UFA Madness

July 1 is an exciting day in the NHL. But, like the after effects of any good party, by July 2 the hangover sets in and you wonder "What did I do last night!?"

Hindsight being 20/20, I unscrupulously poke and prod NHL GM's Canada Day actions. A few were applaudable, some were gambles but most made me shake my head in disbelief.

The Best

Jay Bouwmeester - Calgary Flames (5 Years - $6.68-million AVG/year)

I wouldn't want to play Flames GM Daryl Sutter in poker or chess, because he may be one of shrewdest - or at least most aggressive - tacticians in the biz. After ably handling the coaching situation, Daryl's play to move out Jordan Leopold (who was gone as a UFA anyway) and a third-round pick for just the rights to the best defenseman in the free agent crop seemed like a shot in the dark at the time, but Sutter knew.

What we didn't know, was that J-Bo would sign his big contract and forego the madness of July 1 making this the best free agent signing of 2009, filling a hole on the Flames' defensively deficent blue line corps - for what amount to mere pennies in terms of the cost to bring him in. Talk about talking care of business!

As a side note, it's amazing that an Edmonton native like Jay would sign in Calgary before free agency, seemingly foregoing a possibly higher dollar figure he could've gotten on the open market, while Calgary native Dany Heatley is kicking and screaming (and risking millions) to avoid ending up in Edmonton via trade.

Mike Knuble - Washington Capitals (2 years - $2.8-million AVG/year)

Free agency is all about filling holes for teams. Like the Flames, the Capitals filled a need for a big body to park in front of opposing nets. And they filled it big-time by bringing the rough and tumble Knuble, who can rock bodies and hammer home goals.

This is a great signing because it addresses a need at a very reasonable price.

The Decent

Daniel and Henrik Sedin - Vancouver Canucks (5 years - $6.1-million AVG/year)

This is a good deal for two point-a-game players that form the backbone of the Canucks roster. The reason it didn't make the great list is that it is over a million bucks more per year than the requested contract the twins wanted (12 years ~$5 million cap hit) and just doesn't make as much sense long term. Why GM Mike Gillis wouldn't want to sidestep having to renegotiate with these two in five years and conceivably have them retire in blue and green is beyond me.

Mattias Ohlund - Tampa Bay Lightning (7 years - $3.75-million AVG/ year)

The philosophy that Ohlund could tutor fellow swede Victor Hedman is intriguing, and if it works, could help develop the young Swede's physical play (which is the only knock against him) and help him transition to the North American game.
The cap hit is quite affordable - considering that Ohlund (who averages 25 pts/year while playing with a physcial edge) makes the same as the Blue Jackets Mike Commodore, who is barely half the player.

Like the Knuble signing, it fills a real need for the Bolts but seven years is a little long for a 32-year-old.

David Booth - Florida Panthers (6 years - $4.25-million AVG/ year)

It's a good price for Booth, who's proven he can score after 22 and 31 goal seasons. It's yet another long term deal for the Panthers (see: Horton, Weiss, Olesz, Ballard) for a core that has yet to prove a thing, ie. a playoff berth.

John Madden - Chicago Blackhawks (1 year - $2.75-million AVG/year)

A great signing for a veteran winner who could show the kids a thing or two about playing a better two-way game. The real beauty of this deal - unlike another deal the Hawks signed - is the flexability of the one year format.

Nic Antropov - Atlanta Thrashers (4 years - $4-million AVG/year)

They had to pay a small-market premium, but the Thrashers succeeded in at least finding someone who can play second (or third) fiddle to Ilya Kovalchuk down in ATL. The increased ice time could push Antropov's point total closer to 65 assuming his new found injury resistance is for real.

Mikael Samuelson - Vancover Canucks (3 years - $2.5-million AVG/year)

The Canucks made another daft signing, plucking the "hearty" swede from the Red Wings for just a modest raise. Samuelson scored some big goals during his time for the winged wheel, and the trend should continue if he finds a home with his fellow swedes- the Sedins.

