Arizona Cardinals Football Club Game Release Preseason #3 THIS WEEK S GAME The Cardinals will look to improve to 3-0 in preseason play when they welcome the San Diego Chargers to town on Saturday. The final home tune-up prior to the regular season, this week s game will be the 75 th played at University of Phoenix Stadium since it opened in 2006. Arizona ran its record to 2-0 with a 12-7 win over the visiting Dallas Cowboys last week. The Cardinals earned the victory by forcing six Dallas turnovers, including five in the first half. Arizona s six takeaways last week gives the team eight through the first two games, tied with Chicago for the NFL preseason lead. Including the 17-0 victory over Green Bay in the opener, Arizona s seven points allowed in the preseason mark the lowest total in the NFL. Rookie free agent S Tony Jefferson was the standout in last week s contest, totaling two INTs, two tackles for loss and two passes defensed in the outing. LB Jasper Brinkley, signed as a free agent in the offseason, added two fumble recoveries while rookie S Tyrann Mathieu led all defenders with a game-high seven tackles. On offense, RB Rashard Mendenhall made his Arizona debut, totaling 32 yards on seven attempts (4.6-yard avg.). Arizona native WR Kerry Taylor posted a strong outing with four receptions for a game-high 85 yards in his battle for a roster spot. Following this week s game, the Cardinals will finish preseason play with a trip to Denver to face the Broncos before beginning the regular season in St. Louis. THE COACHES Bruce Arians Mike McCoy 0-0* Overall Record 0-0 0-0 Regular Season Record 0-0 0-0 Playoff Record 0-0 1 st Years as Head Coach in NFL 1 st 1 st Years with team 1 st *Does not include 9-3 record as interim head coach with the Indianapolis Colts in 2012, for which he earned NFL Coach of the Year honors. BROADCAST INFORMATION TELEVISION CARDINALS RADIO Network: ABC-15 (KNXV) Flagship: News Talk 92.3 FM Play-by-Play: Dave Pasch Play-by-Play: Paul Calvisi Analyst: Ron Wolfley Analyst: Bertrand Berry Sideline: Jody Jackson Sideline: Damien Anderson CARDINALS SPANISH RADIO Flagship: KVVA 107.1 FM Play-by-Play: Gabriel Trujillo Analyst: Rolando Cantu Saturday, August 24, 2013 7:00 PM (MST) ARIZONA CARDINALS (2-0) THE PRESEASON SERIES This week s matchup between the Cardinals and Chargers marks the 20 th all-time preseason meeting between the two teams in a series that dates back to 1970. This week s meeting will mark the ninth preseason contest between the two teams since 2000. Arizona and San Diego faced off in the preseason every year between 2000 and 2004, and their last meeting came in 2011. Saturday s game marks the Cardinals fifth consecutive home preseason contest against the Chargers. The first NFL game ever played outside of America was a preseason contest held in Tokyo, Japan when the Cardinals defeated the Chargers 20-10 on 8/16/76. CARDS-CHARGERS PRESEASON SERIES Overall Preseason Series: 9-10 Cardinals at home vs. SD: 3-4 First Meeting: 9/5/70, L, 27-38 (at Cleveland) Last Meeting: 8/27/11, L, 31-34 Last Win: 8/16/03 @ SD, W, 16-10 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 Director, Media Relations Matt Storey Media Relations Coordinator cmelvin@cardinals.nfl.net 602/379-1882 mstorey@cardinals.nfl.net 602/379-1620 Allison LeClair Media Relations Assistant aleclair@cardinals.nfl.net 602/379-1724 8701 S. Hardy Drive, Tempe, AZ 85284 Phone: 602-379-0101 Fax: 602-379-1821 www.azcardinals.com vs. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (0-2) University of Phoenix Stadium 2013 PRESEASON SCHEDULE After defeating the Cowboys 12-7 last week, the Cardinals finish the preseason home slate by facing the San Diego Chargers at University of Phoenix Stadium on Saturday. Following this week s matchup, the Cardinals conclude preseason play with a visit to Denver to face the Broncos. It will mark the ninth time in 10 seasons the Cards and Broncos square off in the preseason finale. Date Opponent Location Time Aug. 9 @ Green Bay Packers Lambeau Field W, 17-0 Aug. 17 Dallas Cowboys U. of Phoenix Stadium W, 12-7 Aug. 24 San Diego Chargers U. of Phoenix Stadium 7:00 PM Aug. 29 @ Denver Broncos Sports Authority Field 6:00 PM
CARDINALS & CHARGERS IN 2012 REGULAR SEASON CARDINALS CATEGORY CHARGERS 5-11 Record 7-9 250 Points Scored 350 357 Points Allowed 350 25 Touchdowns Scored 39 40 Touchdowns Allowed 42 10 Rushing TDs 4 11 Passing TDs 26 4 Return TDs 9 12 Rushing TDs Allowed 10 20 Passing TDs Allowed 28 8 Return TDs Allowed 4 58/378 Sacked/Yards Lost 49/311 25/13 Fumbles/Lost 24/11 21 Had Intercepted 15 25/28 Field Goals Made/Attempted 25/27 263.1 Total Yards Per Game 297.3 337.8 Opp. Total Yards Per Game 326.4 75.3 Rushing Yards Per Game 91.3 137.0 Opp. Rushing Yards Per Game 96.4 187.8 Passing Yards Per Game 205.9 200.8 Opp. Passing Yards Per Game 230.1-1 Turnover Ratio +2 29:01 Average Time of Possession 31:10 32/32/28 NFL Rank-Total Offense/Run/Pass 31/27/24 12/28/5 NFL Rank-Total Defense/Run/Pass 9/6/18 0/0 2-Point Conversions 0/0 CARDINALS & CHARGERS - THE LAST TIME CARDS WRAPPING UP CAMP By the time the Cardinals and Chargers meet on Saturday, Arizona will have wrapped its first ever training camp at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals are scheduled to hold the last of their 17 camp practices at University of Phoenix Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 22. In the first ever camp held on the Cardinals home field, fans turned out by the thousands. The team held its annual Red & White scrimmage on Aug. 3 and a record 17,500 fans made the trip to the stadium for the event. Over the first seven practices, nearly 60,000 fans came out to support the team. BACK ON NFL NETWORK Cardinals fans across the country will be able to catch much of the action from this week s game live on NFL Network, who will join the action in progress after the St. Louis-Denver game ends. That game begins at 5:00 PM (MST). The NFL Network broadcast will be blacked out in the Phoenix area, as well as in Tucson, Yuma/El Centro and Las Vegas. Fans in Phoenix can view the game locally on ABC-15. In the Tucson the game will air on CW Tucson and in Las Vegas on CW Las Vegas. Chargers 41, CARDINALS 10 October 3, 2010 Qualcomm Stadium (63,189) In a week 4 game at San Diego, Arizona squared off against the only NFL team ranked in the top 5 both offensively and defensively. The Chargers proved worthy of the distinction. Their top ranked offense had 419 total yards and TDs on its first 3 possessions including two to TE Antonio Gates. The #4 ranked defense held AZ to 124 yards, had 9 sacks and forced 3 turnovers; one they returned for a TD and another set one up. It all added up to a loss that dropped the Cardinals to 2-2. They remained in a 3-way tie for first place in the NFC West with the