2009 Arizona Cardinals season
Encyclopedia
The 2009
Arizona Cardinals
season
is the 90th season for the team in the National Football League
and the 22nd season in Arizona. The Cardinals finished the season with a 10–6 record, an improvement from their 9–7 previous season record and the first time the team has won ten games since 1976 The franchise was able to successfully defend the National Football Conference
(NFC) West division
title and earned a playoff
berth in the NFC Playoffs wild card
round against the Green Bay Packers
, which they won in overtime. Their season ended on January 17, 2010, in a loss to the eventual Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints
in the NFC Playoffs divisional round.
, the Cardinals had the second-to-last pick in the first round (31st overall).
rival, the San Francisco 49ers
. In the first quarter, Arizona trailed early as Niners kicker Joe Nedney
got a 37-yard and a 50-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Cardinals got on the board as kicker Neil Rackers
made a 44-yard field goal. San Francisco answered with running back Frank Gore
getting a 6-yard touchdown run, while Arizona closed out the half with Rackers kicking a 29-yard field goal.
The Cardinals would tie the game in the third quarter as quarterback Kurt Warner
completed a 5-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald
. In the fourth quarter, Arizona took the lead as Rackers nailed a 43-yard field goal. However, the 49ers regained their lead as quarterback Shaun Hill
completed a 3-yard touchdown pass to Gore. San Francisco's defense would then prevent the Cards' offense from rallying.
With the loss, the Cardinals began their season at 0–1.
. The Cardinals scored on their first drive with a 1-yard run by running back Tim Hightower
. The Jaguars also scored on their first possession with a 30-yard field goal from kicker Josh Scobee
. Arizona then answered with a 45-yard field goal by kicker Neil Rackers
. In the second quarter, trailing 10–3, the Jaguars lined up for another Scobee field goal only to have it blocked by backup defensive end Calais Campbell
and returned by free safety Antrel Rolle
for an 83-yard touchdown. The Cardinals would extend their lead by halftime as quarterback Kurt Warner
completed a 5-yard touchdown pass to running back Jason Wright.
Warner would find wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald
in the third quarter for a 22-yard touchdown pass that increased the Cardinal lead to 28. Jacksonville would attempt to mount a comeback with quarterback David Garrard
completing a 25-yard touchdown pass to tight end Marcedes Lewis
in the third quarter and a 25-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Mike Sims-Walker in the fourth quarter, but Arizona held on for the victory.
With the win, the Cardinals improved to 1–1.
Warner's performance (24/26, 243 yards, 2 TDs) would become the new NFL record for a single-game completion percentage (92.3%), snapping Vinny Testaverde
's old record set in 1993 (91.3%).
. Arizona took flight in the first quarter with kicker Neil Rackers
' 38-yard field goal. However, the Colts took a monster lead in the second quarter as quarterback Peyton Manning
completed a 20-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Reggie Wayne
, a 10-yard touchdown pass to tight end Dallas Clark
, and a 53-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Pierre Garçon
.
The Cardinals tried to fight back in the third quarter as quarterback Kurt Warner
hooked up with wide receiver Anquan Boldin
on a 10-yard touchdown pass, but Indianapolis replied with Manning's 3-yard touchdown pass to running back Joseph Addai
. Afterwards, the Colts closed out the game in the fourth quarter with kicker Adam Vinatieri
's 26-yard field goal.
With the loss, Arizona entered its bye week at 1–2.
. Arizona would get off to a very fast start as running back Tim Hightower
got a 1-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, followed by quarterback Kurt Warner
completing a 9-yard and a 26-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald
in the second.
However, the Texans gained steam in the third quarter with a 1-yard touchdown run from running back Chris Brown. Afterwards, Houston would tie the game in the fourth quarter with quarterback Matt Schaub
completing an 11-yard and a 17-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Andre Johnson
. However, the Cardinals went back to work with two crucial defensive moments. First, cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
would return an interception 49 yards for a touchdown. Second, even when the Texans' offense got down to Arizona's 1-yard line on a 1st down play inside of the two minute warning, the defense withstood three tries and held on for the victory.
With the win, the Cardinals improved to 2–2.
for a Week 6 NFC West duel with the Seattle Seahawks
. Arizona took flight in the first quarter with quarterback Kurt Warner
hooking up with wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald
on a 2-yard touchdown pass, followed by a 2-yard touchdown run from running back Tim Hightower
. In the second quarter, the Cardinals would add onto their lead as kicker Neil Rackers
made a 29-yard field goal. The Seahawks would then get their only score of the game as kicker Olindo Mare
got a 28-yard field goal. In the second half, Arizona pulled away with Warner completing a 16-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Steve Breaston
in the third quarter and Rackers booting a 31-yard field goal in the fourth.
With the win, the Cardinals improved to 3–2.
for a Week 7 Sunday night duel with the New York Giants
. After a scoreless first quarter, Arizona would trail in the second quarter as Giants running back Brandon Jacobs
got a 4-yard touchdown run. The Cardinals would answer with rookie running back Chris "Beanie" Wells
, but New York came right back with quarterback Eli Manning
completing a 62-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Hakeem Nicks
. Arizona would end the half with kicker Neil Rackers
nailing a 30-yard field goal.
The Cardinals would take the lead in the third quarter with running back Tim Hightower
's 1-yard touchdown run, followed by quarterback Kurt Warner
completing a 6-yard touchdown pass to running back Jason Wright. The Giants tried to come back in the fourth quarter as kicker Lawrence Tynes
booted a 20-yard field goal, yet safety Antrel Rolle
's final interception of the game sealed the deal for Arizona.
With the win, the Cardinals improved to 4–2.
in a rematch of last year's divisional game.
In the first quarter, Arizona trailed early as Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart
got a 6-yard touchdown run. The Cardinals would respond as quarterback Kurt Warner
completed a 14-yard touchdown pass to rookie running back LaRod Stephens-Howling
. However, Carolina unleashed its fury in the second quarter with Stewart's 10-yard touchdown run, quarterback Jake Delhomme
's 50-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Steve Smith, and defensive end Julius Peppers
returning an intercepton 13 yards for a touchdown.
The Cardinals would begin their rally in the third quarter as Warner connected with tight end Ben Patrick
on a 1-yard touchdown pass, but the Panthers would answer in the fourth quarter as kicker John Kasay
booted a 35-yard field goal. Arizona tried to come back as running back Tim Hightower
got a 1-yard touchdown run, but Carolina would seal the win as Kasay nailed a 31-yard field goal.
With the loss, the Cardinals fell to 4–3.
for a Week 9 duel with the Chicago Bears
. Arizona would deliver the opening strike in the first quarter as quarterback Kurt Warner
completed an 11-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald
. The Bears would respond with quarterback Jay Cutler
hooking up with tight end Greg Olsen
on a 33-yard touchdown pass, yet the Cardinals would answer with Warner finding tight end Ben Patrick
on a 6-yard touchdown pass. In the second quarter, Arizona would unleash a firestorm as Warner found Fitzgerald again on a 17-yard touchdown pass, followed by tight end Anthony Becht
on a 15-yard touchdown pass. Afterwards, the Cardinals would close out the half with a 43-yard field goal by kicker Neil Rackers
.
In the third quarter, Arizona would get the period's only points as Rackers booted a 30-yard field goal. Chicago would begin to rally in the fourth quarter as Cutler found Olsen again on a 3-yard and a 20-yard touchdown, yet the Cards closed out the game with Warner hooking up with wide receiver Steve Breaston
on a 4-yard touchdown pass.
With the win, the Cardinals impoved to 5–3.
. Arizona would trail in the first quarter as Seahawks running back Justin Forsett
got a 20-yard touchdown run. In the second quarter, Seattle would increase their lead as quarterback Matt Hasselbeck
found tight end John Carlson on a 31-yard touchdown pass. The Cardinals would get on the board with quarterback Kurt Warner
's 28-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Steve Breaston
, but the Seahawks answered with kicker Olindo Mare
getting a 32-yad field goal. Arizona would end the half with a 27-yard field goal from kicker Neil Rackers
.
The Cardinals would tie the game in the third quarter with a 10-yard touchdown run from rookie running back Chris "Beanie" Wells. Seattle tried to take control in the fourth quarter with Mare booting a 20-yard field goal, yet Arizona came out on top as Wells picked up a 13-yard touchdown run and Warner connected with wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald
on an 18-yard touchdown pass.
With the win, the Cardinals improved to 6–3.
. The Rams would score first, on a Josh Brown field goal following a fumble by Chris "Beanie" Wells. However, the Cardinals would score the next 21 points, as Kurt Warner
connected with Anquan Boldin
for a touchdown at the end of the first quarter, followed by a Warner to Larry Fitzgerald
touchdown and a Beanie Wells rushing touchdown in the second quarter.
