By Avinash Kunnath

– Newsdesk contributor

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Nov 17, 2011 – The Arizona Cardinals have struggled through the 2011 season, and no one on either side of the football has really stood out. Well, except for one.

It should be no surprise the Cardinals only have one man in contention right now to make it to the 2012 NFL Pro Bowl. It should be no surprise that his identity is one Larry Fitzgerald, perhaps still one of the most talented recievers in the NFL today. Fitzgerald is currently fourth among all receivers in all votes in the NFC, trailing Calvin Johnson of the Detroit Lions, Greg Jennings of the Green Bay Packers, and Steve Smith of the Carolina Panthers.

Unfortunately Fitzgerald is stuck in a very difficult position, as he has two average quarterbacks in Kevin Kolb and John Skelton throwing to him. Still, the Cardinals receiver is putting up impressive numbers regardless, racking up 45 catches and 792 yards plus five touchdowns despite not being in the most ideal passing offense.

Check out the potential Pro Bowl players from the NFC West by clicking here. To discuss Fitzgerald and the Cardinals, hit up Revenge of the Birds.

Read More: Larry Fitzgerald (WR – ARI), Arizona Cardinals

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Read More: fantasy football rankings, 2011 fantasy football, 2011 fantasy football rankings, fantasy football projections, Kevin Kolb (QB – ARI), Todd Heap (TE – ARI), Jason Hanson (K – DET), Larry Fitzgerald (WR – ARI), Jay Feely (K – ARI), Early Doucet (WR – ARI), Mike Tolbert (FB – SDC), Beanie Wells (RB – ARI), Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals head into Week 5 of the NFL season with lowly 1-3 record that no one could have expected. Yet sunshine may not be far from the horizon, as the schedule-makers gifted the Redbirds a shot at the 0-4 Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. With the help of our friends at numberFire.com, we’ve broken down the prospects for the Cardinals’ leading fantasy football options, including, Larry Fitzgerald, Kevin Kolb, and Beanie Wells. So check in with SB Nation Arizona as we present our Week 5 Sit-or-Start projections. 

START

Larry Fitzgerald
numberFire.com Projections: 5.27 receptions, 73.91 yards, 0.50 touchdowns, 10.41 fantasy points
Analysis: Larry Fitzgerald can flat-out ball, though you didn’t need me to tell you that. You wouldn’t even dream of sitting him, I understand. But just in case you’re in a four-team league and just weren’t quite sure which of your eight All-Pro wideouts to start, keep in mind that the Vikings have allowed a splendiferous 215 yards and three touchdowns to number-one receivers in last two weeks. Fitzy has a chance to top that himself.

Beanie Wells
numberFire.com Projections: 13.79 rushes, 56.05 yards, .51 touchdowns, 3.19 receptions, 30.06 receiving yards, 12.40 fantasy points
Analysis: It’s official. Beanie Wells is a monster. After last week’s three-touchdown explosion, it’s getting harder and harder to doubt the former Ohio State standout. And while the Vikings don’t give much up on the ground, they have showed a penchant for allowing multi-touchdown games to featured backs, including Mike Tolbert’s Week 1 trifecta and LeGarrette Blount’s Week 2 romp. Look for Wells to join that list on Sunday.

Kevin Kolb
numberFire.com Projections: 217.92 passing yards, 1.54 touchdowns, 1.22 interceptions, 8.23 rushing yards, 13.69 fantasy points
Analysis: Through four weeks Kevin Kolb has proven himself to be an average quarterback. No more, no less. That’s alright though, as through four weeks the Minnesota Vikings have proven themself to have a horrific secondary. The Vikings are ranked among the bottom-five teams in the league at air protection, and have given up double-digit fantasy games from opposing quarterbacks in each game. Kolb will make it five straight.

Jay Feely
numberFire.com Projections: 1.00/1.19 field goal attempts, 1.57 extra points, 4.96 fantasy points
Analysis: Minnesota has allowed two of the highest scoring games for fantasy kickers in consecutive weeks — Jason Hanson’s 17-point gem and Ryan Succop’s 21-point masterpiece. In doing so, the Vikings displayed the perfect mixture of ‘floundering offense’ versus ‘decent-enough-defense’ to be continuously forced into positions where giving up a field goal means they did a good job. Expect more of the same from Jay Feely and the Cardinals.

SIT

Early Doucet
numberFire.com Projections: 2.18 receptions, 36.99 yards, .21 touchdowns, 4.92 fantasy points
Analysis: Mark my words. Doucet’s time will come. With 21 targets already in hand this season, and six in each of the last three games, the 25-year-old has ingrained himself as the number-two receiving option on the Cardinals. While his stats have yet to bloom, it’s only a matter of time until Kevin Kolb and the still green Arizona offense can finally lock in a rhythm and find some success. It won’t happen this week, but it’ll happen soon enough.

Todd Heap
numberFire.com Projections: 2.79 receptions, 30.70 yards, .22 touchdowns, 4.36 fantasy points
Analysis: This is as much of a lock as there is. Heap, when healthy, has yet to find his niche in the Cardinals offense, rendering him a relatively useless fantasy player through four games. Because of this, we’d normally tell you to sit him anyway, but now that he’s a game-time decision with a mysterious hamstring injury, don’t even think about touching him.

Cardinals Defense
numberFire.com Projections: 24.08 points allowed, 2.05 sacks, 1.53 turnovers, .11 touchdowns, 5.76 fantasy points
Analysis: While the Vikings may be mired in a 0-4 hole in the real world, it surely hasn’t benefited teams in the digital realm. Despite their early struggles, Minnesota has allowed five or less points to opposing defenses in each of the four weeks, due in part to having just three turnovers to their name, tops in the NFL. If history repeats itself, stay far, far away from this matchup.

