. 14 WR Steve Breaston TE Dominique Byrd TE Dominique Byrd TE Dominique Byrd WR Early Doucet LB Gerald Hayes WR Early Doucet G/T Herman Johnson G/T Herman Johnson G/T Herman Johnson FS Rashad Johnson G/T Brandon Keith G/T Brandon Keith G/T Brandon Keith WR Sean Morey QB Brian St. Pierre (3rd QB) TE Stephen Spach LB Chike Okeafor CB Greg Toler QB Brian St. Pierre (3rd QB) TE Ben Patrick LB Reggie Walker LB Reggie Walker QB Brian St. Pierre (3rd QB) at Jax, Sep. 20 at NYG, Oct. 25 at St. Louis, Nov. 22 TE Dominique Byrd TE Dominique Byrd TE Dominique Byrd WR Early Doucet WR Early Doucet G/T Herman Johnson DE Kenny Iwebema G/T Herman Johnson S Rashad Johnson G/T Herman Johnson FS Rashad Johnson G/T Brandon Keith G/T Brandon Keith G/T Brandon Keith LB Chike Okeafor LB Chike Okeafor TE Stephen Spach TE Stephen Spach QB Brian St. Pierre (3rd QB) QB Brian St. Pierre (3rd QB) QB Brian St. Pierre (3rd QB) S Matt Ware LB Reggie Walker WR Jerheme Urban Indy, Sep. 27 Carolina, Nov. 1 at Tennessee, Nov. 29 TE Dominique Byrd TE Dominique Byrd LB Will Davis WR Early Doucet WR Early Doucet G/T Herman Johnson DE Kenny Iwebema DE Kenny Iwebema S Rashad Johnson G/T Herman Johnson G/T Herman Johnson G/T Brandon Keith G/T Brandon Keith S Rashad Johnson TE Stephen Spach QB Brian St. Pierre (3rd QB) G/T Brandon Keith WR Jerheme Urban LB Reggie Walker TE Stephen Spach LB Reggie Walker S Matt Ware QB Brian St. Pierre (3rd QB) QB Kurt Warner Houston, Oct. 11 at Chicago, Nov. 8 Minnesota, Dec. 6 TE Dominique Byrd WR Anquan Boldin LB Will Davis WR Early Doucet TE Dominique Byrd T Mike Gandy DT Keilen Dykes LB Gerald Hayes G/T Herman Johnson DE Kenny Iwebema G/T Herman Johnson TE Stephen Spach G/T Herman Johnson S Rashad Johnson QB Brian St. Pierre (3rd QB) G/T Brandon Keith G/T Brandon Keith CB Greg Toler QB Brian St. Pierre (3rd QB) TE Stephen Spach WR Jerheme Urban LB Reggie Walker QB Brian St. Pierre (3rd QB) LB Reggie Walker Cardinals vs. 49ers 40 of 46 www.azcardinals.com
Roster By Postion No. Name Pos. College Ht. Wt. Age NFL Exp. Defensive Tackles (4) 78 Alan Branch DT Michigan 6-5 338 24 3 90 Darnell Dockett DT Florida State 6-4 285 28 6 97 Bryan Robinson DT Fresno State 6-4 304 35 13 98 Gabe Watson DT Michigan 6-4 329 26 4 Defensive Ends (3) 92 Bertrand Berry DE Notre Dame 6-3 254 34 12 93 Calais Campbell DE Miami 6-8 290 23 2 91 Kenny Iwebema DE Iowa 6-4 280 24 2 Linebackers (8) 50 Monty Beisel LB Kansas State 6-3 244 31 9 58 Karlos Dansby LB Auburn 6-4 250 28 6 59 Will Davis LB Illinois 6-2 261 23 R 53 Clark Haggans LB Colorado State 6-4 243 32 10 54 Gerald Hayes LB Pittsburgh 6-1 