Rumors continue to swirl about the patriarch of Lucas Oil Stadium, Peyton Manning, possibly packing his bags and taking his talents and injury risk to another town. Manning has been the Indianapolis Colts for the past decade and half, reaching two Super Bowl and winning one,  four MVP awards, and is literally the reason Indianapolis host the Super Bowl this month. If/when 18 leaves town, he will have plenty of admirers in free agency, whether he is fully healthy or not (more likely). Every team searching for stability at the quarterback position has been speculated as a possible destination for the perennial Pro Bowler and each team has their pros and cons. If Peyton decides to continue his career elsewhere, he will have to weigh his options.

Miami Dolphins

Pros: New Dolphins Head Coach Joe Philbin is a pass-first play caller that will allow Peyton to air it out at will. The Fins have a number one target with Brandon Marshall and a reliable slot presence in Davone Bess, who will allow Peyton to share the ball as he likes. Jake Long is one of the best left tackles in the game so Peyton has clear protection from his blindside. Miami’s owner Stephen Ross is not afraid to spend money, which means Manning may only lose a few million from his deal with Indy.

Cons: The Dolphins for the most part are a team in flux. They have a new coaching staff and a questionable running game (not that Peyton is use to great running backs over the past five years). While Marshall and Bess are productive receivers, the rest of the pass catchers on the roster are underwhelming. The Dolphins could also be changing their defense which would involve a transition period for the team and could setback Manning’s goal of winning now.

Arizona Cardinals

Pros: Like the Dolphins, the Cardinals have a fantastic receiver in Larry Fitzgerald. That is pretty much where the similarities end. The Cardinals have a seasoned coach who took the team to the Super Bowl in 2008. Arizona seems to have figured out their running game with oft-injured Beanie Wells. Peyton can get use to great field position with returners like Andre Roberts and more specifically, Patrick Peterson.

Cons: The biggest issue with a Cardinals/Manning marriage is the fact that the team already paid Kevin Kolb and the Eagles to fill their quarterback opening just a summer ago. Kolb was inconsistent and oft-injured during his debut season with the Cards, so taking on a guy coming off of neck surgery may not be the best answer. Along with Kolb, comes the fact that despite the heavy payment for the former Eagle, Ken Whisenhunt refused to change his system to fit KK’s needs. Why would Peyton be any different? You can make the argument that he has run an offense on his terms for over a decade, but he is also likely to be on the team for just two years. With that said do the Cardinals want to deal with the loss of another future Hall of Famer, just when the team is in the swing of things and stunt their growth? To make matters even worse, Arizona may the worst offensive line in the league, which is not a great environment for a quarterback coming off of major neck surgeries. Add in a lack luster defense and Peyton may have bitten off more than he can chew with Arizona.

Washington Redskins

Pros: A lot of pundits believe Washington is Peyton’s most likely destination. They have a Super Bowl-winning coach with an offensive line that continues to improve. The owner of the Redskins, Dan Snyder, (for all his faults) is loaded and willing to pay a Pro Bowler or three (I’m looking at you Adam Archuleta). If Peyton wants to bring any of his Indy buddies with him to Washington, Snyder is very likely to oblige. Mike Shanahan can definitely take heat off Manning with his unusual success with average running backs. Also, Fred Davis and Chris Cooley have similar styles to Dallas Clark, one of Peyton’s favorite toys in Indy.

Cons: Much like Peyton’s current owner, Jim Irsay, Dan Snyder tends to stick his nose into things at the worst possible times. Offensive Coordinator Kyle Shanahan has had trouble adjusting to veteran quarterback’s strength and tends to hold too much control of the offense, which may turn off fellow control freak, Peyton Manning. The NFC East features stiff competition, that have dominated the division for years. Not to mention, Peyton’s brother Eli plays in the division. At best, the Skins with Peyton are maybe third in the division on paper, which may not be enough to entice the future Hall of Famer. To add onto the undesirables, Santana Moss is aging and the other Washington receivers leave something to be desired.

San Francisco 49ers

Pros: Of all the teams on this list, the 49ers are probably the most likely to have a win-now attitude and ability. A once-considered afterthought, Alex Smith, led the team to the NFC title game, so imagine what they could do with a guy like Peyton at 75 percent? Peyton Manning succeeded Head Coach Jim Harbaugh in Indy, so there is familiarity there. Harbaugh is a fiery coach in the mold of Jim Mora Sr. who was Peyton’s first pro coach, so that may energize the four-time MVP. Michael Crabtree is a decent wide receiver but the real prize is Vernon Davis, who could be the most dynamic option Peyton has had since Marvin Harrison. Another plus is the team’s defense. The 49ers only allowed one 100-plus game this past season, which means Peyton will have plenty of opportunities to control the clock. With an offensive line the caliber of San Fran’s that shouldn’t be a problem.

