2012 Arizona Cardinals season

2012 Arizona Cardinals season
Head Coach	Ken Whisenhunt
General Manager	Rod Graves
Home Field	University of Phoenix Stadium
Results
Record	5–11
Place	4th NFC West
Playoff Finish	did not qualify
Uniform
File:NFCW-Uniform-ARI.PNG
Timeline
Previous season	Next season
2011	2013

The 2012 Arizona Cardinals season was the franchise's 93rd season in the National Football League and the 25th in Arizona. After a surprising 4–0 start, the Cardinals lost 11 of their final 12 games, and missed the playoffs for a third consecutive season, resulting in the firing of head coach Ken Whisenhunt after six seasons.

2012 draft class

The Cardinals did not have a second round pick.

Main article: 2012 NFL Draft

Round	Selection	Player	Position	College
1	13	Michael Floyd	Wide Receiver	Notre Dame
3	80	Jamell Fleming	Cornerback	Oklahoma
4	112	Bobby Massie	Offensive Tackle	Ole Miss
5	151	Senio Kelemete	Guard	Washington
6	177	Justin Bethel	Safety	Presbyterian
	185	Ryan Lindley	Quarterback	San Diego State
7	221	Nate Potter	Offensive Tackle	Boise State

NOTES

^{^[a]} The team traded its second-round selection and CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for QB Kevin Kolb.

^{^[b]} The team acquired this sixth-round selection (#177 overall) and DE Vonnie Holliday in a trade that sent RB Tim Hightower to the Washington Redskins.

Staff

2012 Arizona Cardinals staff
	Front office Owner/Chairman – Bill Bidwill President – Michael Bidwill General Manager – Rod Graves Director of Football Administration – Reggie Terry Director of Player Personnel – Steve Keim Director of Pro Personnel – Jason Licht Assistant Director of Pro Personnel – Quentin Harris Head coaches Head Coach – Ken Whisenhunt Offensive coaches Offensive Coordinator – Mike Miller Quarterbacks – John McNulty Running Backs – Tommie Robinson Wide Receivers – Frank Reich Tight Ends – Freddie Kitchens Assistant Head Coach/Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line – Russ Grimm Offensive Quality Control – Chad Grimm			Defensive coaches Defensive Coordinator – Ray Horton Defensive Line – Ron Aiken Linebackers – Matt Raich Defensive Backs – Louie Cioffi Assistant Defensive Backs – Deshea Townsend Defensive Quality Control – Ryan Slowik Special teams coaches Special Teams – Kevin Spencer Strength and conditioning Strength and Conditioning – John Lott Assistant Strength and Conditioning – Pete Alosi

Final roster

2012 Arizona Cardinals roster
	Quarterbacks  6 Brian Hoyer 14 Ryan Lindley 19 John Skelton Running backs 33 William Powell 35 Anthony Sherman FB 29 Alfonso Smith 36 LaRod Stephens-Howling 26 Beanie Wells Wide receivers 17 LaRon Byrd 85 Early Doucet 11 Larry Fitzgerald 15 Michael Floyd 12 Andre Roberts 18 Kerry Taylor Tight ends 81 Jim Dray 87 Jeff King 83 Kory Sperry		Offensive linemen 74 D'Anthony Batiste T 71 Daryn Colledge G 69 Mike Gibson G 64 Senio Kelemete G 70 Bobby Massie T 67 Pat McQuistan T 76 Nate Potter T 68 Adam Snyder G/T 66 Scott Wedige C Defensive linemen 93 Calais Campbell DE 79 David Carter NT 90 Darnell Dockett DE 98 Nick Eason DE 91 Vonnie Holliday DE 96 Ronald Talley DE 92 Dan Williams NT		Linebackers 94 Sam Acho OLB/DE 55 Stewart Bradley ILB 54 Quentin Groves OLB 51 Paris Lenon ILB 59 Zack Nash OLB 56 Reggie Walker ILB 58 Daryl Washington ILB Defensive backs 27 Michael Adams CB 31 Justin Bethel CB 23 Jamell Fleming CB 22 William Gay CB 49 Rashad Johnson FS 21 Patrick Peterson CB 25 Kerry Rhodes FS 39 James Sanders SS 28 Greg Toler CB 24 Adrian Wilson SS Special teams  3 Jay Feely K 82 Mike Leach LS  9 Dave Zastudil P		Reserve lists 62 Ryan Bartholomew C (IR) 75 Levi Brown OT (IR) 65 Blake DeChristopher G (IR) 84 Rob Housler TE (IR) 45 Javarris James RB (IR)  4 Kevin Kolb QB (IR) 72 Rich Ohrnberger C (IR) 50 O'Brien Schofield OLB/DE (IR) 63 Lyle Sendlein C (IR) -- Brandon Williams OLB (IR) 34 Ryan Williams RB (IR) Practice squad 78 Steven Baker OT 53 Tim Fugger OLB 95 Ricky Lumpkin NT 20 Greg McCoy CB 52 Colin Parker ILB 10 Gerell Robinson WR 60 Everrette Thompson DE 32 Fozzy Whittaker RB Rookies in italics 53 Active, 11 Inactive, 8 Practice squad