Ty Conklin - St. Louis Blues (2 years - $1.3-million AVG/year)

For a team forecast to make waves, the Blues have been all but silent. What they did do made total sense if history repeats itself. Chris Mason, who had his second NHL coming-out party for the Blues (leading them to the playoffs), has a rap sheet that shows how he crashes to earth after putting up good numbers (see: Nashville). This is an insurance policy and a decent one at that.

You know, somehow, Conklin will start in the next outdoor game even though the Blues are not even in the mix for one. It's good to see Ty get a multi-year deal after several one-year contracts.

Question Marks

Craig Anderson - Colorado Avalanche (2 years - $1.8-million AVG/year)

Anderson needs to prove himself to be a legitimate number one goalie before being annointed one. Fortunately, he went to Denver where they seem to think getting solid goaltenders is all luck (and they did with Patrick Roy). Resigning undependable Peter Budaj as a backup makes this Anderson deal all the more eyebrow-raising.

Mikhail Grabovski - Toronto Maple Leafs (3 years - $2.9-million AVG/year)

A big raise for a streaky guy who's had just one good season, albeit his first at the NHL level. It's a gamble, but for a team with a gaping hole in the goal column, a reasonable one.

Jaroslav Spacek - Montreal Canadiens (3 years - $3.83-million AVG/year)

If Spacek replicates his last season with the Sabres (45 points), this deal is not just reasonable but a steal. Like with the Blues, if history repeats itself, this deal may look like a dud for the first two years of it. Spacek has produced his best seasons in contract years, most recently in Buffalo, and he seems to slump in secured years. The Habs are obviously betting on Jaro breaking the habit.

Mike Cammalleri - Montreal Canadiens (5 years - $6-million AVG/year)

After a career year of 39 goals, Cammy deserved a significant raise. He got it, but like most players who break out, you can expect the former Flame and King to score closer to 30 goals on a depleted Habs squad that may struggle next season because of lack of chemistry. This contract won't burn the Habs, but it may be a little high for the small forward who, like the recently departed Alex Tanguay, seems to excel only when playing with more prominent players.

Brian Gionta - Montreal Canadiens (5 years - $5-million AVG/year)

Unlike Cammalleri, Gionta did NOT earn a raise last season. With his goal totals tumbling the last three seasons, the miniscule forward was reduced to a smaller role on the Devils last year, and his play showed it. He should bounce back this season with the change in scenery, but apparently, the Habs may be on the list of teams that need to overpay for free agents because it isn't the most desirable locale anymore. The local media just might have something to do with that.

Mike Komisarek - Toronto Maple Leafs (5 years - $4.5-million AVG/year)

This is Robyn Regehr money for a defenseman who clearly isn't Robyn Regehr. He will have a better year for the buds, but he is being overpaid.

The Worst

Marian Hossa - Chicago Blackhawks (12 years - $5.23-million AVG/year)

Hossa clearly wants to win by taking much, much less than he could've gotten. The problem with this deal, like their contract for Brian Campbell, is way too fricken long! 12 years is fine for a team with not much going for it (or Detroit), but not for a team that has two impending RFA's next season who will be in line for astronomical raises. GM Dale Tallon has shown himself to be a smooth operator, but next offseason may just prove to be too much for him to handle.

Marian Gaborik - New York Rangers (5 years - $7.5-million AVG/year)

The requirements for a raise in the NHL are different than any other workplace in the world: in New York especially! Gaborik hasn't played a full season in the past three and while he shows flashes of brilliance (last season with 83 points) his groin issues overshadow them completely. That's two possible total dud deals (including Wade Redden's mammoth contract) GM Glen Sather has signed. How long can the blueshirts keep this guy around!? Why not bring back Mike Keenan too!?