Cons: If Jim Harbaugh is honest and Alex Smith understands his value, then there won’t be a new quarterback in the Bay Area. If Peyton dodges that issue, he does have the inconvenience of moving his newborn twins and wife across the country. For all the success that San Fran had last season, they are still very young, so Peyton may have to readjust his leadership skills to fit the youth on the team. Also, of all the teams on the list, the Niners are the least likely to overpay a questionably healthy Manning.

Seattle Seahawks

Pros: Despite the fact that Pete Carroll is built more for younger talent, Peyton could be enticed by Carroll’s open mind. For all of his quirky decisions, Carroll is one of the more innovative coaches in the league, something Peyton may find refreshing. Seattle is another team with an owner who will pay big bucks for a winner. If Peyton wants Reggie Wayne or Robert Mathis to join him on the West Coast, all he has to do is ask. The Seahawks have a talented back in Marshawn Lynch, who can carry the load if Peyton feels the effects of his surgeries early on. The Seahawks also have a decent backup quarterback (Tavaris Jackson) who has starting experience. The backup option allows Peyton to take his time to heal if he has a setback during the training camp and/or (worst case scenario) the season. The defense is also great at causing turnovers, so Peyton has a shot at putting up big point totals like in his prime.

Cons: As mentioned before with the 49ers, a lot plays on Manning’s desire to move his family out West. Also, while Carroll is an outside-the-box thinker, he is coming off one of the worst drafts in quite some time (that didn’t involve Al Davis). The offensive line is consistently inconsistent which may scare the Super Bowl winner. Longevity is the name of the game, so Peyton may want to go to a place with more protection. To pile onto the Seahawks, they paid big money for Sidney Rice and Zach Miller last offseason, with very little to show for it. Those types of big money moves could cause problems when it comes to negotiating a contract with Manning.

Wild Cards

Kansas City Chiefs

Pros: Matt Cassel and Kyle Orton have proven to be mediocre starters and Scott Pioli may want to add his former rival to give his team a better passer. The Chiefs are a fast pace offense and adding Peyton’s arm could set the AFC West on fire. There is little competition in the division, so the former second home of Joe Montana could become Manning’s new playground.

Cons: Romeo Crennel has come out and said he wants Cassel and Orton back in KC, which would likely put a hitch in Peyton’s arrival. As mentioned before, the Chiefs are fast paced, so that may not groove with Peyton’s patient, strategy-driven style of play.

Dallas Cowboys

Pros: Jerry Jones is known for making a splash and paying for it too. Jones recently came out and praised Peyton’s brother and pretty much threw his current QB, Tony Romo, under the bus. This could be a shot in the dark, but it could be the move Jones needs to make.

Cons: Peyton is known for taking control of his offense and doesn’t like a controlling owner. The Cowboys have a lot on their payroll already so it may not make sense to add a large salary to the mix with a Pro Bowl quarterback already on staff.

Cleveland Browns

Pros: A move to Cleveland would keep Peyton close to home and give him the best front office of the options. Mike Holmgren has two first round picks to play with, which could go towards adding weapons for the aging Manning. Much like Miami’s Jake Long, Joe Thomas is among the elite of the blindside protectors, which is something Peyton will no doubt appreciate.

Cons: While the Browns will no doubt look to upgrade over Colt McCoy, the plan could be to go younger (Robert Griffin III, Matt Flynn). The Browns also lack a lot of offensive weapons which could be a nail in the coffin when courting Manning.

To say Cardinals QB John Skelton has flown under the radar, would be the understatement of the year. The former Fordham star had some promise after being drafted in the 5th round in 2010, but to say that people thought he would be a comeback machine — well, no one could have expected that. Yet, here we are, and the Cardinals, once left for dead at 1-6, are flying at 7-7, still alive in their quest for the most unlikely of playoff berths. The ring leader behind their resurgence? John Skelton. Tim Tebow Lite if you will. While he doesn’t wear his religion on his sleeve or record breaking stats on his college football transcript, Skelton has one very big thing in common with the Mile High Messiah: he wins. M.I.A. for 3 quarters, Skelton knows how to turn on the jets in the final quarter and over-time, and his 4-1 record as a starter this year is no joke. Tebow may get all the attention, but Skelton is slowly making a name for himself as well. Juiced Sports breaks down the improbable emergence of the Cardinals backup QB.

