The NFL Network continues to draw the moths to their TV sets even during the dead of the offseason, utilizing programming like The 100 Best Players in the NFL, dragged out over days and days at a time.

Well, CBS Sports Pete Prisco didn’t want to keep you waiting, so he released his complete list all at once. Make the jump to see which Arizona Cardinals made the grade.

Four Cards broke the top 100, though only once cracked the top 50. Here is the complete listing of Cards below, along with some commentary on each from Prisco.

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No. 9 WR Larry Fitzgerald “He once again put up big numbers, despite little help on the other side and so-so quarterback play.” Fitz was ranked 18th by Prisco last year.

- No. 58 DE Calais Campbell “The Cardinals rewarded him with a big contract last week for a reason. He was their best defensive player last season.” Campbell wasn’t ranked last season.

- No. 70 S Adrian Wilson “He’s been one of my favorites for a long time and bounced back from a subpar 2010 season to play at his usual high level. The amazing thing is he did it with a torn biceps tendon. Wow.” Ranked 44th last season.

- No. 92 DE Darnell Dockett “He wasn’t as good as Campbell last season, but he’s still one of the better down lineman in the league. Dockett plays with a nasty streak.” Ranked 73rd last season.

For more on the Cardinals, head over to Revenge of the Birds.

Read More: Calais Campbell (DE – ARI), Arizona Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell is a happy man. He signed his five-year, $55 million extension on Thursday, he’s 25 years old, and he’s ready to be a major cog on a rising defense and a team that won seven of their last nine games last season.

Campbell spoke with Dan Bickley and Mike Jurecki on Xtra Sports 910 in Phoenix recently to talk about what’s going on with him and the team.

About the negotiation process: “It’s been a long process. And it was a hard-fought process but it was a great process. The Cardinals organization definitely did a great job and I’m just so happy to be a Cardinal for a long time to come.”

His expectations for the defense in 2012: “I think we can be great. …I think that we can be a top-five defense in every category. That’s our goal and that’s what we want to be. Towards the end of last year we started having that confidence that we could beat anybody – anybody we get on the field with we can beat them. And when you have that confidence and you got out there and you play 16 games, you’re gonna win a lot of games.”

To read the rest of Campbell’s interview, check it out here.

For more on the Cardinals’ offseason, check out Revenge of the Birds.

Given that the Cardinals mostly will be riding the bench during the second day of the NFL draft because they presently hold just one pick, the 80{+t}{+h} overall in the third round, the general school of thought is they had better hit a home run in Round 1.

Greater expectations might be placed on making the perfect pick with the 13{+t}{+h} overall choice on Thursday, but there’s no reason to think they can’t hit one out of the park on Friday as well.

After all, they’ve done it before.

Since coming to the Valley in 1988, the franchise has found great value among its third-round picks.

There was wide receiver Ricky Proehl in 1990.

There was Aeneas Williams, the eight-time Pro Bowl cornerback, in 1991.

More recently, there was Adrian Wilson, the five-time Pro Bowl safety, in 2001. And there was defensive tackle Darnell Dockett, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, in 2004.

Beyond the Cardinals’ picks, there are number of teams that have found gold-star talent in the third round. The list includes the likes of Terrell Owens and Tedy Bruschi (1996), Mike Vrabel and Ronde Barber (1997), Hines Ward (1998), Steve Smith (2001), Jason Witten (2003) and Justin Tuck (2005).

Cardinals General Manager Rod Graves wouldn’t be specific about the team’s plans with their third-round pick, but he didn’t rule out making a deal to move back into the second round.

Arizona shipped this year’s second-round pick to the Eagles as part of the Kevin Kolb trade last season.

Even if they stand pat and pick only once on Friday, Graves knows exactly what “type” of player the Cardinals will be seeking.

“Generally, I would say as a rule, that talent enables you to gain employment in the National Football League,” he said, “but championships are won with character, with football smarts, and effort.

“Regardless of what type of player you’re talking about, whether he’s a Pro Bowl-potential player, whether he’s a backup type or whether he’s a special-teams player, you can find players with those three characteristics at all levels. We’ve found and had success with those types of players.”

What can the Cardinals expect to find in the third round on Friday?

Well, if they don’t draft an offensive lineman with the 13{+t}{+h} overall pick and instead go after someone such as Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd or the best player available, they’ll be looking for a tackle.

Some decent prospects will be available at No. 80, and they may include Cal’s Mitchell Schwartz, Oklahoma’s Donald Stephenson, Florida State’s Zebrie Sanders, Troy’s James Brown, Miami’s Brandon Washington and Illinois’ Jeff Allen.