Rams & Seahawks and two ahead of 0-4 San Fran. Playing without #2 WR Steve Breaston and #3 WR Early Doucet, the Cards opened the game by moving deep into SD territory thanks to 3 catches by Larry Fitzgerald and a pair of key 3 rd down conversions. An apparent 22-yard run by Tim Hightower was wiped out by a holding call and on the next play SS Steve Gregory INT d a Derek Anderson pass intended for Fitzgerald at the SD 11. The Chargers then moved 89 yards in 8 plays and took a 7-0 lead on Philip Rivers 33-yard TD pass to TE Antonio Gates. The next AZ drive stalled after reaching the SD35 but the Cards defense made a big play on the ensuing series. On 2 nd down from the SD 43, Darren Sproles took a pitch but after 2 yards was hit by CB Greg Toler, forcing a fumble. FS Kerry Rhodes scooped it up near the right sideline and raced 42 yards for a game-tying TD. The Chargers quickly surged back ahead with a 5- play drive that ended on Mike Tolbert s 5-yard scoring run. They went up 21-7 on their next possession when Gates second TD of the day a 26-yarder from Rivers capped a 9-play, 65- yard drive. Things went from bad to worse for the Cards on the 3rd play of the next series when Anderson s 3 rd -n-13 pass was INT d by LB Shaun Phillips and returned 31 yards for a TD. When the AZ offense returned to the field with 2:30 to play in the half, rookie Max Hall had replaced Anderson at QB. With Hall at the helm in the 2 nd half and San Diego holding a sizable lead, the Cards offense continued to find the going tough. San Diego provided the only points of the 3 rd quarter on a 48-yard Nate Kaeding FG and rookie Ryan Mathews first career TD run. That 15-yard TD came one play after LB Kevin Burnett sacked Hall, forcing a fumble that Luis Castillo recovered. Late in the 4 th, Hall led a drive that culminated in a 53-yard Jay Feely FG that provided the game s final points. CARDINALS 0 7 0 3 10 CHARGERS 7 14 10 3 41 Team Qtr. Time Scoring Play Drive Score Chargers 1 4:45 Gates 33-yard pass from Rivers (Kaeding kick) 8-89, 4:45 0-7 CARDS 2 13:34 Rhodes 42-yard fumble return (Feely kick) -- 7-7 Chargers 2 10:31 Tolbert 5-yard run (Kaeding kick) 5-63, 3:03 7-14 Chargers 2 3:30 Gates 26-yard pass from Rivers (Kaeding kick) 9-65, 4:14 7-21 Chargers 2 2:30 Phillips 31-yard INT return (Kaeding kick) -- 7-28 Chargers 3 3:55 Kaeding 48-yard FG 6-32, 3:41 7-31 Chargers 3 1:31 Mathews 15-yard run (Kaeding kick) 1-15, 0:07 7-38 Chargers 4 10:49 Kaeding 47-yard FG 8-35, 4:11 7-41 CARDS 4 3:17 Feely 53-yard FG 8-29, 4:05 10-41 STATISTICS AZ SD First Downs 10 23 Rushes-Yards 14-47 38-180 Net Passing Yards 77 239 Total Net Yards 124 419 Passing (A-C-I) 28-15-2 21-16-0 Sacked by Opp. 9-69 1-10 Punts-Average 5-42.8 1-67.0 Fumbles-Lost 1-1 1-1 Penalties 5-34 5-44 Time of Possession 25:02 34:58 Weather: Sunny, 72 degrees, 67% humidity, winds WSW 8 mph. RUSHING CARDS: Hightower 7-24; Wells 5-19; Stephens-Howling 2-4. Chargers: Tolbert 16-100, TD; Mathews 9-55, TD; Sproles 6-17; Hester 5-10; Volek 2-(- 2). PASSING CARDS: Hall 8-14, 82, 0 TD, 0 INT; Anderson 7-14, 64 yds, 0 TD, 2 INT. Chargers: Rivers 15-20, 241 yds, 2 TD, 0 INT; Volek 1-1, 8 yds, 0 TD, 0 INT. RECEIVING CARDS: Fitzgerald 7-56; Williams 3-32; Patrick 2-12; Dray 1-24; Komar 1-16; Wells 1-6. Chargers: Gates 7-144, 2 TD; Hester 3-40; Floyd 2-45; Tolbert 2-3; Mathews 1-13; Naanee 1-4. Cardinals vs. Chargers #SDvsAZ 2 of 45 www.azcardinals.com
FAMILIAR FACES RETURN TO UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX STADIUM When the Cardinals host the Chargers at University of Phoenix Stadium this week, it will mark the first return visit of former head coach Ken Whisenhunt, now the offensive coordinator in San Diego. Whisenhunt served as the Cardinals head coach from 2007-12, accumulating a 49-53 record over six seasons, with the 49 wins representing a franchise record for a head coach. Prior to becoming head coach in Arizona, Whisenhunt spent three seasons (2004-06) as the offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he coached alongside Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians. In addition to Whisenhunt, Chargers special teams coach Kevin Spencer, quarterbacks coach Frank Reich and defensive quality Control coach Chad Grimm are all former Cardinals coaches who are making their return to University of Phoenix Stadium this week. Spencer served as the Cardinals special teams coach from 2007-12, Reich served as the team s WRs coach in 2012 and Grimm served as an offensive quality control coach for Arizona from 2009-12. CARDINALS-CHARGERS CONNECTIONS AMONG FAMILY Cardinals S Curtis Taylor and Chargers SS Brandon Taylor are brothers and played together at LSU in 2008. Brandon Taylor also played with Cardinals CB Patrick Peterson (2008-10), S Tyrann Mathieu (2010-11), and LB Kevin Minter (2010-12) at LSU. FORMER CHARGERS Cardinals CB Antoine Cason played for the Chargers from 2008-12. A first-round pick (27 th overall) of San Diego in the 08, Cason played in all 80 games over five seasons and totaled 268 tackles, 12 INTs, and 46 passes defensed. In 2012, the Long Beach, CA native started all 16 games for the first time in his career and posted a career-high 71 tackles while leading the team with 12 passes defensed (two INTs). Cardinals TE Kory Sperry played with the Chargers from 2010-11. He originally joined the team as a rookie free agent in 2009, and then returned in 2010 when he was signed to the practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster in November 2010 and went on to play in 23 games over two seasons in San Diego. Cardinals CBs coach Kevin Ross played for the Chargers in 1996 and then served as assistant secondary/quality control coach in San Diego from 2007-08. Cardinals Assistant Special Teams/Assistant TEs coach Steve Heiden began his NFL playing career with the Chargers. He was a thirdround pick (69 th overall) of San Diego s in the 1999 NFL Draft and spent three seasons with the Chargers (1999-2001). FORMER CARDINALS Chargers Secondary coach Ron Milus served in the same position with the Cardinals in 2003. His son, Ryan, is a member of the track team at Arizona State University. Chargers C/G Rich Ohrnberger saw action in 13 games and made four starts for the Cardinals in 2012, starting two games at guard and two at center before being placed on injured reserve in December. Chargers K Nick Novak played in five games for the Cardinals in 2005, making all three of his FG attempts. Chargers RB Fozzy Whittaker spent the last two weeks of the 2012 season on the Cardinals practice squad. ARIZONA CONNECTIONS Chargers WR Mike Willie played at Arizona State University from 2010-11 and was a teammate of Cardinals LB Colin Parker (2008-11) and WR Kerry Taylor (2007-10). Chargers C Colin Baxter (2007-10) and RB Chris Gronkowski (2008-09) both played