During the second touchdown drive of the second quarter, Warner was hit hard by St. Louis safety O.J. Atogwe, with his head hitting the turf as he went down. Warner played the remaining six plays of the drive, but was replaced for the remainder of the game by backup quarterback Matt Leinart
. Leinart struggled with a more conservative game throughout the second half, and the Cardinals did not score for the remainder of the game. St. Louis attempted to rally; however, they were only able to muster a second Josh Brown field goal and a Steven Jackson
touchdown.
With the win, the Cardinals improved to 7–3; however, Warner's status remained questionable for the next week's game against the Tennessee Titans
.
on the sidelines due to injury, and in the tenth season since he won Super Bowl XXXIV
over the Titans, the Cardinals fell to a game-winning rally led by quarterback Vince Young
as he raced the Titans 99 yards down field over the final 2:37, converted two fourth downs, and fired the winning ten-yard touchdown on the final play to Kenny Britt
. The win made the Titans the first team to win five straight after starting 0-6 as they improved to 5-6 while the Cadinals fell to 7-4.
.
threw his first career touchdown pass.
, looking to avenge their Week 17 defeat.
Arizona would take advantage of some Packer turnovers early in the first quarter by turning them into a 1-yard touchdown run for running back Tim Hightower
and quarterback Kurt Warner
's 15-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Early Doucet
. The Cardinals would also add a 23-yard field goal from kicker Neil Rackers
. Green Bay would reply in the second quarter with quarterback Aaron Rodgers
getting a 1-yard touchdown run, yet Arizona went right back to work as Warner found Doucet again on a 15-yard touchdown pass. The Packers would end the half with a 20-yard field goal from kicker Mason Crosby
.
In the third quarter, the Cardinals went back to work as Warner found wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald
on a 33-yard touchdown pass, but Green Bay would answer with Rodgers completing a 6-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Greg Jennings
followed by a 10-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jordy Nelson
. Arizona continued to show off its offense firepower as Warner hooked up with Fitzgerald again on an 11-yard touchdown pass. The Packers would tie the game in the fourth quarter as Rodgers would complete a 30-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver James Jones
, followed by fullback John Kuhn
's 1-yard touchdown run. The Cardinals' offense continued to flex its muscles as Warner found wide receiver Steve Breaston
on a 17-yard touchdown pass. Just then, Green Bay would tie the game again as Rodgers would complete an 11-yard touchdown pass to tight end Spencer Havner
. The Cardinals drove down field in the final minutes, but a 34-yard field goal try by Neil Rackers
with nine seconds remaining sailed wide left, forcing overtime.
Arizona's defense would rise to the occasion in overtime as linebacker Karlos Dansby
recovered a fumble and ran it back 17 yards for the game-winning touchdown.
With the win, the Cardinals improved to overall record to 11–6.
The 96 combined points between both teams would become the highest point total in a NFL postseason game.
NFC Divisonal Round: at New Orleans Saints
Coming off their shootout win over the Packers, the Cardinals flew to the Louisiana Superdome
for the NFC Divisional Round against the top-seeded New Orleans Saints
. On their very first offensive play of the game, Arizona came out fast as running back Tim Hightower
got a 70-yard touchdown run. The Saints would hugely respond with running back Lynell Hamilton
getting a 1-yard touchdown run, followed by quarterback Drew Brees
completing a 17-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jeremy Shockey
, along with running back Reggie Bush
getting a 54-yard touchdown run. In the second quarter, the Cardinals would come right back as rookie running back Chris "Beanie" Wells got a 4-yard touchdown run. However, New Orleans came right back as Brees threw a 44-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Devery Henderson
and a 2-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Marques Colston
.
The Saints would add onto their lead in the third quarter with a 43-yard field goal from kicker Garrett Hartley
, followed by an 83-yard punt return for a touchdown by Bush. Arizona tried to rally, but New Orleans' defense continued to shut down possible rally.
With the loss, the Cardinals' season ended with an overall record of 11–7.
2009 NFL season
The 2009 NFL season was the 90th regular season of the National Football League.The preseason started with the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on August 9, 2009, and the regular season began September 10. The season ended with Super Bowl XLIV, the league's championship game, on February 7, 2010 at...
Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
season
Arizona Cardinals seasons
This is a list of seasons completed by the Arizona Cardinals American football franchise of the National Football League . The list documents the season-by-season records of the Cardinals' franchise from to present, including postseason records, and league awards for individual players or head...
is the 90th season for the team in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
and the 22nd season in Arizona. The Cardinals finished the season with a 10–6 record, an improvement from their 9–7 previous season record and the first time the team has won ten games since 1976 The franchise was able to successfully defend the National Football Conference
National Football Conference
The National Football Conference is one of the two conferences of the National Football League . This conference and its counterpart, the American Football Conference , currently contain 16 teams each, making up the 32 teams of the NFL.-Current teams:Since 2002, the NFC has comprised 16 teams,...
(NFC) West division
NFC West
The NFC West is a division of the National Football League's National Football Conference. It currently has four members: Arizona Cardinals, St...
title and earned a playoff
NFL playoffs
The National Football League playoffs are a single-elimination tournament held at the end of the regular season to determine the NFL champion. Six teams from each of the league's two conferences qualify for the playoffs based on regular season records, and a tie-breaking procedure exists in the...
berth in the NFC Playoffs wild card
Wild card (sports)
The term wild card refers broadly to a tournament or playoff berth awarded to an individual or team that has not qualified through normal play.-International sports:...
round against the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
, which they won in overtime. Their season ended on January 17, 2010, in a loss to the eventual Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
in the NFC Playoffs divisional round.
Staff changes
- Billy DavisBilly Davis (American football)Billy Davis is an American football coach in the NFL for the Cleveland Browns. He is the linebackers coach. He previously served as the defensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals. He was the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers from 2005 through 2006.-Early life:Billy Davis was...
has replaced Clancy PendergastClancy PendergastClancy Pendergast is the current defensive coordinator for the University of California Golden Bears and the former defensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs...
as Defensive Coordinator. - Russ GrimmRuss GrimmRussell Scott Grimm is a former American football guard for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. As a collegian, he was an All-American center at the University of Pittsburgh. As a professional, Grimm had multi-selections to both the All-Pro and Pro Bowl teams, and was...
has been appointed Running Game Coordinator and retains his title of Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Line Coach. - Todd HaleyTodd HaleyTodd Haley is the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League . Prior to joining the Chiefs, Haley served as the Arizona Cardinals' offensive coordinator from 2007 to 2008, and was the wide receivers coach for the New York Jets, Chicago Bears, and Dallas Cowboys.-Early...
has left the Offensive Coordinator position to join the Kansas City Chiefs2009 Kansas City Chiefs seasonThe 2009 Kansas City Chiefs season was the franchise's 50th season, and first with head coach Todd Haley at the helm. It was also the first season with Scott Pioli as the team's general manager. The Chiefs attempted to improve on their 2–14 record from 2008 with the third overall selection in the...
as their Head coachCoach (sport)In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
. - John McNultyJohn McNultyJohn McNulty was an American newspaperman and short story writer. Many of his stories deal with New York saloon life and its characters....
has replaced Mike MillerMike Miller (football coach)Mike Miller is an American football coach, currently the offensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League.Miller graduated in 1988 from Plum High School in Plum, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh...
as Receivers Coach. - Chris Miller has been appointed Quarterbacks coach.
- Mike MillerMike Miller (football coach)Mike Miller is an American football coach, currently the offensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League.Miller graduated in 1988 from Plum High School in Plum, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh...
has been promoted from Receivers Coach to Passing Game Coordinator. - Curtis ModkinsCurtis ModkinsCurtis Modkins is an American football coach, currently serving as the offensive coordinator and running backs coach for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League.-Playing career:...
has replaced Maurice CarthonMaurice CarthonMaurice Carthon is a National Football League coach as well as a former professional football running back.Carthon is currently an assistant head coach for the Kansas City Chiefs...
as Running Backs coach. - Matt Raich has replaced Billy Davis as Linebackers coach.
Signings
- C/GCenter (American football)Center is a position in American football and Canadian football . The center is the innermost lineman of the offensive line on a football team's offense...
Ben ClaxtonBen ClaxtonBenjamin Claxton is an American football center who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL Draft... - FBFullback (American football)A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback...
Justin Green - FB Dan KreiderDan KreiderDan Kreider is an American football fullback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2000. He played college football at New Hampshire....
- LSLong snapperIn American football and Canadian football, the term long snapper refers to a player who is a specialized center during punts, field goals, and extra point attempts. His job is to snap the ball as quickly and accurately as possible....
Mike Leach - S Keith LewisKeith LewisKeith D'Andre Lewis is an American football safety who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the sixth round in 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Oregon....