246 29 7 95 Ali Highsmith LB LSU 6-1 230 24 2 56 Chike Okeafor LB Purdue 6-5 256 33 11 55 Reggie Walker LB Kansas State 6-0 238 22 R Cornerbacks (5) 27 Michael Adams CB Louisiana-Lafayette 5-8 181 24 3 20 Ralph Brown CB Nebraska 5-10 185 31 10 25 Bryant McFadden CB Florida State 6-0 190 28 5 29 D. Rodgers-Cromartie CB Tennessee State 6-2 182 23 2 28 Greg Toler CB Saint Paul's 6-0 191 24 R Safeties (4) 49 Rashad Johnson FS Alabama 5-11 203 23 R 21 Antrel Rolle FS Miami 6-0 208 26 5 22 Matt Ware SS UCLA 6-2 215 27 6 24 Adrian Wilson SS North Carolina State 6-3 226 30 9 Long Snapper (1) 82 Mike Leach LS William & Mary 6-2 238 33 10 Punter (1) 5 Ben Graham P Deakin (Australia) 6-5 235 36 5 Kicker (1) 1 Neil Rackers K Illinois 6-1 206 33 10 Offensive Line (9) 73 Jeremy Bridges G/T S. Mississippi 64 6-4 326 29 7 75 Levi Brown T Penn State 6-5 324 25 3 62 Ben Claxton C Mississippi 6-2 301 29 3 69 Mike Gandy T Notre Dame 6-4 316 30 9 67 Herman Johnson G/T LSU 6-7 382 24 R 72 Brandon Keith G/T Northern Iowa 6-5 338 25 2 76 Deuce Lutui G USC 6-4 338 26 4 63 Lyle Sendlein C Texas 6-3 305 25 3 74 Reggie Wells G Clarion (PA) 6-4 312 29 7 Tight Ends (3) 84 Anthony Becht TE West Virginia 6-6 270 31 10 89 Ben Patrick TE Delaware 6-3 264 25 3 83 Stephen Spach TE Fresno State 6-4 260 27 4 Running Backs (5) 34 Tim Hightower RB Richmond 6-0 222 23 2 35 Dan Kreider FB New Hampshire 5-11 250 32 10 36 L. Stephens-Howling RB Pittsburgh 5-7 180 22 R 26 Beanie Wells RB Ohio State 6-1 228 20 R 31 Jason Wright RB Northwestern 5-10 212 27 5 Wide Receivers (6) 81 Anquan Boldin WR Florida State 6-1 217 29 7 15 Steve Breaston WR Michigan 6-0 189 26 3 80 Early Doucet WR LSU 6-0 212 24 2 11 Larry Fitzgerald WR Pittsburgh 6-3 217 26 6 87 Sean Morey WR Brown 5-11 193 33 8 85 Jerheme Urban WR Trinity 6-3 207 29 6 Quarterbacks (3) 7 Matt Leinart QB USC 6-5 65 232 26 4 2 Brian St. Pierre QB Boston College 6-3 224 30 7 13 Kurt Warner QB Northern Iowa 6-2 214 38 12 Cardinals vs. 49ers 41 of 46 www.azcardinals.com
2009 Arizona Cardinals How They Were Built DRAFT TRADES WAIVERS FREE AGENTS 2001 Adrian Wilson (3) 2003 Anquan Boldin (2) Gerald Hayes (3) Reggie Wells (6a) Neil Rackers 2004 Larry Fitzgerald (1) Karlos Dansby (2) Darnell Dockett (3) Bertrand Berry (Den) 2005 Antrel Rolle (1) Chike Okeafor (Sea) Kurt Warner (NYG) 2006 Matt Leinart (1) Deuce Lutui (2) Gabe Watson (4) Matt Ware (Phi) 2007 Levi Brown (1) Alan Branch (2) Steve Breaston (5) Ben Patrick (7) Jerheme Urban (Dal) Michael Adams (R) Ralph Brown (Clev) Mike Gandy (Buf) Sean Morey (Pitt) Lyle Sendlein (R) 2008 D. Rodgers-Cromartie (1) Calais