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Championship!!!!
REGULAR SEASON GAME #11
NEW YORK JETS (7-3) at ARIZONA CARDINALS (4-6)
Sunday, November 28, 2004
2:15 PM (MST) – Sun Devil Stadium
THIS WEEK’S GAME
The Cardinals had a chance to move to .500 after 10 games with a win last week at Carolina but instead fell to 4-6 following their 35-10 loss to the Panthers. This week they return home to face the New York Jets. The Cardinals are 3-1 at Sun Devil Stadium this season and are riding a three-game home win streak following victories against the Saints, Seahawks and Giants. The last time the team won four straight home games was in 1984-85 (last two of ’84 and first two of ’85). The Jets enter this week’s contest at 7-3 following a three point (10-7) road win last Sunday at Cleveland that snapped a two-game losing streak. The team is 3-2 on the road this season and 1-0 against the NFC (22-14 win vs. SF). New York opened the year 5-0 but lost three of the next four prior to last Sunday’s win at Cleveland.
THE SERIES
The Cardinals and Jets will be meeting this week for just the sixth time ever. The series began in 1971 and the Jets hold a 3-2 advantage in the series. The Cards won the first two match-ups but New York has taken three straight. The last time the two teams met was 1999 with the Jets taking a 12-7 decision. The Jets also won the last contest played at Sun Devil Stadium, a 31-21 win in 1996. The last time the Cardinals claimed a win from the Jets was 1975, with a 37-6 victory. They have never beaten the Jets in Arizona. According to the NFL schedule rotation, the Jets and Cardinals will not face each other again until 2008 when the Jets host the Cards.
Date Site Result
Nov. 7, 1999 @ New York L, 12-7
Oct. 27, 1996 @ Arizona L, 31-21
Oct. 22, 1978 @ New York L, 23-10
Nov. 23, 1975 @ New York W, 37-6
Sept. 27, 1971 @ St. Louis W, 17-10
BROADCAST INFORMATION
TELEVISION
Network: CBS
Play-by-Play: Ian Eagle
Color Analyst: Solomon Wilcots
CARDINALS RADIO NETWORK
Flagship: 1060 KDUS (AM)
KSLX 100.7 (FM)
Play-by-Play: Dave Pasch
Color Analyst: John Mistler
Sideline: Mike Jurecki
CARDINALS SPANISH RADIO
Flagship: KMIA (710 AM)
Play-by-Play: Gabriel Trujillo
Color Analyst: Luis Zendejas
Halftime/Analyst: Felipe Coral
DARLING OF THE DEFENSE
Outside linebacker James Darling joined the Cardinals prior to the 2003 season after four years with Philadelphia (1997-00) and two with the Jets (2001-02). In his second season with the Cards, he is enjoying one of his
finest years as a pro. Through 10 games, he leads the team with 64 total tackles (47 solo) with one interception and one forced fumble. He has been the team’s leading tackler four times, including last week when he had 9. He had a season-high and career-best 14 at Buffalo on 10/31.
ANOTHER MILESTONE FOR #22
Last week at Carolina, Emmitt Smith moved past Walter Payton and into second place on the NFL’s all-time list for total yards from scrimmage. He now trails only Jerry Rice.
Player Years Total Yards
1. Jerry Rice 1985-present 23,238
2. Emmitt Smith 1990-present 21,266
3. Walter Payton 1975-87 21,264
BEST EVER THRU 20
WR Anquan Boldin, the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year last season, returned on 10/31 at Buffalo after missing all of the preseason and the regular season’s first 6 games due to a right knee injury suffered during training camp. He underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus on 8/11 He has clearly picked up where he left off with at least four catches in every game since returning, including a season-high 6 for 75 yards last week at Carolina. It marked the 15th time in 20 career games that Boldin has recorded five or more receptions in a game. Last week was his 20th career game in the NFL. No player in NFL history has ever had more catches through his first 20 games than Boldin:
Player Rec. Yards
Anquan Boldin, Cardinals 121 1,570
Keith Jackson, Eagles 103 1,106
Jeremy Shockey, NY Giants 103 1,193
Terry Glenn, New England 102 1,296
Kellen Winslow, San Diego 97 1,275
In 2003, he was the only first-year player selected to the Pro Bowler after he recorded 101 receptions for 1,377 yards and 8 touchdown. Boldin set the NFL record for receptions by a rookie (101), and most receiving yards by a rookie in his first NFL game (217) while tying the Cardinals single-season reception record. A second-round draft pick in 2003 out of Florida State, Boldin became only the 13th rookie in NFL history to record 1,000 receiving yards.