If the Cardinals take a lineman at 13, say Iowa tackle Riley Reiff or Stanford guard David DeCastro, they could be eyeing a receiver or a pass rusher with the third-round pick.

Those who could be available and press for serious playing time among the receivers are A.J. Jenkins from Illinois, Marvin McNutt from Iowa, Juron Criner from Arizona, Chris Givens from Wake Forest and, possibly, Mohamed Sanu from Rutgers.

Outside linebackers or defensive ends that may draw their interest and still be on the board include Cincinnati’s Derek Wolfe, North Carolina State’s Terrell Manning, Virginia’s Cam Johnson and Oregon’s Josh Kaddu.

As much as they’ll be looking for a potential starter in the third round, they will be targeting strong character.

Coach Ken Whisenhunt echoed Graves’ thoughts on the importance of not only finding the right player, but the right player who fits in with the team and in the community.

“You look at a Calais Campbell and what he’s done in the community, as well as what he’s done on the football field. Larry Fitzgerald, same thing. You can sit here and name a bunch of these guys. That’s what’s important, because when times are tough and things aren’t going right, those guys have got to pull together for you.

“That’s what we saw a little bit last year with our team winning seven of our last nine, especially with a lot of our young guys stepping up and doing that. That’s what is exciting, and a lot of that is because of draft picks and picking the right players.”

Larry Fitzgerald needs a running mate, and Kevin Kolb wouldn’t mind another elite target.

Calling Kevin Kolb a disappointment in 2011 is an insult to aspects of our lives that are merely disappointing. Like, say, missing your bus in the morning, or overcooking dinner. No, Kolb was a colossal mess.

But, to be fair, much of Kolb’s undoing after his highly hyped move from Philadelphia to Arizona and his lucrative new contract with the Cardinals (six years, $65 million) lied in his inability to stay healthy. During what was to be his first full season as a starter, Kolb missed seven games, and essentially missed an eighth in Week 14 against the 49ers when he attempted only one pass.

He was bruised and battered often, and was sacked 30 times despite making just nine game appearances. And when he did have time to throw he was largely ineffective, throwing nearly as many interceptions (eight) as touchdowns (nine), while averaging just 217.9 passing yards per game with a rather pedestrian passer rating of 81.1.

Those two painful outcomes during the 2011 season have led to a key and difficult decision heading into the draft for Arizona. Does Kolb and the offense–and perhaps most importantly, Larry Fitzgerald– need another elite target at wide receiver, or another large body on the offensive line who will prevent other large bodies from crushing the highly-paid quarterback more?

We talked to Tyler Nickel from Revenge Of The Birds about the Cardinals’ strategy with their 13th overall pick. He’s leaning towards O-line help, hoping the Cards can get more out of their investment in Kolb by drafting a lineman.

1. Last year there was talk of the Cardinals needing to find a better complement for Fitzgerald at wide receiver, but they pounced on Patrick Peterson when he fell. A year later we’re still talking about that need for both Fitz, and to help Kolb. So if Michael Floyd is there at No. 13, is he the pick?

There is definitely a good chance that Floyd is the pick if he is still there at No. 13. As you said, the Cardinals have been looking for the perfect #2 WR to line up across from Fitzgerald. Although WR is not an immediate need, I have the suspicion that Floyd is pretty high on their board and they will draft the best player available.

2. If Floyd comes off the board early, an edge rusher who can be an effective outside linebacker is a possibility. Will someone like Quinton Coples be too hard to pass on if he’s still available, even though he may not be stepping into an area that’s a high priority?

Coples is seen as more of a defensive end in the NFL, and the Cardinals needs in terms of pass rusher come in the form of an OLB.

That said, there is a possibility that if Coples is there, they could take him. Calais Campbell is under the franchise tag and for all we know, they may not be able to re-sign him. Coples could come in and ideally play as a DE in the 3-4 system that the Cardinals run.

3. What about Riley Reiff? Staying upright and healthy is clearly another key to Kolb’s success, and he didn’t do either very often last year.

Personally, I’m not sold on Reiff as an LT in the NFL, but he could be an option that the club is considering. I am under the assumption that Levi Brown will be playing LT again next season, so whoever comes in will likely be on the right side.

Kolb staying healthy will be the best chance the Cards have of making the playoffs this season, and adding to the offensive line will be key to that endeavor.

4. Who do you hope the Cardinals target?

Personally, I would like to see the Cardinals target David DeCastro should he still be on the board. From everything I have seen and read, this guy can be a fixture at guard for the next decade at least. He would probably be a starter right away, and will flourish under the direction of Russ Grimm.

