By Scott Enyeart

– Staff Writer

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Apr 28, 2012 – With the 151st overall pick, in the 5th round in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Arizona Cardinals have selected Senio Kelmete, a guard/tackle out of Washington. Kelemete was a fixture on the Huskies’ offensive line after beginning his career on the defensive side of the ball.

Sports Illustrated’s prospect scouting database provides a succinct analysis on Kelemte, as a prospect:

Positives: Athletic offensive line prospect who’s developing a complete game. Bends his knees, blocks with a wide base and stays square. Quickly gets his hands into defenders, jolts opponents at the point of attack and moves well on his feet. Patient in pass protection and keeps his feet and hands active, sealing defenders from the action. Makes great use of body positioning and blocking angles.

Negatives: Played tackle in college yet may be better off inside at guard in the NFL. Lacks top footwork in pass protection. Really does not finish blocks.

For more on the 2012 NFL Draft, visit our NFL Draft StoryStream throughout the weekend. For a complete list of 2012 NFL Draft results as they happen, visit SBNation.com. For even more comprehensive coverage of the NFL Draft, visit Mocking The Draft.

Arizona had a need for tackles, and offensive linemen in general. Kelemete is a great value here, as he once projected as a possible first-round pick.

For more on the 2012 NFL Draft, visit our NFL Draft StoryStream throughout the weekend. For a complete list of 2012 NFL Draft results as they happen, visit SBNation.com. For even more comprehensive coverage of the NFL Draft, visit Mocking The Draft.

Read More: Senio Kelemete (OT – Washington), Arizona Cardinals, Washington Huskies

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Michael Floyd figures he spent 2011 showing everyone the quality of his character. Because of that, he gave himself the opportunity in 2012 to fulfill a dream and play in the NFL.

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Profile: Michael Floyd | Discuss Cards’ pick on Facebook

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On Friday in Tempe, Floyd sported a cream-colored suit and a big smile as he was introduced as the Cardinals’ first-round selection. A year ago, when he was suspended from the Notre Dame football team after a drunken-driving incident, he wondered whether he had blown a chance to make it to the NFL.

“I thought it was over,” he said on Friday. “But when I got the chance to reveal myself and show people that’s not really me. I changed from there. If I wanted to be in this position I am now, I had to make big changes.”

Floyd made those changes. He said he became a homebody, made some changes among friends. He worked out on his own when coach Brian Kelly didn’t let him participate in spring practice.

He turned down a chance to enter the supplemental draft and stayed for his senior year. Part of his motivation was football; part was fulfilling a promise to his mother to earn his degree.

He finished requirements for a sociology degree in December and will walk in graduation ceremonies in May.

“I didn’t want my image to be a negative one,” he said. “I just did everything I could to make sure that image was a positive one.”

Kelly reinstated Floyd in August, and he had a superlative senior season. He finished with 100 catches for 1,147 yards and nine touchdowns.

At 6 feet 2 inches and 220 pounds, Floyd runs the 40-yard dash in less than 4.5 seconds, and gives the Cardinals a big powerful receiver to pair with Larry Fitzgerald. Floyd might be a little faster.

Those qualities were easy for scouts to see. What was harder to determine was how much football meant to Floyd. Passing on the supplemental draft and returning to Notre Dame for a degree impressed Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt.

So did Floyd’s visit to Arizona about a week ago.

“You can really get in depth with some football stuff here,” Whisenhunt said, “when it’s not so hectic like it is at the (scouting) combine.”

Floyd confirmed what the Cardinals’ legwork had told them: He was mature and honest about his mistakes.

“I think being at Notre Dame there is always pressure on you, off the field and on the field,” Floyd said. “People want to see how you react to things. So I think coming here I don’t feel too much pressure. That’s what’s been engrained in me. I know how to handle pressure.”

