2006 Arizona Cardinals season
2006 Arizona Cardinals season | |
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University of Phoenix Stadium | |
Results | |
Record | 5–11 |
Division place | 4th NFC West |
Playoff finish | Did not qualify |
Pro Bowlers | WR Anquan Boldin SS Adrian Wilson |
Uniform | |
The 2006 season was the Arizona Cardinals' 87th in the National Football League (NFL) and their 19th in Arizona. The season began with the team trying to improve on their 5–11 record in 2005. They also moved into the Cardinals Stadium in Glendale, Arizona (one of the western suburbs of Phoenix), the first-ever stadium in the United States with a retractable playing surface. The stadium was christened University of Phoenix Stadium on September 26, and managed to sell out every home game. Despite a somewhat promising start, the team suffered a few setbacks, including key losses to the Dallas Cowboys and most memorably the eventual NFC Champion Chicago Bears, and ended the season (again) at a disappointing 5–11 record. Head coach Dennis Green was fired after the season, replaced by Ken Whisenhunt.
Offseason
On March 12, 2006, the Cardinals acquired former Colts running back Edgerrin James through free agency, by signing him to a four-year, $30 million contract.
The Cardinals then selected the 2004
Leinart missed the first two weeks of the 2006 Cardinals training camp (and the opening game of the preseason) due to prolonged contract negotiations, but on August 15, the
The Cardinals also selected another USC alum, guard
Arizona Cardinals Draft
2006 Arizona Cardinals draft | |||||
Round | Pick | Player | Position | College | Notes |
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1 | 10 | Matt Leinart | QB | USC | |
2 | 41 | Deuce Lutui | G
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USC | |
3 | 72 | Leonard Pope | WR | Georgia | |
4 | 107 | Gabe Watson | DT | Michigan | |
5 | 142 | Brandon Johnson | LB | Louisville | |
6 | 177 | Jonathan Lewis | DT | Virginia Tech | |
7 | 218 | Todd Watkins | WR | BYU | |
Made roster † Pro Football Hall of Fame * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career |
Personnel
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
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Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
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Roster
Schedule
In the 2006 regular season, the Cardinals' non-divisional, conference opponents were primarily from the NFC North, although they also played the Dallas Cowboys from the NFC East, and the Atlanta Falcons from the NFC South. Their non-conference opponents were from the AFC West.
Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance | |
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1 | September 10 | San Francisco 49ers | W 34–27 | 1–0 | Cardinals Stadium | 63,407 | |
2 | September 17 | at Seattle Seahawks | L 10–21 | 1–1 | Qwest Field
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67,470 | |
3 | September 24 | St. Louis Rams | L 14–16 | 1–2 | Cardinals Stadium | 63,278 | |
4 | October 1 | at Atlanta Falcons | L 10–32 | 1–3 | Georgia Dome | 68,981 | |
5 | October 8 | Kansas City Chiefs | L 20–23 | 1–4 | University of Phoenix Stadium | 63,445 | |
6 | October 16 | Chicago Bears | L 23–24 | 1–5 | University of Phoenix Stadium | 63,977 | |
7 | October 22 | at Oakland Raiders | L 9–22 | 1–6 | McAfee Coliseum
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61,595 | |
8 | October 29 | at Green Bay Packers | L 14–31 | 1–7 | Lambeau Field | 70,809 | |
9 | Bye | ||||||
10 | November 12 | Dallas Cowboys | L 10–27 | 1–8 | University of Phoenix Stadium | 63,926 | |
11 | November 19 | Detroit Lions | W 17–10 | 2–8 | University of Phoenix Stadium | 63,348 | |
12 | November 26 | at Minnesota Vikings | L 26–31 | 2–9 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 63,483 | |
13 | December 3 | at St. Louis Rams | W 34–20 | 3–9 | Edward Jones Dome | 65,612 | |
14 | December 10 | Seattle Seahawks | W 27–21 | 4–9 | University of Phoenix Stadium | 63,603 | |
15 | December 17 | Denver Broncos | L 20–37 | 4–10 | University of Phoenix Stadium | 63,845 | |
16 | December 24 | at San Francisco 49ers | W 26–20 | 5–10 | Monster Park | 67,751 | |
17 | December 31 | at San Diego Chargers | L 20–27 | 5–11 | Qualcomm Stadium | 66,492 |
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Standings
NFC West | |||||||||
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W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK | |
(4) Seattle Seahawks | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 3–3 | 7–5 | 335 | 341 | W1 |
St. Louis Rams | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 2–4 | 6–6 | 367 | 381 | W3 |
San Francisco 49ers | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 3–3 | 5–7 | 298 | 412 | W1 |
Arizona Cardinals | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 4–2 | 5–7 | 314 | 389 | L1 |
Regular season
The Cardinals' Ring of Honor was started in 2006 to mark the opening of University of Phoenix Stadium. It honors former Cardinal greats from all eras of the franchise's history. Following is a list of inductees and the dates that they were inducted.