Martin Havlat - Minnesota Wild (6 years - $5-million AVG/year)

The lesser of these three evils, the Wild have essentially replaced the more explosive and more injury-prone Gaborik for the less-explosive and less injury-prone Havlat for less cash. It's the opposite of progress and could be called downsizing. If Havlat stays healthy this deal gives Minny something it hasn't ever had - a consistent scorer. However, like Spacek, he's developing into a player only at his best in contract years - and at the end of this deal he'll be 34 which makes the breakout less likely.

NHL Playoffs First Round Analysis

Sharks 0
Ducks 2

You know that Leafs brass must watch this series feeling validated about their GM and Head Coach hires- Brian Burke's former flock continue to flourish because of his handiwork while it seems that the Sharks got rid of the wrong guy in their pond (Coach Ron Wilson).
Who saw this deficit for the Sharks coming? And with Jonas Hiller doing his best Giguere-of-six-years-ago impression in the pipes to boot!
All I know is that the way the Ducks got leap frogged by the Blues and Blue Jackets at the end of the season made it seem that they were destined for another one and done. Far from it, as the Ducks look to prove the Stanley Cup Winner hangover theory is true. They seem to be back to their 2007 form, playing smash mouth, defensive hockey with a brick wall of a goaltender.
Their style, coupled with Hiller's antics make it tough for the Sharks to really climb back into the series. Look for the Ducks to complete the upset, taking out the Sharks in six.

Red Wings 2
Blue Jackets 0

Unlike the Sharks-Ducks series, the battle of these double moniker Central division foes is playing out just as most thought it would. Perhaps, we expected some more from Jackets goalie Steve Mason, but they seem hapless against the powerful Wings and a suddenly renewed Chris Osgood.
Sorry Jackets fans, but you are getting swept. But you aren't the only ones...

Canucks 3
Blues 0

Once again, no surprise here.
Adam Proteau had a great article on thn.com about the Blues looking green this postseason against the grizzled vets from Gastown- and he's right. No knock on the Blues, half of their team can't even grow a playoff beard worthy of Sidney Crosby fuzz (save for Chris Mason!), the Blues have been playing all season with out their best defensemen (Erik Johnson) and Paul Kariya - it's a feather in their cap to just be here!
The future is bright for the boys from St. Loo, but Luongo and co are going to politely shove past on to the next round in four.

Blackhawks 2
Flames 1

After limping into the playoffs and playing as though they were late for a tee time through their first two playoff games, the Flames pugilistically reintroduced themselves to the upstart Hawks in game 3 - fulfilling the look that pundits drew of them as crashers and bangers.
It remains to be seen which Flames squad shows up in game four (Jarome who?) and it is for that reason - and the eventual return of Patrick Kane, that I think the Hawks will take care of business in five games to move on to the second round for the first time since the Cubs won the big dance.

Early NHL Trade Deadline Effects

It's early, yes, to look at the effects of the deals made at the NHL's trade deadline, but we can make some "observations" (at least) and see who made what look to be right moves, and wrong moves. No, I won't be declaring any winners or loser from the trade deadlines.. right now. Let's look at the big movers and shakers:

Calgary Flames
Get: F Olli Jokinen, 3rd round pick 2009, D Jordan Leopold
For: F Matthew Lombardi, F Brandon Prust, 1st Round Draft Pick (09 or 10), D Lawrence Nycholat, D Ryan Wilson, 2nd round pick 2009

It was a fair bit to give up, but the Flames have finally gotten a top line center and added a decent puck mover in Leopold. They lost some high draft picks, but managed to procure a 3rd rounder in the Jokinen deal.
It really was a monkey that GM Daryl Sutter needed to get off his back, to make a few BOLD moves like this at the deadline, and with his team playing so well, why not?
Since this trade, the Flames are 1-3. All road games on an extended trip, sure, but losing to Atlanta is not acceptable if you even want to be in the same conversation as the Sharks and Red Wings. The chemistry isn't there yet, but let's remember: it's early.
Long run, this is a good move for the Flames (assuming you ignore the salary cap for the moment), it's obvious that this deal was made to give the Flames that push they've needed the last several years at the deadline. There is no reason the Flames should fall in the first round, save for Kiprusoff getting injured. Unfortunately, this means Mike Cammalleri is gone after this season, and likely others if they are to retain Jokinen, much less Leopold. Look for the Flames to make the conference final.
It was a high price, but it was the right one for this year's playoffs. Look for the GM Sutter to really have to work hard to get under the inevitable tumble of the salary cap.
Grade: A-

