2011 Arizona Cardinals season

2011 Arizona Cardinals season
Head coach	Ken Whisenhunt
General manager	Rod Graves
Home field	University of Phoenix Stadium
Results
Record	8–8
Division place	2nd NFC West
Playoff finish	did not qualify
Pro Bowlers	Larry Fitzgerald, WR Patrick Peterson, CB Adrian Wilson, SS
Timeline
Previous season      Next season < 2010      2012

The 2011 Arizona Cardinals season was the franchise's 92nd season in the National Football League and the 24th season in Arizona. For Ken Whisenhunt, it was his fifth season as the head coach of the Cardinals. This was going to be the Cardinals first season with new starting QB Kevin Kolb, but he was replaced by John Skelton. The team improved on their 5–11 record from the 2010 season, but missed the playoffs for a second consecutive season.

The 2011 Cardinals won four overtime games, an NFL record.

Offseason

2011 NFL Draft

Main article: 2011 NFL Draft

Arizona Cardinals 2011 NFL Draft selections

Draft order			Player name	Position	Height	Weight	College	Contract	Notes
Round	Choice	Overall
1	5	5	Patrick Peterson	CB	6'0"	219 lbs.	LSU
2	6	38	Ryan Williams	RB	5'9"	212 lbs.	VT
3	5	69	Rob Housler	TE	6'5"	215 lbs.	FAU
4	6	103	Sam Acho	OLB	6'2"	262 lbs.	Texas
5	5	136	Anthony Sherman	RB	5'10"	242 lbs.	UConn
6	6	171	Quan Sturdivant	ILB	6'1"	241 lbs.	UNC
6	19	184	David Carter	DE	6'5"	297 lbs.	UCLA		from Tampa Bay via Philadelphia
7	46	249	DeMarco Sampson	WR	6'2"	204 lbs.	SDSU		Compensatory selection

In April 2010, the Cardinals traded their original 7th-round selection and a 2010 4th-round selection to the New York Jets for S Kerry Rhodes. The Cardinals received a new seventh-round selection as a compensatory selection.

Acquisitions

On July 28, 2011 the Cardinals acquired Kolb from the Philadelphia Eagles for CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a 2012 2nd-round pick. The next day they signed former Carolina Panthers starting CB Richard Marshall.

Preseason

Schedule

The Cardinals' preseason schedule was announced on April 12, 2011.

Week	Date	Kickoff	Opponent	Results		Game site	TV	NFL.com recap
				Final score	Team record
1	August 11	7:00 p.m.	at Oakland Raiders	W 24–18	1–0	O.co Coliseum		Recap
2	August 19	5:00 p.m.	at Green Bay Packers	L 20–28	1–1	Lambeau Field		Recap
3	August 27	7:00 p.m.	San Diego Chargers	L 31–34	1–2	University of Phoenix Stadium		Recap
4	September 1	7:00 p.m.	Denver Broncos	W 26–7	2–2	University of Phoenix Stadium		Recap

Regular season

Schedule

Week	Date	Kickoff	Opponent	Results		Game site	TV	NFL.com recap
				Final score	Team record
1	September 11	1:15 p.m.	Carolina Panthers	W 28–21	1–0	University of Phoenix Stadium	Fox	Recap
2	September 18	10:00 a.m.	at Washington Redskins	L 21–22	1–1	FedEx Field	Fox	Recap
3	September 25	1:15 p.m.	at Seattle Seahawks	L 10–13	1–2	CenturyLink Field	Fox	Recap
4	October 2	1:05 p.m.	New York Giants	L 27–31	1–3	University of Phoenix Stadium	Fox	Recap
5	October 9	10:00 a.m.	at Minnesota Vikings	L 10–34	1–4	Mall of America Field at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome	Fox	Recap
6	Bye
7	October 23	1:05 p.m.	Pittsburgh Steelers	L 20–32	1–5	University of Phoenix Stadium	CBS	Recap
8	October 30	10:00 a.m.	at Baltimore Ravens	L 27–30	1–6	M&T Bank Stadium	Fox	Recap
9	November 6	2:15 p.m.	St. Louis Rams	W 19–13 (OT)	2–6	University of Phoenix Stadium	Fox	Recap
10	November 13	11:00 a.m.	at Philadelphia Eagles	W 21–17	3–6	Lincoln Financial Field	Fox	Recap
11	November 20	2:05 p.m.	at San Francisco 49ers	L 7–23	3–7	Candlestick Park	Fox	Recap
12	November 27	11:00 a.m.	at St. Louis Rams	W 23–20	4–7	Edward Jones Dome	Fox	Recap
13	December 4	2:15 p.m.	Dallas Cowboys	W 19–13 (OT)	5–7	University of Phoenix Stadium	Fox	Recap
14	December 11	2:05 p.m.	San Francisco 49ers	W 21–19	6–7	University of Phoenix Stadium	Fox	Recap
15	December 18	2:15 p.m.	Cleveland Browns	W 20–17 (OT)	7–7	University of Phoenix Stadium	CBS	Recap
16	December 24	11:00 a.m.	at Cincinnati Bengals	L 16–23	7–8	Paul Brown Stadium	Fox	Recap
17	January 1	2:15 p.m.	Seattle Seahawks	W 23–20 (OT)	8–8	University of Phoenix Stadium	Fox	Recap