Floyd grew up in St. Paul, Minn., and has known Fitzgerald, who is from Minneapolis, since Floyd was in high school. They have worked out with the same strength and conditioning coach, Bill Welle, in the Minneapolis area.

“I’ve watched Michael grow from being a boy into a man,” Welle said on Friday. “He had some roads to cross, some bridges to go over. The maturity I’ve seen over the last six months to a year is amazing.”

Welle started in the training business working with former NFL receiver Cris Carter. He envisions Fitzgerald mentoring Floyd the way Carter mentored Randy Moss when they played for the Vikings.

“I’ve said all along he’s similar (physically) to Larry,” Welle said. “Michael is really, really strong. And Larry’s going to teach him the finer points of route running and fundamentals.”

Fitzgerald reportedly had lobbied for the Cardinals to take Floyd, and Floyd has a temporary place to stay when he comes to Arizona. Fitzgerald has hosted numerous teammates at the house, and Floyd joked that “he has enough room for me.

“He (Fitzgerald) texted me and was excited,” Floyd said. “I was happy, too. I saw the 602 area code (on Thursday), and I was really excited I get the chance to play for a good organization.”

At his news conference on Friday, Floyd thanked the Cardinals for “looking past the stuff that I’ve been through when I was in college and giving me a second chance to reveal who I am as a person and as a player.”

Floyd and Fitz

A quick Michael Floyd-Larry Fitzgerald comparison from their high school careers in Minnesota:

Floyd:

- Two-time all-state and All-America selection.

- 122 receptions for 2,487 yards and 33 TDs during his career.

- 1,247 yards and 17 TDs during his senior season.

- Also lettered in basketball.

Fitzgerald:

- Two-time all-state and All-America selection.

- 127 receptions for 2,601 yards and 29 TDs during his career.

- 1,254 yards and 17 TDs during his senior season.

- Also lettered in basketball.

Read More: James Sanders (S – ATL), Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals have made it a theme this offseason to try and target under-the-radar players who may not grab the national headlines, even though they could even up paying dividend greatly for seasons to come. There are not a ton of areas this team needs to improve upon, but the secondary is one of the exceptions. Who did the Cardinals most recently target as a potential free agent?

According to this report from Scout.com, safety James Sanders visited Arizona on Tuesday.

Sanders, 28, played for the Atlanta Falcons last season after breaking into the league with the New England Patriots. While not a star by any means, he has posted respectable numbers throughout his career and has done a nice job avoiding injuries up until this point.

No news came of any potential offers to the free agent safety, although it appears there is mutual interest for both sides.

Our great Cardinals blog, Revenge Of The Birds, discussed what Sanders would mean to the team:

The Cardinals are obviously looking for a little bit more depth at safety. Currently they have starters Adrian Wilson and Kerry Rhodes under contract and Rashad Johnson has been extended his restricted free agent tender. Sean Considine, who played part of 2011 in Arizona has since signed with the Baltimore Ravens and Hamza Abdullah has not yet been re-signed.

If Sanders is signed, that does not necessarily mean the departure of Abdullah, who is an outstanding special teams player. Sanders has played very little on special teams.

For more on the Cardinals, be sure to check out SB Nation Arizona’s StoryStream.

By SportsDirect

The Cardinals agreed to terms Tuesday with free-agent wide receiver Early Doucet on a two-year contract. Terms of the deal were not immediately available.

Doucet has spent the past four seasons with the franchise and last year, set career highs with 54 receptions for 689 yards and five touchdowns while playing in all 16 games.

He had his first 100-yard receiving game in the first game of the sason against Carolina. Three of his five touchdowns were scored in the fourth quarter of games.

A third-round pick out of LSU in 2008, Doucet has appeared in 42 regular-season games with 11 starts for the Cardinals. He has 111 career receptions for 1,284 yards and seven touchdowns. In four career postseason games, he has 15 receptions for 141 yards and two touchdowns.

Despite Doucet’s signing, the Cardinals are expected to add another receiver either via the draft or free agency.