We’re just about halfway through the 2011 NFL season and it’s pretty clear by now what teams are competitive, and what teams are now playing for next year. The six teams on this list: Colts, Rams, Cardinals, Vikings, Dolphins, and Jaguars aren’t going anywhere this season. Which leads us to wonder: whose job might be in jeopardy, and which coach could be the first to get canned this year? It’s our first ever edition of the game show sweeping the nation: Hot (or not) Seat. No prizes awarded, just axes. Where does your coach stand on our coaching carousel? Juiced Sports Radio makes their cuts!

It’s a long video, so if you’re just looking for our opinion on your team’s head coach, here’s where each team is covered:

Colts – 0:32
Rams – 1:59
Cardinals – 3:46
Dolphins – 7:00
Jaguars – 12:39

For more Juiced Sports Radio subscribe to our brand new YouTube page.

SCOTT JACOBS

I was going through my recycling bin today and there he was, Matt Leinart’s career.  What could have been.  What never was.  What won’t ever be.

The well publicized number 10 pick of the Cardinals back in 2006 was cut loose by Arizona on Saturday, losing amongst other things, his team’s trust, his coach’s trust, and the fans belief.  The same fans who once chanted his name as Kurt Warner struggled early on in his Cards career, were chanting Max Hall’s name as Leinart floundered lifelessly in Arizona’s final preseason game.

Leinart fell out of favor with the Cardinals fast.  His free-fall came after being handed the starting job back when Warner retired, but 12 seconds later he’s signing with the Texans wondering what the hell happened to a career that seemed designed for a Hollywood ending.

Leinart didn’t have an issue living the Hollywood life.  His well publicized hookups with famous Hollywood stars was the worst kept secret in sports, and the party boy image he got tagged with early on, never went away.  And as Warner took hold of the starting job, Leinart sunk further into the depths of the unknown.

Leinart had that “it” factor at USC, but maybe it was because his team was better than some pro teams.  The stars on USC’s Leinart teams, like Ken Dorsey’s Miami teams of the early 2000’s was mind-blowing.  Dorsey wasn’t drafted nearly as high as Leinart, but he had similar success in college with the Canes, before becoming a journeyman backup quarterback who failed in his few chances to become a starter.

Hey, it happens.  Eric Crouch was brilliant at Nebraska.  He never played a game in the NFL.  Chris Weinke dominated ACC defenses at FSU, but never truly found sustained success with Carolina. Dennis Dixon was dynamic at Oregon, but is a starter for the Steelers only by default after Ben Roethlisberger got suspended, and Byron Leftwich got hurt.

Of course, Leinart gets the worst of it, because he was a top 10 pick and a guy sent straight from the Golden Coast to save the NFL’s (at the time) worst franchise.

Ironically, Leinart leaves the once dormant Cards in a completely different position than where they were when he arrived.  And maybe he should get some credit.  Maybe his competition with Kurt Warner helped Kurt raise his game even higher, which helped turn the Cards from afterthoughts to a team to fear.  Leinart’s arrival came with much fanfare, and the prospect of him manning the helm at the new stadium, brought new fans in to see if he could turn the sad sack Cards around.

The Cardinals have sold out every regular season game in their new stadium’s young history, and maybe Leinart gets a small share in that.  But the reality is, he never materialized on the field.  As a rookie he showed flashes of potential, looking calm, cool and productive against the Bears in Arizona’s epic Monday Night meltdown.  But a few weeks later he was dealt the biggest blow to his young career, an injury that ended his season and brought Warner back into the picture.

From there Leinart never really stood a chance.  The next year the two dueled in preseason for the starting gig, a gig Warner won, and after that Leinart became an afterthought in Arizona. Warner led the Cardinals to back to back NFC West titles in 2008 and 2009, including the incredible playoff run of 08 that got them to the Super Bowl and all Leinart could do was wait his turn.

He did.  The Cardinals believed so strongly in him that they didn’t go after Donovan McNabb when it became clear the Eagles were poised to turn to Kevin Kolb, because they felt that Leinart could be a good NFL QB.  So for him to not only lose out to Derek Anderson (whose had one good NFL season) and then to ultimately get cut in favor of an undrafted rookie QB has to hurt like the dickens.