LEGEND:

^{^[a]} The state of Arizona lies entirely within the Mountain Time Zone, but does not observe Daylight saving time (excluding the Navajo Nation), so it is effectively on Pacific Daylight Time from mid-March until the first Sunday of November. Therefore, all game times during the preseason and from Weeks 1–8 during the regular season are listed as Pacific time, while game times from Weeks 9–17 are listed as Mountain time.

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Carolina Panthers

Week One: Carolina Panthers at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Panthers 7 7 7 0 21 Cardinals 7 0 7 14 28 at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona Date: September 11 Game time: 1:15 p.m. Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed) Game attendance: 60,627 Referee: Carl Cheffers TV announcers (Fox): Sam Rosen, Chad Pennington and Jody Jackson Game information First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers CAR – ARI – Top rushers CAR – ARI – Top receivers CAR – ARI – Top tacklers CAR – ARI –

Week 2: at Washington Redskins

Week Two: Arizona Cardinals at Washington Redskins – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Cardinals 7 0 7 7 21 Redskins 0 10 0 12 22 at FedEx Field, Landover, Maryland Date: September 18 Game time: 10:00 a.m. Game weather: 66° F (Cloudy) Game attendance: 76,330 Referee: Pete Morelli TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers and Tim Ryan Game information First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers ARI – WAS – Top rushers ARI – WAS – Top receivers ARI – WAS – Top tacklers ARI – WAS –

Week 3: at Seattle Seahawks

Week Three: Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Cardinals 0 10 0 0 10 Seahawks 3 3 7 0 13 at CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington Date: September 25 Game time: 1:15 p.m. Game weather: 68° F (Rain) Game attendance: 66,199 Referee: Alberto Riveron TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Tim Ryan and Drea Avent Game information First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers ARI – SEA – Top rushers ARI – SEA – Top receivers ARI – SEA – Top tacklers ARI – SEA –

Week 4: vs. New York Giants

Week Four: New York Giants at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Giants 0 10 0 21 31 Cardinals 3 3 14 7 27 at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona Date: October 2 Game time: 1:05 p.m. Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed) Game attendance: 60,496 Referee: Jerome Boger TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, & Tony Siragusa Game information First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers NYG – Eli Manning - 27/40, 321 YDS, 2 TD, 0 INT ARI – Kevin Kolb - 20/34, 237 YDS, 0 TD, INT Top rushers NYG – Ahmad Bradshaw - 12 CAR, 39 YDS, TD ARI – Beanie Wells - 27 CAR, 138 YDS, 3 TD Top receivers NYG – Hakeem Nicks - 10 REC, 162 YDS, TD ARI – Larry Fitzgerald - 8 REC, 102 YDS Top tacklers NYG – Michael Boley - 5 TKL, 2 AST ARI – Patrick Peterson - 7 TKL

Week 5: at Minnesota Vikings

Week Five: Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Cardinals 0 3 7 0 10 Vikings 28 0 3 3 34 at Mall of America Field at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota Date: October 9 Game time: 10:00 a.m. Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium) Game attendance: 62,479 Referee: Scott Green TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers and Tim Ryan Game information First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers ARI – Kevin Kolb – 21/42, 232 yards MIN – Donovan McNabb – 10/21, 169 yards Top rushers ARI – Beanie Wells – 20 rushes, 60 yards, TD MIN – Adrian Peterson – 29 rushes, 122 yards, 3 TD Top receivers ARI – Early Doucet – 8 rec, 92 yards MIN – Devin Aromashodu – 2 rec, 81 yards

