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The
2006 Arizona Cardinals 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 stadium was christened
University of Phoenix Stadium on September 26. Despite a somewhat promising start, the team suffered a few setbacks, including key losses to the
Dallas Cowboys and 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 RB
Edgerrin James through free agency, by signing him to a four-year, $30 million contract.
The Cardinals then selected the 2004
Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback
Matt Leinart with the 10th pick of the
2006 NFL Draft. Leinart played for the
University of Southern California and won 1½ national championships with the team in 2003 and 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
Arizona Republic,
KTAR radio and
ESPN reported that Leinart agreed to a six-year contract that could earn him a maximum of $51 million, according to his agent,
Tom Condon. The contract reportedly contains $14 million in guaranteed money, and...
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