3 things Cardinals fans have to be thankful for on this Thanksgiving

Larry Fitzgerald, Kliff Kingsbury and Kyler Murray are three good reasons why.

It is Thanksgiving, a time to ponder and reflect on the things we are glad to have. As Arizona Cardinals fans, there are some things to be thankful for with this team.

What do we have to be thankful for this year, in particular?

Larry Fitzgerald is still playing

It has been 15 years and it is still going. We get to see a true legend play. he is one of the best to ever suit up. He is probably the most-respected player in the NFL and he is still productive. This isn’t a case where we are watching him fade away quietly. He is still putting up numbers.

We don’t know how much longer we will have the privilege to watch him play, but we still can enjoy it now, which is something to be thankful for.

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Watch: Kenyan Drake explains how Alabama develops NFL talent

Former Alabama running back Kenyan Drake explains to Campus Lore what makes Nick Saban such an effective developer of talent for the NFL.

Since Nick Saban’s arrival at the University of Alabama, the Crimson Tide has become well-known for producing high-quality NFL players. Among those players is former running back Kenyan Drake.

The Powder Springs (Ga.) native played for the Crimson Tide from 2012-15. During that four-year career, Drake produced over 2,000 yards from scrimmage (1,495 rushing, 570 receiving) to go along with 22 touchdowns.

That success led Drake being a third-round pick (No. 73 overall) by the Miami Dolphins in 2016. And while the 6-foot-1, 211-pound runner was recently traded to the Arizona Cardinals, his opinion is still respected in the college football world.

Drake recently joined the crew over at Campus Lore to discuss his time at Alabama and explain why the Crimson Tide is so effective at developing that high-quality talent for the NFL. Check out the video below:

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To hear Drake explain how the everything starts at the top with Saban isn’t surprising. During his time at Alabama — and even prior to — he’s become known as one of college football’s most dynamic recruiters. Once he gets those players on campus, he also has the ability to develop that talent.

Here’s one quote that stood out from Drake:

“He just demands the best from you, not just game day, but everyday: in the spring, fall practices. It doesn’t matter what time of year it is, you’re always going to get his best.”

It’s always really cool to get a glimpse into the mind of guy who’s been fortunate enough to play for a coach like Saban, and Drake does a fantastic job of going through what makes the long-time Alabama coach so effective at his job.

How could any up-and-coming recruit want to play for anybody but Nick Saban?

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Kenyan Drake officially passes David Johnson on Cardinals’ depth chart

He was previously listed as the third-string running back behind Johnson and Chase Edmonds.

The Arizona Cardinals made a change on their offensive depth chart and put it in writing. Running back David Johnson is no longer the team’s starting running back.

With injuries and ineffectiveness, he has seen his playing time dwindle. He played only nine first-half snaps in the team’s last game two weekends ago and had zero touches in the running game or targets in the passing game.

Kenyan Drake was getting the bulk of the playing time.

Now that change is reflected on the latest depth chart released by the team.

Previously, Drake was listed as the team’s third-string back behind both Johnson and Chase Edmonds.

In the depth chart released by the team this week, Drake is now No. 1 and Johnson is No. 2. Edmonds is third behind them.

Edmonds is expected to return from a hamstring injury that has kept him out of the last three games. This weekend against the Los Angeles Rams, it will be the first time the Cardinals have had all three players healthy and able to play.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

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Cardinals injury report: Chase Edmonds, Jonathan Bullard limited on Wednesday

Three players sat out but none were because of any injury.

The Arizona Cardinals practiced on Wednesday and released their first injury report of the week. Three players sat out but none were because of injuries. The Cardinals are actually quite healthy.

Injuries limited two players and that was it.

Did not practice

WR Larry Fitzgerald (day off)
LB Terrell Suggs (day off)
LB Chandler Jones (day off)

These three just got the day off. They normally sit out of practice on Wednesdays.

Limited

DT Corey Peters (day off)
RB Chase Edmonds (hamstring)
DL Jonathan Bullard (foot)

Edmonds was unable to play the last three weeks with the injury. He is expected to play this weekend. Bullard missed the team’s last game with his injury.

Rookie offensive lineman Lamont Gaillard was also listed on the injury report with a thumb injury. He practiced fully on Wednesday.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

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3 former Cardinals again are Hall of Fame semifinalists

Edgerrin James, Alan Faneca and Simeon Rice again make the cut to the semifinals.

The NFL announced the 25 semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame 2020 class. Three former Arizona Cardinals player are among the 25.

All three have been semifinalists before.

Offensive lineman Alan Faneca, running back Edgerrin James and defensive end Simeon Rice made the cut.

Faneca is a semifinalist for the fifth year in a row. He was one of the league’s best guards while with the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets from 1998-2009. He played his final NFL season with the Cardinals in 2010.

James is a semifinalist for the sixth year in a row. He was one of the most productive running backs in both the running game and passing game for seven years with the Indianapolis Colts and then signed a five-year deal with the Cardinals. He played three years with the Cardinals, including in 2008 when they made it to the Super Bowl. He rushed for over 1,100 yards in 2006 and more than 1,200 yards in 2007. They are two of the top eight best rushing seasons in Cardinals history.

Rice began his career with the Cardinals. He is a semifinalist for the second time. He was the third overall pick in 1996 by Arizona and he played five seasons there. He had 51.5 sacks in five seasons, and finished with 122 sacks in his career. He played for the Cardinals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts. His 51.5 sacks with the Cardinals are still the fourth-most in team history for a player.

