COMMENTARY: A Bright Spot On A Dark Night For Cardinals

Watching the Arizona Cardinals' 44-37 preseason loss to the Green Bay Packers Friday at University of Phoenix Stadium was like watching a storm blow away everything you've worked for.

The Cardinals' defense made strides over the first two weeks of the season. Arizona's first-team defense held the Pittsburgh Steelers' offense at bay for most of the first half. One week later that same unit held a dangerous San Diego Chargers offense to zero points, before giving way to the reserves. Arizona's defense looked fast, athletic and aggressive.

Now this. Aaron Rodgers completed 14 of 19 passes for 258 yards and three touchdowns and the Packers rushed for an average of five yards per a carry. The Cards also surrendered 38 first-half points. If Arizona took two steps forward in the first two weeks of the preseason, it definitely took a step back Saturday.

There was, however, a bright spot.

The Cardinals finally had an opportunity to see their first-round pick Chris "Beanie" Wells in action. And he looked good. Wells, a 6-1, 230-pound running back, averaged almost seven yards per a carry. He ran strong, showed some burst and was elusive. He was everything a first-round pick is expected to be.

Wells missed most of the preseason with an ankle injury before making his debut against the Packers. Tim Hightower (pictured), for the third straight game, had a good showing. Like Wells, Hightower ran hard between the tackles and showed consistency. Wells rushed for 46 yards on just seven carries. He also scored two touchdowns. Hightower rushed for 39 yards on six carries.

This is good news for Arizona. The one thing the Cardinals lacked a year ago was a consistent running game. Even without a rushing attack the Cardinals were still able to become one of the most explosive offenses in the National Football League. That's what happens when you have three 1,000-yard receivers at your disposal and a veteran quarterback with the accuracy of a marksman.

All-world Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald said he believed Arizona's offense would be better this year. He's on to something. The Cards, with a good running game, would become more of a threat to score on each possession. They would be tougher to game plan against, adjust to and predict on down-to-down situations. The days of a one-dimensional attack would be vanquished.

Who benefits from an effective Cards running game? The passing game. Kurt Warner would spend most of the game standing up instead of looking up. Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston would have more opportunities to make plays down the field, with safeties having to play closer to the line of scrimmage.

It's truly pick your poison. There was much to cause alarm. However, the running game, the team's weakness a year ago, proved to be a strong point.

In the middle of such a disappointing effort, the Cardinals did find a calm in the storm.

NBA suspends Jason Richardson for 2 games

Phoenix Suns guard Jason Richardson's high-flying act will be grounded to start the NBA regular season.

Richardson has been suspended two games by the NBA after he plead guilty to driving under the influence in December, shortly after joining the Suns via trade with the Charlotte Bobcats.

The suspension, without pay, will take place at the beginning of the season. Richardson will miss the Suns' season opener (Oct. 28 at the Los Angeles Clippers) and home opener (Oct. 30 against Golden State.)

Two months after his December arrest, Richardson had another incident. Richardson was suspended for a game without pay by the Suns on Feb. 18 after he plead guilty to two misdemeanor speeding charges and a count of endangerment for a Feb. 15 case, when his son was in the car.

Leandro Barbosa will start in Richardson's place. Richardson averaged 16 points and two assists per a game last season.

COMMENTARY: Stoudemire, Suns both want the same thing

Amare Stoudemire hinted toward leaving the Phoenix Suns next season, The Arizona Republic is reporting.

While lecturing to 300 students at Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School, Stoudemire suggested this could be his last year in Phoenix.

"This might be my farewell tour, huh?" Stoudemire said. "If so, I'm going out with a bang, baby."

The situation is--and always has been--this. Stoudemire is entering the final year of his contract. He would like an extension and the Suns have yet to give it to him.

It looks as though the Suns and Stoudemire are far apart, but they are actually closer than it seems. They're seeing the same goal from two different perspectives.

Take away the basketballs, the huge crowds and the hardwood. What you'll find is a real-life situation that we can all relate to.

What both sides want is certainty.

Stoudemire desires security. Just like you. Just like me. Security is the reason why we buy houses instead of rent, and marry instead of date.

After the hand shake?

Sign on the dotted line.

We want a sure thing. That way we know it's real. In a world of stress, unpredictability and irregularity, consistency and certainty are welcomed with open arms. So we find ourselves, here, as observers, voyeurs, peering in on this standoff. After averaging 21 points per a game and nine rebounds over his seven-year career, the decision to offer him the max-contract Stoudemire desires should be a no-brainer. There is just one issue in the way. Don't forget that Stoudemire has suffered some injuries along the way. The most recent setback was an injury to his eye last season, one which forced him to sit out the rest of the year. The Suns want to make sure he is fine before offering him a rich deal. Phoenix would like to make sure its investment is sound.

Stoudemire, on the other hand, just wants to know that he is wanted. He's been in more trade talks than bubble gum cards over the last few years. The Suns had talks with Memphis before the trading deadline last year and came close to trading Stoudemire to the Golden State Warriors this summer. Think about it. If you're in a relationship and your significant other seemed disinterested and was always looking for the next best thing, would you have thoughts of walking away? Would you not prepare yourself for life without them?

I'm just saying.