TEMPE, Ariz. — The Arizona Cardinals on Tuesday agreed on the terms of a two-year contract with wide receiver Early Doucet.

Terms of the deal weren’t released.

Doucet, a free agent, has played for the Cardinals since being drafted in the third round out of LSU in 2008. He had a career-high 54 receptions for 689 yards and five touchdowns in 2011.

He has a total of 111 receptions for 1,284 yards and seven touchdowns for his career.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

TEMPE, Ariz. — The Arizona Cardinals on Tuesday agreed on the terms of a two-year contract with wide receiver Early Doucet.

Terms of the deal weren’t released.

Doucet, a free agent, has played for the Cardinals since being drafted in the third round out of LSU in 2008. He had a career-high 54 receptions for 689 yards and five touchdowns in 2011.

He has a total of 111 receptions for 1,284 yards and seven touchdowns for his career.

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) The Arizona Cardinals on Tuesday agreed on the terms of a two-year contract with wide receiver Early Doucet.

Terms of the deal weren’t released.

Doucet, a free agent, has played for the Cardinals since being drafted in the third round out of LSU in 2008. He had a career-high 54 receptions for 689 yards and five touchdowns in 2011.

He has a total of 111 receptions for 1,284 yards and seven touchdowns for his career.

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.

Browns vs. Arizona Cardinals

Sunday, 4:15 p.m. in University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Ariz.

Record: 6-7.

Last game: Beat 49ers, 21-19, Dec. 12 in Glendale.

Coach: Ken Whisenhunt, 41-41, fifth year.

Series record: Browns lead, 33-12-3.

Last meeting: Cardinals won, 27-21, Dec. 2, 2007, in Glendale.

League rankings: Offense is 22nd overall (23rd rushing, 20th passing), defense is 21st (19th rushing, 23rd passing) and turnover differential is minus-11.

Offensive overview: Ken Whisenhunt seeks to run a derivative of the Don Coryell West Coast offense, which uses a power running game to set up vertical throws to tight ends and receivers. When fully healthy, they want to play off the hard running of Beanie Wells and get the ball to receiver Larry Fitzgerald and tight ends Todd Heap and Jeff King. But injuries have beset quarterback Kevin Kolb, Wells and Heap. Just as Kolb was finding some rhythm after missing four games with a foot injury, he suffered a concussion. Backup John Skelton has functioned OK, but he is less experienced, less mobile and less accurate. Wells has played through a knee injury and effectively shed the label of lack of toughness. Fitzgerald is fighting through excessive attention on the field. Whisenhunt has tinkered a little with cornerback Patrick Peterson on offense, but he hasn’t been able to lessen coverage on Fitzgerald.

Defensive overview: New coordinator Ray Horton is trying to duplicate Dick LeBeau’s zone-blitz Steelers scheme. The team’s recent resurgence is a result of the defense getting comfortable after adjusting to the 3-4 scheme. All the pieces might not be in place just yet, but the front seven has been formidable of late. Rookie outside linebacker Sam Acho has come on and displaced former starter Joey Porter. Ex-Steeler Clark Haggans is the other rush linebacker. End Calais Campbell and tackle Darnell Dockery have been very good. The areas of pressure have been unpredictable. The last two games they have had five sacks, each time from different players. First-round pick Patrick Peterson has had a learning experience at cornerback. Adrian Wilson is one of the league’s unknown good safeties.

Special teams overview: Peterson leads the NFL with four punt returns for touchdowns and is second in average at 16.3 yards. The kick return game is not as explosive. Kicker Jay Feely is 13 of 18 in field goals with a long of 51 yards. He is 29th with 14 touchbacks. Punter Dave Zastudil is 13th in gross average (45.7 yards) and 23rd in net (37.4). Calais Campbell has two field goal blocks.