Week 7: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Week Seven: Pittsburgh Steelers at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Steelers 7 10 9 6 32 Cardinals 0 7 7 6 20 at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona Date: October 23 Game time: 1:05 p.m. Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed) Game attendance: 62,475 Referee: John Parry TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel & Dan Dierdorf Game information First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers PIT – Ben Roethlisberger - 26/39, 361 Yards, 3 TD ARI – Kevin Kolb - 18/34, 272 Yards, 2 TD, 1 INT Top rushers PIT – Rashard Mendenhall - 13 Rushes, 32 Yards ARI – Beanie Wells - 12 Rushes, 42 Yards Top receivers PIT – Mike Wallace - 3 Receptions, 118 Yards, 1 TD ARI – Larry Fitzgerald - 4 Receptions, 78 Yards Top tacklers PIT – LaMarr Woodley – 6 tackles, 1 assist, 2 sacks ARI – Richard Marshall, Patrick Peterson, & Daryl Washington – 7 tackles each

Coming off their bye week, the Cardinals went home for a Week 7 interconference duel with the Pittsburgh Steelers, in a rematch of Super Bowl XLIII. Arizona trailed early in the first quarter as Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger completed a 12-yard touchdown pass to tight end Heath Miller. Pittsburgh would add onto their lead in the second quarter as Roethlisberger completed a 95-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Mike Wallace. The Cardinals would answer with a 1-yard touchdown run from running back Alfonso Smith. The Steelers would close out the half with kicker Shaun Suisham getting a 41-yard field goal.

Arizona opened the third quarter with quarterback Kevin Kolb finding running back LaRod Stephens-Howling on a 73-yard touchdown pass, but Pittsburgh struck back with Roethlisberger completing a 4-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, along with Kolb's intentional grounding penalty in the endzone resulting in a safety. In the fourth quarter, the Steelers continued to pull away with Suisham making a 42-yard and a 39-yard field goal. The Cardinals tried to rally as Kolb found wide receiver Early Doucet on a 2-yard touchdown pass (with a failed two-point conversion), but Pittsburgh held on to preserve the victory.

With the loss, Arizona fell to 1-5.

Week 8: at Baltimore Ravens

Week Eight: Arizona Cardinals at Baltimore Ravens – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Cardinals 3 21 0 3 27 Ravens 0 6 14 10 30 at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland Date: October 30 Game time: 10:00 a.m. Game weather: 48° F (Sunny) Game attendance: 71,022 Referee: Jeff Triplette TV announcers (Fox): Sam Rosen, Brian Billick and Laura Okmin Game information First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers ARI – BAL – Top rushers ARI – BAL – Top receivers ARI – BAL – Top tacklers ARI – BAL –

Week 9: vs. St. Louis Rams

Week Nine: St. Louis Rams at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary 1 2 3 4 OT Total Rams 3 6 4 0 0 13 Cardinals 3 0 3 7 6 19 at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona Date: November 6 Game time: 2:15 p.m. MST Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof open) Game attendance: 60,628 Referee: Ron Winter TV announcers (Fox): Sam Rosen and Chad Pennington Game information First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers STL – ARI – Top rushers STL – ARI – Top receivers STL – ARI – Top tacklers STL – ARI –

Week 10: at Philadelphia Eagles

Week Ten: Arizona Cardinals at Philadelphia Eagles – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Cardinals 0 7 0 14 21 Eagles 0 14 0 3 17 at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Date: November 13 Game time: 11:00 a.m. MST Game weather: 60° F (Partly Cloudy) Game attendance: 69,144 Referee: Walt Anderson TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, John Lynch and Jennifer Hale Game information First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers ARI – John Skelton PHI – Michael Vick Top rushers ARI – Beanie Wells PHI – Lesean McCoy Top receivers ARI – Larry Fitzgerald PHI – Brent Celek Top tacklers ARI – Daryl Washington PHI – Kurt Coleman

