Here’s what went down Thursday on G&A

Gambo flew solo this afternoon.

Burned - Danny Granger and the Pacers came into U.S. Airways Center and stole one from the Suns Wednesday night in the closing seconds.  Thanks to Danny Granger’s late-game heroics, Phoenix is now the 8th-seed in the Western Conference.  Gambo is irritated that Louis Amundson had a bigger impact on the game than Amare Stoudemire.  Why does STAT only play hard when he feels like it?  He had more turnovers than anyone in last night’s game.  Gambo thinks Terry Porter made a lapse in judgment leaving Leandro Barbosa on the floor for the final defensive possession.  He didn’t think Phoenix deserved to win the game last night.  We took calls.

Gambo caught up with Mountain West Conference commissioner Craig Thompson who is in Miami for Thursday’s BCS Championship Game.  The MWC has gone 7-3 in bowls the last two seasons and two got bowl wins over BCS top 10 teams this year as TCU beat Boise State in the Poinsettia Bowl and Utah crushed Alabama in the Sugar.  Does the MWC deserve an automatic bid?  Thompson thinks that could become a reality in the next few years.

Former Cards’ coach, now Titans assistant head coach, Dave McGinnis joined us Thursday afternoon from Nashville.  He said he is happy for Ken Whisenhunt and the Cards’ staff and is anxious to see how they perform against the Panthers.  Tennessee is preparing to host their divisional playoff match-up against Baltimore Saturday afternoon at LP Field.

Big Game Bob? - Oklahoma and Florida will battle tonight for a chance to be called National Champions.  Gambo thinks this is a big game for OU coach Bob Stoops.  Stoops has always been nails in the regular season, but has been out-coached in recent bowl games including last year’s Fiesta Bowl against West Virginia.  Gambo says there is no time or need for excuses against Florida.  We took calls.

Sports 620 KTAR reporter Johnny V. checked in from Cardinal headquarters and gave us an update on Anquan Boldin’s pulled hamstring.  V. thinks “Q” will try to give it a go, but poor weather (rain is possible) could hamper his progress.  The Red Birds fly out tomorrow for Charlotte and play the Panthers Saturday night.

Panthers starting weakside linebacker Thomas Davis shared his perspective on Carolina’s showdown with the Cards.  The former Georgia star is second on the team in tackles (113) and forced fumbles (2), and third in sacks (4).

Too Likeable? - The Cardinals are prepared to take on Carolina as they enter this new playoff era.  Gambo thinks it’s nice to talk about the playoffs instead of the draft, like Red Birds’ fans usually do this time of year.  Will the Panthers have problems “hating” Arizona like The Charlotte Observer suggested?  Gambo believes the Cards are one of the more likable teams in the league-sans Mike Bidwill.  Heck, even most team supporters don’t like Bidwill.  Gambo feels it’s good to be hated, especially in the NFL because distain usually leads to respect.  It’s all part of being a sports fan.  We took calls.

Friday:  All-around good guy Johnny V. co-hosts with Gambo.  Yeah!!

We’ll be joined by Cards’ safety Antrel Rolle and ESPN NFL analyst Mark Schlereth.

 

 Craig Thompson [11:58m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (44)

 

 Dave McGinnis [14:55m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (46)

 

 Johnny V. [5:54m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (41)

 

 Thomas Davis [10:01m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (36)