Are you getting excited?  Are you going to camp to watch practice?  Let me know!

So what does this mean for Dansby?  Unfortunately it probably spells the beginning of the end of the relationship.  It’s too bad.  Dansby is a favorite of mine, however I really wish these players understood that there is only so much of the pie to go around.

We’ll see if anything gets done by tomorrow.

Go Cards!

Scott Allen

AZScott

He was late.

Finally around 5:30 the announcement came…

“I have full faith and confidence in the Cardinals organization.”

He continued by saying…

“I am looking forward to a great season.  I will not let my contract issues distract me or my team from reaching our goals.  I also look forward to playing with my teammates and defending our NFC Championship title…I appreciate the support I’ve receieved from all my fans this offseason - WE WILL WIN THE NFC WEST”

That was nice and all to hear.  I’m a little bit interested in the timing, but I suppose he wanted to get it out of the way before training camp starts in three weeks.  I’m guessing he didn’t want to face the fiasco that followed Anquan Boldin around last season, starting in training camp.  However, I’m not sure if this just made it better or worse for him?

One thing is for sure, he said this was not his agent, Drew Rosenhaus’s call to come out and talk today.   He added that as an FYI minutes after his “big” announcement.  Ok Darnell.  We’ll see.  Good luck.

Go Cards!

Scott Allen

AZScott

It’s hard to believe it has already been five months since the Super Bowl in Tampa.  It is 75 days until the season starts, week one at home against the San Francisco 49ers.  For all the obvious reasons this is the most anticipated season in Arizona Cardinals history.

Go Cards!

Scott Allen

AZScott

Get your votes in!!

Scott Allen

AZScott

Now as we await the results of the toxicology reports, there are strong suspicions about how he died.  At the young age of 50, Jackson passed away from a rumored heart attack.  A life taken way too early.

That brings to thought another man who died way too early, former Arizona Cardinals safety Pat Tillman.  The only parallel to the two lives is that they both had a passion for what they did and they both died before their time should have been up.

Tillman left the Cardinals and the NFL to become an Army Ranger.  As you all know, he died in action, most likely from friendly fire, in Afghanistan in 2004.  What he did was courageous and patriotic.  Greatly affected by the events of September 11, 2001, Tillman, who joined with his brother Kevin, decided fighting for his freedom and the freedom of all Americans was much more important than any football game and the fame and fortune that came along with it.

Although Tillman was the enemy to me as a college player, as he was from Arizona State University and I graduated from the University of Arizona, I still respected him as a played.  He fought hard for himself and his teammates.  It was that very passion that unfortunately led to his untimely death.

Jackson on the other hand, contrasts in comparison.  Here was a man, idolized by many in his early years, became the poster child of controversy throughout the remaining 15 years or so of his life.  Jackson was loved by many, as we have all witnessed over the past 48 hours.  He lived an eccentric life.  He had legal troubles.  He even moved out of the country for awhile to hide from the negative spotlight that had been cast upon him.

Tillman instead stayed with his country.  Fought for his country.  He was the poster child of passion for life.  Sure he too lived in the spotlight for a time, however you always knew it was never about him.  It was always about others.

So,  the one thing that links Tillman with Jackson though is how young and sudden both of them were taken from us.  We loved Tillman and Jackson for different reasons.  There are those that didn’t care for either one, although how could you not root for a guy like Tillman?  It took courage to do what he did.

Jackson apparently was ready to turn his life in a positive direction by attempting a comeback for his fans and to help wipe out a massive debt.  It was that attempt at turning his life around that most likely killed him.  Celebrate Jackson today because of his talents and accomplishments, especially since many will most likely not like what they see in the toxicology reports.  However, celebrate Tillman forever.  He was the type of person every father should want their son to be.

Tragic, two lives no matter how different, no matter what the opinions are of either, were taken way too early from us.

Rest in peace both of you.

The Cardinals have signed their fourth, fifth, sixth, and both seventh round picks so far, the last being Greg Toler, their fourth rounder from Saint Paul’s (VA) last Friday June 19th.

I know the top picks haven’t agreed to terms yet and I don’t expect them to be until right before the start of camp (cross your fingers not AFTER camp starts), however, you have got to start somewhere.

Five weeks away from today it starts all up again!  I can’t wait!

Scott Allen

AZScott

His website allows you to read his blog, shop for merchandise, keep up on all things Antrel Rolle, and has a link to follow him on Facebook and Twitter.

I love the layout of the site, very well put together by playerpress.com

Please check it out when you have the chance!  Great stuff!

Scott Allen

AZScott

Ok, I have little sympathy for him.  He should know better not to take ANYTHING, and I mean ANYTHING, before knowing its contents first.  Unfortunately that is the life of a professional athlete.  The only responsible thing to do was to check the ingrediants of the drug and check it against the banned substances list, which all NFL players receive.

Patrick is more than welcome to participate in pre-season training camp and games, but must sit out the first four games of the regular season.  I suspect he may not be on the roster by the time game five comes around.  The Cardinals have other options at the position.