Week 11: at San Francisco 49ers

Week Eleven: Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Cardinals 0 0 0 7 7 49ers 6 3 14 0 23 at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California Date: November 20 Game time: 2:05 p.m. MST Game weather: 55° F (Rain) Game attendance: 69,732 Referee: Pete Morelli TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick and Laura Okmin Game information First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers ARI – SF – Top rushers ARI – SF – Top receivers ARI – SF – Top tacklers ARI – SF –

Week 12: at St. Louis Rams

Week Twelve: Arizona Cardinals at St. Louis Rams – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Cardinals 3 0 17 3 23 Rams 7 3 0 10 20 at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri Date: November 27 Game time: 11:00 a.m. MST Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium) Game attendance: 56,029 Referee: Mike Carey TV announcers (Fox): Sam Rosen, Chad Pennington and Tina Cervasio Game information First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers ARI – STL – Top rushers ARI – STL – Top receivers ARI – STL – Top tacklers ARI – STL –

Week 13: vs. Dallas Cowboys

Week Thirteen: Dallas Cowboys at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary 1 2 3 4 OT Total Cowboys 0 10 3 0 0 13 Cardinals 3 0 3 7 6 19 at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona Date: December 4 Game time: 2:15 p.m. MST Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof open) Game attendance: 62,180 Referee: Walt Coleman TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, John Lynch and Jennifer Hale Game information First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers DAL – ARI – Top rushers DAL – ARI – Top receivers DAL – ARI – Top tacklers DAL – ARI –

Week 14: vs. San Francisco 49ers

Week Fourteen: San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total 49ers 3 9 7 0 19 Cardinals 0 7 7 7 21 at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona Date: December 11 Game time: 2:05 p.m. MST Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof open) Game attendance: 60,808 Referee: Alberto Riveron TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, John Lynch and Jennifer Hale Game information First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers SF – ARI – Top rushers SF – ARI – Top receivers SF – ARI – Top tacklers SF – ARI –

Week 15: vs. Cleveland Browns

Week Fifteen: Cleveland Browns at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary 1 2 3 4 OT Total Browns 7 3 7 0 0 17 Cardinals 0 7 0 10 3 20 at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona Date: December 18 Game time: 2:15 p.m. MST Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed) Game attendance: 60,443 Referee: Scott Green TV announcers (CBS): Bill Macatee and Steve Tasker Game information First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers CLE – ARI – Top rushers CLE – ARI – Top receivers CLE – ARI – Top tacklers CLE – ARI –

Week 16: at Cincinnati Bengals

Week Sixteen: Arizona Cardinals at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Cardinals 0 0 0 16 16 Bengals 10 10 3 0 23 at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio Date: December 24 Game time: 11:00 a.m. MST Game weather: 38° F (Fair) Game attendance: 41,273 Referee: Terry McAulay TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick, & Laura Okmin Game information First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers ARI – CIN – Top rushers ARI – CIN – Top receivers ARI – CIN – Top tacklers ARI – CIN –

Week 17: vs. Seattle Seahawks

Week Seventeen: Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary 1 2 3 4 OT Total Seahawks 0 3 7 10 0 20 Cardinals 7 3 7 3 3 23 at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona Date: January 1 Game time: 2:15 p.m. MST Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed) Game attendance: 61,798 Referee: Gene Steratore TV announcers (Fox): Sam Rosen & Chad Pennington Game information First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers SEA – ARI – Top rushers SEA – ARI – Top receivers SEA – ARI – Top tacklers SEA – ARI –

Final standings

NFC West
	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
z (2) San Francisco 49ers	13	3	0	.813	5–1	10–2	380	229	W3
Arizona Cardinals†	8	8	0	.500	4–2	7–5	312	348	W1
Seattle Seahawks†	7	9	0	.438	3–3	6–6	321	315	L2
St. Louis Rams †	2	14	0	.125	0–6	1–11	193	407	L7