NFL’S RUSHING ELITE MEET
With Arizona’s Emmitt Smith and New York’s Curtis Martin both in action this week at Sun Devil Stadium, it will mark the first time in NFL history that two backs with over 12,000 career rushing yards will face one another. The NFL’s all-time leading rusher, Smith topped the 18,000-yard plateau two weeks ago vs. the Giants and last week moved past Walter Payton into second place on the NFL’s all-time combined yardage list. He trails just Jerry Rice in that category. Martin also reached a significant milestone last week when he topped 1,000 rushing yards for the 10th straight season, joining Barry Sanders as the only players in NFL history to begin their careers with 10 straight 1,000-yard campaigns. Emmitt Smith is the NFL’s all-time leader in both total and consecutive 1,000-yard seasons with 11 (1991-2001) and is on pace for a 12th this year. Martin, Sanders and Payton each have 10 career 1,000-yard campaigns to rank #2 (Martin & Sanders with 10 consecutive). Last week, Martin also moved past Tony Dorsett into sixth place on the NFL’s all-time rushing yardage chart that features Smith at the top.
Player Yrs Att. Yards Avg. TD
1 EMMITT SMITH 15 4,323 18,076 4.2 163
2 Walter Payton * 13 3,838 16,726 4.4 110
3 Barry Sanders * 10 3,062 15,269 5.0 99
4 Eric Dickerson * 11 2,996 13,259 4.4 90
5 JEROME BETTIS 12 3,262 12,863 3.9 79
6 CURTIS MARTIN 10 3,162 12,741 4.0 82
7 Tony Dorsett * 12 2,936 12,739 4.3 77
8 Jim Brown * 9 2,359 12,312 5.2 106
9 Marcus Allen * 16 3,022 12,243 4.1 123
10 Franco Harris * 13 2,949 12,120 4.1 91
Active players in CAPS; * designates Hall of Famers
The Last Time
Jets 12, CARDINALS 7
November 7, 1999 – Giants Stadium – (77,857)
Strong winds and stronger swarming defenses prevailed in the first of the Cardinals two 1999 trips to Giants Stadium. Wind dictated field position and strategy throughout. Three of the game’s four scoring plays came with the wind at the back of the offense. New York called timeouts on two consecutive plays late in the first quarter in an attempt to force the Cads to punt into stiff wind. Three punts – two by Arizona’s Scott Player, one by New York’s Tom Tupa – were knocked below 30 yards by the gusts. A wind-aided 69-yard third-quarter Tupa punt was the second longest in history by a Cardinal opponent. New York kept its offense grounded, running 46 times, including 38 totes (131 yards) by running back Curtis Martin, equaling the Cardinals opponent single-game record (L.A. Rams and Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson, 1986). Arizona gained the upper hand in the defensive struggle midway through the second quarter when quarterback Dave Brown found former Jet wide receiver Rob Moore down the sideline for a 71-yard completion to New York’s 10-yard line. It was the longest career reception and completion of Moore and Brown, respectively. Two ensuing rushes by running back Michael Pittman brought the Cards a touchdown and a 7-3 lead. It was Pittman’s first NFL touchdown. Despite a third-quarter Jet field goal, Arizona maintained its 7-6 lead until midway through the fourth quarter when New York quarterback Rick Mirer found wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson on a slant over the middle for a 43-yard touchdown. Arizona’s offensive frustrations continued, partly due to poor field position. All 13 Cardinal possessions began in their own territory,
including 7 at or behind their own 20-yard line. Ten possessions lasted four plays or fewer and the Cards final line of scrimmage was in Arizona territory 10 times. The Cardinals converted just two of 12 third-down plays. Defensive end Simeon Rice posted his fourth multi-sack effort of the season with two sacks for minus five yards. Linebacker Rob Frederickson’s 22 total tackles set a Cardinal modern-era single-game record.
