Arizona Cardinals fans Rant & Rave

TILLMAN COVER UP : Amy now tells the truth about destruction of evidence and being killed by fellow soldiers

2005-05-05T06:06:00.000-05:00

From Cnn.com

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A new Army report on the death of former NFL player Pat Tillman in Afghanistan last year concluded that his uniform and body armor were burned a day after he was killed -- and before investigators had determined he was shot by his fellow soldiers.
The yet-to-be-released investigation results, first reported by the Washington Post, concludes that the burning of the clothes and armor amounted to destruction of evidence.
Initial reports of Tillman's death on April 22, 2004, said he was shot by Taliban forces during an ambush. An investigation would later reveal that fellow soldiers shot Tillman, thinking he was part of an enemy force firing at them.
The Washington Post reported Wednesday that top U.S. commanders, including Gen. John P. Abizaid of U.S. Central Command, were told that Tillman's death occurred by fratricide days before a nationally televised memorial service was held for him.
Nonetheless, Tillman's family was not notified of that until May 29, 2004, when the first investigation was completed. That was nearly four weeks after the service.
The new report, by Brig. Gen. Gary Jones, was done at the behest of Tillman's family members, who wanted to know why his uniform was burned, and why they were not immediately told he might have been killed by fellow soldiers.
At the time, Tillman's blood-covered uniform and armor were said to have been destroyed because they were considered a biohazard.
Yet the Jones report contains sworn statements from soldiers involved in the incident who said they burned the items because they had taken pictures of the scene, walked around, and knew how Tillman had been killed.
In the new report, soldiers reasoned "they knew in their heart of hearts what had happened, and we were not going to lie about it. So we weren't thinking about proof or anything."
Army investigators now say his clothes should have been preserved as evidence.
Army officials said the Jones report concludes that the Tillman family should have been told at once that "friendly fire" was suspected. The report, however, found no official intent by military commanders to hide the truth.
Tillman gave up a $3.6 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals to become an Army Ranger after the attacks of September 11, 2001. He was posthumously awarded a Silver Star.

Cards, Boldin have hearts in right place

2005-04-30T11:51:00.000-05:00

from azcentral.com

Anquan Boldin is treading in murky waters, and I don't know whether to throw him a life preserver or toss him The Book of Virtues.Look for the Cardinals to open minicamp today without the wide receiver, who appears to have overlooked the 11th commandment: Honor thy contract. Privately, team officials think Boldin's conscience will steer him toward the club's training facility, but teammates are receiving a different vibe from the standout, one that suggests he won't be in Tempe any time soon. Armed with the knowledge that Drew Rosenhaus is his agent, I'm predicting the latter.Welcome to a war with no bad guys. The Cardinals have every right to expect a player under contract to report, and Boldin has every right to expect the team to sweeten his deal after officials said more than a year ago that they wanted to reward him for his standout rookie season.advertisement Only in the NFL can two rights make a wrong, a situation created by a league lacking in guaranteed contracts but not enthusiastic agents."We see Anquan as one of our prized players," Rod Graves, Cardinals vice president of football operations, said Thursday, "and we certainly hope to reach a long-term deal with him at some point. We're evaluating now when will be the best time to take advantage of that deal."The definition of that long-term deal is the root of the problem. After a standout debut season in 2003, when Boldin set an NFL rookie record with 101 catches for 1,377 yards, the Cardinals said they wanted to reward their young star. The specifics of that reward were never clearly defined.As time passed, Boldin's desires snowballed and were complicated by watching Larry Fitzgerald come in a year later and lock up a six-year deal worth between $40 million and $60 million. Those numbers look embarrassing next to Boldin's four-year contract of $2.58 million, especially because Boldin is a player who risks his body to make catches over the middle, while Fitzgerald, still learning the NFL ropes, lacks Boldin's relentlessness.The Cardinals recognize this. They also recognize that Boldin is a dream representative for this team, a class act who should be the face of the club when it moves into its new stadium in 2006.It's why they're going against their penny-pinching grain and have talked with Rosenhaus about a new four- or five-year deal for their star to supplant a contract that has two years remaining.Good for them. It makes good business sense in the long run. It's a plan that the most successful franchises use: lock up the best players before free agency demands a higher price. It's about time the Cardinals figured that strategy out.Now let's hope both sides get this right.There needs to be give on both ends. Boldin needs to report and the Cardinals need to make a legitimate offer, not a token gesture. They're concerned about setting a bad precedent with other young players, but they shouldn't be. The next time one comes to their office and asks for a renegotiated deal such as Boldin's, all they need to say is, "Sure. First let's see your Pro Bowl ring and Rookie of the Year honors."The wild card is Rosenhaus, who has a reputation for playing hardball. He's also representing Terrell Owens, who is expected to skip Philadelphia's minicamp this weekend because he wants a new contract just 13 months after signing a seven-year, $49 million deal.Here's hoping Boldin listens to his heart as well as to Rosenhaus. And here's hoping the Cardinals listen to their heart as well as their pocketbook.

