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👋 GOOD MORNING
Happy Tuesday! What a huge week we have already embarked upon. It kicked off yesterday with the first day of Cardinals free agency (more on that below), and it continues today as the ASU men’s basketball team kicks off its Big 12 Tournament slate. Arizona earned a double-bye, so it will have to wait until Thursday to start its quest for a tournament title. NBA on the brain? The Suns are in a critical stretch as they try to get back in the race for the play-in game, and, as for hockey, well, WE HAVE PLAYOFF HOCKEY IN THE VALLEY THIS WEEKEND!
Life is good. On to the show!
How Did the Cardinals Do on Day 1 of Free Agency?
One of the top free agents on the market? Check. Dependable linemen? Check. Heck, how about bringing back a quality long snapper? Check that one off, too.
Yeah — Monday was a good one for the Cardinals.
Arizona’s acquisition of linebacker Josh Sweat — considered to be one of the prized free agents of the 2025 class — instantly upgrades the Cardinals’ presence on the edge. The 27-year-old just won the Super Bowl with the Eagles, in which he recorded 2.5 sacks en route to their 40-22 win over the Chiefs. Impressive, yes, but that’s not the only move GM Monti Ossenfort and his staff made yesterday.
Other Cardinals Free Agency Moves Were More Practical
Aside from the obvious improvement Sweat brings to the edge, the Cardinals made a number of sensible-not-flashy free agency moves to go along with the splash. Those include:
- LB Akeem Davis-Gaither: The linebacker appeared in 17 games with the Bengals last season, recording 82 tackles, four for loss, and one interception.
- OL Kelvin Beachum: The veteran lineman started 12 of 17 games with Arizona last season, and was brought back on a one-year deal to play his sixth straight season in the desert. He’s a 13-year NFL veteran that can offer some stability and depth on offense.
- OLB Baron Browning: Browning was traded to the Cards from the Broncos earlier this season, and signed a two-year deal yesterday to solidify his immediate future in The Valley. He recorded 14 tackles, including four for loss, in eight games with Arizona last year.
- OL Evan Brown: Brown started all 17 games with the Cardinals last season, and the team was pleased enough to lock him up for two more years.
- LS Aaron Brewer: Wouldn’t be the same if we didn’t see Brewer snapping the ball. He’s back for his 10th season in Arizona.
- S Joey Blount: Primarily a special teams player, but the 26-year-old will return for his third season in Arizona.
Johnny’s take: The Cardinals swung big in free agency and didn’t come away empty handed — despite missing on top target Milton Williams after being outbid by the New England Patriots — but they still managed to upgrade their defensive line with DE Josh Sweat. While Williams is the better player, the situation at edge rusher was dire for the Cards, and Sweat is a high-floor guy that immediately gives them credibility up front.
The contract, which has around $41 million in guarantees, is more than manageable for a club with minimal commitments on the books post 2025. While the day was rounded out by some internal signing on the offensive line (Evan Brown, Kelvin Beachum) as well as an intriguing athlete at linebacker (Akeem Davis-Gaither), Arizona remains a major player to add value at both DT and CB.
Take a Deeper Dive: David Bernauer is keeping track of all the free agency moves the Cardinals make — make sure you keep up with everything!
Sun Devils Look For Miracle Big 12 Tourney Run
It all comes down to this for the ASU men’s basketball team. The Sun Devils have no hope of an at-large NCAA Tournament bid, or even an NIT bid for that matter, so their matchup today against Kansas State (4 pm, ESPN+) marks their only chance to keep their 2024-25 season alive.
- ASU and KSU split their season series. The Wildcats won 71-70 on Feb. 4 while the Sun Devils won 66-54 on Feb. 23
- Arizona State’s victory over Kansas State was the last time the Sun Devils won a game.
- The Wildcats finished 9-11 in the Big 12 and have won two of their last three games.
Check in with our PHNX Sun Devils crew to get a preview of all of the upcoming action!
Musings From Around (and Sometimes Beyond) The Valley
Sunny Side Down: The Suns fought valiantly against the 41-24 Grizzlies but ultimately fell 120-118 after Durant’s game-winning 3-point attempt at the buzzer was too strong. Phoenix has still yet to win two in a row since January 25-27, and their hopes at earning a play-in spot for the postseason dwindle with every loss.
More Love: Arizona men’s basketball star Caleb Love was named to the All-Big 12 First Team on Monday after finishing eighth in the Big 12 by averaging 17 points per game. Tobe Awaka and Henri Veesaar were honorable mentions.
Grappling With It: Congrats to ASU wrestlers Richard Figueroa, Nicco Ruiz and Cohlton Schultz, who will all compete at the NCAA Championships. Schultz finished as the heavyweight runner-up at the Big 12 Tournament this past weekend, while Figueroa finished third in the 125-pound bracket.
🧢 Tip of the Hat
Kyler Murray approved of the Cards’ haul on day one!
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