at the University of Arizona. Chargers Assistant Secondary coach Greg Williams began his coaching career as an intern at Arizona State University in 2003. Chargers LBs coach Joe Barry coached LBs and DEs at Northern Arizona University from 1996-98. Barry entered the NFL coaching ranks in 2000 as a defensive quality control coach for the 49ers while Cardinals DL coach Brentson Buckner was playing for San Francisco. CALIFORNIA CONNECTIONS Cardinals QB Ryan Lindley is from Alpine, CA and played his college football at San Diego State from 2008-11. A four-year starter for the Aztecs, he set Mountain West Conference career records with 961 completions, 1,732 pass attempts, 12,690 passing yards, and 49 starts while playing with Chargers WR Vincent Brown (2007-10). Lindley attended El Capitan High School in Lakeside, CA. Cardinals S Tony Jefferson is a Chula Vista, CA native, helping lead Eastlake High School to the San Diego Division I CIF title as a senior. Cardinals CB Ronnie Yell is from San Diego and he earned second-team All-CIF San Diego Section honors at Lincoln High School. The following Cardinals are also from the state of California: LB Lorenzo Alexander (Berkeley), S Jonathon Amaya (Diamond Bar), DE David Carter (Fontana), G Paul Fanaika (San Mateo), G/C Mike Gibson (Napa), LB Zack Nash (Vacaville), QB Carson Palmer (Rancho Santa Margarita), G Chilo Rachal (Compton), LB Kenny Rowe (Los Angeles), DE Frostee Rucker (Tustin), and LB Reggie Walker (Sacramento). THEY GO WAY BACK Cardinals WR Robby Toma and Chargers ILB Manti Te o spent their childhood living three houses away from each other in Honolulu, HI. The best friends were teammates in high school and college, playing together at Punahou School and then at Notre Dame from 2009-12. In addition, Te o and Cardinals WR Michael Floyd played together at Notre Dame from 2009-11. COLLEGE/PRO CONNECTIONS Chargers Defensive Coordinator John Pagano coached with Cardinals Head Coach Bruce Arians with the Saints in 1996 and with the Colts from 1998-2000. Pagano and Arians were joined by Cardinals Assistant Head Coach/Offense Tom Moore and Chargers Special Teams Coordinator Kevin Spencer on the Colts staff. From 1989-90, Cardinals Defensive Coordinator Todd Bowles and Chargers Offensive Coordinator Ken Whisenhunt were teammates with the Redskins, and they coached together in 2000 as assistants with the Jets, which was Cardinals LB John Abraham s rookie season. Cardinals Offensive Coordinator Harold Goodwin (2004-06) and WRs coach Darryl Drake (2004-11) coached for the Bears with Chargers Defensive Line coach Don Johnson (2005-06). Chargers OLB Dwight Freeney played for the Colts in 2012 under Interim Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator Bruce Arians. Cardinals vs. Chargers #SDvsAZ 3 of 45 www.azcardinals.com
TURNOVERS BY THE BUNCH The Cardinals improved to 2-0 in preseason play with their 12-7 victory over the Dallas Cowboys last week. Arizona earned the win by forcing six Dallas turnovers (3 fumbles, 3 INTs), including five in the first half alone. Combined with the two takeaways in the preseason opener vs. Green Bay, the Cardinals have forced eight turnovers through the first two preseason games, with four INTs and four fumble recoveries. Arizona s eight takeaways are tied with Chicago for the most in the NFL this preseason. Preseason Takeaway Leaders NFL TA Team INT Fumble 8 Arizona 4 4 8 Chicago 3 5 6 Miami 3 3 6 Seattle 3 3 6 Carolina 4 2 Arizona s +7 turnover margin is also tops in the NFL. Preseason Turnover Differential Leaders NFL Diff Team TA TO +7 Arizona 8 1 +6 Seattle 6 0 +3 Cleveland 3 0 +3 Chicago 8 5 +2 Six teams tied Through the first two games, opposing offenses have had 11 first half drives, six of which have ended in turnovers. Below is a look at how all 11 drives ended: vs. Green Bay (5 First Half Possessions) Downs, INT, Fumble, Punt, Punt vs. Dallas (6 First Half Possessions) Punt, Fumble, Fumble, INT, Punt, INT Arizona also recovered a fumbled punt in the first quarter against the Cowboys last week. DEFENDING THE END ZONE It took the Cardinals over seven quarters of preseason action spanning 109 minutes, 5 seconds to give up their first points of the season. In the opener at Green Bay, Arizona posted its first preseason shutout since 2008, taking down the Packers 17-0. Last week against Dallas, Arizona didn t surrender its first points until the fourth quarter on the way to a 12-7 victory. Arizona s 3.5 points allowed per game through the first two games are by far the fewest allowed in the NFL this preseason. PPG Team Pts G 3.5 Arizona 7 2 10.0 Seattle 20 2 11.5 San Francisco 23 2 12.0 Green Bay 24 2 12.5 Cleveland 25 2 So far this preseason, NFL teams have allowed an average of 38.5 points, compared to Arizona s seven. NEXT WEEK Following this week s matchup against the Chargers, the Cardinals travel to Denver to face the Broncos in the preseason finale on Thursday (8/29). The finale against the Cardinals and Broncos will mark the 23 rd all-time preseason meeting between the two teams, including the 12 th matchup in the last in the last 15 preseasons. STADIUM HITS #75 The Cardinals made their 2013 debut at University of Phoenix Stadium when they defeated the Dallas Cowboys 12-7 in front of a sold out crowd on Saturday. The game began the eighth season on the team s home field, which opened its doors in 2006. In hosting the San Diego Chargers this week, the Cardinals will be playing in their 75 th game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Heading into this Saturday s game, the Cardinals have sold out all 74 games played on their home field dating back to 2006 (including preseason and postseason). Dating back to the inaugural season in 06, the Cardinals hold a 36-23 home record, which includes a 3-0 record in postseason play. Before the opening of University of Phoenix Stadium, there were only 12 games that sold out in time to be televised locally in 18 years at Sun Devil Stadium. JEFFERSON MAKES HIS MARK A rookie free agent out of the University of Oklahoma, S Tony Jefferson faces an uphill climb to earn a spot on the Cardinals 53-man roster, but the Chula Vista, CA native made a strong push with his performance against the Cowboys last week. Jefferson turned heads with an outing that included five tackles, two INTs, two tackles for loss and two passes defensed. A second-team All-American as a junior in 2012, Jefferson appeared in 40 games (34 starts) and totaled 258 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, seven sacks, eight INTs and 13 passes defensed in three seasons at Oklahoma where he played alongside fellow rookie free agent S Javon Harris and 2012 third round draft pick CB Jamell Fleming. NOTES FROM GAME 2 A Couple of Backs Make Their Debut Veteran RB Rashard Mendenhall and rookie RB Andre