Actually, some relatively decent coverage from ESPN and PFW

[Stronso]

Cardinals: Turning to veteran leadership

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Pro Football Weekly


CAMP AT A GLANCE



Emmitt Smith is the league's all-time leading rusher.
Location: Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Ariz.
Rookies report: July 25
Veterans report: July 25
Preseason schedule:
Aug. 9: Dallas
Aug. 16: at San Diego
Aug. 22: Chicago
Aug. 28: at Minnesota



In the first in a three-part series of team-by-team training-camp reports, PFW sets the stage for this season's gridiron drama with a concise look at each team's pre-camp makeup.

Most significant change: After six inconsistent seasons with Jake Plummer under center, the Cardinals have switched to Jeff Blake, a serviceable veteran who can throw deep with the best of them. Blake likes to play up the fact that he's never had a season as a starter with more interceptions than touchdowns -- a dramatic departure from the mistake-prone Plummer, who had more picks than touchdown tosses in four of his six seasons in Arizona.

Reason for optimism: The Cardinals' chemistry figures to be a lot better this year. Wide receiver David Boston and running back Thomas Jones, considered two of the team's biggest malcontents, are gone, as is wide receiver Frank Sanders, who felt burnt out in the Valley. In their place are newcomers who are used to winning like running back Emmitt Smith, Super Bowl MVP Brad Jackson and linebacker James Darling, among others.

Cause for concern: While Jackson and Darling figure to be decent additions, the Cardinals' defense doesn't seem like it has been upgraded much at all. After failing in its attempts to sign free agents Rosevelt Colvin and Vonnie Holliday, the team's puny pass rush remains a huge worry. On the other side of the ball, the wide receivers are all unproven commodities.

Training-camp battle to watch: Look for Darling, who claims he never got much of an opportunity with the Jets, to give Ronald McKinnon a real run for his money at middle linebacker. McKinnon is a favorite of head coach Dave McGinnis, but he never has been incredibly fast or physical. Darling could add a badly needed spark.

Don't be surprised if: The Cardinals have the first pick in the 2004 draft.

 

[azwulf]

I don't like the last line.

 

[JeffGollin]

It's nice to see something nice from ESPN etc. The Arizona Republic and FoxSportsAZ are a million miles behind the curve in terms of camp coverage.

The Greater New York dailies have had daily features all week on both the Jets and Giants. The Rams have had something each day on Midwest Sports Report (on FoxSports-Midwest)

The Republic had that one Cardinal feature over the weekend and nothing since. The closest FoxSportsAZ came to "coverage" was the list of the 4 preseason games and dates they posted last night. (Cripes! Tell us something we don't already know)!

It's tough to build a franchise when the local media fights the system.

 

[Assface]

I'm sick of everyone saying this is going to be the worst team in the league hands down. Barring a major catastrophe there's no way we'll finish last. We're going to suck because we have young recievers, but the 2 win lions have a new coach and their #1 pick was a reciever but they will do great things. The Texans have no line, young recievers also, but they get good reviews. The Cowboys have no QB no RB horrible OL, but they have the Tuna so they will be great. No one even mentions any new players we've gotten this offseason except for emmitt who they say we will be relying on, even though he's not here to carry the team.