And hey, maybe Matty Boy gets a shot in Houston via an injury to their other Matt (Schaub) or maybe he regains his game somewhere down the line.  But something tells me that Arizona was Matt’s best, last hope to make it in this league as a perennial big name quarterback.

It’s a frustrating story for a guy Cardinal coaches say worked really hard.  But life’s not fair, and Leinart didn’t show a whole lot of anything this preseason.

Being the backup to the backup (Leinart will be third string) behind another stud quarterback is nothing to celebrate.  But that’s all Leinart can do.

Starting no longer seems an option.

Photo: Getty

SCOTT JACOBS

How do you surmise the man who defied the odds, and achieved success even he probably didn’t see coming?  How do you try to explain the influence he’s had, both on the field and off?  How do you put into words the miracles he worked with two down-trodden, stuck in neutral franchises?

Where do you begin with a man that is an even better person off the field than he was on it?  Where do you start with a guy whose cinderella, rise to stardom story was better than that which even Disney could probably have written.

Kurt Warner retired today at the age of 38.  With family and friends surrounding himself, Warner ended one of the most fascinating NFL journeys we’ve ever seen.  To understand Warner’s greatness you have to know his roots.  To understand his determination, won’t quit attitude you have to know his background.  To see why he is more than just another great athlete look no further than his family.

Buried behind two other quarterbacks on the depth chart entering his senior year at the University of Northern Iowa, Kurt Warner was a long shot to even make a dent in the college football world.  But he waited things out, and finally his chance came. In typical Warner fashion, he made the most of it, going from third string quarterback to the Gateway Conferece Offensive Player of the Year. It was just the begining of a glorious but rocky road that would take him from an unknown to a beloved folk hero.

Today Kurt Warner retired. As an Arizona Cardinal. With post-season passing records galore under his belt.  With three Super Bowl appearances and one championship.  As a sure fire, should be first ballot Hall of Famer.  Today Kurt decided that the world needed him for bigger and better things.  His faith told him so.

So he leaves a game that will miss him, probably more than he will miss it.  With seven children, and a wife who was his childhood sweetheart, Warner is not exactly retiring to a sedated, quiet life.  Maybe he’ll go around the country making speeches.  Maybe he’ll raise even more money for his charitable organization that he has done so much for.  Maybe he’ll get involved in politics.  Who knows?

Warner was a four time Pro Bowler and a two time league MVP.

Even though Warner had his ups and downs, he was for all intensive purposes, a terrific football player who helped make the game even more fun.

But the Gloved One, as he was so often called, was also the winner of the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2008.  In 2009 he won the Muhammad Ali Sportsmanship Award.  Last year, USA Weekend bestowed upon him their Most Caring Athlete Award.

You try to summarize his story in a short article and you just can’t.  What Kurt Warner has done for the NFL, what he has done for his foundations, what he’s even done for all the dreamers out there who sometimes abandon their dreams when there’s time to still keep fighting– has been nothing short of awe-inspiring.

In his second to last game, Warner had more touchdowns (5) than incompletions (4).  In his last game, Warner was leveled to the ground.  He was never the same after that and said he’s still feeling the hit a mere two weeks later.  But he won’t be remembered how he went out.  No one talks about Dan Marino’s disasrous final game.  They talk about his brilliant career in it’s entirety.  Even though Warner had his ups and downs, he was for all intensive purposes, a terrific football player who helped make the game even more fun.

That said, it’s hard to blame him– even as a selfish NFL fan who wants to see him continue to play– for retiring.  Warner has so much more going for him than just football.  He has a lifetime ahead of him, to do whatever he deems worthy.

The numbers– and Warner was so much more than his mind blowing numbers– are startling.  Consider that Warner’s completion percentage was never worse than 58%.  And the beat goes on:  32,344 career passing yards, 208 touchdowns, and a career passer rating of 93.7.  Kurt Warner wasn’t just good.  He was great.  He wasn’t just accurate.  He was pin point.  The 1999 Rams, or the Greatest Show on Turf, as many called them, weren’t just flawless, they were unstoppable.  They scored 35 points or more, seven times!  Thirteen times that year they put up 30 points or more.  1999 marked the first of three consecutive years that Warner led the Rams to 500 points.

The accomplishments go on, especially in the post-season, a second season that Warner owned.  Warner’s teams were 9-4 in the playoffs and he is 1,2, and 3 in top passing games in the Super Bowl.  Warned helped the Rams and Cardinals light up the postseason, and for two franchises not used to success, he basically claimed the role of each franchise’s respective savior.