Players to watch:

• Cornerback-returner Patrick Peterson: The rookie joined three other players for the most punt returns for touchdowns in a season. He has scored from 89, 82, 99 and 80 yards. He’s added two interceptions and a sack at cornerback.

• Receiver Larry Fitzgerald: One of the league’s consistent playmakers will be making his first career appearance against the Browns. He already is over 1,000 receiving yards for the sixth straight season and has his best yards per catch average (17.6) of his career.

• Defensive end Calais Campbell: He has posted unusual numbers for a 3-4 defensive end — seven sacks, 13 quarterback hits, one interception, six passes defensed. Not to mention the two blocked field goals.

Injury report: QB Kevin Kolb (concussion) had to leave the last game. Beanie Wells (knee) will be limited. OT Brandon Keith (ankle) left the last game.

Small world: Former Browns include receiver Chansi Stuckey, safety Hamza Abdullah, defensive tackle Nick Eason, quarterback Richard Bartel, guard Rex Hadnot and punter and Bay native Dave Zastudil. … Running back Beanie Wells is an Akron native and played at Ohio State. … Head coach Ken Whisenhunt was Browns special teams coordinator in 1999. … Director of pro personnel T.J. McCreight is from Willoughby and was Browns personnel director (2005-08). … Strength coach John Lott had same position with Browns (2005-06). … Special teams coordinator Kevin Spencer was Browns assistant coach (1991-94).

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP)—The Arizona Cardinals have found respectability. A
come-from-behind victory over San Francisco made that official.

That’s saying something for a team that not long ago was 1-6 and had lost
six in a row.

Kevin Kolb, in his second start for Arizona after missing four games with a
right foot injury, took a knee to the head from the 49ers’ Ahmed Brooks on the
third play of the game and left the contest for good. That brought in John
Skelton, who was so bad when he faced the 49ers a month ago he was benched after
throwing three interceptions in three quarters.

This was a different story.

Skelton still had turnover problems—two interceptions and a fumble—but
threw for three touchdowns and led the Cardinals to a 21-19 come-from-behind
victory over the newly crowned NFC West champions.

The Cardinals (6-7) won for the fifth time in six games, with that loss at
San Francisco the only blemish in the span. They also ended San Francisco’s
five-game winning streak in the series.

Arizona’s defense, the strength behind the team’s resurgence, kept the 49ers
out of the end zone in the first half, then the game completely changed in the
second.

San Francisco (10-3) had a 10-2 advantage in first downs in the first half,
Arizona 10-2 in the second. The 49ers had a 155-97 edge in yards in the first
half, Arizona dominated the second 228-78.

“We started converting third downs. That’s what it comes down to,
sustaining drives,” Skelton said. “Our defense was on the field the entire
first half, it seemed like.”

Not that the second half started that well for Arizona.

Frank Gore’s 37-yard touchdown run 2 1/2 minutes into the third quarter put San
Francisco up 19-7, but the Cardinals didn’t see much more of the big running
back after that.

The loss dropped San Francisco (10-3) into a tie with New Orleans for the
second-best record in the conference. The top two teams earn a first-round bye.

“We have to be honest with ourselves when we look at the film,”
quarterback Alex Smith said. “It is not something we can just dismiss and move
on. We are into December now and we have to continue to get better. We just
can’t dismiss this. `’

Larry Fitzgerald had seven catches for 149 yards, including a 46-yarder for
a touchdown and a 53-yarder to set up the go-ahead score. It was his 30th career
100-yard receiving effort. He also had a vicious block that helped free Early
Doucet on a 60-yard touchdown reception.

“That’s Fitz being Fitz,” Skelton said.

San Francisco had the ball inside the Arizona 10 three times in the second
quarter and came away with only field goals. They also had third-and-1 and then
fourth-and-1 at the San Francisco 41 with about two minutes to go.

In both cases, passes fell incomplete, the last one after Smith scrambled
all over half the field before throwing.

