Fan Shot in Parking Lot During Raiders-Cardinals Preseason Game

AZ Central is reporting that a man suffered life-threatening injuries after being shot by another man in the parking lot of University of Phoenix Stadium. The suspect was taken into custody.

The altercation took place during the third quarter of a preseason game between the Oakland Raiders and Arizona Cardinals.

Nobody else was harmed, and the victim is in stable condition.

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Oakland Raiders Suffer Second Straight Preseason Loss

The Oakland Raiders suffered their second straight loss against the Arizona Cardinals on Friday night. The game dealt Oakland some bad hands, however, the Raiders had their good moments as well.

The Raiders might have some of the worst depth in the National Football League. This Friday night, it might just have gotten worse.

In the 3rd quarter, Arizona defensive lineman Ricky Lumpkin pummeled Raider back-up QB Matt Leinart to the ground. Lumpkin was called for a roughing the passer, but it got even worse for the Raiders minutes later. Leinart was soon carted off the field and headed to the locker room for X-rays on his right index finger. No results have been reported yet, and Oakland is lucky that it was his non-throwing hand.

However, if the injury is serious, with 3rd string back-up quarterback Terrelle Pryor still developing, the Raiders would have to look to sign a free agent quarterback to play behind Carson Palmer.

To make matters worse, Jacoby Ford, the Raiders' electrifying wide receiver and kickoff/punt returner, also suffered an ankle injury in the first half. Ford missed eight games last year because of a sprained ankle and hamstring injury, so an aggrevation to his already injured feet could cause concern. Bad health is the last thing the Raiders want to deal with heading into the regular season.

Even with the critical injuries that the Raiders suffered tonight, the team showed glimpses of good football throughout the game. Oakland's defense came up with a safety, two fumbles (one that resulted in a touchdown), and an interception. And, as most people wouldn't expect, their defense was well disciplined, as they only commited four penalties for 27 years, compared to the Cardinals' 10 for 103 yards.

Also, what has been reiterated time and time again, the health of Darren McFadden is looking sharper than ever this season. He had nine rushes for 34 years and every cut and spin move he made brought fans to the edge of their seats. Also on offense, rookie wide receiver Rod Streator, who exploded last game against the Raiders, had seven catches for 43 years, as he continues to contribute in a very positive manner to the Raiders' receiving core.

On another note, rookie kicker Eddy Carmona nailed a 53-yard field goal, showing shades of veteran kicker Sebastion Janikowski.

The team looks to bounce back next week against the Detroit Lions at home.

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Schedule Gives Cardinals a Chance

Not sure if anyone would have thought of this three weeks ago, but the Arizona Cardinals, with 10 weeks remaining in the season, can think big.

After winning three straight games, and claiming sole possession of first place in the NFC West division, the Cardinals have a good chance of finishing the season strong and claiming a first-round bye or home field advantage.

In Week Seven, Arizona claimed a 24-17 victory over the New York Giants on the road. It may be the team's biggest win of the season. It has set the table for Arizona to make a run through the remaining games of its schedule.

Arizona's next 10 opponents have a combined record of 21-42.

It's that bad. And it's that good for the Cardinals.

(Continue to Arizona Sportspage)

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Cardinals Have Questions

To begin the week, Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt answered questions by questioning himself.

He criticized himself for the Cardinals' inability to establish a running game in their 28-21 win over the Houston Texans in October 11 at University of Phoenix Stadium.

The Cardinals rushed for 44 yards on 16 attempts. Arizona saw an eight-man front from Houston for most of the game. The Cardinals,2-2, will probably see it again when they face the Seattle Seahawks Oct. 18 on the road. Whisenhunt said the front discouraged the Cardinals from sticking with designed running plays. Instead, Arizona had to check off into pass plays, which after time, made its offensive attack predictable.

"There were at least a half dozen plays that would have been huge plays had we connected on (passes), but that's probably the biggest regret I have, not calling more run plays that were just runs without checks," Whisenhunt told The Arizona Republic.

(Continue to Arizona Sportspage)

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Cardinals Defense to the Rescue

For a moment it looked like it was all going down the drain.

The Arizona Cardinals' season that is.

For a moment it looked as though the Cardinals stood a chance of falling to 1-3 on the season and placing themselves in a position to where they would have to fight the middle of the pack just to get into the pack of potential playoff contenders.

But it didn't happen and you can thank the Cardinals' defense for that.

(Continue to Arizona Sportspage)

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Arizona In Need of a Good Rush

The Arizona Cardinals offense is sick.

The symptoms? Stalled drives in the redzone, lack of big plays and disgruntled star receivers whose brothers tweet about the receiver being disgruntled, before saying he was just joking. Other symptoms can be frustration and---the most painful of them all---a 1-2 record.

The Cardinals haven't scored points like they are accustomed and they're beginning to wonder why. The signs of struggle have been there for some time and so has the cure. Rest and liquids cure the common cold and a strong running game can revive a struggling offense.

(Continue to Arizona Sportspage)

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It Ain't Easy for Larry Fitzgerald

Last season Larry Fitzgerald was the toast of the National Football League. He was marked as the best receiver in football.

The next Jerry Rice.

Jesus in shoulder pads.

He scored what could have been the game-winning and title-clinching touchdown in last season's Super Bowl. His catch, a 64-yard reception, where he overpowered a corner, ran by the linebackers and split the safeties with blazing speed was nothing short of amazing.

What that season did, one where he had 96 catches for 1,400 yards and 12 touchdowns, was make him a marked man. He has a target on his back. And every defensive coordinator on Arizona's schedule is looking for new and revolutionary ways to stop or contain Fitzgerald.

(Continue to Arizona Sportspage)

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Cardinals Want to Seal Leaks

If they weren't worried then, the Arizona Cardinals are concerned now. After struggling through the preseason offensively, the Cardinals' attack sputtered again in a 20-16 loss to the San Francisco 49ers Sept. 13 at University of Phoenix Stadium.

The Cardinals are taking this week to improve and make sure this week's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sept. 20 on the road is different.

"You're dang right we're upset," safety Adrian Wilson told The Arizona Republic. "and that's why there's going to be a lot of yelling around here in the next 48 hours."

(Continue to Arizona Sportspage)

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Cardinals See No Evil, Hear No Evil

The Arizona Cardinals are so focused on the season opener with the San Francisco 49ers on Sept. 13 at University of Phoenix Stadium, that they haven't noticed anything else.

All the causes for concern? Never saw them. The 0-4 preseason? Doesn't matter. It's as if it never happened. Heck, Cardinals safety Adrian Wilson is so focused on picking up a Week One victory that he has forgotten the identity of his opponent.

Arizona is so focused on building upon last year's success--a NFC West Division title and a Super Bowl appearance--that no other outside influences matter. The critics say the Cardinals will be one-year wonders. Flukes of the 2008 season. A team primed for a reality check.

Arizona, on the other hand, claims, well, nothing.

(Continue to Arizona Sportspage)

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