Here’s what went down Thursday on G&A…

Cardinals Championship Week continues!!

We caught up with Sports 620 KTAR reporter Johnny V. LIVE at Cardinal headquarters.  He discussed the health of Anquan Boldin and what we might expect from back-up tight ends Ben Patrick and recently re-signed Jeramy Tuman, who will be filling in for the injured Steven Spach.  V. says Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie doesn’t feel like a rookie anymore after the two chatted after practice this afternoon.

Cards’ starting left tackle Mike Gandy discussed this weekend’s game and how the o-line will look to contain the Eagles’ physical front led by Darren Howard, Trent Cole and Brodrick Bunkley.  The former Notre Dame star said he doesn’t see a dramatic turnaround in South Bend coming anytime soon.

Big Red Line - The Cards offense is averaging 31.5 points in the playoffs and while Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald and Edgerrin James get most of the credit, no one is talking about the revitalized o-line which is giving Warner time to throw and Edge and Tim Hightower lanes to run through.  G&A agree Gandy has been a stabilizer and a veteran presence which has helped the rest of a relatively untested line.  Gandy has neutralized Atlanta’s John Abraham and the Panthers’ Julius Peppers.

We caught up with 87-year-old Vince Banonis, who is one of only five living players from the Cardinals’ 1947 NFL Championship team.  The Chicago Cardinals beat the Eagles 28-21 on the frozen turf of old Comiskey Field.  A great conversation with the man who once played both center and middle linebacker for the old Chicago Bears.

Remember When? - The Arizona Cardinals are trying to do something not even the St. Louis Cardinals could - win an NFL Championship/Super Bowl.  Vince Banonis stirred up wonderful memories of years’ past - even referring to a young ball boy named “Billy Bidwill.”  The 87-year old even sang the Cardinal fight song during his visit with Gambo & Ash.  There is tradition in the Cardinals’ history, but you just need to turn back the clock oh, about 60 years.  G&A explained just how important Sunday’s game is in the history of Cardinal football starting in Chicago, on to St. Louis, and now here in Arizona.  We took calls.

2007 National Football Hall of Fame inductee and former Cardinal great Roger Wehrli joined us from St. Louis.  Wehrli said there are still plenty of Cardinal fans in St. Louis and he will be at the game Sunday.  The seven-time Pro-Bowler and member of the 70’s NFL All-Decade Team is also a member of the Cardinals’ Ring of Honor.

Our ESPN NBA analyst Tim Legler checked in to discuss the Suns’ current three-game win streak and tonight’s game the Carmelo Anthony-less Denver Nuggets.  He has been impressed by Shaq’s play and how he has stepped it up at the line.  Legs’ wife is a former Eagles’ cheerleader, but he’s a Redskins’ fan so he’s pulling for the Cards Sunday.

TO(over)? - Jerry Jones is thinking of ending Terrell Owens’ career as a Cowboy.  Super-agent Drew Rosenhaus says there is no truth to the story that Dallas might cut the talented, yet troubled wide receiver.  Gambo could see this coming, but thinks the Cowboys might keep Owens because it would be cheaper and TO can still play the game-unlike locker room cancer Pacman Jones, who did little in Big D last season.  Ash is certain someone will take a flier on Owens if Dallas does release him.

Friday:  Cards’ wide receiver Steve Breaston, MNF analyst Ron Jaworski, and ESPN NFL analyst Mark Schlereth

 

 Vince Banonis [18:54m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (246)

 

 Mike Gandy [9:00m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (122)

 

 Tim Legler [11:16m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (100)

 

 Roger Wehrli [10:38m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (119)

Here’s what went down Wednesday on G&A

We caught up with Sports 620 KTAR reporter Johnny V. LIVE at Cardinal headquarters to discuss the health status of Anquan Boldin for Sunday and get reaction regarding the Red Birds’ NFC Championship showdown against the Eagles in Glendale.  Q told the media “I will be out there” Sunday afternoon.