Schedule

Preseason

The Cardinals' 2012 preseason began when they faced the New Orleans Saints in the 2012 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on Sunday, August 5, 2012 at Fawcett Stadium in Canton, Ohio. The game aired on the NFL Network, and it marked the fourth time for the Cardinals and the fifth time for the Saints playing in the Hall of Fame Game. The remainder of the Cardinals' preseason schedule was announced on April 4, 2012. In the third game against the Oakland Raiders, a fight broke out in the University of Phoenix Stadium parking lot in the third quarter, which later led to a man being "accidentally shot", according to police.

Week	Date	Kickoff	Opponent	Results		Game site	TV	NFL.com recap
				Final score	Team record
HOF	August 5	5:00 p.m.	vs. New Orleans Saints	L 10–17	0–1	Fawcett Stadium (Canton, Ohio)	NFLN	Recap
1	August 10	5:00 p.m.	at Kansas City Chiefs	L 17–27	0–2	Arrowhead Stadium	KNXV	Recap
2	August 17	7:00 p.m.	Oakland Raiders	W 31–27	1–2	University of Phoenix Stadium	KNXV	Recap
3	August 23	5:00 p.m.	at Tennessee Titans	L 27–32	1–3	LP Field	ESPN/KTVK	Recap
4	August 30	8:00 p.m.	Denver Broncos	L 13–16	1–4	University of Phoenix Stadium	NFLN/KNXV	Recap

Regular season

Week	Date	Kickoff	Opponent	Results		Game site	TV	NFL.com recap
				Final score	Team record
1	September 9	1:25 p.m.	Seattle Seahawks	W 20–16	1–0	University of Phoenix Stadium	Fox	Recap
2	September 16	10:00 a.m.	at New England Patriots	W 20–18	2–0	Gillette Stadium	Fox	Recap
3	September 23	1:05 p.m.	Philadelphia Eagles	W 27–6	3–0	University of Phoenix Stadium	Fox	Recap
4	September 30	1:05 p.m.	Miami Dolphins	W 24–21 (OT)	4–0	University of Phoenix Stadium	CBS	Recap
5	October 4	5:20 p.m.	at St. Louis Rams	L 3–17	4–1	Edward Jones Dome	NFLN	Recap
6	October 14	1:05 p.m.	Buffalo Bills	L 16–19 (OT)	4–2	University of Phoenix Stadium	CBS	Recap
7	October 21	10:00 a.m.	at Minnesota Vikings	L 14–21	4–3	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome	Fox	Recap
8	October 29	5:30 p.m.	San Francisco 49ers	L 3–24	4–4	University of Phoenix Stadium	ESPN	Recap
9	November 4	11:00 a.m.	at Green Bay Packers	L 17–31	4–5	Lambeau Field	Fox	Recap
10	Bye
11	November 18	11:00 a.m.	at Atlanta Falcons	L 19–23	4–6	Georgia Dome	Fox	Recap
12	November 25	2:25 p.m.	St. Louis Rams	L 17–31	4–7	University of Phoenix Stadium	Fox	Recap
13	December 2	11:00 a.m.	at New York Jets	L 6–7	4–8	MetLife Stadium	Fox	Recap
14	December 9	2:25 p.m.	at Seattle Seahawks	L 0–58	4–9	CenturyLink Field	Fox	Recap
15	December 16	2:05 p.m.	Detroit Lions	W 38–10	5–9	University of Phoenix Stadium	Fox	Recap
16	December 23	2:25 p.m.	Chicago Bears	L 13–28	5–10	University of Phoenix Stadium	Fox	Recap
17	December 30	2:25 p.m.	at San Francisco 49ers	L 13–27	5–11	Candlestick Park	Fox	Recap