Coaching staff

Arizona Cardinals 2011 staff
	Front Office Owner/Chairman – Bill Bidwill President – Michael Bidwill General Manager – Rod Graves Director of Football Administration – Reggie Terry Director of Player Personnel – Steve Keim Director of Pro Personnel – T. J. McCreight Assistant Director of Pro Personnel – Quentin Harris Head Coaches Head Coach – Ken Whisenhunt Assistant Head Coach/Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line – Russ Grimm Offensive Coaches Offensive Coordinator – Mike Miller Quarterbacks – Chris Miller Running Backs – Tommie Robinson Wide Receivers – John McNulty Tight Ends – Freddie Kitchens Offensive Quality Control – Chad Grimm			Defensive Coaches Defensive Coordinator – Ray Horton Defensive Line – Ron Aiken Linebackers – Matt Raich Defensive Backs – Louie Cioffi Assistant Defensive Backs – Deshea Townsend Defensive Quality Control – Ryan Slowik Special Teams Coaches Special Teams – Kevin Spencer Strength and Conditioning Strength and Conditioning – John Lott Assistant Strength and Conditioning – Pete Alosi

Final roster

2011 Arizona Cardinals roster
	Quarterbacks  2 Richard Bartel  4 Kevin Kolb 19 John Skelton Running Backs 35 Anthony Sherman FB 46 Alfonso Smith 36 LaRod Stephens-Howling KR 29 Chester Taylor 26 Beanie Wells Wide Receivers 85 Early Doucet 11 Larry Fitzgerald 12 Andre Roberts 89 DeMarco Sampson 17 Chansi Stuckey 18 Stephen Williams Tight Ends 81 Jim Dray 86 Todd Heap 84 Rob Housler 87 Jeff King		Offensive Linemen 74 D'Anthony Batiste T 73 Jeremy Bridges T 75 Levi Brown T 71 Daryn Colledge G 70 Rex Hadnot G/C 76 Deuce Lutui G 63 Lyle Sendlein C 67 D. J. Young T Defensive Linemen 93 Calais Campbell DE 79 David Carter NT 90 Darnell Dockett DE 98 Nick Eason DE 91 Vonnie Holliday DE 96 Ronald Talley DE		Linebackers 94 Sam Acho OLB/DE 52 Stewart Bradley ILB 53 Clark Haggans OLB 51 Paris Lenon ILB 50 O'Brien Schofield OLB/DE 56 Reggie Walker ILB 58 Daryl Washington ILB 59 Brandon Williams OLB Defensive Backs 23 Hamza Abdullah SS 27 Michael Adams CB 37 Sean Considine SS 30 Marshay Green CB 20 A. J. Jefferson CB 49 Rashad Johnson FS 31 Richard Marshall CB 21 Patrick Peterson CB/PR 25 Kerry Rhodes FS 24 Adrian Wilson SS Special Teams  3 Jay Feely K 82 Mike Leach LS  9 Dave Zastudil P		Reserve Lists 22 Crezdon Butler CB (IR)  6 Max Hall QB (IR) 72 Brandon Keith OT (IR) 55 Joey Porter OLB (IR) 38 Andrew Rich SS/FS (Left Squad) 28 Greg Toler CB (IR) 92 Dan Williams NT (IR) 34 Ryan Williams RB (IR) 78 Floyd Womack G (IR) Practice Squad 62 Ryan Bartholomew C 83 Jaymar Johnson WR 32 Korey Lindsey CB 60 Ricky Lumpkin NT 37 William Powell RB 44 Steve Skelton TE 54 Quan Sturdivant ILB Rookies in italics 53 Active, 9 Inactive, 7 Practice Squad

Defense FS Kerry Rhodes Rashad Johnson WLB ILB ILB SLB Clark Haggans Paris Lenon Daryl Washington Joey Porter ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ Sam Acho SS Adrian Wilson Hamza Abdullah CB Patrick Peterson ⋅ DE NT DE Calais Campbell Dan Williams Darnell Dockett ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ CB Richard Marshall A.J. Jefferson Offense WR Larry Fitzgerald DeMarco Sampson WR ⋅ ⋅ LT LG C RG RT Levi Brown Daryn Colledge Lyle Sendlein Rex Hadnot Brandon Keith D'Anthony Batiste D'Anthony Batiste Rex Hadnot Deuce Lutui Jeremy Bridges TE Todd Heap Jeff King WR Andre Roberts Early Doucet QB Kevin Kolb John Skelton Special Teams PK Jay Feely P Dave Zastudil KR LaRod Stephens-Howling PR Patrick Peterson LS Mike Leach H Dave Zastudil RB Beanie Wells LaRod Stephens-Howling