IT MIGHT BE HARD to accept, especially with Sunday's loss in the NFC Championship Game still so fresh, but the Arizona Cardinals probably did Philadelphia fans a favor by beating the Eagles. 

The Cardinals exceeded the expectations of most by winning 86 games but they fell short in the second half when their depth was not sufficient to overcome the loss of OF Rick Ankiel (lower abdominal strain) and C Yadier Molina (bruised left thigh) and the 

The natives have been restless about the Cardinals' relative lack of activity in the trade and free agent markets, even though many forgot that the club signed right-hander Kyle Lohse to a four-year, $41 million deal the day after the season ended. 

--For the eighth year in a row -- he has played only eight seasons -- 1B Albert Pujols was selected the St. 

Rick Ankiel and Ryan Ludwick and the St. 

Go ahead. 

Right-hander Brad Thompson and the St. 

Cardinals pitcher Todd Wellemeyer will leave his old Kentucky home this morning for the long drive to Jupiter, Fla. 

I was exactly one year, one month and one day old the last time the Cardinals won an NFL championship. 

--For the eighth year in a row -- he has played only eight seasons -- 1B Albert Pujols was selected the St. 

The Cardinals exceeded the expectations of most by winning 86 games but they fell short in the second half when their depth was not sufficient to overcome the loss of OF Rick Ankiel (lower abdominal strain) and C Yadier Molina (bruised left thigh) and the 

The natives have been restless about the Cardinals' relative lack of activity in the trade and free agent markets, even though many forgot that the club signed right-hander Kyle Lohse to a four-year, $41 million deal the day after the season ended. 

Albert Pujols says October surgery on his problematic right elbow was successful. 

The St. 

By Marc Topkin