LEGEND

^{^[a]} The state of Arizona lies entirely within the Mountain Time Zone, but does not observe Daylight saving time (excluding the Navajo Nation), so it is effectively the same as Pacific Daylight Time from mid-March until the first Sunday of November. Therefore, all game times during the preseason and from Weeks 1–8 during the regular season are listed as Pacific time, while game times from Weeks 9–17 are listed as Mountain time.

^{^[b]} Simulcast locally on KPHO-TV.

^{^[c]} Simulcast locally on KTVK.

Bold indicates division opponents.

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Seattle Seahawks

Week One: Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Seahawks 3 0 10 3 16 Cardinals 3 7 3 7 20 at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona Date: September 9 Game time: 1:25 p.m. Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed) Game attendance: 60,032 Referee: Bruce Hermansen TV announcers (Fox): Sam Rosen, Heath Evans and Heidi Androl Game information First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers SEA – ARI – Top rushers SEA – ARI – Top receivers SEA – ARI – Top tacklers SEA – ARI –

The Cardinals began their season at home against their divisional rival Seahawks with QB John Skelton at the starting helm. The team started their season 1-0 despite Skelton finishing the game 14/28 for 149 yards and an interception. Kevin Kolb later on made his Cards debut going 6/8 for 66 yards and a touchdown pass.

Week 2: at New England Patriots

Week Two: Arizona Cardinals at New England Patriots – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Cardinals 6 0 7 7 20 Patriots 3 3 3 9 18 at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts Date: September 16 Game time: 10:00 a.m. Game weather: 64 °F (18 °C), partly cloudy Game attendance: 68,756 Referee: David Scott TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, John Lynch and Jennifer Hale Game information First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers ARI – NE – Top rushers ARI – NE – Top receivers ARI – NE – Top tacklers ARI – NE – In a huge upset at Gillette Stadium, the Arizona Cardinals beat the New England Patriots and become 2-0.

Week 3: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Week Three: Philadelphia Eagles at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Eagles 0 0 6 0 6 Cardinals 10 14 0 3 27 at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona Date: September 23 Game time: 1:05 p.m. Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed) Game attendance: 60,436 Referee: Mike Shepherd TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick and Laura Okmin Game information First quarter Jay Feely, 47 yard field goal, 10:18 (ARI 3-0) Michael Floyd, 8 yard pass from Kevin Kolb, Jay Feely XP good, 1:04 (ARI 10-0) Second quarter Larry Fitzgerald, 37 yard pass from Kevin Kolb, Jay Feely XP good, 7:30 (ARI 17-0) James Sanders, 98 yard fumble return, Jay Feely XP good, 0:00 (ARI 24-0) Third quarter Alex Henery, 36 yard field goal, 5:07 (ARI 24-3) Alex Henery, 40 yard field goal, 0:02 (ARI 24-6) Fourth quarter Jay Feely, 27 yard field goal, 3:52 (ARI 27-6) Top passers PHI –Michael Vick (17-37, 217 yards) ARI –Kevin Kolb (17-24, 222 yards, 2 TD) Top rushers PHI –LeSean McCoy (13 rushes, 70 yards) ARI –Ryan Williams (13 rushes, 83 yards) Top receivers PHI –Damaris Johnson (5 catches, 84 yards) ARI –Larry Fitzgerald (9 catches, 113 yards, TD) Top tacklers PHI –Kurt Coleman (9) ARI –TIE: Daryl Washington, O'Brien Schofield, William Gay (6)