- CBCornerbackA cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
Bryant McFaddenBryant McFaddenBryant McFadden is an American football cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Steelers in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State.McFadden has also played for the Arizona Cardinals... - QBQuarterbackQuarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Tyler PalkoTyler PalkoTyler Palko is an American football player and starting quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football for the University of Pittsburgh.Palko was the starting quarterback... - P Waylon PratherWaylon PratherWaylon Prather is an American football punter who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
- RBRunning backA running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
Jason Wright
Free agents
| Pos. | Player | Tag | Result | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CB | Michael Adams Michael Adams (American football) Michael Wayne Adams is an American football cornerback for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was signed by the Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Louisiana-Lafayette.-External links:*... |
ERFA | |||
| RB | J. J. Arrington | UFA | Signed with Broncos | ||
| DE | Jason Banks | ERFA | Re-signed with Cardinals | ||
| LB | Monty Beisel Monty Beisel Monty Beisel is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft... |
UFA | Signed with Kansas City Chiefs | ||
| DE | Bertrand Berry Bertrand Berry Bertrand Demond Berry is a retired American football defensive end who most recently played for the Arizona Cardinals.-Early years:Berry started his football career in the Humble Area Football League... |
UFA | Re-signed with Cardinals | ||
| T/G | Elton Brown Elton Brown Elton Gillett Brown is an American football guard who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Virginia.... |
UFA | Re-signed with Cardinals | ||
| CB | Ralph Brown Ralph Brown (American football) Ralph Davis Brown II is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent in the National Football League. He has played with the New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns and Arizona Cardinals.... |
UFA | Re-signed with Cardinals | ||
| FB | Tim Castille Tim Castille Timothy Nehemiah Castille is an American football fullback for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Alabama.-Arizona Cardinals:Castille was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as... |
ERFA | |||
| LB | Karlos Dansby Karlos Dansby Karlos Montez Dansby is an American football linebacker for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft... |
UFA | Franchised tagged by Cardinals | ||
| DE | Keilen Dykes Keilen Dykes Keilen Lee Dykes is an American football defensive end for the Arizona Cardinals, he was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at West Virginia.-Early years:... |
Re-signed with Cardinals | |||
| CB | Wilrey Fontenot Wilrey Fontenot Wilrey Fontenot, III is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft... |
Re-signed with Cardinals | |||
| P | Ben Graham | UFA | Re-signed with Cardinals | ||
| CB | Eric Green | UFA | Signed with Dolphins | ||
| LB | Clark Haggans Clark Haggans Clark Cromwell Haggans is an American football linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fifth round of the 2000 NFL Draft... |
UFA | Re-signed with Cardinals | ||
| WR | Onrea Jones Onrea Jones Onrea Jones is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2007... |
Re-signed with Cardinals | |||
| S | Dennis Keyes Dennis Keyes Dennis Paul Keyes, II is an American football safety for the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at UCLA.-Arizona Cardinals:Keyes was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an... |
Re-signed with Cardinals | |||
| WR | Lance Long Lance Long Lance Christopher Long is an American football wide receiver who is formerly part of the practice squad of the San Francisco 49ers. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2008... |
Re-signed with Cardinals | |||
| TE | Ben Patrick Ben Patrick Ben Patrick is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Duke and Delaware.... |
ERFA | |||
| C | Scott Peters Scott Peters (American football) Scott Thomas Peters is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round of the 2002 NFL Draft... |
UFA | |||
| TE | Leonard Pope Leonard Pope Leonard Pope is an American football tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Georgia... |
RFA | |||
| C/G | Pat Ross Pat Ross (American football) Patrick George Ross is an American football offensive lineman who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He graduated from St... |
UFA | |||
| C | Lyle Sendlein Lyle Sendlein Lyle Sendlein is an American football center for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was signed by the Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2007... |
ERFA | |||
| TE | Alex Shor Alex Shor Alexander Benjamin Shor is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He played college football at Syracuse.... |
ERFA | Re-signed with Cardinals | ||
| DE | Antonio Smith | UFA | Signed with Texans | ||
| FB | Terrelle Smith Terrelle Smith Terrelle Vernon Smith is an American football fullback who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round of the 2000 NFL Draft... |
UFA | |||
| TE | Stephen Spach Stephen Spach Stephen Spach is an American football tight end for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2005... |
ERFA | |||
| QB | Brian St. Pierre Brian St. Pierre Brian St. Pierre is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Boston College.... |
UFA | Re-signed with Cardinals | ||
| LB | Matt Stewart | UFA | Signed with Cowboys | ||
| LB | Pago Togafau Pago Togafau Pago F. Togafau is an American football linebacker who is currently a member of the Spokane Shock. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2007... |
ERFA | |||
| TE | Jerame Tuman Jerame Tuman Jerame Dean Tuman is an American football tight end who is a free agent. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fifth round of the 1999 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan.... |
UFA | |||
| OT | Elliot Vallejo Elliot Vallejo Elliot Louis Vallejo [vuh-LAY-ho] is an American football offensive tackle who is currently Elliot Louis Vallejo [vuh-LAY-ho] (born May 17, 1984 in Monterey, California) is an American football offensive tackle who is currently Elliot Louis Vallejo [vuh-LAY-ho] (born May 17, 1984 in Monterey,... |
ERFA | |||
| RB | Chris Vincent | ERFA | Re-signed with Cardinals | ||
| QB | Kurt Warner Kurt Warner Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a retired American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing... |
UFA | Re-signed with Cardinals | ||
| DT | Gabe Watson | RFA | |||
| UFA: Unrestricted free agent; RFA: Restricted free agent; ERFA: Exclusive rights free agent | |||||
2009 NFL Draft
As NFC champion and having lost Super Bowl XLIIISuper Bowl XLIII
Super Bowl XLIII was an American football game pitting the American Football Conference champion Pittsburgh Steelers against the National Football Conference champion Arizona Cardinals to decide the National Football League champion for the 2008 season. The game was played on February 1, 2009,...
, the Cardinals had the second-to-last pick in the first round (31st overall).
| Draft order | Player | Position | Height | Weight | College | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round | Choice | |||||
| 1 | 31 | Chris "Beanie" Wells | RB Running back A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running... |
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 237 lb (108 kg) | Ohio State Ohio State Buckeyes football The Ohio State Buckeyes football team is an intercollegiate varsity sports team of The Ohio State University. The team is a member of the Big Ten Conference of the NCAA, playing at the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly Division I-A, level. The team nickname is derived from the state... |
| 2 | 63 | Cody Brown Cody Brown Cody Dion Brown is an American football linebacker for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft... |
DE Defensive end Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years... |
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 248 lb (112 kg) | Connecticut Connecticut Huskies football The Connecticut Huskies football team is a collegiate football team that competes in NCAA Division I-A and the Big East Conference. Connecticut first fielded a team in 1896, and participated in Division I-AA until 1999. The Huskies began their two-year Division I-A transition period in 2000, and... |
| 3 | 95 | Rashad Johnson Rashad Johnson Julian Rashad Johnson is an American American football player. He is currently a safety for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was selected by the Cardinals in the 3rd round of the 2009 NFL Draft... |
S | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 203 lb (92 kg) | Alabama Alabama Crimson Tide football |TeamName = Alabama football |Image = Alabama Crimson Tide Logo.svg |ImageSize = 110 |Helmet = Alabama Football.png |ImageSize2 = 150 |CurrentSeason = 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team... |
| 4 | 131 | Greg Toler Greg Toler Greg Toler is an American football cornerback for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cardinals in the fourth round of the 2009 NFL Draft... |
CB Cornerback A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position... |
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 182 lb (83 kg) | Saint Paul's College Saint Paul's College, Virginia Saint Paul's College is a private, historically black college located in Lawrenceville, Virginia. The college is a four-year, private, co-ed, liberal arts institute affiliated with the Episcopal Church.-Campus:... |
| 5 | 167 | Herman Johnson Herman Johnson Herman Johnson is an American football guard who is a free agent. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL Draft... |
G Guard (American football) In American and Canadian football, a guard is a player that lines up between the center and the tackles on the offensive line of a football team.... |
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) | 382 lb (173 kg) | LSU LSU Tigers football The LSU Tigers football team, also known as the Fighting Tigers or Bayou Bengals, represents Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States in NCAA Division I FBS college football. Current head coach Les Miles has led the team since 2005. Since 1999 when Nick Saban took over as... |
| 6 | 204 | Will Davis Will Davis (American football) William Benjamin Davis, Jr. is a American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the sixth round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at Illinois.-Early years:... |
DE Defensive end Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years... |
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 268 lb (122 kg) | Illinois Illinois Fighting Illini football The Illinois Fighting Illini are a major college football program, representing the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. They compete in NCAA Division I-A and the Big Ten Conference.-Current staff:-All-time win/loss/tie record:*563-513-51... |
