Notes from the Nest: Arizona Cardinals practice – Nov. 15
Nov 15, 2013, 8:33 PM
TEMPE, Ariz. — The Arizona Cardinals had their last practice in the Valley before heading east for a matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Of Note:
– Both John Abraham and Michael Floyd were out on the field during the portion of practice that was open to the media. Neither participated in the special teams drills, but the guess here is they’ll be good to go Sunday.
– Jay Feely does what he can to be involved during practice. Whether it’s acting as a punt returner, a gunner or whatever, he does not just stand around when not called upon to kick.
– When it comes to the return game, the Cardinals have a ridiculous amount of options and weapons.
Stat of the Day
The Cardinals have converted on the fewest number of 3rd downs in the NFL this season and their percentage of 31.5 percent is the second-worst mark in the league. The only team that trails them is the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are making good on just 29 percent of their attempts.
Quote of the Day
“I expect to play the whole time,” receiver Michael Floyd said. “Not holding anything back. If I was going to hold anything back I probably wouldn’t play, so, you know, yeah I’m going to play.”
This Day in Arizona Cardinals History
On November 15, 1998, the upstart Cardinals hosted the rival Dallas Cowboys in front of a sold out crowd at Sun Devil Stadium. The Cards were 5-4 and the Cowboys 6-3, so needless to say this game was kind of big. Hell, even the end zones were painted to look like the Arizona flag.
Anyway, things didn’t look good early for the Cardinals, as they fell behind 28-0 in the second quarter due to some turnovers and simply bad play.
However, the Cardinals got on the board with a two-yard Frank Sanders touchdown catch late in the half, and from there everyone was treated to a hell of a football game.
Touchdowns from Mario Bates and Rob Moore sandwiched Emmitt Smith’s third TD run of the day, and a seven-yard TD pass from Jake Plummer to Adrian Murrell with just more than four minutes remaining brought Arizona to within seven. The Cards got the ball back and Plummer drove them down the field, but his pass to Moore in the corner of the end zone fell incomplete, allowing the Cowboys to escape with a 35-28 win. For the record, there may have been pass interference on Dallas’ Kevin Smith on the play (cough…there was…cough…), but the Cardinals ended up getting their revenge a month and a half later in the playoffs.
At any rate, Plummer finished the day completing 31-of-36 passes for 465 yards with three TDs and one INT, with Sanders being responsible for 190 yards and a touchdown on 11 receptions.
Smith led the way for the Cowboys, gaining 118 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries. Quarterback Troy Aikman completed 14-of-18 passes for 208 yards and a score.