Ellington (6 th Round Draft Pick, 187 th overall) made their Cardinals debut last week against the Cowboys. A free agent signing in the offseason, Mendenhall totaled seven carries for 32 yards against Dallas, averaging 4.6 yards per attempt. In his first NFL action, Ellington totaled 24 yards on 10 carries and added a 28-yard kickoff return. Powers Makes Plays One of the Cardinals first free agent signings in the offseason, CB Jerraud Powers forced two first half turnovers against the Cowboys. In the second quarter, Powers forced a fumble by WR Dez Bryant that was recovered by LB Jasper Brinkley. On the very next Dallas series, Powers stepped in front of a Kyle Orton pass for his first INT in a Cardinals uniform and the first of three Arizona INTs for the game. Quotable: Jerraud Powers I want to be a type of guy to go out there and force turnovers and make plays, and we have a lot of guys out on defense that can do that. You know, Pat (Peterson), Rashad (Johnson), YB (Yeremiah Bell), Tyrann (Mathieu), all of these guys have a history of making plays. I was just brought here to add onto that piece. I m not going to go out there and try to be Patrick or anybody else, I m just going to try to go out there and be myself and make plays. Cardinals vs. Chargers #SDvsAZ 4 of 45 www.azcardinals.com
NEW FACES IN 2013 The Cardinals enter the 2013 season with a coaching staff, front office and team that has seen a significant turnover from last season headlined by General Manager Steve Keim and Head Coach Bruce Arians. Coaching Staff Veteran Players Position (Previous Team) Bruce Arians Head Coach John Abraham Linebacker (Atlanta) Tom Moore Asst. Head Coach/Offense Lorenzo Alexander Linebacker (Washington) Todd Bowles Defensive Coordinator Jonathon Amaya Safety (Miami) Harold Goodwin Offensive Coordinator Javier Arenas Cornerback (Kansas City) Amos Jones Special Teams Coordinator Yeremiah Bell Safety (NY Jets) James Bettcher Outside Linebackers Jasper Brinkley Linebacker (Minnesota) Anthony Blevins Coaching Asst./Special Teams Antoine Cason Cornerback (San Diego) Brentson Buckner Defensive Line Karlos Dansby Linebacker (Miami) Mike Caldwell Linebackers Jarett Dillard Wide Receiver (Jacksonville) Rick Christophel Tight Ends Paul Fanaika Tackle/Guard (Seattle) Darryl Drake Wide Receivers Robert Gill Wide Receiver (Arena Football League) Kevin Garver Offensive Assistant Alex Gottlieb Tight End (Detroit) Steve Heiden Asst. Tight Ends/Special Teams Bryan McCann Cornerback (Miami) Stump Mitchell Running Backs Rashard Mendenhall Running Back (Pittsburgh) Tom Pratt Pass Rush Specialist Carson Palmer Quarterback (Oakland) Nick Rapone Defensive Backs Jerraud Powers Cornerback (Indianapolis) Kevin Ross Cornerbacks Larry Zierlein Asst. Offensive Line THE BREAKDOWN The Cards have added 24 veteran free agents, 8 draft picks and 19 rookie free agents this season. In all, 51 of the 87 players (58.6) on Arizona s roster were not on the Cards roster at any time in 2012. Among the 22 coaches on the Cards staff, 18 are new to the team. Returning coaches include Pete Alosi (asst. strength and conditioning), Freddie Kitchens (quarterbacks), John Lott (strength and conditioning coordinator) and Ryan Slowik (defensive asst./asst. defensive backs). Arizona had 25 veterans from the 2012 team depart during the offseason. Since January 8 th, the Cardinals have made a total of 98 transactions, including free agency, the NFL Draft, rookie free agent signings, released and resigned players, trades, waived-injured players, waived/failed physical players and reserve/retired players. Of the 87 players on the Cardinals training camp roster, 32 appeared in at least one game for Arizona last season. WR Larry Fitzgerald and DT Darnell Dockett are the most tenured players on the Arizona roster, with both 2004 draft picks entering their 10 th season with the Cardinals. LB Karlos Dansby, also a 2004 draft selection, spent the last three seasons in Miami before re-signing in Arizona. Chilo Rachal Guard (Chicago) Kenny Rowe Linebacker (San Francisco) Frostee Rucker Defensive End (Cleveland) Matt Shaughnessy Defensive End/Linebacker (Oakland) Mickey Shuler Tight End (Buffalo) Drew Stanton Quarterback (Indianapolis) Curtis Taylor Safety (San Francisco) Eric Winston Tackle (Kansas City) Draft Picks Position (Selection) Jonathan Cooper Guard (1 st Round, 7 th Overall) Kevin Minter Linebacker (2 nd Round, 45 th Overall) Tyrann Mathieu Safety (3 rd Round, 69 th Overall) Alex Okafor Linebacker (4 th Round, 103 rd Overall) Earl Watford Guard (4 th Round, 116 th Overall) Stepfan Taylor Running Back (5 th Round, 140 th Overall) Andre Ellington Running Back (6 th Round, 187 th Overall) D.C. Jefferson Tight End (7 th Round, 219 th Overall) Rookie Free Agents Position (School) Adam Bice Center (Akron) Jaron Brown Wide Receiver (Clemson) Dan Bucker Wide Receiver (Arizona) Joe Caprioglio Tackle (Colorado State) Kenny Demens Linebacker (Michigan) Nicholas Edwards Wide Receiver (Eastern Washington) Deveric Gallington Center (Texas Tech) Dan Giordano Linebacker (Cincinnati) Cordian Hagans Defensive End (Louisiana-Lafayette) Javon Harris Safety (Oklahoma) Charles Hawkins Wide Receiver (Southern) Tony Jefferson Safety (Oklahoma) Jamaal Johnson-Webb Tackle (Alabama A&M) Korey Jones Linebacker (Wyoming) Jonathan Mathis Defensive Tackle (Texas A&M) Padric Scott Nose Tackle (Florida A&M) Caleb TerBush Quarterback (Purdue) Robby Toma Wide Receiver (Notre Dame) Ronnie Yell Cornerback (San Jose State) FRONT OFFICE CHANGES Jason Licht was promoted to Vice President, Player Personnel after two seasons as Director, Player Personnel Quentin Harris was named Director, Pro Scouting after three seasons as Assistant Pro Personnel Director Dru Grigson was promoted to Director, College Scouting after three seasons as a regional scout Malik Boyd was promoted to Western Regional Scout to begin his ninth season with the Cardinals Mike Disner was hired as Director, Football Administration after four years on the NFL Management Council Debbie Pollom was hired as College Scouting Coordinator after spending the previous 21 seasons with the St. Louis Rams Terry McDonough was hired as the Eastern Regional Scout after 10 years with the Jacksonville Jaguars John Mancini was hired as an Area Scout after spending the previous 18 seasons with the St. Louis Rams Josh Scobey was promoted to Pro Scout after spending his first season in Arizona (2012) as a scouting assistant Cardinals vs. Chargers #SDvsAZ 5 of 45 www.azcardinals.com