“If you score touchdowns down there, a different game,” Smith said. “The
end of the game was disappointing, as well. Having a chance to win it and don’t
get it done.”

It was the latest in a series of strong performances by an Arizona defense
that has allowed six touchdowns in six games.

“I’m proud of us. I’m proud of our team that stuck together not complaining
about anything,” defensive tackle Darnell Dockett said.

Arizona sacked Smith five times after getting five against Dallas in its
19-13 overtime win over the Cowboys a week earlier. The loss ended a five-game
49ers winning streak in the series.

“I thought we were in position to win this football game really at all
times during the game,” San Francisco coach Jim Harbaugh said. “We didn’t get
it done and we are disappointed about that. We look forward to seeing how our
team responds to some adversity. We haven’t had a lot of it this year.”

Frank Gore rushed for 72 yards on 10 carries for the NFC West champion
49ers, including a 37-yard touchdown run that put San Francisco ahead 19-7 early
in the second half. He broke 1,000 yards rushing for the fifth time in his
career, but didn’t do much damage after that.

Smith completed 18 of 37 for 175 yards and no TDs.

The 49ers were without standout inside linebacker Patrick Willis, who missed
the second game of his career because of a right hamstring injury.

Still, the 49ers’ defenders felt they had failed in areas where they had
succeeded almost always this year.

“As a secondary, we felt like it was really on our shoulders and we lost
this football game collectively,” safety Donte Whitner said. “It doesn’t
matter what the offense does, if they can’t get it in, all we need are field
goals. We felt like we let the team down and we’re going to go back to the
drawing board and we’ll be ready.”

The oddest moment of the game came in the second quarter.

On third-and-7, Skelton scrambled for a first down but, on a hit by Smith,
fumbled the ball and San Francisco recovered at its 47. The 49ers moved to the
Arizona 32, where Akers lined up for a 50-yard field goal attempt. But it was a
fake, with holder Andy Lee tossing to backup center Jonathan Goodwin, lined up
as a tight end, for the apparent score.

The whistle blew midplay, though, with Arizona challenging the previous
play, a pass from Smith to Kyle Williams. But the replay system wasn’t working
so the play had to be repeated. This time, Akers’ kick was wide right.

“Luckily, we used our `fake field goal red flag challenge’ that stopped
that one,” Whisenhunt said.

The next play, Skelton threw over the middle to Doucet, and with the help of
Fitzgerald’s block, he raced 60 yards for the score and Arizona led 7-6 with
7:10 left in the half.

“It ended up being a 14-point swing when you look at it,” Harbaugh said.

Notes: Fitzgerald is the eighth player in NFL history to top 1,000 yards
receiving in six of his first eight seasons. … For the second week in a row,
all five Arizona sacks were by different players. … Dashon Goldson left the
game with a hip injury on the play Fitzgerald scored. … San Francisco lost
starting left Joe Staley in the first quarter with a head injury.

The loss dropped San Francisco (10-3) into a tie with New Orleans for the second-best record in the conference. The top two teams earn a first-round bye.

“We have to be honest with ourselves when we look at the film,” quarterback Alex Smith said. “It is not something we can just dismiss and move on. We are into December now and we have to continue to get better. We just can’t dismiss this. “

John Skelton stepped in for the injured Kevin Kolb and threw for 282 yards and three touchdowns for Arizona (6-7).

Larry Fitzgerald had seven catches for 149 yards, including a 46-yarder for a touchdown and a 53-yarder to set up the go-ahead score. He also had a vicious block that helped free Early Doucet on a 60-yard touchdown reception.

“That’s Fitz being Fitz,” Skelton said.

Arizona has won five of six, with the only loss being at San Francisco on Oct. 20.

Kolb left the game after a blow to the head on Arizona’s third play. Skelton, benched after throwing three interceptions in the Cardinals’ 23-7 loss at San Francisco on Nov. 20, had a 60-yard TD pass to Doucet and a 3-yard toss to Andre Roberts for what proved to be the winning score early in the fourth quarter.