KING AT QB
The Cardinals made a switch at QB prior to last Sunday’s game at Carolina when six-year veteran Shaun King took over for Josh McCown, who started the first nine games of the season. In his first start with the Cards, King completed 28 of 52 passes for 343 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions. The attempts, completions and yardage totals were all career-highs and it marked King’s first career 300-yard day. They also represented the most passing yards by an Arizona QB since Jeff Blake threw for 358 on the opening day of the 2003 season at Detroit (9/9/03). King’s previous highs were 26 completions (at Minnesota, 10/9/00), 42 attempts (at Green Bay 12/24/00); 297 passing yards (vs. Detroit, 12/12/99). King came to the Cardinals as a free agent signing this past spring. He spent the first five years of his career with Tampa and posted a 14-8 career record as a starter for the Buccaneers between 1999-03. King takes over for Josh McCown, who started the first nine games of the season for the Cards. King became the 36th different person to start at quarterback for the Cardinals since 1960 and the fourth in the last 27 games (Jake Plummer, Jeff Blake and Josh McCown).
CARDS-JETS CONNECTIONS
New York cornerback David Barrett was drafted by the Cardinals in 2000 and played with the team from 2000-2003. In 62 games (39 starts) Barrett collected 250 tackles, 6 interceptions, 29 pass deflections, and 5 tackles for loss.
New York guard Pete Kendall played with the Cardinals from 2001- 2003, starting in 36 games with the team. He joined the team as a free agent prior to the 2001 season after playing for Seattle from 1996-2000.
Arizona linebacker James Darling played two seasons (2001-2002) with the Jets. In 32 games with the Jets, Darling collected 54 tackles (41 solos), 2 interceptions, and 1 sack.
New York assistant head coach/special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff was a offensive line for the Arizona Outlaws (USFL) during the 1985 season. He also coached with Arizona wide receivers coach Robert Ford at the Miami Dolphins during the 1998-2000 seasons.
New York defensive coordinator Donnie Henderson spent six seasons on the Arizona State staff, coaching safeties from 1992-1994 and defensive backs from 1995-1997. He also coached Arizona cornerback Duane Starks from 1999-2001 while the pair were together at the Baltimore Ravens.
New York linebackers coach Bob Sutton coached with Arizona assistant strength and conditioning coach Daryl Lawrence at Army during the 1998-1999 seasons.
Arizona rookie quarterback John Navarre played with New York fullback B.J. Askew and linebacker Victor Hobson together at the University of Michigan.
Arizona wide receiver Nate Poole played with New York quarterback Chad Pennington together at the Marshall for four seasons. The pair both entered the NFL in 2000.
Arizona rookie center Nick Leckey and New York rookie strong safety Rashad Washington were teammates together at Kansas State. The pair were both drafted in the 2004 NFL Draft, Leckey (167th overall), Washington (236th overall).
NFL SACK LEADERS
Sunday’s game will feature the leading sacker in each conference - NYJ’s John Abraham (9.5) and Arizona’s Bertrand Berry (9.0).
Player Team Sacks
1. John Abraham NY Jets 9.5
2. Bertrand Berry Arizona 9.0
Robert Mathis Indianapolis 9.0
4. Terrell Suggs Baltimore 8.5
James Hall Detroit 8.5
6. Patrick Kerney Atlanta 8.0
PROTECT THIS HOUSE
The Cardinals enjoy a 3-1 home record this season, the best start since 1998 when they went 3-1 at home. That year they finished the season with a 9-7 record overall, 5-3 at home, and also earned a playoff berth. With the Cardinals 17-14 win over the Giants in their last home outing, it marked the first time since 1999 they have recorded three consecutive home victories: Detroit (11/14), Dallas (11/21) and Philadelphia (12/5). The last time the Cardinals won four consecutive home games was 1984-85 (last two games in 84, first two in 85).