- Charles Bidwill, Owner (8/12/2006)
- Jimmy Conzelman, Coach (8/12/2006)
- Dan Dierdorf, T (10/16/2006)
- John "Paddy" Driscoll, QB (8/12/2006)
- Marshall Goldberg, HB (8/12/2006)
- Dick "Night Train" Lane, DB (8/12/2006)
- Ollie Matson, HB (8/12/2006)
- Ernie Nevers, FB (8/12/2006)
- Charley Trippi, HB/QB (8/12/2006)
- Roger Wehrli, CB (10/14/2007)
- Larry Wilson, S (9/10/2006)
- Pat Tillman, S (11/12/2006)
Week 1: vs. San Francisco 49ers
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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49ers | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 27 |
Cardinals | 21 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 34 |
at Cardinals Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
The Cardinals opened the regular season at home against
Week 2: at Seattle Seahawks
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 10 |
Seahawks | 14 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 21 |
at
For Week 2, the Cardinals flew to the Northwest to take on the defending NFC Champion Seattle Seahawks. From the get-go, the Cardinals trailed, as the opposing RB Shaun Alexander to score a TD on a 2-yard run. Then, Arizona allowed opposing QB Matt Hasselbeck to complete a 49-yard TD pass to WR Darrell Jackson. There wasn't any more scoring by either team for the remainder of the half. In the third quarter, the Cardinals finally got on the border with kicker Neil Rackers nailing a 43-yard field goal. However, Seattle managed to put the game away with FB Mack Strong's 3-yard TD run. The Cardinals got a TD, with QB Kurt Warner completing a 40-yard pass to WR Bryant Johnson, but the Seahawks were the better team and the Cardinals fell to 1–1.
Week 3: vs. St. Louis Rams
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Rams | 0 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 16 |
Cardinals | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
at Cardinals Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
The Cardinals returned home to face their third NFC West opponent,
Week 4: at Atlanta Falcons
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Cardinals | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
Falcons | 6 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 32 |
at the
Hoping to recover from a two-game skid, the Cardinals flew to the Georgia Dome for a Week 4 match-up with the Atlanta Falcons. From the get-go, the Cardinals trailed, as Falcons kicker Morten Andersen completed a 34-yard and a 40-yard field goal in the opening period. The Cardinals responded with a 29-yard field goal by kicker Neil Rackers. In the second quarter, Arizona continued to trail, as Koenan belted a 51-yard field goal for Atlanta. The Cardinals struck back with SS Adrian Wilson returning an interception 99 yards for a touchdown, but that was the only time that the Cardinals saw the lead, as Andersen got a 36-yard field goal to give the Falcons the lead at halftime. In the second half, the Cardinals got shot down and shut-out, as Atlanta scored 20 unanswered points (Andersen's 26-yard field goal, CB DeAngelo Hall's 37-yard interception return in the third quarter, rookie RB Jerious Norwood's 78-yard TD run and Andersen's 28-yard field goal in the fourth quarter). Not even QB Matt Leinart, who replaced QB Kurt Warner in the fourth quarter, could save Arizona from dropping their third straight game, as the Cardinals fell to 1–3. The game showed just how much the Cardinals had to improve their offensive line, as they were whipped for the whole game by the Falcons defensive line.
Week 5: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Chiefs | 0 | 10 | 0 | 13 | 23 |
Cardinals | 14 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 20 |
at
The Cardinals hosted a close contest with
The Cards started off hot as Matt Leinart, making his first NFL start, threw two touchdowns in the first quarter to his two top targets, Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald. The Chiefs responded early in the second quarter with a 45-yard field goal by kicker Lawrence Tynes, and a touchdown pass from quarterback Damon Huard to running back Larry Johnson. Cards kicker Neil Rackers added a 41-yard field at the end of the first half.