Skelton was able to overcome two interceptions and a lost fumble on Sunday.

San Francisco had the ball inside the Arizona 10-yard three times in the second quarter and came away with only field goals. They also had the ball third-and-1, then fourth-and-1, at the San Francisco 41 with about two minutes to go.

In both cases, passes fell incomplete, the last one after Smith scrambled all over half the field before throwing.

“If you score touchdowns down there, a different game,” Smith said. “The end of the game was disappointing as well. Having a chance to win it and don’t get it done.”

Arizona sacked Smith five times after getting five against Dallas in its 19-13 overtime win over the Cowboys a week earlier. The loss ended a five-game 49ers winning streak in the series.

“I thought we were in position to win this football game really at all times during the game,” coach Jim Harbaugh said. “We didn’t get it done and we are disappointed about that. We look forward to seeing how our team responds to some adversity. We haven’t had a lot of it this year.”

Frank Gore rushed for 72 yards on 10 carries for the NFC West champion 49ers, including a 37-yard touchdown run that put San Francisco ahead 19-7 early in the second half. He broke 1,000 yards rushing for the fifth time in his career, but didn’t do much damage after that.

Smith completed 18 of 37 for 175 yards and no TDs.

The 49ers were without standout inside linebacker Patrick Willis, who missed the second game of his career, because of a right hamstring injury.

A week after clinching the NFC West title, the San Francisco
49ers had trouble holding off the Arizona Cardinals’ second-half
rally.

The 49ers blew a 12-point second-half lead and lost to the
Arizona Cardinals 21-19, just their third defeat of the season and
first against a team that currently has a losing record.

The loss dropped San Francisco (10-3) into a tie with New
Orleans for the second-best record in the conference. The top two
teams earn a first-round bye.

“We have to be honest with ourselves when we look at the film,”
quarterback Alex Smith said. “It is not something we can just
dismiss and move on. We are into December now and we have to
continue to get better. We just can’t dismiss this. `’

John Skelton stepped in for the injured Kevin Kolb and threw for
282 yards and three touchdowns for Arizona (6-7).

Larry Fitzgerald had seven catches for 149 yards, including a
46-yarder for a touchdown and a 53-yarder to set up the go-ahead
score. He also had a vicious block that helped free Early Doucet on
a 60-yard touchdown reception.

“That’s Fitz being Fitz,” Skelton said.

Arizona has won five of six, with the only loss being at San
Francisco on Oct. 20.

Kolb left the game after a blow to the head on Arizona’s third
play. Skelton, benched after throwing three interceptions in the
Cardinals’ 23-7 loss at San Francisco on Nov. 20, had a 60-yard TD
pass to Doucet and a 3-yard toss to Andre Roberts for what proved
to be the winning score early in the fourth quarter.

Skelton was able to overcome two interceptions and a lost fumble
on Sunday.

San Francisco had the ball inside the Arizona 10-yard three
times in the second quarter and came away with only field goals.
They also had the ball third-and-1, then fourth-and-1, at the San
Francisco 41 with about two minutes to go.

In both cases, passes fell incomplete, the last one after Smith
scrambled all over half the field before throwing.

“If you score touchdowns down there, a different game,” Smith
said. “The end of the game was disappointing as well. Having a
chance to win it and don’t get it done.”

Arizona sacked Smith five times after getting five against
Dallas in its 19-13 overtime win over the Cowboys a week earlier.
The loss ended a five-game 49ers winning streak in the series.

“I thought we were in position to win this football game really
at all times during the game,” coach Jim Harbaugh said. “We didn’t
get it done and we are disappointed about that. We look forward to
seeing how our team responds to some adversity. We haven’t had a
lot of it this year.”

Frank Gore rushed for 72 yards on 10 carries for the NFC West
champion 49ers, including a 37-yard touchdown run that put San
Francisco ahead 19-7 early in the second half. He broke 1,000 yards
rushing for the fifth time in his career, but didn’t do much damage
after that.