Carolina Hurricanes
Get: F Erik Cole, 5th Round Pick (2009 - EDM)
For: F Justin Williams (essentially)
In a funny pair of moves, the 'Canes got a pick, fan favorite Erik Cole, and basically the old form of their franchise player, Eric Staal - who has 8 points in 3 games with Cole's return - back. Justin Williams was a decent player in Raleigh, but his injury troubles rendered him nothing more than dead weight. Good job by GM Jim Rutherford jettisoning him.
For a team on the brink of the playoffs, this was a great move by a GM who realized he errored in trading a player (who has six points in his three games back) who just worked for his team.
Grade: A

New York Rangers
Get: F Nic Antropov, D Derek Morris
For: 2nd Round Pick (2009), Cond. Pick (2010), D Dimtri Kalinin, F Petr Prucha, F Nigel Dawes

Like usual, the New York Rangers brought in some established names from other teams. Antropov is a good second liner, while Morris provides decent offensive pop from the backend while playing well enough in his own end. Both are coming from struggling clubs, but both are UFAs are season's end and both are undoubtedly together going to make more that the nearly six million they make now collectively. And it's safe to say neither of these guys will improve much.
Losing draft picks is always a necessary evil of deadline deals, and it is nice to trim some fat off of your roster (Kalinin, Prucha), but losing Nigel Dawes is a major misstep by the blueshirts. He's got tremendous upside, and had the Rangers actually given him the minutes to flourish, you can be certain he wouldn't be getting traded for a rental D-man. It looks to be another dunderhead move by GM Glen Sather who seems to be in power with the Rangers until he chooses to leave.
This move won't hurt the Rangers playoff hopes, but it doesn't help much either.
Grade: B-

Phoenix Coyotes

Got: F Lombardi, F Prust, 4th Round Pick (2009 - BUF), 1st Round Pick (09 or 10 - CGY), D Kalinin, F Prucha, F Dawes, F Scottie Upshall

For: C Jokinen, 3rd Round Pick (2009) D Morris, F Daniel Carcillo, G Micheal Tellqvist

Phoenix was the clearest seller this deadline, giving up their second best forward, second best D-man, backup goalie and their resident agitator. You may think this leaves the Coyotes with nothing, but just look at how many actual players they received in return along with that golden first rounder they got.

The team, which is struggling to stay afloat financially, did a good job of cutting costs while setting themselves up for the future. Dawes and Upshall are the crown jewels of their sale with their dymanic upside, while Lombardi and Prucha may yet yield fruit that they never did for their former clubs. This team did a masterful job of ditching some expensive players and brought in cheaper ones which will help to augment their already good-looking rebuilding plan. Assuming the team doesn't fold, they look to continue being another exciting, young, western conference team.

Grade: A+

Why the Devils owe the Leafs..

Is he the one who got away?

Who knows, but the New Jersey Devils are happy. Scott Clemmensen looked to many to be a career AHLer, not because of his goaltending chops but because of who he had to play behind - Martin Brodeur. But after four years of being the starter on the Devils' AHL farm club- the Albany River Rats - and backing up Brodeur for two seasons (2005-07), Clemmensen set out and signed a one-year deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs' AHL affiliate - the Toronto Marlies.

In Clemmensen's past four years in the AHL, he was a combined 36-81-21. The River Rats had never made the playoffs with the American goalie, despite Clemmensen having a save percentage of at least .902 each season.