Another Rackers field goal, this time from 45 yards, accounted for the only score in the third quarter. The Chiefs then scored 13 unanswered points to win the game, with a touchdown pass from Huard to Samie Parker, and two field goals by Tynes (40, 19). Tynes' last field goal was set up by a 78-yard screen pass from Huard to Johnson. Johnson suffered a sprained neck at the end of the play on a violent face mask tackle by Cards' cornerback Antrel Rolle, who was fined $12,500 for the penalty.
A last second 51-yard field goal attempt by Rackers to send the game to overtime failed, giving the Cards their fourth straight loss. During the game Larry Fitzgerald pulled a hamstring and missed 3 games, returning Week 10 against Dallas.
Week 6 vs Chicago Bears
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Bears | 0 | 0 | 10 | 14 | 24 |
Cardinals | 14 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 23 |
at
- Date: October 16
- Game time: 6:30 p.m. MDT
- Game weather: Clear • 73 °F (23 °C)
- Game attendance: 63,977
- Referee: Jerome Boger
- TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Tirico, Joe Theismann, and Tony Kornheiser
- Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information | ||
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The Cards lost their fifth straight game to the undefeated Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football.
The Cards came out smoking early as QB Matt Leinart for the second straight week threw two touchdown passes in the first quarter, connecting with wide receivers Bryant Johnson and Anquan Boldin. Cards K Neil Rackers converted field goals of 41 and 28 yards respectively to give the Cards a seemingly insurmountable 20–0 halftime lead. The Cards held Bears QB Rex Grossman in check, forcing him into six turnovers (four interceptions and two fumbles). Bears K Robbie Gould drilled a 23-yard field goal midway through the third quarter for the Bears only offensive points of the night. Cards K Rackers responded with a 29-yard field goal of his own to extend the lead to 23–3. The Bears went on to score 21 unanswered points on defense and special teams, two fumble recoveries by Mike Brown and Charles Tillman respectively, and an 82-yard punt return touchdown by rookie Devin Hester. Cards K Rackers was set up to win the game with a 40-yard field goal in the waning minutes, but the kick sailed wide left and they dropped to 1–5 on the season.
The loss marked the first time in history that a team blew a 20-point lead to an opponent who did not score any offensive touchdowns. At the post-game press conference, coach Dennis Green erupted at reporters. "The Bears are who we thought they were! That’s why we took the damn field! Now, if you want to crown them, then crown their ass! But they are who we thought they were, and we let them off the hook!" He then smacked the microphone before storming out of the room. The clip quickly became a highlight of sports shows and popular online. (An edited version of the clip is being used in current Coors Light advertisements). Chicago Bears QB Rex Grossman told Cardinals QB Matt Leinart after the game that Arizona deserved to have won that game.
Scoring summary | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Week 7: at Oakland Raiders
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Cardinals | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 9 |
Raiders | 14 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 22 |
at
Hoping to end their horrendous five-game skid, the Cardinals traveled to
Arizona had visited Oakland only once before. The Cardinals won 34–31 on an overtime field goal by
In the first quarter, the Cards string of bad luck continued to haunt them, as Raiders RB ReShard Lee got a 1-yard TD run, while QB Andrew Walter threw a 32-yard TD pass to WR Randy Moss. In the second quarter, both teams swapped field goals. Oakland kicker Sebastian Janikowski got a 31-yard field goal, while Arizona kicker Neil Rackers nailed a 29-yard try. In the third quarter, the Raiders continued to pour on the points, as Janikowski got a 35-yard field goal, while Defensive Tackle Terdell Sands tackles Cardinals RB Marcel Shipp at the goal line for a safety. The only response Arizona could bring up was Rackers kicking a 45-yard field goal. He kicked one more in the fourth quarter (38-yarder), but that was all that the Cardinals produced as they dropped their sixth straight game.
Week 8: at Green Bay Packers
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Cardinals | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
Packers | 7 | 14 | 7 | 3 | 31 |
at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
The Cards visit
In the wake of this loss, concern for the remainder of the once-promising season was so strong, DE Bertrand Berry led a players-only meeting at the Cardinals HQ in Tempe on November 7.[2] Some days earlier, Berry openly questioned his teammates' commitment to success during an interview on a local radio program.
