It’s Official: Arizona Cardinals Set to Face New Orleans Saints in Preseason Opener

The NFL’s preseason will kick off on August 5th in Canton, Ohio as the Arizona Cardinals will face the New Orleans Saints in the annual Hall of Fame game.  Last week it was a rumor the Cards were interested in the game.  Today, the NFL made it official.  It will be the first appearance by the Cards in the HOF game since 1986, before they moved to Arizona.

Last season’s game was canceled due to the NFL lockout, which had been lifted by the time the game would have been played, but camps opened too late to put the game on.  The Saints last played in the game in 2007 and had accepted to play in the game awhile back.

The Cards had been concerned about the extra chance for players to get hurt, and get worn out early in camp.  The appearance in the game means the Cards will be playing in five preseason games as opposed to the usual four.  As far as I’m concerned though, nothing but good can come out of the game.

The game will be televised by the NFL Network at 8pm ET (5pm AZ time).  Sure, there is always a chance to get hurt, but it should be an honor to be asked to play in the NFL’s annual preseason kick-off event.  It also gives the Cards some early national exposure, especially good if a certain quarterback joins the team, which of course is still up in the air.  Also, don’t look for the regulars to play much more than a series or two anyway, so this gives the guys fighting for a roster spot an extra chance to show what they have and I can see nothing but good from that.