August 9th, 2019 
Matt Loede 
Posted in 
The Los Angeles Charges take on the Arizona Cardinals during Week 1 of the 2019 NFL preseason.
Here’s some takeaways from the four-point preseason win for the Cards
Sporting News Picks the NFL 2019 Division Winners – Where Do the Cardinals Fall?
It’s that time of the year when national pundits start to look ahead and pick records for teams around the league, as well as pick the winners of the divisions.
Sporting News is out with their 2019 predictions, and they have their picks in for the NFC West.
To the surprise of no one they have the Rams winning the division with a mark of 11-5, and then the Hawks and 49ers both at 8-8, and last are the Cards who they say will end the year at a tough 3-13.
Here’s the complete rundown of who Sporting News likes along with the Super Bowl teams.
Cardinals Still Discussing Signing Wide Out Michael Crabtree
The Cardinals’ pursuit of veteran free agent wide receiver Michael Crabtree is on hold, at least for the time being, after Crabtree declined to accept Arizona’s contract offer on Monday.
That doesn’t mean it still couldn’t happen, Bob McManaman of the Arizona Republic reports. It also doesn’t mean the Cardinals won’t pursue other wide receivers that are available now or those who might soon become available.
“We’re going to continue to bring guys in that we think can possibly improve our roster and Mike is a guy who I’ve known for a long time and has had a ton of success in this league,” coach Kliff Kingsbury said before Tuesday’s practice at State Farm Stadium. “So, we’re going to keep bringing guys in and see what fits.”
Contrary to popular opinion, the Cardinals’ interest in adding Crabtree didn’t really have anything to do with the team’s general lack of experienced receivers.
Of the dozen wideouts presently on the roster, only one other than Larry Fitzgerald has appeared in more than 17 NFL games. That would be Pharoh Cooper, who’s only played in 33.
But youth is part of the Cardinals’ strengths, according to Kingsbury, who said the inexperience at the position isn’t such a bad thing and it’s not what prompted the team to look into signing Crabtree, 31.
“I don’t think it does,” Kingsbury said of Arizona’s collection of young receivers. “I’m excited about it, honestly, for them to start with a young quarterback (in Kyler Murray) and grow up together and learn a system and hopefully grow up in that system for quite some time. I think, to me, it’s a fresh start for all those guys and to learn from a guy like Fitz, that’s one way to expedite how to do things as a pro.”
Kingsbury was asked if it’s possible that a deal could still be struck with Crabtree, possibly even after Thursday night’s preseason opener against the Chargers.
“Anything can happen,” he said. “Like I said, he’s a tremendous player. He’s been very successful in the league. So, we’ll see what happens.”
Cardinals Ink LB Andre Branch to One-Year Deal
Linebacker Andre Branch found a new home Tuesday, signing a one-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals, Jelani Scott of NFL.com reports.
Branch had been connected to the Cardinals since June when he took a visit with the team. Arizona was the only franchise Branch met with in the offseason after being released by the Dolphins in March.
Adding another pass-rushing veteran to go along with Chandler Jones and free agent addition Terrell Suggs should give the Cards solid depth on the edge.
Branch, 30, played the past three seasons with the Dolphins and appeared in 44 games (26 starts) and had 97 tackles, 11.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
Cardinals Place Six Players on the Physically Unable to Perform List
Veteran Charles Clay, dealing with a knee issue, was one of six players the Cardinals placed on the physically unable to perform list Saturday, Darren Urban of Azcardinals.com reports.
Also going on PUP: Defensive lineman Robert Nkemdiche (knee), offensive lineman Max Garcia (knee), linebacker Brooks Reed (hip), cornerback Brandon Williams (back) and linebacker Dante Booker (knee).
The PUP players are eligible to return at any point in camp but cannot participate in any on-field team work until they come off the list. Clay has been considered a potential starter, especially given his versatile skills and receiving abilities. He was signed after Buffalo released him in February. Reed was also a February signee after the Falcons cut him.
Nkemdiche and Garcia are each coming off ACL tears suffered last season.
The Cards report to camp July 24 and hold their first practice July 25.
Check Out the Madden 20 Rankings for All the Cardinals Players
Monday was a day that many gaming fans wait for each year, the day that the most popular sports series of all-time puts out their player rankings.
That game of course is Madden football, and this year Madden 20 is once again going to be a game played by millions who are into the NFL and video games.
One aspect of the game is player rankings, and the top Cardinals player on the list was cornerback Patrick Peterson with a mark of 92.
Halfback David Johnson sits with a mark of 87, while wide out Larry Fitzgerald is at an 84.
Check out all the Cards Rankings by clicking HERE.
Video – Football Gameplan’s 2019 NFL Team Preview: Arizona Cardinals
Football Gameplan’s 2019 NFL Team Preview: Arizona Cardinals
00:49 – 4-Minute Offense
2:34 – Positional Breakdown
9:19 – Hunt’s Playbook
14:07 – Fantasy Focus
16:48 – Best Bets
17:20 – Training Camp Quick Takes
20:42 – Road to the Super Bowl
