Here’s what went down Monday on G&A…

We checked in with Sports 620 KTAR’s Rod Lakin LIVE from NFC Champ Camp in Flagstaff to discuss this morning’s practice at NAU and everything else making headlines with the Cards. He said Anquan Boldin sat out Monday’s morning session with a minor injury and Ken Whisenhunt finally looked at the Super Bowl tape from February as the Red Birds get set for their pre-season opener Thursday against the Steelers.

It’s time…The D-backs were swept by the Nats over the weekend to finish the road trip 6-4. What started as a 6-1 trip, ended sadly with three-straight losses. Gambo is getting sick of Chris Young’s struggles at the plate and says it’s time for Josh Byrnes to send him to Reno. John believes in letting players work their way out of early-season slumps (Justin Upton, Jon Rauch), but we’re in mid-August and “C.Y.” is still hitting under .200. As we discussed the topic, Gambo reported the team did indeed demote Young to Triple-A. Ash likes it because it allows the D-backs to play other young players like Alex Romero and Trent Oeltjen while allowing Young to “find himself” at the plate. John feels this is how you find out what kind of player Young is. Will he excel and be recalled batting .300 or not be mentally tough enough to find his stroke at the dish? Mark feels “CY” will bounce back just fine. Only time will tell. He was hitting .118 in August. The club called up infielder Rusty Ryal to take Young’s roster spot.

Boston Massacre II…The Yankees extended their lead to 6 ½ games in the AL East following their four-game sweep of the hated Red Sox in New York. Gambo was impressed by the Yankees pitching all weekend, but thinks Mark Teixiera is not only the most valuable Yankee, but the AL MVP, as well. Mark isn’t sold on the Sox even making the post-season as the AL Wild Card representative. Ash knows Boston’s starting pitching isn’t what it once was and the everyday players (David Ortiz, Mike Lowell, and Jason Varitek) got old quickly and it shows.

I did do it, but I didn’t…Red Sox slugger David Ortiz spoke publicly over the weekend at Yankee Stadium regarding testing positives for steroids back in 2003. “Big Papi” still denies he ever took steroids, but blames the positive test on possibly over-the-counter vitamins. Gambo isn’t buying any of this. Ash isn’t surprised Ortiz didn’t come clean, because it would be of no benefit to Big Papi. John is sick of the lying athletes hiding behind these “mystery” laced supplements. The guys concur this ugly mess is getting out of hand, but Mark feels this problem isn’t going away anytime soon.

Fess Up; Already…Gambo wants Ortiz to name the companies who allegedly laced his vitamins with steroids. John is certain he won’t do it fearing a multi-million dollar lawsuit against Big Papi. Mark found it amusing Ortiz openly referred to his “love of the fans” and “respect for the game” of baseball. Umm, right. Ash knows Ortiz is simply fishing for public sympathy after being caught red-handed.

Cardinals starting center and former Scottsdale Chaparral High star Lyle Sendlein discussed his training camp thus far and how the offensive line looks to improve following their breakthrough season a year ago. He also previewed his alma mater, the Texas Longhorns, upcoming season. Mack Brown’s team was #2 in the coaches’ poll released last week.

Relapse…All-Star slugger and recovering alcoholic Josh Hamilton relapsed back in January at a Tempe bar while preparing for spring training. The married father told his wife and the Rangers the following day. Pictures from the night, with Hamilton surrounded by women in provocative systems, surfaced over the weekend. G&A applaud Hamilton for coming forward the following day and know the fans will be pulling for the talented outfielder in the future. John knows these athletes can’t hide anymore with the internet, camera phones, etc.

To the Vick-tor go the spoils?…Michael Vick is still a free-agent, but with the “backing” of Rev. Jesse Jackson, Ron Mexico may not be out of work much longer. Jackson accused teams of collusion against Vick. G&A find this whole situation laughable. Ash wonders why Jackson isn’t backing other free-agent quarterbacks like say, Jeff George.

We caught up with Cards’ rookie cornerback Greg Toler from NFC Champ Camp in Flagstaff. The former J.C. Pennies employee has impressed coaches with his speed and cover skills thus far. He said he’s learning more and more about life in the NFL with each practice.

Power Surge…one bright spot that came out of the D-backs weekend sweep at the hands of the Nats was the play of Mark Reynolds who was named the National League Player of the Week Monday afternoon and has homered in four straight games entering tonight’s game against the Mets. Gambo is just as impressed with Reynolds’ .290 average as he is his towering homers (each 2009 round-tripper travels more than 400 feet, 1st in the National League and second in MLB). Ash knows he would be a legitimate MVP candidate if the D-backs weren’t one of the worst teams in baseball.

Tangled Webb…Brandon Webb addressed the media Monday afternoon at Chase Field and said he hopes to return to the mound early next year. “Webby” said his future here in Arizona is in the hands of the D-backs’ front office. The guys debated if Josh Byrnes may roll the dice and give him the big extension in hopes Webb display the same loyalty if/when he returns to his Cy Young form from 2008.

Tuesday we’ll be joined by MMA legend Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell at 1:40, D-backs skipper A.J. Hinch at 3:00, and Steelers starting tackle Willie Colon at 3:40.