But after arriving in Toronto, something must have started to click for the at-the-time 29-year-old 'tender from Iowa. Clemmensen spent most of his season in the AHL with the Marlies that year, posting a positive 23-13-2 and a career high in GAA (2.44) and a .910 save percentage while playing in tandem with the Maple Leafs goalie heir apparent: Justin Pogge. Clemmensen also managed to get in on three games with the big club, going 1-1 in two starts for the Maple Leafs.


As the Calder Cup playoffs opened, there appeared to be some issues between the Marlies coaching staff and Pogge, and Clemmensen played 17 of the Marlies 19 playoffs games. They lost in 5 games in the third round to the eventual champion Chicago Wolves.

In the media circus that the Toronto Maple Leafs' organization was last summer (thank you Mats Sundin), it seems that Clemmensen managed to simply slip the minds of the decision-makers in Toronto as he quietly returned to the Devils organization.

When Brodeur went down with his injury in the fall, most thought this was it for the Devils playoff chances because they would have to rely first on the notoriously inconsistent Kevin Weekes and secondly the now 31-year-old Clemmensen. But after Weekes struggled early, Clemmensen got his shot to run with. And run with it he has, going 22-9-1 with a 2.29 GAA and .920 save percentage (both career highs)- against NHL talent showing his former and current employers a new side to his game.

So why the change?
The experience with the Toronto Marlies was Clemmensen's first taste of playoffs in professional hockey (aside from an earlier seven minute stint for the Devils), and looking at what has happened to him since, its obvious the Marlies choice to play Clemmensen has saved the Devils playoff chances- they are currently first in their division and third in the eastern conference.

Clemmensen is obviously the one who got away from the Leafs.

Super Bowl XLIII

Pittsburgh Steelers

Pros

- No. 1 Defense in the NFL

- Potentially lethal running game

- Mistake-free offense

- Super Bowl experience - Roethlisberger, Ward, Parker

Cons

- Inconsistent offense

- Weak O-Line

Arizona Cardinals

Pros

- High-flying passing game

- Resurgent defense

- Emerging ground attack

- Kurt Warner

Cons

- Unproven in big games

- Defense struggled against Philly

Those points mentioned, I still like the Cardinals to pull off the upset tomorrow. It will require the stars to be perfect alignment - not to mention Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald - but the reason for my favour of the underdog in this Super Bowl is that they're offense is as good as Pittsburgh's defense.

There I said it, assuming Kurt Warner keeps up his stellar play, Offensive Coordinator Todd Haley keeps the ground game coming every three downs and throws in some inventive plays like he did against the Eagles and the Arizona defense plays up to the level it did in the Cards first two playoffs games, the Cardinals will hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

It's all about balance for the Cards attack and that is how they will penetrate the Steelers defense. Pittsburgh's offense's big guns will be stopped by the 'Zona D if they play up to their previous playoff performances (when they stopped much more potent offenses: Atlanta, Carolina and Philly). They won't stop them but they will give their team enough leeway to win the game.

Look for Boldin to be a key in this game, as Troy Polamulu will be have his hands full with Fitzgerald.

I see the Cardinals scoring first like they did against Philly, and then adding to it with further passing TD's and several long range field goals. Roethlisberger will rally in the third and final quarters, but it won't be enough as they will be settling for field goals at best for the first half.

In the end: ARI 27 PIT 23

Where to Vinny?

The Montreal Canadiens have been toted as the front runner for Vincent Lecavalier's services, despite the fact that Lightning management has denied they are shopping their recently resigned (for huge dollars) franchise player because of the economic downturn. I don't believe this to be the case - as noted in my previous post - and I think there are actually several other squads that can offer more to Tampa Bay than the Habs.

In reality, relieving the strangely run Bolts of their finanicial burden should be enough, but in this day in age of "win now to get rumps in the seats", they look to make a killing if they move their star player and -if they're smart - set themselves up for the future.

The three suitors I have listed offer the Lightning three options: get better right now, get better in a couple seasons, or get better down the road in 3-4 seasons (as well as saving a ton of cash!)

