Cardinals notes: Dallas, Arizona join arms in show of unity on MNF

GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Cardinals and Cowboys joined the list of NFL teams to take action before a game in the wake of President Donald Trump’s comments about “firing” NFL players who kneel during the Star Spangled Banner.

The Cowboys joined arms on the field before the national anthem with owner Jerry Jones joining them. They all took a knee before the anthem played, but rose when it played.

The Cardinals joined arms in the end zone with team president Michael Bidwill, general manager Steve Keim and coach Bruce Arians joining them.

“I think the guys on this team all respect each other,” receiver Larry Fitzgerald said. “They understand the climate that we’re living in with the things that have been said. The thing that we tried to show was us being unified … Hopefully, that will strengthen us moving forward.”

FITZ’S EFFORT WASTED

Fitzgerald tied a career high with 13 receptions in Monday’s 28-17 loss to the Cowboys, totaling 149 yards and a touchdown. His acrobatic catch on a 3rd-and-18 play early in the fourth quarter kept a drive alive that led to Phil Dawson’s 37-yard field goal and cut the Cowboys’ lead to 21-17.

This was the 14th time in his career that Fitzgerald had at least 10 catches in a game. He also moved into eighth place all-time in receiving yards at 14,633.

“That’s Fitz. It’s Monday night. He’s a money player,” coach Bruce Arians said. “It was a great performance by him. It’s a shame we couldn’t play better around him.”

DAWSON’S STREAK

The Cardinals signed veteran kicker Phil Dawson this spring to correct a major issue from last season. Chandler Catanzaro (now with the Jets) missed seven field goal attempts last season and three of them cost the Cardinals games.

Dawson made 18 of 21 attempts last season with San Francisco.

“When you find one that is consistent, has a lot of internal strength, strong-minded, those guys are hard to find,” general manager Steve Keim said at the time. “You have to put a lot of value in them.”

Through three games, Dawson hasn’t delivered that value. He missed a 36-yard attempt early in the second quarter that would have given the Cardinals a 10-0 lead and sustained the offensive momentum they had rolling.

Dawson has three misses this season, one on each game, and has made five of eight attempts. His misses have come from 32, 42 and 36 yards.

Since you asked, Catanzaro had made four of five attempts.

BRANCH SHINES

Tyvon Branch tied a career high in solo tackles with 11. He also had 11 on Nov. 22, 2009 while he was with Oakland.

“I feel like that every week,” Branch said. “I love these dudes. I go out there and give my all for them and they do the same for me.”

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