| 7 | 240 | LaRod Stephens-Howling LaRod Stephens-Howling LaRod Stephens-Howling is an American football running back and kickoff returner for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cardinals in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft... |
HB Halfback (American football) A halfback, sometimes referred to as a tailback, is an offensive position in American football, which lines up in the backfield and generally is responsible for carrying the ball on run plays. Historically, from the 1870s through the 1950s, the halfback position was both an offensive and defensive... |
5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | Pitt Pittsburgh Panthers football Pittsburgh Panthers football is the intercollegiate football team of the University of Pittsburgh, often referred to as "Pitt", located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Traditionally the most popular sport at the university, Pitt football has played at the highest level of American college football... |
| 7 | 254 | Trevor Canfield Trevor Canfield Trevor Canfield is an American football guard who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft... |
G Guard (American football) In American and Canadian football, a guard is a player that lines up between the center and the tackles on the offensive line of a football team.... |
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 305 lb (138 kg) | Cincinnati Cincinnati Bearcats football The Cincinnati Bearcats football program represents the University of Cincinnati in a college football. They compete at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level as members of the Big East Conference. The Bearcat football program is one of the nation's oldest, having fielded a team as... |
Coaching staff
| Arizona Cardinals 2009 staff | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Front Office
Head Coaches
Offensive Coaches
|
Defensive Coaches
Special Teams Coaches
Strength and Conditioning
|
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Final roster
| Arizona Cardinals 2009 final roster | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
|
Offensive Linemen
Jeremy Bridges Jeremy Eugene Bridges is an American football guard for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft... G/T Ben Claxton Benjamin Claxton is an American football center who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL Draft... C/G Herman Johnson Herman Johnson is an American football guard who is a free agent. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL Draft... T/G Brandon Keith Brandon Latrel Keith is an American football offensive tackle for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cardinals in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft... G/T Lyle Sendlein Lyle Sendlein is an American football center for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was signed by the Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2007... C Reggie Wells Reginald Arness "Reggie" Wells is an American football guard for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft... G Defensive Linemen
|
Linebackers
Monty Beisel Monty Beisel is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft... OLB Bertrand Berry Bertrand Demond Berry is a retired American football defensive end who most recently played for the Arizona Cardinals.-Early years:Berry started his football career in the Humble Area Football League... OLB/DE Karlos Dansby Karlos Montez Dansby is an American football linebacker for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft... ILB Will Davis (American football) William Benjamin Davis, Jr. is a American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the sixth round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at Illinois.-Early years:... OLB/DE Clark Haggans Clark Cromwell Haggans is an American football linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fifth round of the 2000 NFL Draft... OLB Gerald Hayes Gerald Hayes is an American football linebacker for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Pittsburgh.... ILB Chike Okeafor Chikezie Russell Okeafor is a professional American football player. During his National Football League career from 1999 to 2009, he played defensive end and linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers, the Seattle Seahawks, and the Arizona Cardinals.... OLB Reggie Walker (American football) Reginald Ernest Walker is an American football linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was signed by the Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football at Kansas State.-External links:**... ILB Defensive Backs
Special Teams
|
Reserve Lists
Cody Brown Cody Dion Brown is an American football linebacker for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft... OLB (IR)  Mike Gandy Michael Joseph Gandy is an American football offensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the third round of the 2001 NFL Draft and later played for the Buffalo Bills and Arizona Cardinals... OT (IR) Matt Ware Matthew Jesse Ware is an American football safety who is currently a free agent. He was drafted in the third round with the 89th pick in the 2004 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles... SS (IR) Practice Squad
Rookies in italics 53 Active, 4 Inactive, 9 PS |
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Preseason
| Week | Date | Kickoff | Opponent | Results | Game Site | TV | NFL Recap | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final score | Team record | |||||||
| 1 | August 13 | 5:00 PM | at Pittsburgh Steelers 2009 Pittsburgh Steelers season The 2009 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 77th season in the National Football League . They were coming off a season in which they compiled a 12–4 regular season record and capped the season by winning the franchise's record sixth Super Bowl... |
20–10 | 0–1 | Heinz Field Heinz Field Heinz Field is a stadium located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It primarily serves as the home to the Pittsburgh Steelers and University of Pittsburgh Panthers American football teams, members of the National Football League and National Collegiate Athletic Association respectively... |
ESPN ESPN Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming.... |
Recap |
| 2 | August 22 | 7:00 PM | San Diego Chargers 2009 San Diego Chargers season The 2009 San Diego Chargers season was the 50th season for the original American Football League team, and its 40th in the NFL. The Chargers improved upon their regular season record of 8–8 in 2008 and won their division for the fourth straight year and fifth time in six seasons... |
17–6 | 0–2 | University of Phoenix Stadium University of Phoenix Stadium University of Phoenix Stadium, opened August 1, 2006, is a multipurpose football stadium located in Glendale, Arizona. It is the home of the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League and the annual Fiesta Bowl... |
Recap | |
| 3 | August 28 | 7:00 PM | Green Bay Packers 2009 Green Bay Packers season The 2009 Green Bay Packers season was the 89th season in the National Football League for the Green Bay Packers and the 91st season for the team overall... |
44–37 | 0–3 | University of Phoenix Stadium | Recap | |
| 4 | September 3 | 6:00 PM | at Denver Broncos 2009 Denver Broncos season The 2009 Denver Broncos season was their 40th season in the NFL and 50th season overall. The Broncos matched their 8–8 regular season record from 2008 but did not make the playoffs. The Broncos welcomed many new defensive players signed during free agency, including veteran Eagles safety Brian... |
19–0 | 0–4 | INVESCO Field at Mile High INVESCO Field at Mile High Sports Authority Field at Mile High, previously known as Invesco Field at Mile High, and commonly known as Mile High, is a multi-purpose stadium, in Denver, Colorado. It replaced the identically sized, but commercially obsolete Mile High Stadium in 2001... |
Recap | |
Regular season
| Week | Date | Kickoff | Opponent | Results | Game Site | TV | NFL Recap | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final score | Team record | ||||||||
| 1 | September 13 | 1:15 PM | San Francisco 49ers 2009 San Francisco 49ers season The 2009 San Francisco 49ers season was the franchise's 64th season, and the first full year with Mike Singletary as head coach after being named interim head coach in 2008. It is the seventh year in which the 49ers have their seventh offensive coordinator... |
L 20–16 | 0–1 | University of Phoenix Stadium University of Phoenix Stadium University of Phoenix Stadium, opened August 1, 2006, is a multipurpose football stadium located in Glendale, Arizona. It is the home of the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League and the annual Fiesta Bowl... |
Fox NFL on FOX NFL on Fox is the brand name of the Fox Broadcasting Company's coverage of the National Football League's National Football Conference games, produced by Fox Sports... |
Recap | |
| 2 | September 20 | 10:00 AM | at Jacksonville Jaguars 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars season The 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars season was the 15th season for the team in the National Football League. This was the first season for new general manager Gene Smith, who hoped to usher in a "rebuilding" era for the Jaguars franchise. The Jaguars improved upon their 5–11 record in 2008, however did... |
W 31–17 | 1–1 | Jacksonville Municipal Stadium | Fox | Recap | |
| 3 | September 27 | 5:20 PM | Indianapolis Colts 2009 Indianapolis Colts season The 2009 Indianapolis Colts season was the 57th season for the team in the National Football League and the 26th in Indianapolis. It was the first season since 2002 that the Colts did not have Tony Dungy on their coaching staff, due to his retirement from coaching... |
L 31–10 | 1–2 | University of Phoenix Stadium | NBC NBC Sunday Night Football NBC Sunday Night Football is a weekly television broadcast of Sunday evening National Football League games on NBC that began airing on Sunday, August 6, 2006 with the pre-season opening Hall of Fame Game. Al Michaels serves as the play-by-play announcer, with Cris Collinsworth as the color... |
Recap | |
| 4 | Bye Bye (sports) A bye, in sports and other competitive activities, most commonly refers to the practice of allowing a player or team to advance to the next round of a playoff tournament without playing... |
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| 5 | October 11 | 1:15 PM | Houston Texans 2009 Houston Texans season The 2009 Houston Texans season is the 8th season for the team in the National Football League. The Texans improved upon their 8–8 record in 2008, claimed their first winning season in franchise history, and 4 straight heartbreaking division losses came back to haunt them, as they narrowly missed... |
W 28–21 | 2–2 | University of Phoenix Stadium | CBS NFL on CBS The NFL on CBS is the brand name of the CBS television network's coverage of the National Football League's American Football Conference games, produced by CBS Sports.-Market coverage and television policies:... |