Toronto Maple Leafs

The main reason I think Vinny will be wearing this shade of blue in a few weeks? Brian Burke. With every team he's ever GM'ed for, Burke has put his stamp on the club not long after he's arrived. Just look at how he brought the Sedin twins to Vancouver and how he traded off half the Ducks (Federov, Salei etc.) after he arrived. Lee Stempniak doesn't exactly qualify here guys.

Also, they have over six million in cap space right now and with the players they would trade to make the deal happen they would easily be able to fit Lecavalier in - even when the cap drops in 09-10.

Next, the Leafs are a faceless franchise since Sundin left. The most valuble franchise in the NHL needs to have someone who embodies the team and is someone who instantly comes to mind when the grammatically backward "Maple Leafs" is said.

Finally, the beauty of the Leafs is what they can offer the Lightning pretty much anyone they would like in their organization. This team is going to face a major turnover in the next nine months, and pretty everyone is on the block- even the guys with no-trade clauses.

The T.O. media pressure wouldn't be in Vinny's favour here, but he would learn to live with it like Sundin did.

What it would take: D Tomas Kaberle, D Luke Schenn, F Nic Antropov, F Matt Stajan, 1st Round Pick 2009, 2nd round pick 2010

Edmonton Oilers

The Oilers haven't had a bona-fide superstar since Mark Messier. Ryan Smyth was the sweetheart of the City of Champions for a while but never scored more than 70 points. They've missed on several big name free agents in recent years (Hossa said no to $80 million) but have done a respectable job building themselves through the draft and minor signings and trades. But for a team that once had Gretzky and company, it's heartbreaking to see them clod along with a relative bunch of nobodys (sorry grease fans, Hemsky ain't no superstar).

Tampa could look to get a lots of prospects from the Oil in return for Vinny, most of who aren't that far away from the NHL and get the defensive help the Bolts so desperately need.

What it would take: D Sheldon Souray, D Ladislav Smid, F Erik Cole, F Robert Nilson, F Robbie Schremp, 1st rounder 2009.

Minnesota Wild

You might call this a bit of a dark horse, but I think Vinny may fit here- assuming he could get used to the cold weather. The Wild have never had an elite player other than the constantly injured Marian Gaborik and this could be the time for Doug Risebrough to jump in. Gaborik will undoubtedly either be traded or leave via free agency this summer and the Wild will need someone to become the cornerstone of their offense. Couple that with defense-first coach Jacques Lemaire leaving after the season and you have a real possibilty for a deal here. Like the Oilers, the Wild - who sell out their barn nearly every night - need a face for their franchise.

The Wild can offer the Lightning something the other two suitors can`t- and that is real salary relief. With the other teams sending so much salary the other way, the Wild could potentially take care of Lecavlier`s salary while sending some good players and prospects to Tampa with low price tags.

Whats it would take (at the very least): F Mikko Koivu, F Corey Locke, D Brent Burns, D Kurtis Foster, 1st round pick 2009, 1st round pick 2010.

The Lecavalier Show

So Vincent Lecavalier is going to be a Montreal Canadien is he? And, according to some sources for Markov, Komisarek, Plekanec, Higgins, Gorges, P.K. Suppan , Youppi and Jean Beliveau's legacy.

Okay, in all seriousness, TSN reported a while back that the deal would be for Plekanec, Higgins, P.K. Subban and a handful of high draft picks. While not a bad package, this doesn't really help out the Lightning this year at all and is nowhere near enough for a franchise player like Vinny. Despite his hefty, long-term contract Vinny is worth much more to whoever gets him, if he is even traded at all from the supposedly cash-strapped Lightning.

More recent reports suggest that the Lightning want either Andrei Markov or Mike Komisarek as part of the deal. Make no mistake, the Habs will never part with either of these two as they are easily the best D-men for the rouge, blanc et bleu.