Smith completed 18 of 37 for 175 yards and no TDs.

The 49ers were without standout inside linebacker Patrick
Willis, who missed the second game of his career, because of a
right hamstring injury.

Still, the 49ers’ defensive players felt they had failed in
areas where they had succeeded almost always this year.

“As a secondary, we felt like it was really on our shoulders and
we lost this football game collectively,” safety Donte Whitner
said. “It doesn’t matter what the offense does, if they can’t get
it in, all we need are field goals. We felt like we let the team
down and we’re going to go back to the drawing board and we’ll be
ready.”

Kolb, in his second start after missing four games with a right
turf toe and bruise on the side of his same foot, was hurt when he
faded to pass and was hit by Justin Smith as he threw. It was one
of two forced fumbles and two sacks for Smith.

The oddest moments of the game came in the second quarter with
San Francisco leading 6-0.

On third-and-7, Skelton scrambled for a first down but, on a hit
by Smith, fumbled the ball and San Francisco recovered at its 47.
The 49ers moved to the Arizona 40, where Akers lined up for a
50-yard field goal attempt. But it was a fake, with holder Andy Lee
tossing to backup center Jonathan Goodwin, lined up as a tight end,
for the apparent score.

The whistle blew mid-play, though, with Arizona challenging the
previous play, a pass from Alex Smith to Kyle Williams. But the
replay system wasn’t working, and the play had to be repeated. This
time, Akers’ 50-yard attempt was wide right, his first miss from 50
and beyond in seven tries this season.

The next play, Skelton threw over the middle to Doucet, and with
the help of Fitzgerald’s block, he raced 60 yards for the score and
Arizona led 7-6 with 7:10 left in the half.

The 49ers responded with a 10-play, 69-yard drive, but again
stalled deep in Arizona territory. Akers’ 27-yard field goal put
the 49ers back on top 9-7 with 1:58 to play.

Notes: Fitzgerald is the eighth player in NFL history to top
1,000 yards receiving in six of his first eight seasons. … For
the second week in a row, all five Arizona sacks were by different
players. … Dashon Goldson left the game with a hip injury on the
play Fitzgerald scored. … San Francisco lost starting left Joe
Staley in the first quarter with a head injury.

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) —
John Skelton
earned redemption in a rematch with San Francisco. The Arizona defense and a spectacular show by
Larry Fitzgerald
made it possible.

Skelton stepped in for the injured
Kevin Kolb
and threw for 282 yards and three touchdowns, and the Cardinals rallied to hand the 49ers their third loss of the season,
21-19, on Sunday.

Fitzgerald had seven catches for 149 yards, including a 46-yarder for a touchdown and a 53-yarder to set up the go-ahead score.
He also had a vicious block that helped free
Early Doucet
on a 60-yard touchdown reception.

“That’s Fitz being Fitz,” Skelton said.

Arizona (6-7) has won five of six after a six-game losing streak left them 1-6.

“You guys stuck a fork in us quite a while ago,” coach Ken Whisenhunt told reporters after the game. “I think our guys never
let it get to them. How many times during those first weeks did we say that we were going to stay the course and that it was
going to turn for us? We believed it.”

Kolb left the game after a blow to the head on Arizona’s third play. Skelton, benched after throwing three interceptions in
the Cardinals’ 23-7 loss at San Francisco on Nov. 20, had a 60-yard TD pass to Doucet and a 3-yard toss to
Andre Roberts
for what proved to be the winning score early in the fourth quarter.

“You’re only as good as your last play, your last game,” Skelton said. “You kind have to live with that until you get another
opportunity. You never know when that opportunity is. You’ve just got to be ready and make the most of it.”

Skelton was able to overcome two interceptions and a lost fumble in this one.