Warner’s career was far from perfect.  He fumbled a lot, and he had a five year span of rather mediocre football.  That’s what makes his resurgence in the desert all the more impressive.  That’s what gives his story even greater perspective.  Even after being at the top, Warner fell from grace, and people doubted him once more.  After his Giants days, everyone said he was done.  It’s safe to say now that they were wrong.

Warner had asked that the Lord take away his desire to play football, but it was his desire to leave the game relatively healthy that makes this decision a wise one.  With a large family and large dreams outside of playing, Warner needed to leave still walking, and on a good note.  The New Orleans game aside, he accomplished both.

Still, I can’t help but wonder how good Warner could have continued to be, maybe into his 40’s, but unlike Brett Favre he appears to truly be done.

On his terms. With no one doubting him anymore.  If anything, he’s still got it.

O the irony.

Photo: Reuters

Prediction: ARIZONA 28 PITTSBURGH 23

Total yards of offense:  Arizona 322 Pittsburgh 235
Passing Yards:  Arizona 240  Pittsburgh 170
Rushing Yards: Arizona 82  Pittsburgh 65
Turnovers: Arizona 1  Pittsburgh 3

QB
Kurt Warner: 25-36, 240 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
Ben Roethlisberger: 15-32, 170 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT

RB
James/Hightower: 32 rushes, 82 yards, 1 TD (James)
Willie Parker: 22 rushes, 65 yards, 1 TD

WR
Larry Fitzgerald: 6 catches 82 yards, 1 TD
Anquan Boldin: 9 catches, 112 yards, 2 TD
Hines Ward: 7 catches, 71 yards, TD
Santonio Holmes: 4 catches: 53 yards
K
Neil Rackers: 0-0
Jeff Reed: 3-4, long of 46

Prognosis per quarter:
First quarter: Arizona 14 Pittsburgh 7
Second quarter: Arizona 21 Pittsburgh 13
Third quarter: Arizona 21 Pittsburgh 16
Fourth quarter: Arizona 28 Pittsburgh 23

Last play of game: Kurt Warner kneeldown

Super Bowl MVP: Anquan Boldin

SCOTT JACOBS

We know what you’re thinking out there– can they just play the damn game already?  We’ve had almost two weeks to break down every bit and piece of Super Bowl XLIII and I have to admit that I am sick of it already.  Just get on the field, play the national anthem, and let’s get this party started.  Maybe I’m just bitter because I tried to get tickets for two weeks and failed horribly, because of all the scams that I ran into.  Or, maybe I’m like most fans, who are tired of all the pre-game hoopla surrounding what should be an exciting game.

The storylines are great, but how many times can you hear them?  It gets old after a while.  Great offense versus fabulous defense.  80% Steelers fans to 3% Cardinals fans (approximation given the people I’ve seen on TV wearing Cardinals red).  Cinderella versus Golliath.  Kurt Warner and his quick release versus that great Bitzburgh defense.  Larry Fitzgerald against, well everybody.  Even Arizona’s defense against Ben Roethlisberger has become a pretty intriguing matchup, because of how well the Cardinals defense has performed this post-season.

But quite frankly, I’m tired of the cries that this is why college football is lucky not to have a post-season (I don’t agree).  I’m sick of all the people that claim Arizona hasn’t played anyone close to Pittsburgh this post-season (Hello, Carolina was one of the Super Bowl favorites entering the playoffs).  I’m tired of the ‘us against the world thing.’  Arizona you can’t pull that one quite off anymore.  I’m especially tired of that stupid Anquan Boldin clip of him yelling at Todd Haley.  Could we dissect that moment any more?

Let’s just play already! 

The Cardinals offense is great- if their offensive line protects Warner.  Fitzgerald and Boldin are the best wide receiver duo in the NFL, and they are unstoppable when Warner has time to pick apart the defense.  Pittburgh is a great defensive team, with their strength in their blitz packages. But the game may come down to the fact that the Cardinals might have a better defense right now than Pittsburgh’s offense.

And stop with the whole superior conference thing!  Arizona beat some very good teams to get to where they are now.  If it was Carolia or the beloved New York Giants in this game, even the sixth seeded Eagles no one would bring this thig up.  This isn’t college folks.  There is no SEC, Big 12, or ACC in the NFL.