Week 10: vs. Dallas Cowboys
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Cowboys | 3 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 27 |
Cardinals | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
at
Coming off their Bye Week, the Cardinals went home for a Week 10 fight with their former rival the Dallas Cowboys. In the first quarter, Arizona trailed early as kicker Mike Vanderjagt nailed a 28-yard field goal for the only score of the period. In the second quarter, the Cardinals' year-long struggles continued as QB Tony Romo completed a 30-yard TD pass to WR Patrick Crayton. The Cards responded with a 28-yard field goal by kicker Neil Rackers. Afterwards, Vanderjagt gave the Cowboys some breathing room with a 38-yard field goal as time ran out on the half. In the third quarter, things continued to get worse for Arizona as Romo completed a 51-yard TD pass to WR Terrell Owens for the only score of the period. In the fourth quarter, Dallas wrapped up the game with RB Marion Barber's 5-yard TD run. The Cardinals got a touchdown as QB Matt Leinart got a 3-yard TD run. However, the Cards dropped their eighth straight game and fell to 1–8.
Week 11: vs. Detroit Lions
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Lions | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 10 |
Cardinals | 0 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 17 |
at
Trying to end their eight-game skid, the Cardinals stayed at home for a Week 11 fight with the Detroit Lions. After a scoreless first quarter, the Cards struck first in the second quarter with QB Matt Leinart completing a 2-yard TD pass to WR Bryant Johnson. Afterwards, kicker Neil Rackers nailed a 36-yard field goal for Arizona. In the third quarter, Leinart scored on a 9-yard run to give the Cardinals a 17–0 lead. However, the Lions started to creep back into the game. It started with kicker Jason Hanson's 32-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, Detroit started to threaten Arizona's lead as RB Arlen Harris got a 1-yard TD run. The Cardinals' defense held up for the win. Not only did the Cardinals improve to 2–8, but they also snapped their eight-game losing streak.
Week 12: at Minnesota Vikings
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Cardinals | 7 | 6 | 0 | 13 | 26 |
Vikings | 7 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 31 |
at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Date: November 26
- Game time: 1:00 p.m.
Game information | ||
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Coming off of their home win over the Lions, the Cardinals flew to the
Week 13: at St. Louis Rams
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Cardinals | 7 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 34 |
Rams | 3 | 0 | 7 | 10 | 20 |
at the
The Cards visited the
Week 14: vs. Seattle Seahawks
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Seahawks | 7 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 21 |
Cardinals | 14 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 27 |
at
Coming of their road win over the Rams, the Cardinals went home for an NFC West rematch with the
Week 15: vs. Denver Broncos
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Broncos | 10 | 6 | 7 | 14 | 37 |
Cardinals | 0 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 20 |
at
Trying to snap a four-game losing skid, the Broncos flew to the
In the first quarter, the Cardinals trailed early as Cutler completed a 54-yard TD pass to WR Javon Walker and kicker Jason Elam nailed a 30-yard field goal. In the second quarter, Arizona trailed even further with Elam's 22-yard field goal. The Cardinals scored as kicker Neil Rackers nailed a 49-yard field goal and DE Antonio Smith returned a fumble 4 yards for a touchdown. However, Denver managed to get one last field goal before halftime as Elam kicked a 30-yard field goal. In the third quarter, more struggles continued as Cutler completed a 10-yard TD pass to WR Rod Smith. Arizona responded with Rackers' 38-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, the Broncos continued their pounding on the Cards with RB Mike Bell's 1-yard TD run. Even though the Cardinals got a 4-yard TD run by RB Edgerrin James, Denver wrapped up Cutler's first NFL win with another 1-yard TD run by Mike Bell. With the loss, Arizona fell to 4–10.
Week 16: at San Francisco 49ers
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Cardinals | 10 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 26 |
49ers | 3 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 20 |
at
Hoping to rebound from their home loss to the Broncos, the Cardinals flew to
Week 17: at San Diego Chargers
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Cardinals | 7 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 20 |
Chargers | 3 | 14 | 10 | 0 | 27 |
at
Trying to end their lackluster season on a high note, the Cardinals played their last game of the year at