Recap | |
| 6 | October 18 | 1:05 PM | at Seattle Seahawks 2009 Seattle Seahawks season The 2009 Seattle Seahawks season was the 34th season for the team in the National Football League. The Seahawks improved in Jim Mora's first season as their head coach, after a disappointing 4–12 record and a 3rd place finish in what was Mike Holmgren's final season coaching the team... |
W 27–3 | 3–2 | Qwest Field Qwest Field CenturyLink Field is a multi-purpose stadium in Seattle, Washington, United States. It serves as the home field for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League and Seattle Sounders FC of Major League Soccer... |
Fox | Recap | |
| 7 | October 25 | 5:20 PM | at New York Giants 2009 New York Giants season The 2009 New York Giants season was the 85th season for the team in the National Football League. It was the team's final season in Giants Stadium; In 2010, the Giants moved into New Meadowlands Stadium. The Giants hoped to improve upon their 12–4 record, avenge their divisional round loss to the... |
W 24–17 | 4–2 | Giants Stadium Giants Stadium Giants Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Maximum seating capacity was 80,242. The building itself was 230.5 m long, 180.5 m wide and 44 m high from service level to the top of the seating bowl and 54 m high to... |
NBC | Recap | |
| 8 | November 1 | 2:15 PM | Carolina Panthers 2009 Carolina Panthers season The 2009 Carolina Panthers season was the 15th season for the team in the National Football League. They failed to improve on their franchise-record 12–4 season in 2008 and also failed to make the playoffs.-2009 NFL Draft:-Trades:... |
L 34–21 | 4–3 | University of Phoenix Stadium | Fox | Recap | |
| 9 | November 8 | 11:00 AM | at Chicago Bears 2009 Chicago Bears season The 2009 Chicago Bears season is the franchise's 90th season overall in the National Football League. The Bears had looked to improve upon their 9–7 record from 2008 and return to the playoffs for the first time since the 2006 season, but failed to do so for the third consecutive season. The team... |
W 41–21 | 5–3 | Soldier Field Soldier Field Soldier Field is located on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, Illinois, United States, in the Near South Side. It is home to the NFL's Chicago Bears... |
Fox | Recap | |
| 10 | November 15 | 2:15 PM | Seattle Seahawks 2009 Seattle Seahawks season The 2009 Seattle Seahawks season was the 34th season for the team in the National Football League. The Seahawks improved in Jim Mora's first season as their head coach, after a disappointing 4–12 record and a 3rd place finish in what was Mike Holmgren's final season coaching the team... |
W 31–20 | 6–3 | University of Phoenix Stadium | Fox | Recap | |
| 11 | November 22 | 2:05 PM | at St. Louis Rams 2009 St. Louis Rams season The 2009 St. Louis Rams season is the 72nd season for the St. Louis Rams, and the 15th in St. Louis. Due to the Rams winning only against the Detroit Lions, they finished with the NFL's worst record at 1–15, earning the first overall selection in the 2010 NFL Draft in Steve Spagnuolo's first season... |
W 21–13 | 7–3 | Edward Jones Dome Edward Jones Dome The Edward Jones Dome The Edward Jones Dome The Edward Jones Dome (more formally known as the Edward Jones Dome at America's Center, and previously known as The Trans World Dome (from 1995–2001) is a multi-purpose stadium in St. Louis, Missouri, and home of the St. Louis Rams of the NFL. It was... |
Fox | Recap | |
| 12 | November 29 | 2:15 PM | at Tennessee Titans 2009 Tennessee Titans season The 2009 Tennessee Titans season is the 50th season for the original American Football League team, their 40th in the NFL, and 13th in Tennessee. The Titans aimed to equal or improve on their 2008 NFL best 13–3 record; however, they lost the first 6 games of that season... |
L 20–17 | 7–4 | LP Field LP Field LP Field is a football stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, United States, owned by the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County.... |
Fox | Recap | |
| 13 | December 6 | 6:20 PM | Minnesota Vikings 2009 Minnesota Vikings season The 2009 Minnesota Vikings season was the franchise's 49th season in the NFL. The Vikings improved upon their 10–6 record and defended their NFC North title from 2008; it was the first time that they had retained a divisional title since they won six NFC Central titles in a row between 1973 and 1978... |
W 30–17 | 8–4 | University of Phoenix Stadium | NBC | Recap | |
| 14 | December 14 | 6:30 PM | at San Francisco 49ers 2009 San Francisco 49ers season The 2009 San Francisco 49ers season was the franchise's 64th season, and the first full year with Mike Singletary as head coach after being named interim head coach in 2008. It is the seventh year in which the 49ers have their seventh offensive coordinator... |
L 24–9 | 8–5 | Candlestick Park | ESPN Monday Night Football Monday Night Football is a live broadcast of the National Football League on ESPN. From to it aired on ABC. Monday Night Football was, along with Hallmark Hall of Fame, and the Walt Disney anthology television series, one of the longest running prime time commercial network television series... |
Recap | |
| 15 | December 20 | 11:00 AM | at Detroit Lions 2009 Detroit Lions season The 2009 Detroit Lions season was the franchise's 80th season overall in the National Football League. The Lions spent the whole season at the bottom of their division and finished at 2–14. The 2009 season was the first season with the Lions for new head coach Jim Schwartz, and most of his new... |
W 31–24 | 9–5 | Ford Field Ford Field Ford Field is an indoor American football stadium located in Detroit, Michigan, USA, that is the current home field of the NFL's Detroit Lions. It is owned by the Detroit/Wayne County Stadium Authority. It regularly seats 65,000, though it is expandable up to 70,000 for football and 80,000 for... |
Fox | Recap | |
| 16 | December 27 | 2:05 PM | St. Louis Rams 2009 St. Louis Rams season The 2009 St. Louis Rams season is the 72nd season for the St. Louis Rams, and the 15th in St. Louis. Due to the Rams winning only against the Detroit Lions, they finished with the NFL's worst record at 1–15, earning the first overall selection in the 2010 NFL Draft in Steve Spagnuolo's first season... |
W 31–10 | 10–5 | University of Phoenix Stadium | Fox | Recap | |
| 17 | January 3 | 2:15 PM | Green Bay Packers 2009 Green Bay Packers season The 2009 Green Bay Packers season was the 89th season in the National Football League for the Green Bay Packers and the 91st season for the team overall... |
L 33–7 | 10–6 | University of Phoenix Stadium | Fox | Recap | |
| NOTES: Division games are in bold text. The state of Arizona is in the Mountain Time Zone |
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Week 1: vs. San Francisco 49ers
With their NFC title on the line, the Cardinals began their season at home in a Week 1 divisional duel with their NFC WestNFC West
The NFC West is a division of the National Football League's National Football Conference. It currently has four members: Arizona Cardinals, St...
rival, the San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
. In the first quarter, Arizona trailed early as Niners kicker Joe Nedney
Joe Nedney
Joseph Thomas Nedney is an American football placekicker who is currently a free agent. Born and raised in San Jose, California, Nedney played college football at San Jose State and signed as an undrafted player with the Miami Dolphins in 1996...
got a 37-yard and a 50-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Cardinals got on the board as kicker Neil Rackers
Neil Rackers
Neil William Rackers is an American football placekicker for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft...
made a 44-yard field goal. San Francisco answered with running back Frank Gore
Frank Gore
Franklin Gore is an American football running back who plays for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Miami. NFL Network analysts have nicknamed Gore "The Inconvenient Truth".-High school career:Gore attended Coral Gables High...
getting a 6-yard touchdown run, while Arizona closed out the half with Rackers kicking a 29-yard field goal.
The Cardinals would tie the game in the third quarter as quarterback Kurt Warner
Kurt Warner
Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a retired American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing...
completed a 5-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Darnell Fitzgerald, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League, and currently ranks fourth all-time in league history in receiving yards per game for a career , behind Andre Johnson, Torry Holt, and Marvin Harrison...
. In the fourth quarter, Arizona took the lead as Rackers nailed a 43-yard field goal. However, the 49ers regained their lead as quarterback Shaun Hill
Shaun Hill
Shaun Hill is an American football quarterback for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2002...
completed a 3-yard touchdown pass to Gore. San Francisco's defense would then prevent the Cards' offense from rallying.
With the loss, the Cardinals began their season at 0–1.
Week 2: at Jacksonville Jaguars
Hoping to rebound from their loss to the 49ers, the Cardinals traveled to Jacksonville Municipal Stadium for a Week 2 interconference duel with the Jacksonville JaguarsJacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. The Cardinals scored on their first drive with a 1-yard run by running back Tim Hightower
Tim Hightower
-Arizona Cardinals:Hightower scored 10 touchdowns during his rookie season, and another 3 in the post season while averaging a meager 2.8 yards per carry. He would rush for a total amount of 399 yards in 2008. Hightower would then become the only Cardinal rookie running back ever to have scored a...
. The Jaguars also scored on their first possession with a 30-yard field goal from kicker Josh Scobee
Josh Scobee
Joshua Taylor Scobee is an American football placekicker, who currently plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League . He began his college football career as kicker for the Louisiana Tech University Bulldogs, setting several school records...
. Arizona then answered with a 45-yard field goal by kicker Neil Rackers
Neil Rackers
Neil William Rackers is an American football placekicker for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft...
. In the second quarter, trailing 10–3, the Jaguars lined up for another Scobee field goal only to have it blocked by backup defensive end Calais Campbell
Calais Campbell
Calais Campbell is an American football defensive end for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Miami.-Early years:...
and returned by free safety Antrel Rolle
Antrel Rolle
Antrel Rocelious Rolle is an American football safety for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Miami...
for an 83-yard touchdown. The Cardinals would extend their lead by halftime as quarterback Kurt Warner
Kurt Warner
Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a retired American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing...
completed a 5-yard touchdown pass to running back Jason Wright.