Here’s what went down Thursday Gambo & Ash…

Good news, bad news…The D-backs continued their winning ways beating the Pirates Wednesday for their sixth victory in the past seven games. The bad news is they lost All-Star Justin Upton to a right oblique strain which landed him on the disabled list Thursday. The guys agree Ryan Roberts, who left the team Thursday to return to Scottsdale to be with his wife who is expected to give birth shortly, is making a push for being the everyday second baseman. Ash feels his versatility (he’s the third-string catcher) will only help Roberts in the future. Gambo continues to be impressed with the play of outfielder Gerardo Parra.

Good friend of the program Jeremy Roenick joined the guys to discuss his decision to retire after 20 years in the NHL. The former Coyote great scored over 500-career goals and “JR” said he had no regrets walking away even though he never hoisted Lord Stanley’s Cup.

Feathers Flying…The Cards strapped on the pads for a scrimmage Wednesday night under the lights in front of a capacity crowd at Lumberjack Stadium. The guys discussed how the defense dominated the scrimmage, but the offensive line continues to jell in hopes of keeping Kurt Warner upright and healthy for the entire season like they did in 2008. Ash feels continuity, along with talent, is the two biggest keys for success upfront.

We caught up with Cards cornerback Ralph Brown from Flagstaff. The veteran discussed his increased role on defense after getting several key interceptions last season, and how the new-look secondary will look to improve in 2009.

Twitter Trouble…Chargers’ cornerback Antonio Cromartie was fined $2,500 by the team earlier this week for complaining about the lousy food served at Charger training camp in San Diego. Ash knew it was only a matter of time before an athlete got in trouble tweeting and Mark is certain Darnell Dockett AKA “Nine-Oh” will be the first Cardinal to be Twitter scolded. Gambo thinks it’s cool athletes can interact with the everyday fan on Twitter, but because of the increased sports coverage everywhere, athletes need to be careful what and when they tweet. G&A loved sharing their NFC Champ Camp twitpics from earlier this week. Both know Twitter is just the latest social networking tool where media and newsmakers can go to break stories.

Cardinals rookie safety Rashad Johnson checked in from NFC Champ Camp in Flagstaff. The former two-time captain at Alabama will shared his thoughts on learning under Pro-Bowler Adrian Wilson, learning a new defense, and carrying other players’ gear after practice each day during camp.

Here’s what went down Wednesday on Gambo & Ash…

Morning Practice Recap…Gambo thought Matt Leinart looked very good and Kurt Warner did not look 100%. Warner was very inconsistent and is still be bothered by his hip.

Arizona Cardinals Wide Receiver Jeherme Urban checks in with G&A live in Flagstaff. Urban talks about learning from Larry Fitzgerald and trying to push Steve Breaston for the #3 WR position.

Diamondbacks…Petit was almost perfect and Ryan Roberts big night. Gambo thinks Roberts has earned a roster spot next year, but does not think he can be the starting second baseman. They need to add a full time guy and Roberts can be the utility infielder off the bench.

Fall Out from Jarrod Parker Injury…The injury to Diamondbacks stud prospect Jarrod Parker has a trickle down affect to next year’s rotation. The guys think this could mean the return of Jon Garland.

Tim Hightower, Arizona Cardinals running back joined the guys live in Flagstaff. Hightower reminisced about what he learned from Edge and how he will help this year’s crop of RB’s.

We were be joined by our baseball insider Tim Kurkjian from ESPN. He discussed Yusmiero Petit’s masterpiece last night in Pittsburgh, Brandon Webb’s contract status, the tight race in the AL Central, and everything else making headlines around baseball.

Webb’s Loyalty…Gambo compared Brandon Webb’s situation to Anquan Boldin and Darnell Dockett contract problems with the Arizona Cardinals. The Diamondbacks have a tough decision to make; do they let Webb walk or should they try and find a way to keep him knowing that he could miss the entire 2010 season?

Friend of the program Bertrand Berry caught up with Gambo & Ash. The B-Train discussed what his role will be with this year’s Cards defense.

Here is what went down Monday on Gambo & Ash…

First Impressions…G&A were shocked at how packed Flagstaff was for Cardinals training camp. Larry Fitzgerald is clearly the most popular player there and Gambo was very impressed with Dominique Byrd. Byrd played at USC with Matt Leinart and he made a couple outstanding catches at the morning practice.

Cardinals safety Antrel Rolle sat down with Gambo & Ash live in Flagstaff. The guys talked about the transition from Clancy Pendergrast to new defensive coordinator Bill Davis and his pension for scoring defensive touchdowns.

Webb Watch…Brandon Webb will be undergoing arthroscopic surgery on right shoulder. Gambo says the Diamondbacks will not pick up his option or give him an incentive laden deal. He could see them bringing him back at a discounted rate. Ash thinks if another team offers more money than the Diamondbacks that Webb will leave because of the breaks he has given the Snakes in the past.

G&A caught up with Arizona Cardinals back up quarterback Brian St. Pierre live in Flagstaff. Pierre discussed his competition with Matt Leinart for the #2 QB spot behind Kurt Warner

Coyotes in Trouble…The city of Glendale wants to put in an 11.5% tax to help keep the Phoenix Coyotes in Glendale. G&A think this is crazy. The guys don’t think Jerry Reinsdorf, the owner of the Chicago White Sox has good intentions with his bid for the Yotes. Reinsdorf is a businessman; he is looking to make money.

Bill Davis, the new Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator, checked in with the guys live in Flagstaff. Davis looked back at his previous stops with 49ers, Giants, and Falcons. He is very excited for the opportunity to work with Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt and to build upon the success Cards defense had last season.