Campbell (2) Early Doucet (3) Kenny Iwebema (4) Tim Hightower (5) Brandon Keith (7) Ben Graham Clark Haggans (Pitt) Ali Highsmith (R) Stephen Spach Brian St. Pierre (Pitt) Bryan Robinson (Cin) 2009 Beanie Wells (1) Cody Brown (2) Rashad Johnson (3) Greg Toler (4) Herman Johnson (5) Will Davis (6) L. Stephens-Howling (7a) Anthony Becht Monty Beisel Jeremy Bridges Ben Claxton Michael Ray Garvin (R) Justin Green Dan Kreider Mike Leach Reggie Walker (R) Jason Wright (Clev) Cardinals vs. 49ers 42 of 46 www.azcardinals.com
ARIZONA CARDINALS 2009 DEPTH CHART OFFENSE WR 11 Larry Fitzgerald 85 Jerheme Urban 87 Sean Morey LT 69 Mike Gandy 73 Jeremy Bridges LG 74 Reggie Wells 73 Jeremy Bridges C 63 Lyle Sendlein 62 Ben Claxton RG 76 Deuce Lutui 72 Brandon Keith RT 75 Levi Brown 67 Herman Johnson TE 84 Anthony Becht 89 Ben Patrick 83 Stephen Spach WR 81 Anquan Boldin 15 Steve Breaston 80 Early Doucet QB 13 Kurt Warner 7 Matt Leinart 2 Brian St. Pierre RB 34 Tim Hightower 26 Beanie Wells 31 Jason Wright 36 L. Stephens-Howling FB 35 Dan Kreider DEFENSE DE 93 Calais Campbell 91 Kenny Iwebema NT 97 Bryan Robinson 98 Gabe Watson 78 Alan Branch DT 90 Darnell Dockett 78 Alan Branch ROLB 56 Chike Okeafor 92 Bertrand Berry ILB 58 Karlos Dansby 95 Ali Highsmith ILB 54 Gerald Hayes 55 Reggie Walker LOLB 53 Clark Haggans 50 Monty Beisel 59 Will Davis RCB 25 Bryant McFadden 20 Ralph Brown LCB 29 D. Rodgers-Cromartie 27 Michael Adams 28 Greg Toler SS 24 Adrian Wilson 22 Matt Ware FS 21 Antrel Rolle 49 Rashad Johnson SPECIALISTS K P LS 1 Neil Rackers 5 Ben Graham 82 Mike Leach H 5 Ben Graham 87 Sean Morey KR 36 L. Stephens-Howling 31 Jason Wright 15 Steve Breaston PR 15 Steve Breaston 21 Antrel Rolle NOTE: Rookies are underlined Cardinals vs. 49ers 43 of 46 www.azcardinals.com
ARIZONA CARDINALS NUMERIC ROSTER NFL How 2009 No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Age Exp. College Acquired GP-GS-DNP-IA 1 Neil Rackers K 6-1 206 33 10 Illinois FA-03 12-0-0-0 2 Brian St. Pierre QB 6-3 224 30 7 Boston College UFA-08 (Pitt) 0-0-1-11 5 Ben Graham P 6-5 235 36 5 Deakin (Australia) FA-08 12-0-0-0 7 Matt Leinart QB 6-5 232 26 4 USC D1-06 6-1-6-0 11 Larry Fitzgerald WR 6-3 217 26 6 Pittsburgh D1-04 12-12-0-0 13 Kurt Warner QB 6-2 214 38 12 Northern Iowa UFA-05 (NYG) 11-11-0-1 15 Steve Breaston WR 6-0 189 26 3 Michigan D5-07 11-3-0-1 20 Ralph Brown CB 5-10 185 31 10 Nebraska UFA-07 (Clev) 12-1-0-0 21 Antrel Rolle S 6-0 208 26 5 Miami D1-05 12-12-0-0 22 Matt Ware S 6-2 215 27 6 UCLA WV-06 (Phi) 10-1-0-2 24 Adrian Wilson SS 6-3 226 30 9 North Carolina State D3-01 12-12-0-0 25 Bryant McFadden CB 