So here’s the pick: ARIZONA 28 PITTSBURGH 23

The Cardinals are destiny’s darlings, I’m convinced of that.  But more importantly, they’re playing phenomenol football.  Everyone gives Arizona crap for beating a rookie quarterback in Matt Ryan, but the Steelers got to the Super Bowl by beating a rookie quarterback, Joe Flacco. The Steelers beat one team that was 4-8 at one point (Arizona was never under .500 in 2008) and the Ravens suspect offense to get here.  The Cardinals have an explosive offense unlike anything the Steelers have seen this year.

Add in the fact that the game is in sunny Tampa, not snowy Pittsburgh and you create a situation that is incredibly appealing for the Cardinals.  No one has mentioned this, but the Steelers won both their playoff games in the snow, where weather totally played to their advantage.  I have a hunch that Tampa’s weather will be a big difference in this game.

Kurt Warner is no Flacco.  He is an experienced QB who has been here before.  So has Big Ben, but he was atrocious when the Steelers beat the Seahawks at Ford Field.  I think Clancy Pendergrast will have some interesting blitz packages set up for the Steelers.  If you’ve been watching the playoffs closely, you’ll know that Arizona boasts a ball hawking defense that likes to take chances.  Big Ben loves to take chances, and make some risky throws.  I see him getting picked off, not once, but twice.  Arizona has been very effective in shutting down the powerful running games of Atlanta, Carolina, and Philly and I think they will hold Willie Parker in check.

Arizona wins at home.  They were 6-2 in the regular season, and 2-0 in the playoffs.  They’re the home team in this one.  I’m just saying, I’m just saying.  And look out for Steve Breaston.  Sure all the attention has been on Fitz and Q this week, but don’t forget that Breaston, the former Michigan standout, had a 1000 yard season in 2008.  Expect Edgerrin James and Tim Hightower to be productive, not spectacular.  But here’s a bold prediction: Hightower will break a run for 30 yards or more.

But I think the biggest key will be that Arizona has nothing to lose.  They didn’t expect to be here, but the Steelers did.  They aren’t a mighty juggernaut from the regular season, they just sort of floated under the radar.  Sure, people are picking them now (about time), but I think Arizona still feels disrespected. There are still some people who think they’re a fluke, and that they don’t belong.  But come Sunday night, when Arizona comes flying out of the gate, no one will be saying that anymore.

The Rays got close, but couldn’t finish the job.  Arizona only needs to win one.  They will.  And after, they will be considered the worst Super Bowl champions ever.  Remember, you heard that here first.  I’m not saying I agree with it, but just wait for it.  Just wait.

Of course, worrying about their place in history will be for someone else to worry about, because the Cardinals will be too busy celebrating an improbable journey from frauds to Super Bowl champs.

SCOTT JACOBS

Planet Earth, the Arizona Cardinals.  Arizona Cardinals, Planet Earth.  There you guys have been formally introduced.  Now we bypass the meet and greet process, and just get down to the nitty gritty: just who are you guys?  What are you doing here?  Are you too stupid to know that the Cardinals aren’t supposed to be here?

C’mon Arizona, just who are you trying to fool here?  The Super Bowl?  The Big Stage? You guys are lucky–Lucky!– to get a national game a year during the regular season.  And now you’re all over everyone’s TV’s for one whole week?  No one knows what to do with this story.  No one knows where to begin.  What happened to the team that always failed when the lights started to shine at all?  What happened to the group of guys that couldn’t live up to their potential?

What happened to the joke?  The walking punchline?  The team that has had a new logo since 2005, yet even sites like CBS Sportsline, still use their old one. No one apparently complains, because well, when you have an invisible team, with a silent fan base, people kick you around.  They don’t respect you.  You have to win to earn respect.  You have to strive for bigger things than mediocrity.

You guys aren’t supposed to be here.  Everyone’s like “yeah I know them,” but no one did a few weeks ago.  On Fox’s telecast a few weeks ago of Arizona’s throttling of Carolina the announcers were still mistaking the Cardinals for Phoenix.  Newsflash folks: the Cardinals became the Arizona Cardinals almost 15 years ago!  They changed from Phoenix to Arizona back in 1994!

The Cardinals don’t make sense.  They don’t!  They have a running back who has openly demanded to be released so he can play for a new team, a wide receiver who’s been miserable the whole year because they haven’t given him a new contract, a prima donna backup quarterback who moves closer to becoming a bust every year, and an owner who is so invisible from the media, that one writer the other day stated he had never heard Bill Bidwill bring up anything in the owner’s meetings.