Markov is an decent puck mover and powerplay specialist while Komisarek delivers crushing checks and plays an essential shut down role. And much like the New York Rangers relationship with Sean Avery, the Habs have a very hard time winning when Komisarek is out of the lineup.

Nevermind the simple fact that Lecavalier doesn't fit well into the Habs salary structure and if he was forcfully inserted it would make Gainey's life much, much more difficult come next season amid an anticipated salary cap drop.

That's not to say he won't be dealt, but I think there are more appropriate suitors for the big frenchman. I will touch on this later this week.

Josh McDaniels saddles up with the Broncos

As a fan of the club, I was really expecting the Broncos to go with a proven defensive mind to rein in their atrocious defense like Steve Spangnuolo, defensive coordinator of the Giants. It would be a bit of a knee jerk reaction, but how could you blame Denver Owner Pat Bowlen after having new defensive coordinators each season for 3+ years?
But Bowlen appears to be taking his team down a familiar path with former Patriots Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels, who - as Peter King of SI.com points out - looks to be a clone of the recently fired Mike Shanahan in nearly every way. This is the same guy who pulled the levers last season as Tom Brady threw 50 tds and the Pat's came achingly close (for Pats fans) to going 19-0 on the year. With weaponized-wideouts like Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal and the cannon armed Jay Cutler - who broke John Elway's franchise passing yardage record in '08 - and the Broncos offense could be even more dangerous this year with a master tactician like McDaniels running the show. Also of note is that McDaniels has also worked on the defensive side of the ball with Bill Belichick's staff in New England as well.
Don't let the fact that McDaniels is just 32 fool you, he looks to be heading into the perfect situation for his talents and will more likely end up like fellow young head coach Mike Tomlin than Lane Kiffin.
Also of note is a report that recently fired 49ers head coach Mike Nolan is being brought in to handle the defensive coordinator duties, a position he's held with several teams over the past 15+ years.
Next, Bowlen needs to find himself a General Manager who will bring in defensive players and more reliable runningbacks.

'Zona in the superbowl?

Not quite the cinderella story that the Eagles are, the Arizona Cardinals are quite the sight in this year's playoffs. After proving to the world they were very adept at throttling clubs in their weak NFC west division (they were undefeated in divisional play) with their potent aerial attack, the Card's often would drop games against other opponents with worse records and not nearly the same weapons they had.
Remember week 4, the 56-35 beating they took at the hands of Brett Favre and Laverneus Coles of the retro-clad Jets? Or the 48-20 flogging they took at the hands of the Eagles- their opponents next week in the NFC title game? These two losses despite 472 yards and 235 yards respectively by early MVP favourite Kurt Warner.
However, don't forget that the Cardinals also beat the pre-locker room issues Cowboys and the at-the-time 4-0 Bills.
Passing was their name, but inconsistency was their game.
Upon easily taking the division, the Cards mailed it in for basically the rest of the year, finishing with the worst record of all NFC playoff bound teams: 9-7.
But since finishing the regular season on a low note and heading into the playoffs an odds-on favourite to lose, the Cardinals have transformed themselves at the best time and are dispatching foes with relative ease.
No longer relying on the passing game that had treated them so well, Arizona has become a two-pronged attack, making the most of rookie runningback Tim Hightower and seasoned veteran Edgerrin James and letting them run wild over unwitting defenses. In this past weekend's game, the two RB's stampeded for 133 yards and a touchdown combined on the ground. Not bad for a team whose RB's looked more like Warner's bodyguards then legal ballcarriers. Coupled with 2 passing touchdowns by Warner against one of the most potent defenses in Carolina's and minus clutch receiver Anquan Boldin. On top of that was a vastly improved effort by the Cardinals in both playoff games (5 INT's against Carolina) and they can't be expected to lie down for the surging Eagles next weekend.
Also, being that the game will played in the desert, it gives the Cardinals an edge on the cold weather acclimated Eagles. Moreover, should they make it to the Super Bowl in Miami, the conditions will once again be in their favour, against either the Ravens or Steelers - both cold weather hardened squads.