Week 4: vs. Miami Dolphins

Week Four: Miami Dolphins at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Dolphins 0 13 0 8 21 Cardinals 0 0 7 14 24 at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona Date: September 30 Game time: 1:05 p.m. Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed) Game attendance: 60,183 Referee: Scott Green TV announcers (CBS): Bill Macatee and Steve Tasker Game information First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Overtime Top passers MIA – ARI – Top rushers MIA – ARI – Top receivers MIA – ARI – Top tacklers MIA – ARI –

Week 5: at St. Louis Rams

Week Five: Arizona Cardinals at St. Louis Rams – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Cardinals 3 0 0 0 3 Rams 7 3 0 7 17 at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri Date: October 4 Game time: 5:20 p.m. Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium) Game attendance: 54,653 Referee: John Parry TV announcers (NFLN): Brad Nessler, Mike Mayock and Alex Flanagan Game information First quarter 27-14 Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers ARI – STL – Top rushers ARI – STL – Top receivers ARI – STL – Top tacklers ARI – STL –

Week 6: vs. Buffalo Bills

Week Six: Buffalo Bills at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Bills 9 0 7 0 19 Cardinals 3 7 3 3 16 at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona Date: October 14 Game time: 1:05 p.m. Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed) Game attendance: 60,385 Referee: Alberto Riveron TV announcers (CBS): Bill Macatee and Steve Tasker Game information First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers BUF – ARI – Top rushers BUF – ARI – Top receivers BUF – ARI – Top tacklers BUF – ARI –

With the tough loss, the Cardinals fell to 4-2 and also with the Seahawks' win over the Patriots and the 49ers' loss to the Giants, the team remains in a tie for first place in the NFC West.

Week 7: at Minnesota Vikings

Week Seven: Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Cardinals 0 7 0 7 14 Vikings 7 7 7 0 21 at Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota Date: October 21 Game time: 10:00 a.m. Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium) Game attendance: 61,068 Referee: Terry McAulay TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Tim Ryan and Jaime Maggio Game information First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers ARI – MIN – Top rushers ARI – MIN – Top receivers ARI – MIN – Top tacklers ARI – MIN –

Week 8: vs. San Francisco 49ers

Week Eight: San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total 49ers 7 10 7 0 24 Cardinals 0 0 3 0 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona Date: October 29 Game time: 5:30 p.m. Game weather: 90 °F (32 °C), sunny & clear skies Game attendance: 62,810 Referee: Bill Leavy TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden and Lisa Salters Game information First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers SF – ARI – Top rushers SF – ARI – Top receivers SF – ARI – Top tacklers SF – ARI –

Week 9: at Green Bay Packers

Week Nine: Arizona Cardinals at Green Bay Packers – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Cardinals 0 7 10 0 17 Packers 7 14 10 0 31 at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin Date: November 4 Game time: 11:00 a.m. MST Game weather: 39 °F (4 °C), mostly cloudy Game attendance: 70,504 Referee: Walt Coleman TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver Game information First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers ARI – GB – Top rushers ARI – GB – Top receivers ARI – GB – Top tacklers ARI – GB –

Losing their fifth straight game of the season by remaining winless at Lambeau Field (0-7), the Cardinals head into their bye week at 4-5.