KEIM TAKES THE REINS In January, Steve Keim was named the Cardinals new General Manager. Earning the promotion the age of 40, Keim became one of the youngest GMs in the NFL. General Manager Team Age Birthdate Howie Roseman Philadelphia 38 June 23, 1975 David Caldwell Jacksonville 39 February 14, 1974 Tom Telesco Indianapolis 40 December 12, 1972 Doug Whaley Buffalo 40 September 23, 1972 Steve Keim Arizona 40 September 8, 1972 Ryan Grigson Indianapolis 41 February 23, 1972 The 2013 season will be Keim s 15 th with the Cardinals organization, having originally joined the club in 1999 as a college scout covering the eastern portion of the country. He was promoted to Director of College Scouting in 2006, Director of Player Personnel in 2008 and was then promoted to Vice President, Player Personnel in May, 2012. As part of the Cardinals personnel department, Keim played an integral part in the drafting of Pro Bowlers Patrick Peterson, Larry Fitzgerald and Darnell Dockett. In his first draft as GM, Keim selected highly touted G Jonathan Cooper, in addition to college standouts LB Kevin Minter and S Tyrann Mathieu. Steve has earned this position, Cardinals President Michael Bidwill said when announcing Keim s promotion. As I went through the process of evaluating the field of candidates and speaking to people, both inside our training facility and outside, I became more and more convinced that Steve Keim was the right man to be the general manager for the Arizona Cardinals. A Pennsylvania native, Keim was a two-time all-acc selection at guard at N.C. State before going on to a brief stint in professional football as a free agent with the Miami Dolphins (1996) and Edmonton Eskimos (1997) of the Canadian Football League. UNPRECEDENTED SUCCESS IN INDY The Indianapolis Colts posted a 2-14 record in 2011, featuring an offense that ranked 30 th overall in the NFL. In one season under Bruce Arians, the Colts offense which was stacked with rookies, including eventual Pro Bowl QB Andrew Luck finished the year ranked 10 th overall and Indy returned to the postseason after posting an 11-5 record. 2012 Colts Notes Was named both Coach of the Year and Assistant Coach of the Year by Pro Football Weekly & the Pro Football Writers of America. He became the first individual to win both awards in the same year. Took over as interim coach on October 1, 2012 when head coach Chuck Pagano left the team to undergo treatment for leukemia. Led the Colts to a 9-3 record in his 12 games and helped Indianapolis clinch a playoff berth while tying the NFL record for most wins ever by an interim coach. Arians and Pagano shared Coach of the Year honors from the Maxwell Club in Philadelphia and were named AFC Coach of the Year by NFL 101 in Kansas City. Indy s nine-win improvement from 2011 (2-14 to 11-5) matched the third-largest single-season turnaround in NFL history. Rookie QB Andrew Luck, a 2012 Pro Bowl selection, threw for the most passing yards (4,374) by a rookie in NFL history. Luck had an NFL rookie record six 300-yard passing games and led the Colts on seven game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or OT, the most by a rookie QB since the 1970 merger. In all, Indy s rookies also combined for 3,108 yards rushing and receiving, the most of any team since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger according to STATS LLC. AN ACCOMPLISHED ROOKIE The 2013 season represents the beginning of the Bruce Arians era in Arizona. Hired as the Cardinals head coach on 1/17/13, the first-time head coach came to Arizona as the reigning AP NFL Coach of the Year following his work with the Indianapolis Colts in 2012. A former QB at Virginia Tech (1972-74), Arians began his coaching career in 1975 as a graduate assistant at his alma mater. Now in his 39 th season in the coaching ranks, Arians is in his 21 st season in the NFL. Arians in the NFL Became an NFL head coach for the first time when he was hired by Arizona on January 17, 2013. Signed a four-year contract with a team option for a fifth year. Named the 2012 AP NFL Coach of the Year after serving 12 games as the interim head coach for the Indianapolis Colts during Chuck Pagano s absence while being treated for leukemia. He also served as the Colts offensive coordinator during the 2012 season. Arians led the Colts to a 9-3 mark after taking over for Pagano, tying the NFL record for wins by an interim head coach. Comes to the Cardinals with 20 years of experience as an NFL assistant coach with five different teams: Indianapolis (2012; 1998-2000), Pittsburgh (2004-11), Cleveland (2001-03), New Orleans (1996), and Kansas City (1989-92). As offensive coordinator with the Steelers, Arians was part of Pittsburgh teams that won three AFC North Division titles, two AFC Championships and Super Bowl XLIII. He was also the Steelers wide receivers coach when they won Super Bowl XL. GETTING TO KNOW THE HEAD GUY Below are a few facts about Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians: A native of Paterson, NJ, Arians grew up in York, PA where he met his wife, Christine. The couple have two children son, Jake, and daughter, Kristi Anne. Arians was named the Cardinals head coach 30 years after his first head coaching job at Temple University in 1983, at the age of 30. At the time, he was one of the youngest head coaches in Division I history. From 1981-82, Arians coached running backs at the University of Alabama under legendary coach Paul Bear Bryant. Arians first NFL coaching assignment was as a RBs coach with the Kansas City Chiefs (1989-92). In his first year on the job, Chiefs RB Christian Okoye led the NFL in rushing yards (1,480) and was selected to his first career Pro Bowl. QUICK TURNAROUND Bruce Arians has been a part of 13 different playoff teams in his 20 seasons as an NFL coach. He has an 11-11 playoff record, including three Super Bowl appearances and two Super Bowl titles (XL, XLIII). He has also been known for quick turnarounds where he has coached. When He First Hit The Postseason Indianapolis Colts: First Year (2012) Pittsburgh Steelers: First Year (2004) Cleveland Browns: Second Year (2002) Indianapolis Colts: Second Year (1999) Kansas City Chiefs: Second Year (1990) Cardinals vs. Chargers #SDvsAZ 6 of 45 www.azcardinals.com