Warner would find wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Darnell Fitzgerald, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League, and currently ranks fourth all-time in league history in receiving yards per game for a career , behind Andre Johnson, Torry Holt, and Marvin Harrison...
in the third quarter for a 22-yard touchdown pass that increased the Cardinal lead to 28. Jacksonville would attempt to mount a comeback with quarterback David Garrard
David Garrard
David Douglas Garrard is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent.Garrard played college football at East Carolina. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fourth round of the 2002 NFL Draft, and served as the team's starting quarterback from 2007 to 2010...
completing a 25-yard touchdown pass to tight end Marcedes Lewis
Marcedes Lewis
Marcedes Alexis Lewis is an American football tight end for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League. He was drafted from UCLA as the 28th pick in the 2006 NFL Draft...
in the third quarter and a 25-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Mike Sims-Walker in the fourth quarter, but Arizona held on for the victory.
With the win, the Cardinals improved to 1–1.
Warner's performance (24/26, 243 yards, 2 TDs) would become the new NFL record for a single-game completion percentage (92.3%), snapping Vinny Testaverde
Vinny Testaverde
Vincent Frank Testaverde is a former NFL quarterback. Testaverde last played for the Carolina Panthers and had previously played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots. Testaverde holds the NFL record for having...
's old record set in 1993 (91.3%).
Week 3: vs. Indianapolis Colts
Coming off their Week 2 road win over the Jaguars, the Cardinals went home for a Week 3 Sunday night interconference duel with the Indianapolis ColtsIndianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
. Arizona took flight in the first quarter with kicker Neil Rackers
Neil Rackers
Neil William Rackers is an American football placekicker for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft...
' 38-yard field goal. However, the Colts took a monster lead in the second quarter as quarterback Peyton Manning
Peyton Manning
Peyton Williams Manning is an American football quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League . Manning holds the record for most NFL MVP awards with four. He was drafted by the Colts as the first overall pick in 1998 after a standout college football career with the...
completed a 20-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Reggie Wayne
Reggie Wayne
Reginald "Reggie" Wayne is a professional American football wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. Wayne was selected in the 1st round of the 2001 NFL Draft by the Colts...
, a 10-yard touchdown pass to tight end Dallas Clark
Dallas Clark
Dallas Dean Clark is an American football tight end for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Colts 24th overall in the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Iowa...
, and a 53-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Pierre Garçon
Pierre Garcon
Pierre Garçon is an American football wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Colts in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio. Garcon is of Haitian descent.- High school career...
.
The Cardinals tried to fight back in the third quarter as quarterback Kurt Warner
Kurt Warner
Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a retired American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing...
hooked up with wide receiver Anquan Boldin
Anquan Boldin
-Arizona Cardinals:As a rookie Boldin set an NFL record for most receiving yards by a rookie in his first game , tied Billy Sims for most yards from scrimmage by a rookie in his first game , and holds the NFL record for most receptions in the first 26 games of an NFL career...
on a 10-yard touchdown pass, but Indianapolis replied with Manning's 3-yard touchdown pass to running back Joseph Addai
Joseph Addai
Joseph Addai, Jr. is an American football running back for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was selected in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft out of Louisiana State University.-Early years:Addai's family hails from Ghana in West Africa...
. Afterwards, the Colts closed out the game in the fourth quarter with kicker Adam Vinatieri
Adam Vinatieri
Adam Matthew Vinatieri is an American football placekicker currently playing for the Indianapolis Colts. He has played in six Super Bowls, four with the New England Patriots and two with the Colts, winning four. Vinatieri won a Super Bowl in 2006 with Indianapolis and won Super Bowls in 2001,...
's 26-yard field goal.
With the loss, Arizona entered its bye week at 1–2.
Week 5: vs. Houston Texans
Coming off their bye week, the Cardinals stayed at home for a Week 5 interconference duel with the Houston TexansHouston Texans
The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. Arizona would get off to a very fast start as running back Tim Hightower
Tim Hightower
-Arizona Cardinals:Hightower scored 10 touchdowns during his rookie season, and another 3 in the post season while averaging a meager 2.8 yards per carry. He would rush for a total amount of 399 yards in 2008. Hightower would then become the only Cardinal rookie running back ever to have scored a...
got a 1-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, followed by quarterback Kurt Warner
Kurt Warner
Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a retired American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing...
completing a 9-yard and a 26-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Darnell Fitzgerald, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League, and currently ranks fourth all-time in league history in receiving yards per game for a career , behind Andre Johnson, Torry Holt, and Marvin Harrison...
in the second.
However, the Texans gained steam in the third quarter with a 1-yard touchdown run from running back Chris Brown. Afterwards, Houston would tie the game in the fourth quarter with quarterback Matt Schaub
Matt Schaub
Matthew Rutledge Schaub is the starting quarterback for the Houston Texans. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Virginia.-College career:...
completing an 11-yard and a 17-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Andre Johnson
Andre Johnson
Andre Lamont Johnson is an American football wide receiver currently playing for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. Through the 2010–11 NFL season, Johnson currently ranks first all-time in NFL history in receiving yards per game for a career...
. However, the Cardinals went back to work with two crucial defensive moments. First, cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
-Arizona Cardinals:Rodgers-Cromartie was drafted by the Cardinals in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft. On July 25, he signed a 5-year, $15.1 million contract with the team that includes $9 million in guarantees. Rodgers-Cromartie was named the starting nickelback for the 2008 season, behind...
would return an interception 49 yards for a touchdown. Second, even when the Texans' offense got down to Arizona's 1-yard line on a 1st down play inside of the two minute warning, the defense withstood three tries and held on for the victory.
With the win, the Cardinals improved to 2–2.
Week 6: at Seattle Seahawks
Coming off their home win over the Texans, the Cardinals flew to Qwest FieldQwest Field
CenturyLink Field is a multi-purpose stadium in Seattle, Washington, United States. It serves as the home field for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League and Seattle Sounders FC of Major League Soccer...
for a Week 6 NFC West duel with the Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
. Arizona took flight in the first quarter with quarterback Kurt Warner
Kurt Warner
Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a retired American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing...
hooking up with wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Darnell Fitzgerald, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League, and currently ranks fourth all-time in league history in receiving yards per game for a career , behind Andre Johnson, Torry Holt, and Marvin Harrison...
on a 2-yard touchdown pass, followed by a 2-yard touchdown run from running back Tim Hightower
Tim Hightower
-Arizona Cardinals:Hightower scored 10 touchdowns during his rookie season, and another 3 in the post season while averaging a meager 2.8 yards per carry. He would rush for a total amount of 399 yards in 2008. Hightower would then become the only Cardinal rookie running back ever to have scored a...
. In the second quarter, the Cardinals would add onto their lead as kicker Neil Rackers
Neil Rackers
Neil William Rackers is an American football placekicker for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft...
made a 29-yard field goal. The Seahawks would then get their only score of the game as kicker Olindo Mare
Olindo Mare
Olindo Franco Mare is an American football placekicker for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 1996...
got a 28-yard field goal. In the second half, Arizona pulled away with Warner completing a 16-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Steve Breaston
Steve Breaston
Steven William Breaston is an American football wide receiver and punt returner for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cardinals in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
in the third quarter and Rackers booting a 31-yard field goal in the fourth.
With the win, the Cardinals improved to 3–2.
Week 7: at New York Giants
Coming off their road win over the Seahawks, the Cardinals flew to Giants StadiumGiants Stadium
Giants Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Maximum seating capacity was 80,242. The building itself was 230.5 m long, 180.5 m wide and 44 m high from service level to the top of the seating bowl and 54 m high to...
for a Week 7 Sunday night duel with the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. After a scoreless first quarter, Arizona would trail in the second quarter as Giants running back Brandon Jacobs
Brandon Jacobs
-New York Giants:Going into the 2006 season Jacobs stated that he studied film of famed power running back Eddie George in an effort to refine his running style. George, like Jacobs, was a large, power running back. In the 2006 season, Jacobs carried the ball 96 times for 423 yards and nine...
got a 4-yard touchdown run. The Cardinals would answer with rookie running back Chris "Beanie" Wells
Chris Wells (American football)
Chris "Beanie" Michael Wells is an American football running back for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League...
, but New York came right back with quarterback Eli Manning
Eli Manning
Eli Nelson Manning is an American football quarterback for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He is the younger brother of NFL quarterback Peyton Manning and the son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning...
completing a 62-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Hakeem Nicks
Hakeem Nicks
-New York Giants:On August 1, 2009, Nicks signed a five-year, $12.54 million contract. The deal includes a $6.5 million signing bonus. During training camp, Nicks vied for a starting position with the Giants other receivers, most notably Domenik Hixon and Steve Smith.2009Nicks made his first career...
. Arizona would end the half with kicker Neil Rackers
Neil Rackers
Neil William Rackers is an American football placekicker for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft...
nailing a 30-yard field goal.