6-0 190 28 5 Florida State UFA-09 (Pitt) 12-12-0-0 26 Beanie Wells RB 6-1 228 21 R Ohio State D1-09 12-0-0-0 27 Michael Adams CB 5-8 181 24 3 Louisiana-Lafayette FA-07 12-1-0-0 28 Greg Toler CB 6-0 191 24 R Saint Paul's (Va.) D4-09 10-0-0-2 29 Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie CB 6-2 182 23 2 Tennessee State D1-08 12-12-0-0 31 Jason Wright RB 5-10 212 27 5 Northwestern UFA-09 (Clev) 12-0-0-0 34 Tim Hightower RB 6-0 222 23 2 Richmond D5-08 12-12-0-0 35 Dan Kreider FB 5-11 250 32 10 New Hampshire FA-09 12-3-0-0 36 LaRod Stephens-Howling RB 5-7 180 22 R Pittsburgh D7a-09 12-1-0-0 49 Rashad Johnson S 5-11 203 23 R Alabama D3-09 6-0-0-6 50 Monty Beisel LB 6-3 244 31 9 Kansas State FA-09 2-0-0-0 53 Clark Haggans LB 6-4 243 32 10 Colorado State UFA-08 (Pitt) 12-10-0-0 54 Gerald Hayes LB 6-1 246 29 7 Pittsburgh D3-03 10-9-0-2 55 Reggie Walker LB 6-0 238 22 R Kansas State FA-09 5-0-0-7 56 Chike Okeafor LB 6-5 256 33 11 Purdue UFA-05 (Sea) 9-9-0-3 58 Karlos Dansby LB 6-4 250 28 6 Auburn D2-04 12-12-0-0 59 Will Davis LB 6-2 261 23 R Illinois D6-09 10-0-0-2 62 Ben Claxton C 6-2 301 29 3 Mississippi FA-09 1-0-11-0 63 Lyle Sendlein C 6-3 305 25 3 Texas FA-07 12-12-0-0 67 Herman Johnson G/T 6-7 382 24 R LSU D5-09 0-0-0-12 69 Mike Gandy T 6-4 316 30 9 Notre Dame UFA-07 (Buf) 11-11-0-1 72 Brandon Keith G/T 6-5 338 25 2 Northern Iowa D7-08 1-0-0-11 73 Jeremy Bridges G/T 6-4 326 29 7 Southern Mississippi FA-09 12-1-0-0 74 Reggie Wells G 6-4 312 29 7 Clarion (Pa.) D6a-03 12-12-0-0 75 Levi Brown T 6-5 324 25 3 Penn State D1-07 12-12-0-0 76 Deuce Lutui G 6-4 338 26 4 USC D2-06 12-12-0-0 78 Alan Branch DT 6-5 338 24 3 Michigan D2-07 12-0-0-0 80 Early Doucet WR 6-0 212 24 2 LSU D3-08 5-0-0-7 81 Anquan Boldin WR 6-1 217 29 7 Florida State D2-03 11-11-0-1 82 Mike Leach LS 6-2 238 33 10 William & Mary FA-09 12-0-0-0 83 Stephen Spach TE 6-4 260 27 4 Fresno State FA-08 5-3-0-7 84 Anthony Becht TE 6-6 270 32 10 West Virginia FA-09 12-9-0-0 85 Jerheme Urban WR 6-3 207 29 6 Trinity WV-07 (Dal) 8-0-1-3 87 Sean Morey WR 5-11 193 33 8 Brown UFA-07 (Pitt) 11-0-0-1 89 Ben Patrick TE 6-3 264 25 3 Delaware D7-07 7-6-0-1 90 Darnell Dockett DT 6-4 285 28 6 Florida State D3-04 12-12-0-0 91 Kenny Iwebema DE 6-4 280 24 2 Iowa D4-08 8-0-0-4 92 Bertrand Berry DE 6-3 254 34 12 Notre Dame UFA-04 (Den) 12-5-0-0 93 Calais Campbell DE 6-8 290 23 2 Miami D2-08 12-11-0-0 95 Ali Highsmith LB 6-1 230 24 2 LSU FA-08 12-2-0-0 97 Bryan Robinson DT 6-4 304 35 13 Fresno State UFA-08 (Cin) 12-11-0-0 98 Gabe Watson DT 6-4 329 26 4 Michigan D4-06 12-0-0-0 2009 Coaching Staff Head Coach: Ken Whisenhunt. Assistants: Russ Grimm (assistant head coach/run game coordinator/offensive line), Bill Davis (defensive coordinator), Mike Miller (passing game coordinator), Ron Aiken (defensive line), Teryl Austin (defensive backs), Rick Courtright (assistant defensive backs), Chad Grimm (offensive quality control), Freddie Kitchens (tight ends), John Lott (strength and conditioning), John McNulty (wide receivers), Chris Miller (quarterbacks), Curtis Modkins (running backs), Matt Raich (linebackers), Ryan Slowik (defensive quality control), Kevin Spencer (special teams). Cardinals vs. 49ers 44 of 46 www.azcardinals.com 12/8/2009
ARIZONA CARDINALS ALPHA ROSTER No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Birth Date NFL Exp. College Hometown 27 Adams, Michael CB 5-8 181 6/17/1985 3 Louisiana-Lafayette Dallas, TX 84 Becht, Anthony TE 6-6 270 8/8/1977 10 West Virginia Drexel Hill, PA 50 Beisel, Monty LB 6-3 244 8/20/1978 9 Kansas State Douglass, KS 92 Berry, Bertrand DE 6-3 254 8/15/1975 12 Notre Dame Houston, TX 81 Boldin, Anquan WR 6-1 217 10/3/1980 7 Florida State Pahokee, FL 78 Branch, Alan DT 6-5 338 12/29/1984 3 Michigan Rio Rancho, NM 15 Breaston, Steve WR 6-0 189 8/20/1983 3 Michigan North Braddock, PA 73 Bridges, Jeremy G/T 6-4 326 4/19/1980 7 Southern Mississippi South Pike, MS 75 Brown, Levi T 6-5 324 3/16/1984 3 Penn State Norfolk, VA 20 Brown, Ralph CB 5-10 185 9/16/1978 10 Nebraska LaPuenta, CA 93 Campbell, Calais DE 6-8 290 9/1/1986 2 Miami Aurora, CO 62 Claxton, Ben C 6-2 301 7/30/1980 3 Mississippi Dublin, GA 58 Dansby, Karlos LB 6-4 250 11/3/1981 6 Auburn Birmingham, AL 59 Davis, Will LB 6-2 261 6/2/1986 R Illinois Greenbelt, MD 90 Dockett, Darnell DT 6-4 285 5/27/1981 6 Florida State Burtonsville, MD 80 Doucet, Early WR 6-0 212 10/28/1985 2 LSU St. Martinville, LA 11 Fitzgerald, Larry WR 6-3 217 8/31/1983 6 Pittsburgh Minneapolis, MN 69 Gandy, Mike T 6-4 316 1/3/1979 9 Notre Dame Dallas, TX 5 Graham, Ben P 6-5 235 11/2/1973 5 Deakin (Australia) Geelong, Australia 53 Haggans, Clark LB 6-4 243 1/10/1977 10 Colorado State Torrance, CA 54 Hayes, Gerald LB 6-1 246 10/10/1980 7 Pittsburgh Paterson, NJ 95 Highsmith, Ali LB 6-1 230 1/20/1985 2 LSU Miami, FL 34 Hightower, Tim RB 6-0 222 5/23/1986 2 Richmond Alexandria, VA 91 Iwebema, Kenny DE 6-4 280 2/6/1985 2 Iowa Arlington, TX 67 Johnson, Herman G/T 6-7 382 1/29/1985 R LSU Denton, TX 49 Johnson, Rashad S 5-11 203 1/2/1986 R Alabama Sulligent, AL 72 Keith, Brandon G/T 6-5 338 11/21/1984 2 Northern Iowa McAlester, OK 35 Kreider, Dan FB 5-11 250 3/11/1977 10 New Hampshire Lancaster, PA 82 Leach, Mike LS 6-2 238 