Like so many avenues of life, this will work itself out. This could--and should--play out for the entire season. The decision, at that time, would be easy for the Suns. Stoudemire can come back, play well, remain healthy and assure the Suns his worth as a max-contract player, or he could struggle and spend most of the season on the injured list, which would urge the Suns to take a flier on Stoudemire and trade him or let him go via free agency.

At this time both sides want what they want and neither seems willing to compromise. They'd walk away before they budge. But here's the thing: Neither side will have to move. It will work itself out with time.

Both just need to exercise a little good old fashioned patience.

Wildcats Will Play 2 QBs in Opener

The competition for the University of Arizona Wildcats starting quarterback position, for now, is finished--in a tie.

Wildcats head coach Mike Stoops said sophomores Matt Scott (pictured) and Nick Foles will each see time in Arizona's season opener Sept. 5 at home against Central Michigan University.

Stoops initially said he would name a starter this week. However, neither quarterback has been able to play well enough to apply a strong grip on the position and distance themselves from the other.

Scott had the advantage in the race for the top spot until he suffered through a unimpressive performance (9 of 19 for 85 yards and zero touchdowns) in Saturday's practice. Foles, on the contrary, was sharp. He completed 11 of 16 passes for 104 yards and one touchdown.

Scott is viewed as the more athletic quarterback who is able to make plays with is legs when the play breaks down. The Wildcats can also move him around in the pocket. Foles is regarded as the better passer.

The Wildcats could possibly name a clear starter shortly after the season opener. Stoops gave no time table, however, on a specified date.

Arizona finished the 2008 with an 8-5 record.

Boldin suffers injury

Cardinals receiver Anquan Boldin has a hamstring injury.

The seven-year veteran strained his hamstring in Tuesday's practice. He was held out of practice today.

Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt has not ruled him out of Friday's preseason game with the Green Bay Packers at University of Phoenix Stadium.

He said the Cardinals would watch Boldin's injury closely and make a determination later this week.

The Cardinals' receiving core has suffered two minor injuries over the preseason. Arizona receiver Steve Breaston, in the Cardinals' preseason opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers, suffered a bruised knee and sprained PCL. The injury--like Boldin's--is not believed to be serious.

Boldin was Arizona's second-leading receiver last season, hauling in 89 passes for 1,038 yards and 11 touchdowns. Breaston caught 77 passes for 1,006 yards and three touchdowns.

Boldin suffered a hamstring injury late last season, forcing him to miss the division round playoff game, a 33-13 win over the Carolina Panthers.

ASU Suspends Brooks for 3 Games; Burfict, Smith Taking Classes

The Arizona State University Sun Devils football team has suspended defensive end James Brooks for the first three games of the season due to a violation of team rules.

Brooks will continue to practice while suspended. The Sun Devils' first three games are against Idaho State (Sept. 5), Louisiana-Monroe (Sept. 19) and Georgia (Sept. 26). Brooks' first game back will be ASU's Pac-10 Conference opener at home against the Oregon State Beavers on Oct. 3.

Junior Dean DeLeone and sophomore Jamaar Jarrett will compete for Brooks' vacated position.

Brooks started 11 games last season for the Sun Devils. The 6-5 redshirt sophomore recorded 1 1/2 sacks and two pass breakups.

In Saturday's scrimmage the ASU defense looked dominant. The Sun Devils' offense gained one first down on the first six possessions of the scrimmage.

The ASU defense recorded three sacks. Teams scored 22 points per a game against the Sun Devil defense in 2008.

Burfict and Smith allowed to take classes:

Linebacker Vontaze Burfict and defensive end Greg Smith, both freshmen, have been waiting for clearance from the NCAA Eligibility Center. A verdict is not yet in, but the two have been allowed to begin classes. Burfict and Smith have been practicing with the team since Aug. 5.

If cleared, they will be allowed to play in the Sun Devils' season opener against Idaho State on Sept. 5.

Burfict was ESPNU's top-rated inside linebacker and 16th best prospect overall in the class of 2009. In two seasons as a defensive end at Citrus Hill High School in Perris, Calif., Smith accumulated 25 sacks. At 6-3, 240 pounds, Smith is known as an impact speed rusher.

Edge gets new start with Seahawks?

Even though the Arizona Cardinals reached the Super Bowl, Edgerrin James didn't do much smiling last season.

Months after being released by Arizona, James might grin a little after agreeing to terms on a one-year, $2 million dollar deal with the Seattle Seahawks, ESPN.com reports.

The contract will be finished as soon as James takes and passes a physical.

James could be the Seahawks' answer to their frustrations with the running game. Seattle has been unsatisfied with the prospects of a backfield featuring Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett.

Jones rushed for 698 yards and two touchdowns last season. Duckett rushed for 172 yards and eight touchdowns.

James is the National Football League's leading active rusher with 12, 121 yards. James had 794 carries for 2,895 yards and 16 touchdowns in his three seasons in Arizona. He topped 1,000 yards in 2006 and again in 2007 but was benched for seven games in favor of then-rookie running back Tim Hightower, who scored 10 touchdowns in 2008.

James asked to be released midway through the season. The Cardinals refused and James was reinserted into the starting lineup for Arizona's playoff run. The 31-year-old running back was released shortly after the Cardinals selected Ohio State running back Chris "Beanie"Wells with the 31st pick in the NFL Draft.

The Seahawks are installing a new zone-blocking scheme. James' physical running style could be a good fit for the offense.