Arizona sacked
Alex Smith
five times after getting five against Dallas in its 19-13 overtime win over the Cowboys a week earlier. The 49ers (10-3) were
at the Cardinals 4-yard line twice and the 6 once in the second quarter and had to settle for short field goals by
David Akers
each time.

Frank Gore
rushed for 72 yards on 10 carries for the NFC West champion 49ers (10-3), including a 37-yard touchdown run that put San Francisco
ahead 19-7 early in the second half. He passed 1,000 yards rushing for the fifth time in his career, but didn’t do much damage
after that.

Smith completed 18 of 37 for 175 yards and no TDs. He lamented the missed opportunities in the second quarter and the failure
to get close enough for a game-winning field goal at the end.

“We have to be honest with ourselves when we look at the film,” Smith said. “It is not something we can just dismiss and move
on.”

The 49ers were without standout inside linebacker
Patrick Willis
, who missed the second game of his career, because of a right hamstring injury.

On Arizona’s possession following Gore’s big run, Fitzgerald went over the middle and outjumped safety
Dashon Goldson
for the ball, then ran the remaining 20 yards for the score to cut the lead to 19-14 with 9:04 left in the third quarter.

On the play, Fitzgerald passed 1,000 yards for the season for the sixth time in his eight years in the NFL, the last five
in a row.

Then on the first play of the fourth quarter, Fitzgerald took a pass over the middle and ran to the San Francisco 20, a 53-yard
play. On third-and-2 from the 12, Skelton threw a screen pass to Doucet for a 9-yard gain to the 3. Skelton threw to Roberts
on the next play, and the receiver crossed the goal line for the touchdown that gave the Cardinals the lead, 21-19, with 11:50
remaining.

Kolb, in his second start after missing four games with a right turf toe and bruise on the side of his same foot, was hurt
when he faded to pass and was hit by
Justin Smith
as he threw. It was one of two forced fumbles and two sacks for Smith.

San Francisco got the ball on its 43 and, in an 11-play drive that managed 15 yards thanks to three sacks and a couple of
penalties, Akers’ 46-yard field goal made it 3-0.

San Francisco pinned Arizona deep again, and Ted Ginn Jr.’s 52-yard punt return put the 49ers on the Cardinals 4. But Arizona’s
defense, strong all day, held and Akers’ 22-yarder put the 49ers ahead 6-0 with 14:02 left in the half.

Then came the oddest moments of the afternoon.

On third-and-7, Skelton scrambled for a first down but, on a hit by Smith, fumbled the ball and San Francisco recovered at
its 47. The 49ers moved to the Arizona 40, where Akers lined up for a 50-yard field goal attempt. But it was a fake, with
holder
Andy Lee
tossing to backup center
Jonathan Goodwin
, lined up as a tight end, for the apparent score.

The whistle blew mid-play, though, with Arizona challenging the previous play, a pass from
Alex Smith
to
Kyle Williams
. But the replay system wasn’t working, and the play was repeated. This time, Akers’ 50-yard attempt was wide right, his first
miss from 50 and beyond in seven tries this season.

The next play, Skelton threw over the middle to Doucet, and with the help of Fitzgerald’s block, he raced 60 yards for the
score and Arizona led 7-6 with 7:10 left in the half.

“It ended up being a 14-point swing when you look at it,” San Francisco coach Jim Harbaugh said. “What the officials said
was they challenged the play before we faked the field goal.”

The 49ers responded with a 10-play, 69-yard drive, but again stalled deep in Arizona territory. Akers’ 27-yard field goal
put the 49ers back on top 9-7 with 1:58 to play.

Notes: Fitzgerald is the eighth player in NFL history to top 1,000 yards receiving in six of his first eight seasons. …
For the second week in a row, all five Arizona sacks were by different players. … Goldson left the game with a hip injury
on the play Fitzgerald scored. … San Francisco lost starting left
Joe Staley
in the first quarter with a head injury.

© 2011 STATS LLC