MOORE EXPERIENCE REQUIRED Hired by the Cardinals on 1/21/13 to serve as Assistant Head Coach/Offense, Tom Moore enters his 35 th year of coaching in the NFL. Along with Pass Rush Specialist Tom Pratt, the duo have more coaching experience among active NFL assistants than any coaches in the NFL outside of Pittsburgh s Dick LeBeau (40) and Houston s Wade Phillips (37). Exp Coach Team Position 40 Dick LeBeau Pittsburgh D-Coordinator 36 Wade Phillips Houston D-Coordinator 35 Tom Moore Arizona Asst. HC/Off. 35 Tom Pratt Arizona Pass Rush Spec. 35 Jimmy Raye Tampa Bay Sr. Off. Asst. 34 Joe Vitt New Orleans Asst. HC/LBs In Moore s 34 years in the NFL, his teams have earned 22 postseason appearances, 14 division titles, and four Super Bowl appearances (three wins). Moore has coached Hall of Famers Lynn Swann, John Stallworth, Mike Webster, Barry Sanders, Marshall Faulk, Randall McDaniel, and 2013 inductee Cris Carter, and he has helped guide 22 different NFL players to a combined 61 Pro Bowl selections. For 13 years in Indianapolis (1998-2010), he coached Peyton Manning and helped him become one of the NFL s all-time greatest quarterbacks. Manning set Colts franchise records with 54,828 passing yards, 399 touchdowns, and 4,682 completions (which all ranked in the top five in league history), and won an NFL-record four MVP Awards (2003-04, 2008-09) under Moore s tutelage. MOORE LEADS TO SUCCESS Over Tom Moore s 34 years coaching in the NFL, he has helped a total of 22 players combine for 61 Pro Bowl appearances, including tenures in Indianapolis, Detroit, Minnesota and Pittsburgh. Indianapolis PB Player Year(s) 11 QB Peyton Manning 1999-00, 02-10 8 WR Marvin Harrison 1999-06 5 WR Reggie Wayne 2006-10 5 C Jeff Saturday 2005-07, 09-10 4 RB Edgerrin James 1999-00, 04-05 1 TE Dallas Clark 2009 1 RB Joseph Addai 2007 1 TE Ken Dilger 2001 1 RB Marshall Faulk 1998 Detroit PB Player Year(s) 2 RB Barry Sanders 1995-96 2 WR Herman Moore 1995-96 2 T Lomas Brown 1995-96 1 G Kevin Glover 1996 Minnesota PB Player Year(s) 1 WR Cris Carter 1993 1 TE Steve Jordan 1991 1 G Randall McDaniel 1991 Pittsburgh PB Player Year(s) 4 C Mike Webster 1983-85, 87 3 WR John Stallworth 1979, 82, 84 2 T Tunch Ilkin 1988-89 2 WR Louis Lipps 1984-85 2 WR Lynn Swann 1977-78 1 RB Earnest Jackson 1986 THE COACHING BREAKDOWN The Cardinals coaching staff enters the 2013 season with a combined 427 years of coaching experience. The staff has accumulated 193 seasons in the NFL, 226 seasons in the college ranks and eight seasons in other professional leagues. In addition to their experience on the sidelines, Todd Bowles (8), Brentson Buckner (12), Mike Caldwell (11), Steve Heiden (11), John Lott (1), Stump Mitchell (9) and Kevin Ross (14) all bring with them a combined total of 55 years of NFL playing experience. Combined Coaching Experience Coach NFL College Pro (non-nfl) Bruce Arians 20 18 - Tom Moore 34 13 1 Todd Bowles 13 2 - Harold Goodwin 9 9 - Amos Jones 6 21 1 Pete Alosi 5 1 - James Bettcher 1 9 - Anthony Blevins - - Brentson Buckner - - - Mike Caldwell 5 - - Rick Christophel - 33 - Darryl Drake 9 21 - Kevin Garver - 6 - Steve Heiden - 1 - Freddie Kitchens 7 7 - John Lott 16 9 - Stump Mitchell 11 7 1 Tom Pratt 34 7 - Nick Rapone - 32 - Kevin Ross 7-1 Ryan Slowik 8 1 - Larry Zierlein 8 21 4 Totals 193 226 8 SUPER STAFF Of the 22 coaches on the Cardinals staff, 13 have Super Bowl experience, either as a coach or player. In all, the staff has combined for 23 Super Bowl appearances, including 10 wins. Head coach Bruce Arians (3) and assistant head coach/offense Tom Moore (4) lead the way in Super Bowl experience and have combined for five championships. Super Bowls as a Coach Coach SB (Team) Bruce Arians XL, XLIII, XLV (Steelers) Tom Moore XIII, XIV (Steelers), XLI, XLIV (Colts) Tom Pratt I, IV (Chiefs) Darryl Drake XLI (Bears) Amos Jones XLIII, XLV (Steelers) Harold Goodwin XLI (Bears), XLIII, XLV (Steelers) Larry Zierlein XLIII (Steelers) Stump Mitchell XL (Seahawks) Freddie Kitchens XLIII (Cardinals) John Lott XLIII (Cardinals) Super Bowls as a Player Coach SB (Team) Todd Bowles XXII (Redskins) Brentson Buckner XXX (Steelers), XXXVIII (Panthers) Mike Caldwell XXXVIII (Carolina) but DNP *Bold signifies a victory The staff s experience in the Super Bowl begins with Super Bowl I (Tom Pratt) and extends through Super Bowl XLV (Bruce Arians, Amos Jones, Harold Goodwin). Pratt served as the Kansas City Chiefs defensive line coach during the team s 35-10 loss to the Packers in Super Bowl I. Cardinals vs. Chargers #SDvsAZ 7 of 45 www.azcardinals.com
REMARKABLE RECOVERY That Cardinals quarterback coach Freddie Kitchens was with the team when it reported to training camp on July 25 th was remarkable considering the scare he endured just 50 days prior. At an OTA practice on June 4 th, Kitchens began to feel ill. QBs Drew Stanton and Carson Palmer sensed that something was wrong and called over the team s head trainer Tom Reed. Anyone who knows Freddie s personality, he s jovial and easy-going, Stanton said. He was joking around asking if a heart attack is on the left or right side, going for the chuckle, and then said Actually, it s kind of in the middle here. I told him, Freddie, that sounds kind of serious, and Carson (Palmer) said Yeah Freddie, you don t look so good, you re kind of flush. He tried to say he was OK, but we called Tom (Reed) over and he was monitoring him. The trainers arranged for Kitchens to be taken to the hospital for tests and during that process, a CT scan revealed tears in his aorta that required surgery, which he had that same night after being flown to the Arizona Heart Hospital. "We never even talked about how soon I would be back," Kitchens said after the team reported to camp. "It's really the same way you do it in the football. You just do the best you can every day and you see where you're at in the end. It just so happened I was well enough to back to work. "I'm not completely healed and my doctor makes me fully aware of that every day, but I'm to the point where I can go back to work." RECORD HOLDER RETURNS The running backs on the Arizona roster have a lot of work to do to live up to the legacy left by their position coach, Stump Mitchell, while he played with the Cardinals. A standout RB and return specialist for nine seasons with the Cards from 1981-89, Mitchell enters his first season as RBs coach with the Cardinals and 12 th season as an NFL assistant. A ninth round selection (226 th overall) by the Cardinals in the 1981 NFL Draft, Mitchell spent his entire nine-year NFL career with the Cards. He currently holds the franchise record with 11,988 all-purpose yards and ranks second all-time in rushing yards (4,649), punt return yards (1,377) and kickoff return yards (4,007), while also adding 1,955 career receiving yards. Mitchell finished his career having posted a 4.7-yard average, which ranks as the second-highest career mark in team history. He posted a 5.6-yard rushing average in 1981, earning All-Rookie honors from Pro Football Weekly, who also awarded him All-NFC honors as a kickoff returner in 1984. NEW COORDINATORS Under head coach Bruce Arians, the Cardinals enter the 2013 season with new coordinators on offense, defense and special teams. Defensive Coordinator Todd Bowles, Offensive Coordinator Harold Goodwin and Special Teams Coordinator Amos Jones take charge of their respective units for Arizona. Todd Bowles Hired in January after spending the 2012 season with Philadelphia; Bowles was promoted to defensive coordinator with the Eagles on 10/16/12 after spending the first six games of the season as the team s secondary coach. 