For all your fantasy football needs from around the NFL, visit SB Nation’s fantasy hub and blog Fake Teams.

By Joel Thorman

– NFL Editor, SBNation.com

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Sep 7, 2011 – The 2011 NFL season is almost here which means it’s time to preview every team’s chances this year. SB Nation’s Revenge Of The Birds gives us the scoop on the Arizona Cardinals. 

Record Prediction

The 2011 season for the Arizona Cardinals is full of optimism. After one of the most miserable years in recent history for the team, they went out and got Kevin Kolb, who they believe is their franchise quarterback for the next many years. They drafted players that look like will be able to contribute now and for years. Larry Fitzgerald has a new contract that looks like will take him to the end of his career with Arizona. Because of all this, everything looks hopeful.

Does this translate into success? There is no certainty, but this team, based on its schedule, should not think that nine wins and an NFC West championship is out of the question.

Their schedule is, on paper, the weakest in football. Part of that is because of the NFC West. They play teams that are expected to struggle outside of the division (Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals), teams that are in transition but are not expected to be good (Cleveland Browns, Washington Redskins, Minnesota Vikings) and most of their most challenging games are at home (Dallas Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers). I expect nine wins, but anywhere between seven and 10 is completely possible.

Best Game On The Schedule

Looking at the schedule for the Arizona Cardinals, you will see a few very good games. Playing Pittsburgh and Dallas at home are great, will draw crowds and will be good measuring sticks of the team. But if the Cardinals are at least competitive this year, the Week 10 game against in Philadelphia against the Eagles is the headliner. It would pit Kevin Kolb against his former team and Michael Vick. It is a road game against a potentially potent opponent. I would not be surprised to see that game get “flexed” to the Sunday night game.

Breakout Player Candidates

There are a few players that are set for breakout years. At the top of the list should be Beanie Wells, as he is now “the guy” after Tim Hightower was traded and rookie Ryan Williams went down for the year with a knee injury. Receiver Andre Roberts, DE Calais Campbell and LB Daryl Washington are on our watch list, as is O’Brien Schofield.

Best Cardinals Player Others Have Never Heard Of

The best player that outside of Arizona might not be too well known is probably second-year player Daryl Washington. He is a lot like Karlos Dansby. He is fast and always around the ball. Look out for a big year from him.

Overrated/Underrated/Just Right

With the loss of Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston in consecutive offseasons, many will believe that the Cardinals’ WR corp is Larry Fitzgerald and crap. I believe the corp will be underrated. Andre Roberts looks like he will be a shorter and younger version of Breaston. Early Doucet, coming out of training camp healthy for the first time in his career, is a Boldin-lite. Chansi Stuckey has shown he is reliable and seventh round pick DeMarco Sampson has been spectacular in camp. Stephen Williams has the tools and potential to be very good.

Fantasy Football Outlook

In fantasy football projections, Kevin Kolb should put up solid numbers because of the Cardinals’ pass-heavy offense. Beanie Wells should be a solid pick. He will get almost all the carries this year. At WR, you can’t go wrong with Larry Fitzgerald, but Andre Roberts could very well be a solid sleeper.

Best Media Personality In Arizona

In the media, if you want everything Cardinals, there are three go-to guys. Darren Urban of azcardinals.com, Kent Somers from theArizona Republic and Mike Jurecki from XTRA 910 AM are the insiders. Urban and Somers also will also spice things up with some wit.

Best Players To Follow On Twitter

On Twitter, there are many Cardinals players. For the most entertainment, follow Darnell Dockett (@ddockett) and Adrian Wilson (@adrian_wilson24). Careful, though. Dockett might get you riled up, but Wilson is just solid. A very entertaining pair. If you like more intelligent tweeting, Jay Feely is your guy (@jayfeely).    

Read More: Kevin Kolb (QB – ARI), Larry Fitzgerald (WR – ARI), Andre Roberts (WR – ARI), Daryl Washington (LB – ARI), Arizona Cardinals

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Read More: 2011 nfl free agency, 2011 nfl rumors, Kevin Kolb (QB – ARI), Todd Heap (TE – ARI), Larry Fitzgerald (WR – ARI), Braylon Edwards (WR – NYJ), Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals have made several big moves including Sunday’s signing of TE Todd Heap. They added a solid linebacker in Stewart Bradley and a dependable and durable offensive lineman in Daryn Colledge. But it seems the Cards aren’t done yet. The team that entered free agency with almost $39 million to spend is now rumored to be making a play for wide receiver Braylon Edwards according to XTRA 910′s Mike Jurecki.

Mike Jurecki (mikejurecki) on Twitter
The player I’m talking abt is Braylon Edwards, still working on the deal, it could fall through… Stay tuned!

Edwards, 27, would add another big-play threat alongside Larry Fitzgerald and Todd Heap in a passing attack that would give Kevin Kolb plenty of weapons. 

As the report says, the deal’s not done yet but even before Sunday’s Heap news and the Edwards rumor, Larry Fitzgerald was already pleased with the moves his team has made. And with Fitz on the final year of his deal keeping him happy is considered to be extremely important. 

“This is the most active I’ve ever seen the team in free agency and I think that’s really exciting,” Fitz said after Saturday’s practice. “We addressed a couple of needs. We lost some guys in free agency and obviously a starting cornerback but I think the team is doing a good job addressing the needs that we have. We’re going to continue to make acquisitions, that’s what they say.”

In his five-year NFL career, Edwards has amassed 5,142 receiving yards in 90 games. He played for the NY Jets last season after playing the prior four years in Cleveland.