Playing Possum? - Eagles’ star Brian Westbrook says he’s not hurting, he’s just ran into two really good defenses in the playoffs (Vikings and Giants) and that’s the reason for his sub-par stats in Philly’s post-season wins.  Westbrook has been hampered most of the year with recurring knee problems.  Ash hopes Westbrook is healthy because he wants both teams at full strength so there are no excuses either way for whoever comes out on top.

Suns forward Amare Stoudemire broke down their 107-102 win over the Hawks last night at U.S. Airways Center.  STAT scored 17 points in the victory.  The Suns have won 6 of 7 and play the Nuggets tomorrow night in Denver.  He talked about the new-look Shaquille O’Neal and is hoping to play in the All-Star game next month right here in Phoenix.

Getting Hot - The Suns have won three-straight following last night’s win over the Hawks.  G&A agree this is a key stretch for Phoenix with a big East Coast road trip just around the corner.  Gambo has been impressed with Shaq’s recent success - especially at the charity stripe.  He also reported the Suns might look into acquiring Shaun Livingston to be Steve Nash’s backup.  Ash wonders if Livingston will ever be nearly the player he was before the horrific knee injury he suffered in late February of 2007.

Arizona State director of Athletics Lisa Love previewed the 14-2 Devils big weekend road trip to southern California starting with USC tomorrow night at the Galen Center.  They play UCLA Saturday afternoon at Pauley Pavilion.

Cardinals’ cornerback and former Nebraska star Ralph Brown shared his thoughts on Sunday’s match-up against the Eagles.  Used mainly as the nickel in Clancy Pendergast’s defense, Brown has an interception in each of the Red Birds’ wins this post-season.  He’s been hit up for tickets, but claims he has none!

Canton? - Donovan McNabb has been a staple in Philly for several years.  He has played in a Super Bowl, but has yet to reach the ultimate pinnacle in the NFL.  The skeptics say he isn’t deserving mainly due to his recent inconsistency, although his stats prove otherwise (better numbers than Kurt Warner who many feel is a shoe-in for Canton).  The guys debated and we took calls.

2008 National Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Goose Gossage talked about entering Cooperstown this past summer and the 2009 class, former Red Sox outfielder Jim Rice and “The Man of Steal,” Rickey Henderson.

Diamondbacks’ analyst and unabashed life-long Cards’ fan Mark Grace gave his thoughts on “Cardinal Mania” as well the Diamondbacks off-season and 2008 outlook.  He said he has waited patiently for this his entire life and believes the Birds will beat the Eagles on Sunday.  The D-backs will hold their 5th Annual Fan Fest February 7th at Chase Field.

Bird Bandwagon - A Philly columnist called out the Cards’ and their “front-running” fans here in the desert.  Gambo is fine with Cardinal support picking up steam after the University of Phoenix Stadium opened a few years back.  Why would anyone get excited to watch a bad NFL team (the Cardinals) play in a bad NFL stadium (Sun Devil)?  Ash is sick of all the haters making their voice heard from the East Coast.  Gambo thinks this weekend’s game will have the highest ratings in the history of Arizona television.

Thursday:  NFL HOF’er and former Cardinal great Roger Werhle, offensive tackle Mike Gandy, Eagles’ pass rush specialist Darren Howard, and ESPN NBA analyst Tim Legler.

 

 Amare Stoudemire [12:30m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (35)

 

 Lisa Love [8:17m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (20)

 

 Ralph Brown [11:34m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (55)

 

 Goose Gossage [12:50m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (23)

 

 Mark Grace [7:07m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (40)

Here’s what went down Tuesday on G&A

Cardinals Championship Week!

A listener e-mailed Gambo and said he would tattoo “Gambo” on left butt-cheek and “Ash” on his right for those lower-level NFC Championship tickets this weekend.  Nice!

STILL No Respect - With the Cards’ focus off Carolina and now pointed squarely on the big, bad Philadelphia Eagles.  Gambo is amazed in a recent article The New York Times cited Cards’ head coach “Ron Whisenhunt.”  Huh?  The guys agree the Eagles may be overlooking the Birds-this being the same team they smoked 48-20 on Thanksgiving night.  Some people back east are calling this weekend’s game a “walk-thru” for Philly.  The Eagle fans’ called in and reiterated what G&A believe-no one east of the Mississippi is taking the Cards’ seriously…still.