ODDS & ENDS
• This year marks the first time since 1999 that the Cardinals are playing both New York teams in the
same season. That year it was in back-to-back road games. This year it’s back-to-back home games.
• With a win this week, the Cardinals would surpass their 2003 in total and with five games remaining.
• Emmitt Smith has never scored a rushing TD against the Jets. They are one of just four teams against
whom he’s never run for a TD (Ravens, Texans and Cowboys). The Dolphins were on the list until three
weeks ago.
• The Cardinals could become the first team with consecutive 50-catch seasons by rookie wide receivers since the 1995-96 New York Jets (Wayne Chrebet, 66, 1995; Keyshawn Johnson, 63, 1996). Rookie Larry Fitzgerald now has 39 catches. Anquan Boldin set the NFL rookie record in 2003, posting 101 receptions.
• With 32 catches (307 yards) second-year WR Bryant Johnson needs four to surpass his rookie total of 35 (438 yards).
• Dennis Green has never faced Herm Edwards but is 0-1 as a head coach against the Jets (L 23-21 on 11/23/97 at NYJ vs. Bill Parcells).
• The week marks the Cardinals last game against an AFC opponent.
• The Cardinals are 3-1 when wearing their all red uniforms. The Cards last two victories saw the Cardinals wearing all red. Last year’s season finale vs. Minnesota also saw the Cardinals in all red. The Cards only loss in all red was on 12/21/02 vs. San Francisco, 17-14.
• Long-time Cardinals athletic trainer John Omohundro will be participating in his 750th game with the organization. He is in his 38th season with the Cardinals.
http://azcardinals.com/news/news_details.html?iid=2420
NEW YORK JETS (7-3) at ARIZONA CARDINALS (4-6)
Sunday, November 28, 2004
2:15 PM (MST) – Sun Devil Stadium
THIS WEEK’S GAME
The Cardinals had a chance to move to .500 after 10 games with a win last week at Carolina but instead fell to 4-6 following their 35-10 loss to the Panthers. This week they return home to face the New York Jets. The Cardinals are 3-1 at Sun Devil Stadium this season and are riding a three-game home win streak following victories against the Saints, Seahawks and Giants. The last time the team won four straight home games was in 1984-85 (last two of ’84 and first two of ’85). The Jets enter this week’s contest at 7-3 following a three point (10-7) road win last Sunday at Cleveland that snapped a two-game losing streak. The team is 3-2 on the road this season and 1-0 against the NFC (22-14 win vs. SF). New York opened the year 5-0 but lost three of the next four prior to last Sunday’s win at Cleveland.
THE SERIES
The Cardinals and Jets will be meeting this week for just the sixth time ever. The series began in 1971 and the Jets hold a 3-2 advantage in the series. The Cards won the first two match-ups but New York has taken three straight. The last time the two teams met was 1999 with the Jets taking a 12-7 decision. The Jets also won the last contest played at Sun Devil Stadium, a 31-21 win in 1996. The last time the Cardinals claimed a win from the Jets was 1975, with a 37-6 victory. They have never beaten the Jets in Arizona. According to the NFL schedule rotation, the Jets and Cardinals will not face each other again until 2008 when the Jets host the Cards.