Week 11: at Atlanta Falcons

Week Eleven: Arizona Cardinals at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Cardinals 13 3 0 3 19 Falcons 0 16 0 7 23 at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia Date: November 18 Game time: 11:00 a.m. MST Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium) Game attendance: 69,630 Referee: Bill Vinovich TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and Tony Siragusa Game information First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers ARI – ATL – Top rushers ARI – ATL – Top receivers ARI – ATL – Top tacklers ARI – ATL –

Week 12: vs. St. Louis Rams

Week Twelve: St. Louis Rams at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Rams 0 14 14 3 31 Cardinals 7 10 0 0 17 at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona Date: November 25 Game time: 2:25 p.m. MST Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed) Game attendance: 60,062 Referee: Tony Corrente TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, John Lynch and Jennifer Hale Game information First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers STL – ARI – Top rushers STL – ARI – Top receivers STL – ARI – Top tacklers STL – ARI –

Week 13: at New York Jets

Week Thirteen: Arizona Cardinals at New York Jets – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Cardinals 0 3 0 3 6 Jets 0 0 0 7 7 at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey Date: December 2 Game time: 11:00 a.m. MST Game weather: 46 °F (8 °C), cloudy Game attendance: 79,088 Referee: Walt Anderson TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick and Laura Okmin Game information First quarter None Second quarter Jay Feely 48 yds, :03. ARI 3-0 Third quarter Fourth quarter Jeff Cumberland 1-yd pass from Greg McElroy (Nick Folk kick good), 15:00 NYJ 7-3 Jay Feely 35 yds, 10:39. ARI 6-7. Top passers ARI – Ryan Lindley: 10/31, 72 yds, INT. NYJ – Mark Sanchez: 10/21, 97 yds, 3 INT. Top rushers ARI – Rashad Johnson: 1 rush, 40 yds. NYJ – Shonn Greene: 24 rushes, 104 yds. Top receivers ARI – Stephen Hill: 5 rec, 40 yds. NYJ – Larry Fitzgerald: 1 rec, 23 yds. Top tacklers ARI – Dan Williams: 10 tackles, 4 assists. NYJ – Kyle Wilson: 6 tackles, 5 solo.

Week 14: at Seattle Seahawks

Week Fourteen: Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Cardinals 0 0 0 0 0 Seahawks 10 28 13 7 58 at CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington Date: December 9 Game time: 2:25 p.m. MST Game weather: 48 °F (9 °C), rain Game attendance: 67,685 Referee: Carl Cheffers TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Tim Ryan, and Jaime Maggio Game information First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers ARI – SEA – Top rushers ARI – SEA – Top receivers ARI – SEA – Top tacklers ARI – SEA –

With that loss, the Cardinals were not only eliminated from postseason contention, but the 58-point loss was the worst in the Cardinals' franchise history.

Week 15: vs. Detroit Lions

Week Fifteen: Detroit Lions at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Lions 0 7 3 0 10 Cardinals 0 21 3 14 38 at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona Date: December 16 Game time: 2:05 p.m. MST Game weather: 57 °F (14 °C), sunny, clear skies Game attendance: 60,483 Referee: Jerome Boger TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Tim Ryan and Jaime Maggio Game information First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers DET – ARI – Top rushers DET – ARI – Top receivers DET – ARI – Top tacklers DET – ARI –

Week 16: vs. Chicago Bears

Week Sixteen: Chicago Bears at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Bears 7 14 7 0 28 Cardinals 3 3 0 7 13 at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona Date: December 23 Game time: 2:25 p.m. MST Game weather: 62 °F (17 °C), sunny Game attendance: 62,734 Referee: Terry McAulay TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, John Lynch and Jennifer Hale Game information First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers CHI – ARI – Top rushers CHI – ARI – Top receivers CHI – ARI – Top tacklers CHI – ARI –

Week 17: at San Francisco 49ers

Week Seventeen: Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Cardinals 3 3 0 7 13 49ers 0 7 10 10 27 at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California Date: December 30 Game time: 2:25 p.m. MST Game weather: 50 °F (10 °C), sunny Game attendance: 69,732 Referee: Pete Morelli TV announcers (Fox): Gus Johnson, Charles Davis and Kristina Pink Game information First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers ARI – SF – Top rushers ARI – SF – Top receivers ARI – SF – Top tacklers ARI – SF –

Standings

Template:2012 NFC West standings

External links

• Official website