13-year NFL assistant who has also coached with the New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, and Miami Dolphins during his career. Played DB in the NFL for eight seasons with the Redskins (1986-90; 1992-93) and 49ers (1991). Played collegiately at Temple (1982-85) where he was a team captain under head coach Bruce Arians in 1985. Served as interim head coach for the Miami Dolphins for the final three games of the 2011 season, posting a 2-1 record. Was a member of the 1987 Washington Redskins Super Bowl XXII championship team. Harold Goodwin Named offensive coordinator in January after working as the Indianapolis Colts offensive line coach during the 2012 season. Goodwin worked under Arians with the Colts. Brother, Jonathan, is the starting center for the 49ers. In 2012, Goodwin helped the Colts to a nine-win improvement from 2011 (2-14 to 11-5), which matched the third-largest single-season turnaround in NFL history. Indy s rookies also combined for 3,108 yards rushing and receiving in 2012, the most of any team since the 1970 AFL- NFL merger. The 2013 season will be the seventh consecutive season Goodwin has worked under Arians after previous assignments with Pittsburgh (2007-11) and Indy (2012). Played collegiately at Michigan on the offensive line (1992-94) before beginning his coaching career with the Wolverines as a student assistant (1995-96) and a grad assistant in 97. Amos Jones Jones spent his first five seasons with the Steelers as assistant special teams coach (2007-11) and was promoted to Pittsburgh s special teams coach on 8/23/12. A veteran of six seasons as an NFL assistant in addition to working 21 seasons as a college assistant. Coached at Temple under Bruce Arians from 1983-88. Played running back and safety at Alabama under legendary head coach Paul Bear Bryant. Jones started his coaching career as a graduate assistant (1981-82) at Alabama in Bryant s final two years as the head coach. 2013 OPPONENTS Below is a breakdown of the Cardinals 2013 scheduled opponents during the regular season. In the AFC, based on the four-year rotation, the Cardinals take on the AFC South (Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Tennessee). The Cards last played against the AFC South in 2009 and finished the four games with a 2-2 record. Home 12 Rec Away 12 Rec St. Louis 7-8-1 St. Louis 7-8-1 San Francisco 11-4-1 San Francisco 11-4-1 Seattle 11-5 Seattle 11-5 Atlanta 13-3 New Orleans 7-9 Carolina 7-9 Tampa Bay 7-9 Houston 12-4 Jacksonville 2-14 Indianapolis 11-5 Tennessee 6-10 Detroit 4-12 Philadelphia 4-12 NOTES ON THE SCHEDULE Arizona opens the season on the road against St. Louis on 9/8, followed by a home contest against Detroit (9/15) before back-to-back road games at New Orleans (9/22) and Tampa Bay (9/29). The 2012 season marks the 20 th time in 26 seasons that the Cardinals have started with two of their first three matchups on the road. The Cardinals will face five teams that reached the postseason in 2012 (San Francisco, Seattle, Atlanta, Houston and Indianapolis) and will play all five of those teams at University of Phoenix Stadium. Cardinals vs. Chargers #SDvsAZ 8 of 45 www.azcardinals.com
BEFORE 30 A LOOK BACK WR Larry Fitzgerald will celebrate his 30 th birthday on August 31 st, two days after the Cardinals preseason finale against the Denver Broncos. Below is a look back at what Fitzgerald has accomplished prior to turning 30. In Week 6 of the 2012 season vs. Buffalo, Fitzgerald surpassed 10,000 career receiving yards. At 29 years, 44 days old, he joined Randy Moss (28 years, 314 days) as the only players in NFL history to reach the milestone before the age of 30. Youngest To 10,000 Career Receiving Yards Player Age Randy Moss 28 years, 314 days Larry Fitzgerald 29 years, 44 days Jerry Rice 30 years, 54 days Torry Holt 30 years, 132 days Isaac Bruce 30 years, 343 days In Week 3 of the 12 campaign, Fitzgerald surpassed 700 career receptions. At 29 years, 23 days old, Fitzgerald became the youngest player in NFL history to reach that mark. He was over a year younger than the previous record holder Dallas TE Jason Witten (30 years, 133 days old). Youngest To 700 Career Receptions Player Age Larry Fitzgerald 29 years, 23 days Jason Witten 30 years, 133 days Andre Johnson 30 years, 139 days Torry Holt 30 years, 202 days Randy Moss 30 years, 230 days 9,000 Receiving Yards At 28 years, 81 days old, Fitzgerald reached 9,000 career receiving yards in Week 11 of the 2011 season, becoming the second-youngest player in NFL history to reach the career milestone. Only Randy Moss (27 years, 310 days old) reached the mark at a younger age than Fitzgerald. 70 Career TD Receptions Fitzgerald reached 70 career TDs in Week 10 of the 11 season vs. Philadelphia and at 28 years, 74 days old, he became the third-youngest player in NFL history to accomplish the feat, trailing only Randy Moss (26 years, 269 days) and Hall of Famer Jerry Rice (28 years, one day). 8,000 Receiving Yards Fitzgerald s 125 receiving yards in Week 15 matchup vs. the Panthers in 10 gave him 8,053 for his career as he became the second youngest receiver in NFL history to reach 8,000 yards, trailing only Randy Moss (26 years, 297 days old). 7,000 Receiving Yards Against the Lions in Week 15 of 2009, Fitzgerald reached 7,000 receiving yards for his career. At 26 years, 111 days old, he became the youngest player in NFL history to reach the career milestone, surpassing the previous record held by Randy Moss (26 years, 220 days old). 6,000 Receiving Yards Reached 6,000 career receiving yards in Week 1 vs. San Francisco at 26 years and 13 days old, becoming the secondyoungest receiver in NFL history to reach the milestone behind only Randy Moss (25 years, 270 days). 600 Receptions In Week 15 of the 10 season at Carolina, Fitzgerald surpassed 600 receptions for his career and at 27 years, 110 days old, became the youngest player in NFL history to reach the milestone. He surpassed the previous record of Randy Moss (28 years, 266 days old). 