11 days till Arizona Cardinals' opener: Remembering the 2011 season

We continue the countdown to the start of the Arizona Cardinals‘ regular season. Today, Wednesday, September 2, is 11 days away from the Arizona Cardinals’ regular-season opener on Sept. 13 on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers.

With 11 days until Week 1, let’s look back at the 2011 season for the Cardinals.

In 2011, we had to endure the NFL lockout. During the offseason, the Cardinals, reeling from Kurt Warner’s decision to retire after 2009 and having suffered a 5-12 2010 season, they traded for quarterback Kevin Kolb in exchange for cornerback Domonique Rodgers-Cromartie and a second-round pick.

Kolb struggled with injuries. He suffered turf toe and had a concussion, only starting nine games. After a 1-6 start, they won five of their final six games to finish 8-8. Second-year quarterback John Skelton went 5-2 as a starter, and that triggered a QB competition for the following offseason.

Rookie cornerback Patrick Peterson, the fifth overall pick in the draft, returned four punts for touchdowns.

The Cardinals had three Pro Bowlers:

• WR Larry Fitzgerald
• CB Patrick Peterson (as a punt returner)
• S Adrian Wilson

Peterson was a first-team All-Pro, too. Fitzgerald made the second team.

Kolb had the most passing yards with 1,955, nine touchdowns and eight interceptions. Skelton passed for 1,913 yards and 11 touchdowns, but he threw 14 picks.

Running back Beanie Wells had 1,047 rushing yards to lead the team. Fitzgerald had 80 catches for 1,411 yards and eight touchdowns.

Calais Campbell led the Cardinals with eight sacks. Richard Marshall’s three interceptions on defense led the team, and five players had at least 10 pass breakups, led by Wilson’s 14.

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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: 11 days till Arizona Cardinals’ opener: Remembering the 2011 season