Most NFL teams, including the Cardinals, open their off-season training program on Monday. All will be operating under rules established in the new CBA.

The nine-week program is comprised of three stages, and as you can see, coaches are limited in how much they can do with the players. Oh, and the overall program is voluntary.

Phase 1 — It lasts two weeks. Only strength and conditioning coaches can work with players. Footballs are not allowed other than quarterbacks passing to receivers. Those receivers cannot be covered by defenders. No helmets, no pads.

Phase 2 — It lasts three weeks. Coaches are allowed on the field. Individual player instruction is allowed, as is group worked. But no offense vs. defense drills are allowed, either as a group or individually. No helmets, no pads.

Phase 3 — It lasts four weeks and can include up to 10 days of organized team activity. For the first two weeks, a maximum of three practices a week may be held. That increases to four practices for a third week. The mandatory veterans minicamp is held the fourth week. That can extend over three days. No live contact is permitted. The only padding permitted is the helmet.

Players make $155 a day for the workouts, provided they participate in three of the four each week. Players who have been tendered contracts but haven’t signed can participate but they must sign a waiver. (I don’t expect end Calais Campbell, the franchise player, to show but you never know.)

Teams must film all three phases and keep a copy until 30 days after the start of the regular season. Acting on a complaint, NFL officials can request to look at that film.

Coaches are subject to fines of up to $100,000 for the first violation and $250,000 for the second. Those cannot be reimbursed by the club. Teams are subject to fines of $250,000 for the first violation and $500,000 for the second.

Half of the fine amounts goes to the Gene Upshaw Players Assistance Trust and half to the Player Care Foundation. If a team commits a violation, it will lose a week of OTAs. A second violation will cost the club a fourth-round pick in the next draft.

Solid core of players over 30 aided Cardinals

One of the major storylines for the 2011 season was the development of several young players, including running back Beanie Wells, defensive end Calais Campbell, inside linebacker Daryl Washington and cornerback Patrick Peterson. If those players and a handful of others had not improved, the Cardinals would not have won seven of their last nine games. But the 2011 team also had a strong veteran presence, something that served it well after a 1-6 start. The team didn’t fracture, partly because there was a solid core of players over 30 who had been-there, done-that. They were the bungee cord that kept the season from hitting bottom.

Kent Somers/The Arizona Republic

In a move almost as predictable as a sunrise, the Cardinals placed the franchise tag on defensive end Calais Campbell on Friday, three days before the NFL deadline to do so.

The tag restricts Campbell’s options in free agency, and the Cardinals and Campbell’s agent, Ben Dogra, can continue to negotiate a long-term deal until mid-July.

Campbell could immediately sign the franchise tender, guaranteeing himself a salary of around $10.6 million for the upcoming season.

“We’ve made no secret of the high regard in which we hold Calais,” Cardinals General Manager Rod Graves said in a press release. “To be clear, reaching a long-term deal that will keep Calais with the Cardinals for years to come remains our primary objective.”

A second-round pick in 2008, Campbell has gradually blossomed through his career and his best in 2011. He led the team with eight sacks, blocked three field goals, deflected 11 passes and intercepted one.

Campbell was given the “non-exclusive” franchise tender, meaning he can receive offers from other teams. Should the Cardinals choose not to match, they would receive two first-round draft picks in return.

That is an unlikely scenario, however.

Read More: Kevin Kolb (QB – ARI), Peyton Manning (QB – IND), Calais Campbell (DE – ARI), John Skelton (QB – ARI), Arizona Cardinals

AZCentral.com’s Kent Somers was on hand for the Arizona Cardinals press conference with head coach Ken Whisenhunt and general manager Rod Graves on Thursday as both men spoke about the Cardinals’ current situation with a quarterback, and talks with key free agents Levi Brown and Calais Campbell.

Whisenhunt noted that Kevin Kolb remains the team’s starting QB but will have certainly have competition. Both Whisenhunt and Graves maintained that they are open to “opportunities to get better,” which could come in the from of Peyton Manning. Graves believes Arizona can win the trio quarterbacks they already have in Kolb, John Skelton and Rich Bartel.

Somers feels that If Peyton Manning is cut, the Cardinals will definitely be interested, but a lot of things have to ‘come together’ for Manning come to Arizona. The team will pay Kolb his $7 million roster bonus by the St. Patrick’s Day due date as Manning’s health status will not be fully developed by then, and the team needs a signal caller.

