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photo from azcardinals.com

Well preseaon game one is in the books and I’m sure you all had as
much fun watching it as I did (sarcasm). I have to say as an Arizona
Cardinals fan and a complete nerd that usually enjoys watching every
second of the preseason, I was hoping that game would end in a hurry. I
never go into a preseason game expecting fireworks but I was hoping I’d
have something or someone exciting to talk about today.

I’ll
have to go back and watch that exciting game film to see how all the
offensive and defensive linemen did. I paid attention on a few plays
and didn’t notice anyone doing anything special. Usually that’s a good
thing on the O-line and a not so great thing on the D-line. But I’ll
check it out when I have some time.

Of my list of players to watch for the game, a few played well.

• Matt Leinart clearly outplayed Brian St.Pierre last night keeping
  a hold for the second quarterback spot. I personally don’t think there
  is any real competition going on between the two players. I think it’s
  more of a motivation thing that coach Whisenhunt is doing. St.Pierre
  would have to play out of his mind and Leinart would have to throw 4
  picks a game to lose the number 2 spot.

• Running Back and 7th round pick a LaRod Stephens-Howling had a
  nice game and showed some potential. I like LaRod as a 3rd down back
  and a change of pace guy. I can see him playing the role JJ Arrington
  played last year.

• The other small speedster that had a nice game was Michael Ray
  Garvin. Garvin did a real nice job in the return game averaging 30
  yards per kick return. I’d rather have Garvin back doing kick returns
  instead of Steve Breaston for the reason that Breaston plays a bigger
  role on offense and Garvin has the speed to still get yards even
  when the blocking breaks down.

• Lance Long had a nice game catching 5 balls for 48 yards. He
  looks to have a real chance at grabbing one of the last roster spots.

• WR Onrea Jones made a few nice catches including the Cardinals
  only touchdown. He probably won’t be making the team but he showed that
  he has the potential to make an NFL roster somewhere in the league.

• 4th string quarterback Tyler Palko might have had the best game
  of any player. He looked very athletic and showed an accurate arm. He
  was highly touted coming out of high school and a good player in
  college. He won’t be making the Cardinals roster this year but he’ll probably be a practice squad guy for a season then find his way on a team.

• One last player that had a solid game was TE Dominque Byrd. He
  had a few nice catches and looked like an athlete. I didn’t pay attention
  to how he did with blocking but he seemed like a guy that can make some
  plays. So keep an eye out for him next game.

Alright, well game one is in the books and no one seemed to have any
serious injuries so I call last night a success. 3 more games like that
and I’ll be a happy fan.