Date Site Result
Nov. 7, 1999 @ New York L, 12-7
Oct. 27, 1996 @ Arizona L, 31-21
Oct. 22, 1978 @ New York L, 23-10
Nov. 23, 1975 @ New York W, 37-6
Sept. 27, 1971 @ St. Louis W, 17-10
BROADCAST INFORMATION
TELEVISION
Network: CBS
Play-by-Play: Ian Eagle
Color Analyst: Solomon Wilcots
CARDINALS RADIO NETWORK
Flagship: 1060 KDUS (AM)
KSLX 100.7 (FM)
Play-by-Play: Dave Pasch
Color Analyst: John Mistler
Sideline: Mike Jurecki
CARDINALS SPANISH RADIO
Flagship: KMIA (710 AM)
Play-by-Play: Gabriel Trujillo
Color Analyst: Luis Zendejas
Halftime/Analyst: Felipe Coral
DARLING OF THE DEFENSE
Outside linebacker James Darling joined the Cardinals prior to the 2003 season after four years with Philadelphia (1997-00) and two with the Jets (2001-02). In his second season with the Cards, he is enjoying one of his
finest years as a pro. Through 10 games, he leads the team with 64 total tackles (47 solo) with one interception and one forced fumble. He has been the team’s leading tackler four times, including last week when he had 9. He had a season-high and career-best 14 at Buffalo on 10/31.
ANOTHER MILESTONE FOR #22
Last week at Carolina, Emmitt Smith moved past Walter Payton and into second place on the NFL’s all-time list for total yards from scrimmage. He now trails only Jerry Rice.
Player Years Total Yards
1. Jerry Rice 1985-present 23,238
2. Emmitt Smith 1990-present 21,266
3. Walter Payton 1975-87 21,264
BEST EVER THRU 20
WR Anquan Boldin, the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year last season, returned on 10/31 at Buffalo after missing all of the preseason and the regular season’s first 6 games due to a right knee injury suffered during training camp. He underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus on 8/11 He has clearly picked up where he left off with at least four catches in every game since returning, including a season-high 6 for 75 yards last week at Carolina. It marked the 15th time in 20 career games that Boldin has recorded five or more receptions in a game. Last week was his 20th career game in the NFL. No player in NFL history has ever had more catches through his first 20 games than Boldin:
Player Rec. Yards
Anquan Boldin, Cardinals 121 1,570
Keith Jackson, Eagles 103 1,106
Jeremy Shockey, NY Giants 103 1,193
Terry Glenn, New England 102 1,296
Kellen Winslow, San Diego 97 1,275
In 2003, he was the only first-year player selected to the Pro Bowler after he recorded 101 receptions for 1,377 yards and 8 touchdown. Boldin set the NFL record for receptions by a rookie (101), and most receiving yards by a rookie in his first NFL game (217) while tying the Cardinals single-season reception record. A second-round draft pick in 2003 out of Florida State, Boldin became only the 13th rookie in NFL history to record 1,000 receiving yards.
NFL’S RUSHING ELITE MEET
With Arizona’s Emmitt Smith and New York’s Curtis Martin both in action this week at Sun Devil Stadium, it will mark the first time in NFL history that two backs with over 12,000 career rushing yards will face one another. The NFL’s all-time leading rusher, Smith topped the 18,000-yard plateau two weeks ago vs. the Giants and last week moved past Walter Payton into second place on the NFL’s all-time combined yardage list. He trails just Jerry Rice in that category. Martin also reached a significant milestone last week when he topped 1,000 rushing yards for the 10th straight season, joining Barry Sanders as the only players in NFL history to begin their careers with 10 straight 1,000-yard campaigns. Emmitt Smith is the NFL’s all-time leader in both total and consecutive 1,000-yard seasons with 11 (1991-2001) and is on pace for a 12th this year. Martin, Sanders and Payton each have 10 career 1,000-yard campaigns to rank #2 (Martin & Sanders with 10 consecutive). Last week, Martin also moved past Tony Dorsett into sixth place on the NFL’s all-time rushing yardage chart that features Smith at the top.