The Cardinals would take the lead in the third quarter with running back Tim Hightower
Tim Hightower
-Arizona Cardinals:Hightower scored 10 touchdowns during his rookie season, and another 3 in the post season while averaging a meager 2.8 yards per carry. He would rush for a total amount of 399 yards in 2008. Hightower would then become the only Cardinal rookie running back ever to have scored a...
's 1-yard touchdown run, followed by quarterback Kurt Warner
Kurt Warner
Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a retired American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing...
completing a 6-yard touchdown pass to running back Jason Wright. The Giants tried to come back in the fourth quarter as kicker Lawrence Tynes
Lawrence Tynes
Lawrence James Henry Tynes is an American football placekicker for the New York Giants. He was originally signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2001.-Early years:...
booted a 20-yard field goal, yet safety Antrel Rolle
Antrel Rolle
Antrel Rocelious Rolle is an American football safety for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Miami...
's final interception of the game sealed the deal for Arizona.
With the win, the Cardinals improved to 4–2.
Week 8: vs. Carolina Panthers
Coming off their impressive road win over the Giants, the Cardinals went home for a Week 8 duel with the Carolina PanthersCarolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
in a rematch of last year's divisional game.
In the first quarter, Arizona trailed early as Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart
Jonathan Stewart
Jonathan Creon Stewart is an American football running back for the Carolina Panthers of the NFL. He was selected by the Panthers in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Oregon.-High school career:Stewart is the career leading rusher in...
got a 6-yard touchdown run. The Cardinals would respond as quarterback Kurt Warner
Kurt Warner
Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a retired American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing...
completed a 14-yard touchdown pass to rookie running back LaRod Stephens-Howling
LaRod Stephens-Howling
LaRod Stephens-Howling is an American football running back and kickoff returner for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cardinals in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft...
. However, Carolina unleashed its fury in the second quarter with Stewart's 10-yard touchdown run, quarterback Jake Delhomme
Jake Delhomme
Jake Christopher Delhomme is an American football quarterback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. Delhomme played college football at Louisiana-Lafayette before being signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 1997...
's 50-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Steve Smith, and defensive end Julius Peppers
Julius Peppers
Julius Frazier Peppers is an American football defensive end for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. Nicknamed The Freak of Nature, he was drafted by the Carolina Panthers second overall in the 2002 NFL Draft...
returning an intercepton 13 yards for a touchdown.
The Cardinals would begin their rally in the third quarter as Warner connected with tight end Ben Patrick
Ben Patrick
Ben Patrick is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Duke and Delaware....
on a 1-yard touchdown pass, but the Panthers would answer in the fourth quarter as kicker John Kasay
John Kasay
John David Kasay is an American football kicker for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round of the 1991 NFL Draft. He played college football at Georgia...
booted a 35-yard field goal. Arizona tried to come back as running back Tim Hightower
Tim Hightower
-Arizona Cardinals:Hightower scored 10 touchdowns during his rookie season, and another 3 in the post season while averaging a meager 2.8 yards per carry. He would rush for a total amount of 399 yards in 2008. Hightower would then become the only Cardinal rookie running back ever to have scored a...
got a 1-yard touchdown run, but Carolina would seal the win as Kasay nailed a 31-yard field goal.
With the loss, the Cardinals fell to 4–3.
Week 9: at Chicago Bears
Hoping to rebound from their home loss to the Panthers, the Cardinals flew to Soldier FieldSoldier Field
Soldier Field is located on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, Illinois, United States, in the Near South Side. It is home to the NFL's Chicago Bears...
for a Week 9 duel with the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. Arizona would deliver the opening strike in the first quarter as quarterback Kurt Warner
Kurt Warner
Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a retired American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing...
completed an 11-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Darnell Fitzgerald, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League, and currently ranks fourth all-time in league history in receiving yards per game for a career , behind Andre Johnson, Torry Holt, and Marvin Harrison...
. The Bears would respond with quarterback Jay Cutler
Jay Cutler (American football)
Jay Christopher Cutler is a quarterback for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He played football at Vanderbilt University. Cutler began his professional football career with the Denver Broncos, who selected him as the 11th overall pick of the 2006 NFL Draft...
hooking up with tight end Greg Olsen
Greg Olsen (American football)
Gregory Olsen is an American football tight end for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
on a 33-yard touchdown pass, yet the Cardinals would answer with Warner finding tight end Ben Patrick
Ben Patrick
Ben Patrick is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Duke and Delaware....
on a 6-yard touchdown pass. In the second quarter, Arizona would unleash a firestorm as Warner found Fitzgerald again on a 17-yard touchdown pass, followed by tight end Anthony Becht
Anthony Becht
Anthony G. Becht is an American football tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets 27th overall in the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at West Virginia. He has Swedish relatives, brother Francis and nephew Carl and...
on a 15-yard touchdown pass. Afterwards, the Cardinals would close out the half with a 43-yard field goal by kicker Neil Rackers
Neil Rackers
Neil William Rackers is an American football placekicker for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft...
.
In the third quarter, Arizona would get the period's only points as Rackers booted a 30-yard field goal. Chicago would begin to rally in the fourth quarter as Cutler found Olsen again on a 3-yard and a 20-yard touchdown, yet the Cards closed out the game with Warner hooking up with wide receiver Steve Breaston
Steve Breaston
Steven William Breaston is an American football wide receiver and punt returner for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cardinals in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
on a 4-yard touchdown pass.
With the win, the Cardinals impoved to 5–3.
Week 10: vs. Seattle Seahawks
Coming off their dominating road win over the Bears, the Cardinals went home for a Week 10 NFC West rematch with the Seattle SeahawksSeattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
. Arizona would trail in the first quarter as Seahawks running back Justin Forsett
Justin Forsett
Justin Forsett is an American football running back and punt returner for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Seahawks in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at California.-Early years:Forsett was born in Lakeland, Florida...
got a 20-yard touchdown run. In the second quarter, Seattle would increase their lead as quarterback Matt Hasselbeck
Matt Hasselbeck
Matthew Michael Hasselbeck is a National Football League quarterback for the Tennessee Titans. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the sixth round of the 1998 NFL Draft, and traded to Seattle in 2001. After becoming the starter in 2003, Hasselbeck led Seattle to six playoff appearances and...
found tight end John Carlson on a 31-yard touchdown pass. The Cardinals would get on the board with quarterback Kurt Warner
Kurt Warner
Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a retired American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing...
's 28-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Steve Breaston
Steve Breaston
Steven William Breaston is an American football wide receiver and punt returner for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cardinals in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
, but the Seahawks answered with kicker Olindo Mare
Olindo Mare
Olindo Franco Mare is an American football placekicker for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 1996...
getting a 32-yad field goal. Arizona would end the half with a 27-yard field goal from kicker Neil Rackers
Neil Rackers
Neil William Rackers is an American football placekicker for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft...
.
The Cardinals would tie the game in the third quarter with a 10-yard touchdown run from rookie running back Chris "Beanie" Wells. Seattle tried to take control in the fourth quarter with Mare booting a 20-yard field goal, yet Arizona came out on top as Wells picked up a 13-yard touchdown run and Warner connected with wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Darnell Fitzgerald, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League, and currently ranks fourth all-time in league history in receiving yards per game for a career , behind Andre Johnson, Torry Holt, and Marvin Harrison...
on an 18-yard touchdown pass.
With the win, the Cardinals improved to 6–3.
Week 11: at St. Louis Rams
Looking to improve to 5–0 on the road, the Cardinals went to their former home for a Week 11 duel against divisional rival St. Louis RamsSt. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
. The Rams would score first, on a Josh Brown field goal following a fumble by Chris "Beanie" Wells. However, the Cardinals would score the next 21 points, as Kurt Warner
Kurt Warner
Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a retired American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing...
connected with Anquan Boldin
Anquan Boldin
-Arizona Cardinals:As a rookie Boldin set an NFL record for most receiving yards by a rookie in his first game , tied Billy Sims for most yards from scrimmage by a rookie in his first game , and holds the NFL record for most receptions in the first 26 games of an NFL career...
for a touchdown at the end of the first quarter, followed by a Warner to Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Darnell Fitzgerald, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League, and currently ranks fourth all-time in league history in receiving yards per game for a career , behind Andre Johnson, Torry Holt, and Marvin Harrison...
touchdown and a Beanie Wells rushing touchdown in the second quarter.
During the second touchdown drive of the second quarter, Warner was hit hard by St. Louis safety O.J. Atogwe, with his head hitting the turf as he went down. Warner played the remaining six plays of the drive, but was replaced for the remainder of the game by backup quarterback Matt Leinart
Matt Leinart
Matthew Stephen Leinart , is an American professional football quarterback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League...
. Leinart struggled with a more conservative game throughout the second half, and the Cardinals did not score for the remainder of the game. St. Louis attempted to rally; however, they were only able to muster a second Josh Brown field goal and a Steven Jackson
Steven Jackson
Steven Rashad Jackson is an American football running back for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Rams 24th overall in the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Oregon State University....
touchdown.
