FanHouse ShaneBoyd

When the Arizona Cardinals announced their cuts yesterday, there was a surprising name on the list: linebacker Buster Davis.

Davis, the Cardinals third-round pick, had a rough offseason with Arizona and never really seemed to fit the 3-4 system they were running.

"(Buster) never really stepped up to what we needed," Coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "We said going in we would pick the best 53 for the football team and we made that clear. I had even spoken with Buster that his level of performance on the field was not quite what we had seen on the tape."

There is still a chance that the Cardinals may keep him on the practice squad, but even that is questionable. As noted above, Davis doesn't fit in with the 3-4 system and would probably be better suited to join a team using a 4-3.

Arizona is still on the hook for Davis' $600,000 signing bonus.

Other notable cuts were quarterback Shane Boyd, defensive tackle Jonathan Lewis, wide receiver Micheal Spurlock and defensive back Justin Wyatt.

Did you really see what you think you saw? Did the Cardinals -- the Arizona Cardinals -- actually display a solid running game last night?

I realize that's an oddity in Phoenix, but the Cardinals really did showcase a rather impressive ground attack in their 21-3 loss to the Denver Broncos yesterday. In fact, they ran for a total 184 yards -- something almost unheard of down in the desert.

Sure, it was only a preseason game, but you've got to take what you can from these contests. Regardless of whom it was and what unit they were playing against, Coach Ken Whisenhunt has to be encouraged by that. Making it all the more impressive, was the fact that none of Arizona's running backs averaged less than four yards per carry.

Unfortunately, their passing game did not follow suit. Matt Leinart (2 of 6 for 13 yards) struggled a bit during his only series of the game, despite leading them down the field for their only score of the night. He was followed up by Kurt Warner, Shane Boyd and Lang Campbell who went a combined 14 of 31 for 110 yards and an interception.

Although the Arizona Cardinals were unable to walk away victorious, fans have to be happy with most of what they saw. The Cardinals played tough, gutsy football last night and the play calling was leaps and bounds better than last year. Unfortunately, they made some foolish penalties and played undisciplined football at times, which eventually cost them the game.

The offensive line did show some improvement over last year's squad, but not much. Obviously it's going to take them more than one preseason game to jell, so there is no reason to be concerned ... yet. On the plus side, Levi Brown made it clear that he will be worth all the money spent on him. Unfortunately for him, Oliver Ross played like an absolute stud out there and would be the clear starter if the regular season began today.

Another surprise was the play of running back Marcel Shipp (72 total yards). He really made a case for getting some additional carries this year by having an excellent night. Shipp was decisive and hit the holes hard. Although he didn't break off a run for more than eight yards, he was able to net five per carry for the game.

Fat, lazy, stupid?

Freeman just made Brian Hoyer incredibly jealous. Hot off the wires Fresh in my inbox:

WHB 810 in KC is reporting that [Freeman] showed up to the first [Wildcat] practice at 260lbs or so and failed his fitness test.

Josh Freeman is not exactly at Jared Lorenzen-level heavy - yet - but maybe we can classify him with another portly Kentucky Wildcat quarterback: Shane Boyd?

Thanks to being the team's starting quarterback and the brash use of the #1 uniform, there's a big ol' target on Freeman's back. We already know Bill Callahan hates him. Does he really need to draw the ire of the entire Kansas State fan base as well?

He had an eye-opening performance in beating a Colt McCoy-less Texas last year that had people thinking big things but this just isn't good news. Phil Steele lists him at 6-6/238 pounds so Freeman is clearly a big boy but few quarterbacks ever find that "ideal weight" anywhere north of 250 pounds especially as college sophomores.

Less beer, less cheeseburgers, a lot more windsprints and stadium steps and hopefully this resolves itself by the end of the month when Kansas State opens up on the road against Auburn. Now please excuse me while I sit down to a cheeseburger and a pint of Sam Adams.