Player Yrs Att. Yards Avg. TD
1 EMMITT SMITH 15 4,323 18,076 4.2 163
2 Walter Payton * 13 3,838 16,726 4.4 110
3 Barry Sanders * 10 3,062 15,269 5.0 99
4 Eric Dickerson * 11 2,996 13,259 4.4 90
5 JEROME BETTIS 12 3,262 12,863 3.9 79
6 CURTIS MARTIN 10 3,162 12,741 4.0 82
7 Tony Dorsett * 12 2,936 12,739 4.3 77
8 Jim Brown * 9 2,359 12,312 5.2 106
9 Marcus Allen * 16 3,022 12,243 4.1 123
10 Franco Harris * 13 2,949 12,120 4.1 91
Active players in CAPS; * designates Hall of Famers
The Last Time
Jets 12, CARDINALS 7
November 7, 1999 – Giants Stadium – (77,857)
Strong winds and stronger swarming defenses prevailed in the first of the Cardinals two 1999 trips to Giants Stadium. Wind dictated field position and strategy throughout. Three of the game’s four scoring plays came with the wind at the back of the offense. New York called timeouts on two consecutive plays late in the first quarter in an attempt to force the Cads to punt into stiff wind. Three punts – two by Arizona’s Scott Player, one by New York’s Tom Tupa – were knocked below 30 yards by the gusts. A wind-aided 69-yard third-quarter Tupa punt was the second longest in history by a Cardinal opponent. New York kept its offense grounded, running 46 times, including 38 totes (131 yards) by running back Curtis Martin, equaling the Cardinals opponent single-game record (L.A. Rams and Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson, 1986). Arizona gained the upper hand in the defensive struggle midway through the second quarter when quarterback Dave Brown found former Jet wide receiver Rob Moore down the sideline for a 71-yard completion to New York’s 10-yard line. It was the longest career reception and completion of Moore and Brown, respectively. Two ensuing rushes by running back Michael Pittman brought the Cards a touchdown and a 7-3 lead. It was Pittman’s first NFL touchdown. Despite a third-quarter Jet field goal, Arizona maintained its 7-6 lead until midway through the fourth quarter when New York quarterback Rick Mirer found wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson on a slant over the middle for a 43-yard touchdown. Arizona’s offensive frustrations continued, partly due to poor field position. All 13 Cardinal possessions began in their own territory,
including 7 at or behind their own 20-yard line. Ten possessions lasted four plays or fewer and the Cards final line of scrimmage was in Arizona territory 10 times. The Cardinals converted just two of 12 third-down plays. Defensive end Simeon Rice posted his fourth multi-sack effort of the season with two sacks for minus five yards. Linebacker Rob Frederickson’s 22 total tackles set a Cardinal modern-era single-game record.
KING AT QB
The Cardinals made a switch at QB prior to last Sunday’s game at Carolina when six-year veteran Shaun King took over for Josh McCown, who started the first nine games of the season. In his first start with the Cards, King completed 28 of 52 passes for 343 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions. The attempts, completions and yardage totals were all career-highs and it marked King’s first career 300-yard day. They also represented the most passing yards by an Arizona QB since Jeff Blake threw for 358 on the opening day of the 2003 season at Detroit (9/9/03). King’s previous highs were 26 completions (at Minnesota, 10/9/00), 42 attempts (at Green Bay 12/24/00); 297 passing yards (vs. Detroit, 12/12/99). King came to the Cardinals as a free agent signing this past spring. He spent the first five years of his career with Tampa and posted a 14-8 career record as a starter for the Buccaneers between 1999-03. King takes over for Josh McCown, who started the first nine games of the season for the Cards. King became the 36th different person to start at quarterback for the Cardinals since 1960 and the fourth in the last 27 games (Jake Plummer, Jeff Blake and Josh McCown).
CARDS-JETS CONNECTIONS
New York cornerback David Barrett was drafted by the Cardinals in 2000 and played with the team from 2000-2003. In 62 games (39 starts) Barrett collected 250 tackles, 6 interceptions, 29 pass deflections, and 5 tackles for loss.
New York guard Pete Kendall played with the Cardinals from 2001- 2003, starting in 36 games with the team. He joined the team as a free agent prior to the 2001 season after playing for Seattle from 1996-2000.