With the win, the Cardinals improved to 7–3; however, Warner's status remained questionable for the next week's game against the Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
.
Week 12: at Tennessee Titans
With Kurt WarnerKurt Warner
Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a retired American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing...
on the sidelines due to injury, and in the tenth season since he won Super Bowl XXXIV
Super Bowl XXXIV
Super Bowl XXXIV featured the National Football Conference champion St. Louis Rams and the American Football Conference champion Tennessee Titans in an American football game to decide the National Football League champion for the 1999 regular season...
over the Titans, the Cardinals fell to a game-winning rally led by quarterback Vince Young
Vince Young
Vincent Paul Young, Jr. , nicknamed "VY", is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He spent the first five seasons of his career with the Tennessee Titans. Young was the third overall draft pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college...
as he raced the Titans 99 yards down field over the final 2:37, converted two fourth downs, and fired the winning ten-yard touchdown on the final play to Kenny Britt
Kenny Britt
-Tennessee Titans:Kenny Britt was drafted in the 1st round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He was Rutgers' first ever first-round pick. This was a surprising pick because many thought that he would be selected by the New York Giants with the pick immediately before the Titans picked...
. The win made the Titans the first team to win five straight after starting 0-6 as they improved to 5-6 while the Cadinals fell to 7-4.
Week 13: vs. Minnesota Vikings
Week 13 saw the return of staring quarterback Kurt Warner to the line-up. The Cardinals took off in the first half building a 24-10 lead. Warner played exceptionally well, throwing for three first half touchdowns on his way to a 285 yard effort. The defense stifled Favre and the Vikings and held Adrian Peterson to a season-low 19 yards. The Warner led offense propelled the Cards to a stunningly one-sided 30-17 victory.Week 14: at San Francisco 49ers
Week 15: at Detroit Lions
Week 16: vs. St. Louis Rams
With this win, The Cardinals got their 10th win of the season. The last time the Cardinals had double digit wins in a season was in 19761976 NFL season
The 1976 NFL season was the 57th regular season of the National Football League. The league expanded to 28 teams with the addition of the Seattle Seahawks and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers...
.
Week 17: vs. Green Bay Packers
With the Vikings win earlier in the day, this game was rendered unimportant. The Cardinals pulled Kurt Warner along with other starters early in the 2nd quarter while the Packers continued to play their starters until the 4th quarter. Late in the 4th quarter, quarterback Brian St. PierreBrian St. Pierre
Brian St. Pierre is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Boston College....
threw his first career touchdown pass.
NFC Wild Card: vs. Green Bay Packers
Entering the postseason as the NFC's #4 seed, the Cardinals began their playoff run at home in the NFC Wild Card game against the #5 Green Bay PackersGreen Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
, looking to avenge their Week 17 defeat.
Arizona would take advantage of some Packer turnovers early in the first quarter by turning them into a 1-yard touchdown run for running back Tim Hightower
Tim Hightower
-Arizona Cardinals:Hightower scored 10 touchdowns during his rookie season, and another 3 in the post season while averaging a meager 2.8 yards per carry. He would rush for a total amount of 399 yards in 2008. Hightower would then become the only Cardinal rookie running back ever to have scored a...
and quarterback Kurt Warner
Kurt Warner
Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a retired American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing...
's 15-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Early Doucet
Early Doucet
Early Joseph Doucet, III is an American football wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cardinals in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Louisiana State.-Early years:Early Doucet prepped at St. Martinville...
. The Cardinals would also add a 23-yard field goal from kicker Neil Rackers
Neil Rackers
Neil William Rackers is an American football placekicker for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft...
. Green Bay would reply in the second quarter with quarterback Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Charles Rodgers is an American football quarterback for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League . Rodgers was selected in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Packers...
getting a 1-yard touchdown run, yet Arizona went right back to work as Warner found Doucet again on a 15-yard touchdown pass. The Packers would end the half with a 20-yard field goal from kicker Mason Crosby
Mason Crosby
Mason Walker Crosby , is a professional American football placekicker for the Green Bay Packers in the National Football League. During his playing days at the University of Colorado, Crosby was widely considered the best kicker in college football, as evidenced by ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr.'s...
.
In the third quarter, the Cardinals went back to work as Warner found wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Darnell Fitzgerald, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League, and currently ranks fourth all-time in league history in receiving yards per game for a career , behind Andre Johnson, Torry Holt, and Marvin Harrison...
on a 33-yard touchdown pass, but Green Bay would answer with Rodgers completing a 6-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Greg Jennings
Greg Jennings
Gregory Jennings, Jr. is a professional American football wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League...
followed by a 10-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jordy Nelson
Jordy Nelson
Jordy Ray Nelson is an American football wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Packers in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Kansas State....
. Arizona continued to show off its offense firepower as Warner hooked up with Fitzgerald again on an 11-yard touchdown pass. The Packers would tie the game in the fourth quarter as Rodgers would complete a 30-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver James Jones
James Jones (wide receiver)
James Deandre Jones is an American football wide receiver with the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Packers in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
, followed by fullback John Kuhn
John Kuhn
John Allen Kuhn is an American football fullback, currently playing for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2005. John attended Dover Area High School in Dover, Pennsylvania...
's 1-yard touchdown run. The Cardinals' offense continued to flex its muscles as Warner found wide receiver Steve Breaston
Steve Breaston
Steven William Breaston is an American football wide receiver and punt returner for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cardinals in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
on a 17-yard touchdown pass. Just then, Green Bay would tie the game again as Rodgers would complete an 11-yard touchdown pass to tight end Spencer Havner
Spencer Havner
Spencer Rhett Havner [HAY-vner] is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2006...
. The Cardinals drove down field in the final minutes, but a 34-yard field goal try by Neil Rackers
Neil Rackers
Neil William Rackers is an American football placekicker for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft...
with nine seconds remaining sailed wide left, forcing overtime.
Arizona's defense would rise to the occasion in overtime as linebacker Karlos Dansby
Karlos Dansby
Karlos Montez Dansby is an American football linebacker for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
recovered a fumble and ran it back 17 yards for the game-winning touchdown.
With the win, the Cardinals improved to overall record to 11–6.
The 96 combined points between both teams would become the highest point total in a NFL postseason game.
NFC Divisonal Round: at New Orleans Saints2009 New Orleans Saints seasonThe 2009 New Orleans Saints season is the franchise's 43rd season in the National Football League and the most successful in franchise history in which they won Super Bowl XLIV. The Saints recorded a franchise record 13 victories, an improvement on their 8–8 record and fourth place finish in the...
Coming off their shootout win over the Packers, the Cardinals flew to the Louisiana SuperdomeLouisiana Superdome
The Mercedes-Benz Superdome, previously known as the Louisiana Superdome and colloquially known as the Superdome, is a sports and exhibition arena located in the Central Business District of New Orleans, Louisiana, USA...
for the NFC Divisional Round against the top-seeded New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
. On their very first offensive play of the game, Arizona came out fast as running back Tim Hightower
Tim Hightower
-Arizona Cardinals:Hightower scored 10 touchdowns during his rookie season, and another 3 in the post season while averaging a meager 2.8 yards per carry. He would rush for a total amount of 399 yards in 2008. Hightower would then become the only Cardinal rookie running back ever to have scored a...
got a 70-yard touchdown run. The Saints would hugely respond with running back Lynell Hamilton
Lynell Hamilton
Lynell Hamilton is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
getting a 1-yard touchdown run, followed by quarterback Drew Brees
Drew Brees
Drew Christopher Brees is a quarterback for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue....
completing a 17-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jeremy Shockey
Jeremy Shockey
Jeremy Charles Shockey is an American football tight end for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Giants 14th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft...
, along with running back Reggie Bush
Reggie Bush
Reginald Alfred "Reggie" Bush II is an American football running back for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
getting a 54-yard touchdown run. In the second quarter, the Cardinals would come right back as rookie running back Chris "Beanie" Wells got a 4-yard touchdown run. However, New Orleans came right back as Brees threw a 44-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Devery Henderson
Devery Henderson
-New Orleans Saints:On November 5, 2006, Devery had his best day as a professional in a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he caught 3 passes for 111 yards and 2 touchdowns. Henderson had 158 receiving yards on 5 catches, including a 76 yard touchdown, against the Atlanta Falcons on November...
and a 2-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Marques Colston
Marques Colston
Marques Colston is an American football wide receiver for the New Orleans Saints of the NFL. He was selected in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft as a supplemental compensatory pick. Following the trade of receiver Donté Stallworth, Colston was inserted into the starting lineup for week 1 of...
.
The Saints would add onto their lead in the third quarter with a 43-yard field goal from kicker Garrett Hartley
Garrett Hartley
Garrett Hartley is an American football placekicker for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was signed by the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
, followed by an 83-yard punt return for a touchdown by Bush. Arizona tried to rally, but New Orleans' defense continued to shut down possible rally.
With the loss, the Cardinals' season ended with an overall record of 11–7.