Cinderella No More? - The Cardinals are underdogs again this weekend, but the guys wonder just how much longer Arizona can/will be “flying under the radar.”  Ken Whisenhunt’s team has been living off the “no respect factor” angle the entire playoffs.  Will the trend continue Sunday against the nails-tough Eagles?  G&A believes it will.  Ash said he would trade a Super Bowl Championship for 10-consecutive losing seasons.  Why?  It’s simple, that’s what’s happened the past 10 years anyway so what’s the difference?  We took calls.

We caught up with Cardinals starting middle linebacker Gerald Hayes.  Hayes had an interception and a tackle for loss in Saturday’s win over the Panthers in Carolina.  He explained how he grew up a Giants fan…but wasn’t on Sunday.

ESPN Radio 950 in Philly host Jody McDonald joined the guys to give an East Coast perspective on the NFC Championship Game.  He explained the Eagles will likely look to slow down Larry Fitzgerald by rolling a safety to help out in coverage-something Carolina didn’t do on Saturday.  Jody Mac said the Eagles have one thing in mind:  a Super Bowl Championship after several close calls in recent years.

BONUS: That’s Why We Come In Here

Wednesday we’ll be joined by Cards’ cornerback Ralph Brown and Dbacks’ analyst and loyal Red Bird supporter Mark Grace

 

 Gerald Hayes [12:32m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (75)

 

 Jody McDonald [11:50m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (60)

 

 That's Why We Come In Here [1:24m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (42)

Here’s what went down Friday on G&A…

Ash was off….Johnny V. co-hosted with Gambo.

Touchdown Tebow! - The Florida Gators are Nationals Champions following Thursday night’s win over Oklahoma in Miami.  Quarterback Tim Tebow again stole the show and moments after the game the question was asked about him forgoing his senior year to enter the NFL draft.  Gambo is convinced Tebow won’t be a bust because of his work ethic and winning mentality.  He feels his maturity will allow him to make a seamless transition to the next level.  Johnny V. is impressed with Tebow’s leadership skills and production in just three years with the Gators.  We took calls.

Jail Time - Charles Barkley is taking a leave of absence from TNT and it is likely Sir Charles will serve jail time after getting busted for driving under the influence late last month in Scottsdale.  The guys discussed the public embarrassment Barkley has gone through over the years - most after he openly said he’d like to run for Governor of Alabama.  Both wonder if the cop would have let him skate if he was still a superstar on the Suns, not an analyst.  The audio from the DUI stop was released and we played parts of it this afternoon…interesting stuff.  We took calls.

Cards starting free safety Antrel Rolle discussed his 27-yard fumble return for touchdown last weekend against Atlanta.  The 2005 1st-round pick has made a smooth adjustment from cornerback to safety this season and has five career touchdowns.  Rolle finished the regular season second on the team in tackles with 89.  He knows the Red Birds will have their hands full with Steve Smith tomorrow.

Bird Seed - The Cardinals are in Carolina preparing for their game Saturday against the Panthers.  The weather is expected to be mild, but rain is possible.  Gambo feels any rain or inclement weather would be a clear advantage for the Panthers.  Johnny V. thinks the weather won’t play a huge factor because the Cards have been practicing in similar conditions the past few weeks here in the Valley.  After watching practice all week, V. doesn’t believe Anquan Boldin’s tender hamstring will allow him to play.  Both are picking the Panthers to prevail.  We took calls.

Our ESPN NFL analyst Mark Schlereth checked in to share his thoughts on the Cards-Panthers showdown in Charlotte and the other divisional matchups.  He’s picking all the home teams to prevail except for Tennessee, who takes on stingy Baltimore in Nashville.

Ash returns on Monday.

 

 Antrel Rolle [12:09m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (68)

 

 Mark Schlereth [13:38m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (40)