10/18/1976 10 William & Mary Dover, NJ 7 Leinart, Matt QB 6-5 232 5/11/1983 4 USC Santa Ana, CA 76 Lutui, Deuce G 6-4 338 5/5/1983 4 USC Mesa, AZ 25 McFadden, Bryant CB 6-0 190 11/21/1981 5 Florida State Hollywood, FL 87 Morey, Sean WR 5-11 193 2/26/1976 8 Brown Marshfield, MA 56 Okeafor, Chike LB 6-5 256 3/27/1976 11 Purdue Grand Rapids, MI 89 Patrick, Ben TE 6-3 264 8/23/1984 3 Delaware Savannah, GA 1 Rackers, Neil K 6-1 206 8/16/1976 10 Illinois St. Louis, MO 97 Robinson, Bryan DT 6-4 304 6/22/1974 13 Fresno State Toledo, OH 29 Rodgers-Cromartie, Dominique CB 6-2 182 4/7/1986 2 Tennessee State Bradenton, FL 21 Rolle, Antrel S 6-0 208 12/16/1982 5 Miami Homestead, FL 63 Sendlein, Lyle C 6-3 305 3/16/1984 3 Texas Scottsdale, AZ 83 Spach, Stephen TE 6-4 260 7/18/1982 4 Fresno State Clovis, CA 36 Stephens-Howling, LaRod RB 5-7 180 4/26/1987 R Pittsburgh Johnstown, PA 2 St. Pierre, Brian QB 6-3 224 11/28/1979 7 Boston College Salem, MA 28 Toler, Greg CB 6-0 191 1/2/1985 R Saint Paul's (Va.) Washington, DC 85 Urban, Jerheme WR 6-3 207 11/26/1980 6 Trinity Victoria, TX 55 Walker, Reggie LB 6-0 238 12/15/1986 R Kansas State Sacramento, CA 22 Ware, Matt S 6-2 215 12/2/1982 6 UCLA Los Angeles, CA 13 Warner, Kurt QB 6-2 214 6/22/1971 12 Northern Iowa Burlington, IA 98 Watson, Gabe DT 6-4 329 9/24/1983 4 Michigan Southfield, MI 26 Wells, Beanie RB 6-1 228 8/7/1988 R Ohio State Akron, OH 74 Wells, Reggie G 6-4 312 11/3/1980 7 Clarion (PA) Library, PA 24 Wilson, Adrian SS 6-3 226 10/12/1979 9 North Carolina State High Point, NC 31 Wright, Jason RB 5-10 212 7/12/1982 5 Northwestern Diamond Bar, CA Injured Reserve No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Birthdate NFL Exp. College Injury/Date Listed 52 Brown, Cody OLB 6-3 244 11/9/1986 R Connecticut Knee/August 31 94 Dykes, Keilen DT 6-3 305 9/6/1984 1 West Virginia Biceps/November 3 33 Green, Justin FB 6-0 246 4/30/1982 4 Montana Knee/August 4 Practice Squad No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Birth Date NFL Exp. College Hometown 79 Banks, Jason DE 6-5 296 5/8/1985 1 Grambling Baton Rouge, LA 23 Barksdale, Rashad CB 6-0 208 5/11/1984 2 Albany Hudson, NY 60 Canfield, Trevor G 6-5 307 1/10/1986 R Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH 16 Gant, Edward WR 6-3 190 1/24/1984 R North Alabama Fort Myers, FL 96 Harrington, Chris LB 6-5 260 1/19/1985 1 Texas A&M Houston, TX 17 Jones, Onrea WR 6-0 202 12/22/1983 1 Hampton Williamsburg, VA 47 Renkart, Brandon FB 6-2 245 12/29/1984 1 Rutgers Piscataway, NJ 51 Togafau, Pago LB 5-11 240 1/10/1984 3 Idaho State Long Beach, CA Cardinals vs. 49ers 45 of 46 www.azcardinals.com 12/8/2009