Arizona linebacker James Darling played two seasons (2001-2002) with the Jets. In 32 games with the Jets, Darling collected 54 tackles (41 solos), 2 interceptions, and 1 sack.
New York assistant head coach/special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff was a offensive line for the Arizona Outlaws (USFL) during the 1985 season. He also coached with Arizona wide receivers coach Robert Ford at the Miami Dolphins during the 1998-2000 seasons.
New York defensive coordinator Donnie Henderson spent six seasons on the Arizona State staff, coaching safeties from 1992-1994 and defensive backs from 1995-1997. He also coached Arizona cornerback Duane Starks from 1999-2001 while the pair were together at the Baltimore Ravens.
New York linebackers coach Bob Sutton coached with Arizona assistant strength and conditioning coach Daryl Lawrence at Army during the 1998-1999 seasons.
Arizona rookie quarterback John Navarre played with New York fullback B.J. Askew and linebacker Victor Hobson together at the University of Michigan.
Arizona wide receiver Nate Poole played with New York quarterback Chad Pennington together at the Marshall for four seasons. The pair both entered the NFL in 2000.
Arizona rookie center Nick Leckey and New York rookie strong safety Rashad Washington were teammates together at Kansas State. The pair were both drafted in the 2004 NFL Draft, Leckey (167th overall), Washington (236th overall).
NFL SACK LEADERS
Sunday’s game will feature the leading sacker in each conference - NYJ’s John Abraham (9.5) and Arizona’s Bertrand Berry (9.0).
Player Team Sacks
1. John Abraham NY Jets 9.5
2. Bertrand Berry Arizona 9.0
Robert Mathis Indianapolis 9.0
4. Terrell Suggs Baltimore 8.5
James Hall Detroit 8.5
6. Patrick Kerney Atlanta 8.0
PROTECT THIS HOUSE
The Cardinals enjoy a 3-1 home record this season, the best start since 1998 when they went 3-1 at home. That year they finished the season with a 9-7 record overall, 5-3 at home, and also earned a playoff berth. With the Cardinals 17-14 win over the Giants in their last home outing, it marked the first time since 1999 they have recorded three consecutive home victories: Detroit (11/14), Dallas (11/21) and Philadelphia (12/5). The last time the Cardinals won four consecutive home games was 1984-85 (last two games in 84, first two in 85).
ODDS & ENDS
• This year marks the first time since 1999 that the Cardinals are playing both New York teams in the
same season. That year it was in back-to-back road games. This year it’s back-to-back home games.
• With a win this week, the Cardinals would surpass their 2003 in total and with five games remaining.
• Emmitt Smith has never scored a rushing TD against the Jets. They are one of just four teams against
whom he’s never run for a TD (Ravens, Texans and Cowboys). The Dolphins were on the list until three
weeks ago.
• The Cardinals could become the first team with consecutive 50-catch seasons by rookie wide receivers since the 1995-96 New York Jets (Wayne Chrebet, 66, 1995; Keyshawn Johnson, 63, 1996). Rookie Larry Fitzgerald now has 39 catches. Anquan Boldin set the NFL rookie record in 2003, posting 101 receptions.
• With 32 catches (307 yards) second-year WR Bryant Johnson needs four to surpass his rookie total of 35 (438 yards).
• Dennis Green has never faced Herm Edwards but is 0-1 as a head coach against the Jets (L 23-21 on 11/23/97 at NYJ vs. Bill Parcells).
• The week marks the Cardinals last game against an AFC opponent.
• The Cardinals are 3-1 when wearing their all red uniforms. The Cards last two victories saw the Cardinals wearing all red. Last year’s season finale vs. Minnesota also saw the Cardinals in all red. The Cards only loss in all red was on 12/21/02 vs. San Francisco, 17-14.
• Long-time Cardinals athletic trainer John Omohundro will be participating in his 750th game with the organization. He is in his 38th season with the Cardinals.
http://azcardinals.com/news/news_details.html?iid=2420