100 Receptions in a Season At 22 years, 123 days old, Fitzgerald became the youngest player in NFL history to record a 100-catch season (2005). THE FRANCHISE During his first nine NFL seasons, Larry Fitzgerald broke virtually every major Cardinals career receiving record. With those records in his pocket, the only remaining question is how high the numbers will go by the time he is done. In 2011, Fitzgerald became the franchise all-time leader in receiving yards, receiving TDs, career 100-yard games and total TDs. He became the franchise all-time receptions leader in 2010. He built on those records with his performance in 12. Franchise Record Career Receptions Rec Player (Years) 764 Larry Fitzgerald, 2004-586 Anquan Boldin, 2003-09 535 Larry Centers, 1990-98 522 Roy Green, 1979-90 493 Frank Sanders, 1995-02 *Established record in Week 14 of 2010 season Franchise Record Career Receiving Yards Yds Player (Years) 10,413 Larry Fitzgerald, 2004-8,497 Roy Green, 1979-90 7,918 Jackie Smith, 1963-77 7,520 Anquan Boldin, 2003-09 7,005 Pat Tilley, 1976-86 *Established record in Week 4 of 2011 season Franchise Record Touchdown Receptions TDs Player (Years) 77 Larry Fitzgerald, 2004-66 Roy Green, 1979-90 60 Sonny Randle, 1959-66 45 Mel Gray, 1971-82 44 Anquan Boldin, 2003-09 *Established record in Week 3 of 2011 season Franchise Record Career Touchdowns TDs Player (Years) 77 Larry Fitzgerald, 2004-69 Roy Green, 1979-90 60 Sonny Randle, 1959-66 51 Ottis Anderson, 1979-86 John David Crow, 1958-64 *Established record in week 10 of 2011 season Franchise Record Career 100-Yard Receiving Games # Player (Years) 34 Larry Fitzgerald, 2004-27 Anquan Boldin, 2003-09 22 Jackie Smith, 1963-77 20 Roy Green, 1979-90 *Established record in Week 4 of 2011 season THE CLIMB CONTINUES Larry Fitzgerald enters the 2013 season having caught a pass in a franchise record 133 consecutive games. Fitzgerald broke Mel Gray s previous franchise mark of 121 games in Week 5 of the 2012 season against St. Louis. Franchise Record Consecutive Games With a Reception Gms Player (Streak) 133 Larry Fitzgerald (Game 8 in 2004-present) 121 Mel Gray (Game 3 in 1973-Game 4 in 1982) 94 Bobby Joe Conrad (Game 9 in 1961-Game 4 in 1968) 89 Larry Centers (Game 7 in 1993-Game 16 in 1998) 74 Roy Green (Game 2 in 1981-Game 10 in 1986) Fitzgerald has a reception in 139 of 140 games played in his career. The only game in which he did not catch a pass came during his rookie season (10/31/04 @ Buffalo). Fitzgerald s receptions streak ranks as the second-longest active mark in the NFL behind Tony Gonzalez (193). Cardinals vs. Chargers #SDvsAZ 9 of 45 www.azcardinals.com
HEADING TO THE HALL? Below is a look at the career of Larry Fitzgerald through his first 140 career games compared to the 22 modern era WRs currently in the HOF and where they stood at that point in their career. At this point in his career, Fitzgerald has more receptions (764) than any of the receivers enshrined in Canton. The next closest receiver is Jerry Rice, who had 708 receptions through his first 140 career games. Fitzgerald has more receiving yards (10,413) than all HOF receivers except Rice (11,776) and Michael Irvin (10,799). Fitzgerald Vs. Modern Era WRs in the Hall of Fame (140 Games) 100- Player, HOF Year Years G Rec Yds Avg. Y/G TD Yd G Larry Fitzgerald 2004-140 764 10,413 13.6 74.4 77 34 Jerry Rice, 10 1985-00 140 708 11,776 16.6 84.1 118 44 Michael Irvin, 07 1988-99 140 675 10,799 15.9 77.1 61 44 Art Monk, 08 1980-95 140 657 9,096 13.8 64.9 47 28 Cris Carter, 13 1987-02 140 621 7,860 12.7 56.1 73 23 Steve Largent, 95 1976-89 140 596 9,520 15.9 68.0 78 35 Raymond Berry, 73 1955-67 140 589 8,603 14.6 61.5 63 27 Charley Taylor, 84 1964-77 140 588 8,256 14.0 58.9 75 22 Lance Alworth, 78 1962-72 136 542 10,266 18.9 75.5 85 41 James Lofton, 03 1978-93 140 541 9,842 18.2 70.3 49 32 Don Maynard, 87 1958, 60-73 140 527 9,920 18.8 70.9 81 43 Bobby Mitchell, 83 1958-68 140 516 7,784 15.1 55.6 65 26 Tommy McDonald, 98 1957-68 140 487 8,292 17.0 59.2 83 24 Fred Biletnikoff, 88 1965-78 140 467 7,343 15.7 52.5 61 20 John Stallworth, 02 1974-87 140 449 7,594 16.9 54.2 59 24 Tom Fears, 70 1948-56 87 400 5,397 13.5 62.0 38 15 Paul Warfield, 83 1964-77 140 397 8,106 20.4 57.9 78 22 Elroy Crazy Legs Hirsch, 68 1946-57 127 387 7,029 18.2 55.3 60 - Dante Lavelli, 75 1946-56 123 386 6,488 16.8 52.7 62 9 Pete Pihos, 70 1947-55 107 373 5,619 15.1 52.5 61 14 Charlie Joiner, 96 1969-86 140 372 6,435 17.3 45.9 40 13 Bob Hayes, 09 1965-75 132 371 7,414 20.0 56.2 71 24 Lynn Swann, 01 1974-87 115 336 5,462 16.3 47.5 51 11 Avg. of 22 Hall of Fame WRs 494 8,145 16.5 58.2 66 - In fact, Fitzgerald s career numbers already surpass those of many receivers that are currently enshrined in the HOF. He has more career receptions than 15 of the 22 receivers in the HOF: Swann (336), Hayes (371), Pihos (373), Lavelli (386), Hirsch (387), Fears (400), Warfield (427), McDonald (495), Mitchell (521), Stallworth (537), Alworth (542), Biletnikoff (589), Berry (631), Maynard (633) and Taylor (649). He has more career receiving yards than 14 of the 22 receivers in the HOF: Fears (5,397), Swann (5,462), Pihos (5,619), Lavelli (6,488), Hirsch (7,029), Hayes (7,414), Mitchell (7,954), McDonald (8,410), Warfield (8,565), Stallworth (8,723), Biletnikoff (8,974), Taylor (9,110), Berry (9,275) and Alworth (10,266). A Career Full of Accomplishments: Franchise career leader in receptions (764), receiving yards (10,413), receiving TDs (77), total TDs (77) and 100-yard receiving games (34). His six 1,000-yard seasons are a franchise record, as were his streak of five consecutive 1,000-yard seasons between 2007-11. One of just four players in NFL history to record at least 1,400 receiving yards in a season four times in their career: Jerry Rice (6), Randy Moss (4) and Marvin Harrison (4). At 28 years, 74 days old, he became the third-youngest player in NFL history to reach 70 career receiving TDs behind only Randy Moss (26 years, 269 days old) and Hall of Famer Jerry Rice (28 years, one day old). At 27 years, 110 days old, he became the youngest player in NFL history to reach 600 career receptions. In 2010, he became the first player in NFL history to record 90+ receptions five times in their first seven seasons. During the 2008 postseason, he broke virtually every major playoff receiving record, establishing new single-season marks for receptions (30), receiving yards (546) and TDs (7). His four 100-yard receiving games that postseason established a new NFL record for consecutive games with 100 yards receiving. His nine TD receptions in six career postseason games are an NFL record for a player in their first six career playoff contests. With a franchise record 103 receptions during the 2005 season, he became the youngest player in NFL history to record a 100- catch campaign when he reached the mark at 22 years, 123 days old. Led the NFL in receiving TDs in both the 2008 (12) and 2009 (13) seasons. In addition to his 10 receiving TDs in 2007, he became the first player in franchise history to record at least 10 TDs in three consecutive seasons. At 29 years, 23 days old when the Cardinals faced the Eagles in Week 3 of the 12 season, Fitzgerald became the youngest player in NFL history to reach 700 career receptions. The previous record was held by Dallas TE Jason Witten, who was 30 years, 133 days old when he reached the mark in Week 2 of the 2012 season. At 29 years, 44 days old, he joined Randy Moss (28 years, 314 days) as the only two players in NFL history to reach 10,000 career receiving yards before the age of 30. Cardinals vs. Chargers #SDvsAZ 10 of 45 www.azcardinals.com