As for Levi Brown, talks are on-going, though Graves noted that Brown has expressed an interest to return to Arizona, and the Cards would certainly like him back. Graves described talks with Calais Campbell as “fruitful,” though nothing has come of them yet.

For more on the Cardinals, make sure you check out Revenge of the Birds.

Arizona Cardinals update:

Here are the highlights from the press conferences of Rod Graves, Ken Whisenhunt.

On the team’s quarterback situation:

Whisenhunt said that Kevin Kolb remains the starter but will have competition. Will that competition come from a certain Colts QB who will be cut soon? Both Whisenhunt and Graves said they are open to “opportunities to get better.” That’s been their standard line. It will generate some headlines nationally because not all reporters have heard it.

Graves went on to say he thinks the team can win the quarterbacks they have: Kolb, John Skelton and Rich Bartel.

My interpretation: If Peyton Manning is cut, the Cardinals will be interested. A lot of other things have to come together for Manning to become a Cardinal. The Cardinals will pay Kolb the $7 million roster bonus he’s due by March 17 because no one will know then if Manning will be healthy enough to play in 2012.

On re-signing Levi Brown:

Talks are on-going and Graves said that Brown wants to return to Arizona. The Cardinals want him back.

On talks with defensive end Calais Campbell:

They have been “fruitful,” Graves said. That fruit has not been harvested, however. Discussions are on-going.

Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 11:48 AM

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It’s the $63 million question.

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When the Cardinals report to training camp next fall, will coach Ken Whisenhunt put the starting-quarterback position up for grabs between Kevin Kolb and John Skelton?

Kolb signed a five-year, $63million contract with Arizona upon being acquired from Philadelphia for cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a second-round draft pick.

But injuries and ineffectiveness left him 2-6 in his eight full games as a starter this season. Skelton, meanwhile, went 6-2 when he started or played most of the game.

After Sunday’s season-ending 23-20 overtime victory over Seattle, Skelton was asked if he felt he deserved a fair shot to unseat Kolb as the Cardinals’ starter next year.

“I hope I do. That is for the coaching staff to determine,” he said, adding, “Kevin and I have a great relationship. We push each other, and we always help each other out. We will see what happens this off-season.”

As the Cardinals cleared out their lockers Monday, Kolb told reporters he fully expects to be in a battle with Skelton for the starting job, saying it only would be fair given how things played out.

He also looks forward to putting this season behind him and getting a clean slate with which to work in 2012.

“I’m looking forward to the fruits of the labor and having a great season next year,” he said.

But Whisenhunt will decide who starts next season and on Monday, he reminded reporters that he’s always had open competitions for starting positions and that won’t be different at quarterback.

“That’s the way we’ve always been,” he said.

When informed of Kolb’s comments about having to earn the starting job again, Whisenhunt nodded appreciatively.

“I would hope that every player thinks he has to earn it,” he said. “… I think you’ve got to have that with your team. You can go back and look at all the spots, and that’s the way we’ve operated no matter what the situation has been.”

Health scares

News surfaced after Sunday’s game that Skelton and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald each were dealing with some health concerns.

Skelton, who passed for 271 yards and a touchdown, fainted and fell before the game shortly after having his knee drained in the training room.

Fitzgerald took a hit in the third quarter and suffered a bruised lung, which reportedly made him spit up blood at one point.

Doctors checked out both players thoroughly, Whisenhunt said, and allowed them to play.

Whisenhunt said Skelton joked with him about the fainting spell, calling him “Mike,” as in offensive coordinator Mike Miller.

“I knew he was OK after that,” Whisenhunt said.

Skelton said he’s never passed out before and called it a “a freak thing.” He added, “I think everyone was more worried than I was.”

As for Fitzgerald, who caught nine passes for 149 yards, including three big receptions on the team’s winning drive in overtime, he was re-evaluated by doctors after the game and again Monday.

Whisenhunt said everything checked out fine.

Free-agency talk

The Cardinals have several players set to become free agents, including defensive end Calais Campbell, defensive back Richard Marshall, left tackle Levi Brown and kicker Jay Feely.

Campbell likely will be given a multi-year extension or be presented with the franchise tag. Marshall and Feely each said Monday they would prefer to return. And Whisenhunt said he hopes Brown will be back as well, although given what it likely will cost the team to retain him, that might not occur.

What’s next

Whisenhunt said he and his staff will meet for the next week evaluating the team and grading players and each position as well as every play. After that, they will take a break and do it all over again, so as not to make any judgments based on emotion from the season just having ended.

As for any potential coaching changes, Whisenhunt said Monday that it was too early to make any decisions, adding that he must sit down with his own bosses and be evaluated first.