Five of the 25 semifinalists will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

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Cardinals only 2.5-point underdogs at home vs. Rams

They open the week underdogs as they have every single week this season.

The Arizona Cardinals open Week 13 as underdogs again. They have opened every single week this season as underdogs. Only one, against the Carolina Panthers when Cam Newton missed his first game, did the Cardinals finish the week as favorites.

This week, against the 6-5 Los Angeles Rams at home, they are not big underdogs.

According to BetMGM, the Cardinals are only 2.5-point dogs at home.

The over/under is set at 47.5 points, which seems low considering the Cardinals’ defense and the fact they have scored at least 25 points themselves in six of the last seven games.

Betting the moneyline for a straight-up winner, the Rams are -162 (you have to bet $162 to win $100) and the Cardinals are +135 (you win $135 with a $100 bet).

So far this season, the Cardinals are 8-3 or 7-3-1 against the spread, depending on the spread when gameday came around. They have been a good bet overall.

Hopefully, they not only cover the spread but also get the actual win against a Rams team that is struggling.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

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PODCAST: Thanksgiving, Cardinals/Rams preview, Jordan Mills and D.J. Humphries

Listen to the latest edition of the podcast for the best hour of Cardinals talk on the Web.

The Arizona Cardinals return from their bye week on the week of Thanksgiving and are preparing to play the Los Angeles Rams. The latest episode of the podcast is out and is about everything surrounding the Cardinals in Week 13.

As it is the week of Thanksgiving, Revenge of the Birds’ Seth Cox and I discuss a number of things — what we are thankful for as Cardinals fans and many other topics.

Enjoy the new show on this holiday weekend. Stay safe and remember to subscribe to the show and give it a five-star rating.

Here are the show topics and approximate timestamps.

(2:30) Discussion of the bye week

(5:48) What we are thankful for with the Cardinals

(15:50) How the Cardinals will manage three healthy running backs

(27:29) The impact of Jordan Mills’ return

(35:34) D.J. Humphries and a potential contract extension

(44:26) Specific areas the Cardinals must improve in the final five games

(1:02:37) Previewing Cardinals/Rams

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Cardinals move up in 2020 NFL draft order even without losing

Despite not playing and not losing, the Cardinals move up a spot in the 2020 draft, based on records after Week 12.

The Arizona Cardinals did not play on Sunday and therefore did not lose. However, they still managed to move up in the 2020 NFL draft. After 12 weeks of the season, based on the updated draft order, the Cardinals would have the eighth overall pick.

Last week, they would have had the ninth overall pick.

What sort of player could the Cardinals land with the No. 8 pick in the draft?

Here are the selections at No. 8 from the last several drafts. They have been pretty good.

In this year’s draft, the Detroit Lions selected tight end T.J. Hockenson.
In 2018, the Chicago Bears selected linebacker Roquan Smith.
Running back Christian McCaffrey was the No. 8 pick in 2017, going to the Carolina Panthers.
The Tennessee Titans selected tackle Jack Conklin eighth overall in 2016.
Defensive end Vic Beasley was the eighth pick in 2015, going to the Atlanta Falcons.
The Cleveland Browns selected cornerback Justin Gilbert eighth overall in 2014.
Receiver Tavon Austin was the eighth overall pick in 2013, going to the St. Louis Rams.

Some picks have been great. Some have been underwhelming.

With a top-10 pick, the Cardinals could land a top receiver, offensive lineman or even a pass rusher. With the promise of improvement and a top pick, the Cardinals could be in position to add an impact player in 2020.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

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Cardinals move up a spot in USA TODAY power rankings after bye week

The NFC West has two top-five teams and three top-15 teams.

The Arizona Cardinals did not play on Sunday because it was their bye week. However, even without playing, they managed to move up in USA TODAY’s latest power rankings.

They moved up one place, from No. 25 to No. 24 overall.

This week, Chandler Jones’ production is brought up.

Chandler Jones on track to lead league in sacks for second time in three seasons, yet does anybody give him acclaim he clearly deserves?

No, Jones does not get the praise he deserves but the Cardinals haven’t played well enough for him to get attention. And because he normally is consistent about getting one sack a game, that isn’t super flashy. It is consistent but it isn’t flashy.

As for the team, their ranking is fair. They are behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who beat the Cardinals and has won four games this season. The Cardinals are still ahead of the three teams they have beaten and the one they tied with.

What about the rest of the NFC West?

With their loss to the Baltimore Ravens, the 6-5 Los Angeles Rams fell from 11th to 14th overall. Meanwhile, the Seattle Seahawks are No. 5 and the San Francisco 49ers are No 3.

No other division has two top-five teams or three top-15 teams.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

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NFC West roundup: 49ers rout Packers, Ravens rout Rams in Week 12

The San Francisco 49ers throttled the Green Bay Packers by a score of 37-8, while the Los Angeles Rams got destroyed by the Ravens 45-6.

This past week, the Seattle Seahawks defeated the Philadelphia Eagles to improve to 9-2, while the Arizona Cardinals (3-7-1) had their bye. The San Francisco 49ers (10-1) had a massive win over the Green Bay Packers (8-3) on “Sunday Night Football” to assert their dominance in the NFC, while the Rams (6-5) continued to flounder against the Ravens (9-2) in a gruesome blowout on Monday night.

The only negative aspect of Week 12 for the Seahawks was the 49ers’ victory and the fact that they keep standing in Seattle’s way of the NFC West crown. Here is a more specific look at how the Seahawks’ two active division rivals performed in Week 12.

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