AZ Cardinals Need a new name

2005-04-26T16:19:00.000-05:00

Rename the Arizona Cardinals
There are some who are pushing the idea of renaming the Arizona Cardinals the Arizona Rangers, in honor of Pat Tillman.
I first read about this in Hugh Hewitt's blog.
Hugh mentioned that the idea started at JackalopePursuivant.
Bill Hobbs reports on a movement to get the good folks in Arizona to rename the stadium after Pat Tillman and change the name of the team to the Arizona Rangers.
Here are the reasons propounded by Jackalope Pursuivant.
The Cardinals are loathed in Arizona. St. Louis's reject Cardinals, named after a bird you never see sitting on a saguaro.
It would honor Sgt. Tillman and his comrades.
It would be an inspiration to the community, and the team.
It could heal the serious rift between the Cardinals and the people of Arizona.
It would give the team a fresh start in a new home, and make them an Arizona team, rather than a reject from Missouri.
With that change, I think the people of Arizona would embrace the team, and the example set by Sgt. Tillman would live a long time in the memory of Arizona and America.
Certainly, I would consider actually attending games.That comment about "the serious rift between the Cardinals and the people of Arizona" may reflect more of a serious rift between the Cardinals owner, Bill Bidwell, and the people of Arizona, if these commenters from HobbsOnline are any indication:
Having lived in Arizona a few years and knowing something of the saga of the Arizona Cardinals, let me tell you--after what he has put this state through, giving up the naming rights for a fallen patriot is the least Bidwill could do.
I'll spare you the details, the whole stadium deal was the most convoluted, twisted, government-backslapping debacle I can think of any major city experiencing, going above and beyond what has taken place in other states.
Renaming the stadium and the team--now that might help Bidwill get back in Arizona's good graces again. It will be interesting to see how he handles this from a PR perspective.
Posted by: Ryan at April 27, 2004 01:38 AM
If you are waiting for a goodwill gesture from Bill Bidwell; give up now. If there is not some profit for him, he isn't interested in giving away his money. Whether it is for the good will of fans or to improve his team to a competetive level.
He has overcharged and abused Arizona football fans for years. And will be still riding his dead horse in his free new stadium. Named for the highest bidder.
Posted by: Ron at April 27, 2004 01:53 AM It's an interesting thought. I've never really gotten used to the Cardinals being from Arizona, or for that matter the Rams being from St. Louis. Giving a new identity to a team seems to have worked well for the Oilers/Titans.
It's a sentimental idea to be sure, but a good one in seeking to honor one of the rare athletes who has been an honor to their sport. But, I don't think honor is going to win the day in this, one way or another. Unfortunately, those who have a financial stake in the matter will will have their way and to do this, they will have to be convinced that their decision to honor a fallen hero will mean a financial profit for them.