But here they are.  In full color.  They’re putting their whole name in the endzone for the Super Bowl just to make sure you know who the heck they are!  They’re not the St. Louis Cardinals.  They’re the Arizona Cardinals! The team that won nine games this year in the regular season.  They beat the Cowboys on a blocked punt in overtime that was recovered for a touchdown, marking the first time in NFL history a game ended that way.

The Cardinals are the NFL’s guinea pigs.  Send ‘em to Mexico and let’s see if this whole International Series idea has legs.  Their fans won’t mind losing a home game. So the Cardinals went to Mexico in 2005, as the home team against the 49ers, and were booed mercifully.  But hey, it let the world know that, yes, Arizona still does have a pro football team.

I went to the mall the other day in Tallahassee (two malls actually) and they didn’t even have the official NFC Champs shirt. But they did have a red NFC Champs shirt that basically stated “second class.” The name of the store: Sports Fan-Attic.  But they had every Steeler AFC Champs gear and apparrel you could ever want.  Because quite frankly, their isn’t a demand for annonymous Cardinals gear.  They’re in the Super Bowl, yet they’re merely a curiosity.

They are seven point underdogs in this Super Bowl, despite the fact that they beat an 11, 12, and 9 win trifecta of NFC playoff teams to get to this point.  The Steelers knocked off 8 win San Diego, and 11 win Baltimore to get here.  But they’re the Steelers.  They have history.  They have rings.  They have the terrible towels, they are beloved.  While questions rampaged this past week about whether the Cardinals were the worst Super Bowl team ever, the Steelers were showered with the question if they were the greatest franchise in sports!  No one respects the Cards.  They’re not warm and fuzzy like the Cubs. They don’t push the red button and get ejected.  They follow the person who pushes the red button, and people laugh.

They’ve made it to the Super Bowl now, and still they’re overshadowed.  Steelers West they’re being called, because quite frankly, their coaching staff brought with them what makes the Steelers the Steelers.

So for the next week, you’ll hear their names, you’ll listen to their stories.  And you’ll sit there and ask yourself this question:

Who do these guys think they are, coming out of the shadows like that out of nowhere?

And then they’ll beat the Steelers, go to DisneyWorld, and tourists will stop and ask their friends, “are those the guys that won the Super Bowl?”

“Nah,” they’ll reply, “for surely I would know who they are.”

SCOTT JACOBS

You know them.  You do.  You just don’t know them, know them.

You’ve heard their name.  You’ve laughed at their futility.  You’ve wondered aloud if they have the worst owner in professional sports.  You know them.  You just don’t know them, know them.

You’ve heard about their great wide receiver tandem, the one who’s set, and the one who’s upset.  You’ve seen Kurt Warner, you know his name.  You know they don’t win, and you’ve been told they had one playoff victory before this post-season started.  You know their struggle.  You make fun of their fans.  It’s not exactly ‘chic’ to be a die hard Cardinals supporter.  You’ve seen them let go of their good players, only for them to then become great players.  You’ve seen them screw up drafts.  You’ve looked at their partying backup quarterback and his rowdy pictures.  You know them.  You just don’t know them, know them.

But in the next two weeks, be prepared for your formal introduction to the Arizona Football Cardinals.  The team that history has spit on, and that success has damned.  The team that moved from city to city to city looking for fans that love them, and a stadium that could comfortably house them.  You’ve heard their name.  You’ve seen pictures, and maybe even read about them in the papers.  But you’ve never been exposed to them like this.  And for good reason.  Sans this season, the Cardinals were considered a joke.  They’re hardly ever on national TV, and outside of Arizona they rarely make national news.  But you’re familiar with them.  Because they lose.  They lose a lot.  They’re the Chicago Cubs of the NFL, only they’re not beloved.

But starting this week you will see more segments, read more articles, and watch more videos of the Arizona football Cardinals then you ever could have imagined.  The sad sack Cardinals.  Cause now they’re good.  Dare I say ‘Super.’ I’ve been following them for years.  When I say that they are the invisible team of the NFL if there ever was one I do not joke.  They’re hardly even the top show in their own state.  The Dallas Cowboys still have a huge fan base in the Valley of the Sun.  But forget that, it’s all moot now.

The Cardinals are in the Super Bowl.  The Cowboys, well, they aren’t.  So sit back, grab a cold one, and enjoy the ride.  It’s an Arizona Cardinals tour, and you’re invited.  Hands and feet inside the vehicle please.  We’ll be leaving the station now.  Here we go.