This unit has a nice mix of youth and experience. Sam Acho, a rookie, finished the season with seven sacks. Inside linebacker Daryl Washington, in his second year, is a star in the making. So is cornerback Patrick Peterson. Another good draft, and this unit should be set for next season. Oh, re-signing Calais Campbell would be a good thing.

Kent Somers/The Arizona Republic

The Cardinals’ defensive game plan against the Seahawks in Week 3 was rudimentary compared with the schemes coordinator Ray Horton is calling more than three months later.

“We played almost nothing in that game; I didn’t think we could,” Horton said. “And now we have, I’d say probably 90 percent of our stuff in and it’s available and called.

“On my call sheet, there is only one play I’m not going to call, definitely, and the rest is available. So we are light years ahead.”

The Cardinals played well defensively in the 13-10 loss to Seattle, but the Seahawks offense was dealing with numerous injuries at the time. The Seahawks gained just 261 total yards and scored one touchdown.

But the Cardinals forced only one turnover, a problem throughout the season. The Cardinals have just nine interceptions and nine fumble recoveries.

Improving upon that is one of Horton’s goals for next season.

“The other was probably figuring out what we’re doing on ‘goal line,’ ” Horton said. “Those are the two things that stick out. Every time we get in what we call goal line personnel, they score. And we’re not NFL level on turnovers. Those are the main things we will really look at.”

Porter wants to play

Outside linebacker Joey Porter’s only two seasons in Arizona ended in injury, but even though he will be 35 in March, he would like to play in 2012.

“Last year was the first time I had ever been on IR (injured reserve),” said Porter, who had a triceps injury last year. “To have it (an injury) again this year, it was just like, ‘Man.’ But you play this game long enough, you’re going to cross that road eventually.”

Porter underwent surgery to repair meniscus in his left knee in October and was not able to return. Even if healthy, he would have been a reserve.

“I haven’t even crossed the path of thinking (retirement) yet,” he said. “Once I get healthy with my knee, everything else is fine.”

A fine Friday

Defensive end Darnell Dockett was fined $30,000 for two illegal hits in last Saturday’s game against the Bengals. Dockett was called for a horse-collar tackle and for hitting quarterback Andy Dalton in the knee area.

Safety Adrian Wilson was not fined for a hit on Dalton that drew a roughing the passer penalty. That’s a tacit admission by the NFL that the hit was legal.

That penalty nullified an interception by cornerback Patrick Peterson, and the Bengals ended up scoring a field goal.

Injury update

Quarterback Kevin Kolb (concussion) and cornerback Patrick Peterson (Achilles’) are listed as questionable for Sunday’s game, but Peterson seems to fit that category better.

Kolb has been limited in practice and is still experiencing concussion symptoms, Whisenhunt said on Friday. It would be surprising if he plays.

Peterson practiced Friday for the first time this week, and he will be tested before the game to assess his readiness.

Tackle Brandon Keith (ankle) was ruled out.

Happy holidays

Offensive tackle D.J. Young received a belated Christmas gift earlier this week when he was promoted from the practice squad to the regular roster.

Young was on the practice squad all season, making $5,700 a week. This week, he’s making the minimum salary for a rookie, a little more than $22,000.

He has the Eagles to thank. They tried to sign him off the Cardinals’ practice squad this week, and the Cardinals responded by offering to promote Young.

It wasn’t a hard decision for Young, who is from Lansing, Mich., and played at Michigan State.

“It wasn’t tempting at all,” Young said of the Eagles’ offer. “You’re dealing with nice, sunny skies every day out here. The Cardinals obviously see some potential, but there’s obviously stuff I need to work on. I’m happy they want me to be here.”

Young has an opportunity to make the regular roster in 2012. The Cardinals have not drafted an offensive lineman since 2009.

Campbell, Fitzgerald honored

The local chapter of the Pro Football Writers Association gave defensive end Calais Campbell the Lloyd Herberg MVP Award and receiver Larry Fitzgerald the Steve Schoenfeld Good Guy Award on Friday.

Campbell, in his fourth season, leads the Cardinals with eight sacks and has also knocked down 11 passes and blocked three field goals.

Fitzgerald, who won the MVP award in 2007, was recognized for being available, insightful and professional in dealing with media.

The awards are named after two former Cardinals and NFL beat writers for The Republic.

Herberg covered the Cardinals from the time they moved to Arizona in 1988 until 1994, when he died of cancer.

Schoenfeld covered the NFL and the Cardinals from 1988 to the summer of 2000. He was killed by a hit-and-run driver in October 2000.