NFL Standings NFC East W L T Pct PF PA Home Road Div Conf Non-Conf Streak Dallas Cowboys 8 4 0.667 279 213 5-1 3-3 2-2 6-3 2-1 1L Philadelphia Eagles 8 4 0.667 327 235 4-2 4-2 3-1 7-2 1-2 3W New York Giants 7 5 0.583 303 285 4-2 3-3 3-1 5-3 2-2 1W Washington Redskins 3 9 0.250 200 238 3-3 0-6 0-4 2-8 1-1 3L NFC North W L T Pct PF PA Home Road Div Conf Non-Conf Streak Minnesota Vikings 10 2 0.833 359 233 6-0 4-2 5-0 8-1 2-1 1L Green Bay Packers 8 4 0.667 323 229 5-2 3-2 3-2 6-3 2-1 4W Chicago Bears 5 7 0.417 233 270 4-2 1-5 1-2 3-6 2-1 1W Detroit Lions 2 10 0.167 206 358 2-4 0-6 0-5 1-8 1-2 2L NFC South W L T Pct PF PA Home Road Div Conf Non-Conf Streak z- New Orleans Saints 12 0 0 1.000 440 251 6-0 6-0 3-0 8-0 4-0 12W Atlanta Falcons 6 6 0.500 279 279 5-1 1-5 2-2 5-5 1-1 1L Carolina Panthers 5 7 0.417 215 262 3-3 2-4 3-2 5-4 0-3 1W Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1 11 0.083 187 330 1-5 0-6 0-4 1-8 0-3 4L NFC West W L T Pct PF PA Home Road Div Conf Non-Conf Streak Arizona Cardinals 8 4 0.667 297 234 3-3 5-1 3-1 6-2 2-2 1W San Francisco 49ers 5 7 0.417 245 233 4-2 1-5 3-1 4-4 1-3 1L Seattle Seahawks 5 7 0.417 243 267 4-2 1-5 3-3 4-6 1-1 2W St. Louis Rams 1 11 0.083 139 314 0-6 1-5 0-4 1-9 0-2 4L AFC East W L T Pct PF PA Home Road Div Conf Non-Conf Streak New England Patriots 7 5 0.583 328 224 6-0 1-5 3-2 5-4 2-1 2L Miami Dolphins 6 6 0.500 278 296 4-2 2-4 4-2 4-4 2-2 1W New York Jets 6 6 0.500 249 208 3-3 3-3 2-4 5-5 1-1 2W Buffalo Bills 4 8 0.333 199 261 2-4 2-4 2-3 2-7 2-1 1L AFC North W L T Pct PF PA Home Road Div Conf Non-Conf Streak Cincinnati Bengals 9 3 0.750 254 187 5-2 4-1 6-0 6-3 3-0 2W Baltimore Ravens 6 6 0.500 271 215 4-2 2-4 3-2 6-4 0-2 1L Pittsburgh Steelers 6 6 0.500 272 231 4-2 2-4 1-3 4-5 2-1 4L Cleveland Browns 1 11 0.083 145 309 0-5 1-6 0-5 1-7 0-4 7L AFC South W L T Pct PF PA Home Road Div Conf Non-Conf Streak z- Indianapolis Colts 12 0 0 1.000 331 201 6-0 6-0 5-0 8-0 4-0 12W Jacksonville Jaguars 7 5 0.583 225 273 5-1 2-4 3-2 6-2 1-3 1W Tennessee Titans 5 7 0.417 246 316 3-2 2-5 2-4 3-7 2-0 1L Houston Texans 5 7 0.417 277 266 2-4 3-3 1-5 4-6 1-1 4L AFC West W L T Pct PF PA Home Road Div Conf Non-Conf Streak San Diego Chargers 9 3 0.750 342 242 4-2 5-1 5-1 7-3 2-0 7W Denver Broncos 8 4 0.667 240 202 4-2 4-2 3-1 6-3 2-1 2W Oakland Raiders 4 8 0.333 142 282 2-4 2-4 1-4 3-6 1-2 1W Kansas City Chiefs 3 9 0.250 196 326 1-5 2-4 1-4 2-6 1-3 2L x - Clinched playoff y - Clinched Wild Card z - Clinched Division * - Clinched Division and Homefield Advantage Cardinals vs. 49ers 46 of 46 www.azcardinals.com