The Cardinals are old. They’re really, really old.  How old?  Try 1918. That’s when they began play in not Arizona, not St. Louis, but Chicago. And they weren’t the Chicago Cardinals then.  Nope, they were the Racine Cardinals.  Yup, the Cards are 90 years young.  They’re the oldest team in the NFL. Of course, they didn’t start in the NFL.  Nope.  Their first two seasons were in the APFA.  And contrary to their losing history, the Chicago Cardinals actually had a winning season their first year of play.  They were 6-2-2. After two years in the APFA, they joined the NFL. Cost of admission to the new league: $100.

The Cardinals won 11 games in 1925.  They won 11 games in 1948.  They won 11 games in 1975.  And that is it.  Three times in 90 years, the Cardinals franchise has won 11 games in the regular season.  Three!

Charles W. Bidwell, Sr. bought the Cardinals for $50,000 in 1932, and his family has owned the team ever since.  Interestingly enough he was actually a vice president of the Chicago Bears at the time of the sale.  If you’re keeping score at home, he left the powerhouse Bears to join the sad sack Cardinals.  Yup, he dropped a pot of gold, to go search for pennies. Under his first year of ownership the Cardinals… lost.  They finished 2-6-2, and it started one of the most unsuccessful stretches for a professional sports team in the history of human civilization.  I’d like to say I’m kidding.  I’m really not.

In 1959 the Cardinals played their final season in the Windy City.  And did you know: their final win came against the Steelers. 

From 1932-1945 the Cardinals were awful.  They had one winning season (1935), and a lot of other years that were just plain atrocious.  In back to back seasons (1943-1944) in which they lost 20 games… and won none.

Because of World War II, the Cardinals had to merge their team with– you guessed it– the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1944.  The moral: even a historically brilliant franchise like the Steelers can suck, if you merge them with the Cardinals.  That team went 0-10.  But they did have a cool name: Card-Pitt.  Did you know that?  Because I’d be willing to bet you won’t hear it mentioned once this week.

In 1947 the Cardinals went 9-3, and won their first (and only to this date) NFL championship.  They raced out to a 14-0 lead over the Philadelphia Eagles, and then held on for a 28-21 victory. Elmer Angsman cemented the win with a 70 yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter. The Bidwills probably thought this would be the first of many championships for the Cardinals franchise. It hasn’t uh, worked out that way as history might suggest.

Interesting side note: then Cardinals owner Charles Bidwill actually died in April, before Chicago was able to win the NFL Championship.  Amazing, when you think about it.  Chicago was terrible for most of his 15 years as owner.  He suffered through what was at the time, the longest losing streak in NFL history at 29 games.  Finally, the Cards became good, and won it all, and he didn’t live long enough to see it. Fitting in a way if you sum up the Cardinals and their mostly nightmarish franchise history.

The Cardinals were on the verge of back to back championships in 1948 after finishing 11-1, but it wasn’t meant to be as the Eagles got their revenge and beat Chicago 7-0. Steve Van Buren scored the game’s lone touchdown for the Iggles on a five yard rush in the fourth quarter.  Ever since that day, the Cardinals never came close to sniffing a championship up until this year.

In 1959 the Cardinals played their final season in the Windy City.  And did you know: their final win came against the Steelers.  See, these teams have quite a history.  Pittsburgh was the last ever team to lose to Chicago. After that, the Cardinals freefalled to six straight defeats, culminating in a 2-10 season, and a ninth losing season in 10 years.  They fought the Bears, and the Bears killed them.  Chicago, contrary to the belief of others only has room for one football team.  That team is the Bears.

So in 1960, the Cardinals took their act to St. Louis.  Another interesting fact: the Dallas Cowboys, arguably the Cardinals biggest nemesis, started play that very same year.  St. Louis’ first win even came against those very Cowboys 12-10.  In 1962 Cardinals owner Violet Bidwill passed away, and the team was passed on to her kids.  The team owner changed, but the losing didn’t.  The Cardinals threatened to bolt to a new home in 1987 amidst dwindling attendance figures.  After Bill Bidwill let it be known he was going to move the team,he began receiving death threats.  It got so bad that he couldn’t even attend the final few home games.  The Cards were off to Arizona after 27 years in St. Louis.  The Rams moved to St. Louis to replace them eight years later.

And that brings us to the here and the now.  Since 1988, Arizona has had two winning seasons: 1998 and 2008.  They had never been to the Super Bowl until now, and since 1960 they’ve made the playoffs an astonishingly pathetic five times.

But none of that matters now.

Because the team that once merged with the Steelers is now playing them for a world championship.

Funny how things work out.