SALT LAKE CITY – It seemed like the most peculiar of places for the Suns’ formerly top-ranked shooting and November road wherewithal to resurface . . . until both disappeared once again.

A search committee for the Suns’ shooting and road grit figured to have a better chance of locating a cactus garden in the Wasatch Mountains than those missing elements at the Utah Jazz’s EnergySolutions Arena on Monday night. But Phoenix found fire in its offense for a 45-point second quarter, a career-high 32 points from Goran Dragic, a Jazz opponent record 17 3-pointers and a 17-point third-quarter lead, only to have it disappear quicker than a hiccup for a 124-115 loss.

Leading 96-79 with 2:38 to go in the third quarter, the Suns gave up 16 unanswered points and scored 19 points the rest of the game.

“Ever since we were 14-3, that’s been the story of the Phoenix Suns – big leads given away and lose,” said Suns forward Jared Dudley, whose team is 12-17 since Dec. 1.

Utah’s sixth consecutive home win was Phoenix’s fifth consecutive road loss, making the Suns 1-12 in their past 13 road games.

The Suns had made 34 of 60 shots when they led 96-79, but it became just another of the winter’s double-digit blown leads when they made seven of their final 24 shots, including three makes that came after they were down 10.

“We just couldn’t get into our offense,” said Steve Nash, whose fourth foul triggered the demise when he exited with the lead at 96-79. “They pushed us out. We had no penetration and we were just jacking up shots or turning it over.”

Despite the offense’s vanishing act, the Suns still were tied with Utah at 106 with 5:30 to go but then allowed the Jazz to score on their next seven trips by putting the Jazz on the line three times or seeing Utah hit jumpers.

Dragic, who was 6 of 7 on 3-pointers, and Channing Frye, who scored 21 points with five 3-pointers, were the Suns’ leading scorers. Nash added 15 points and 15 assists, but Utah got a big bench performance from rookie Wesley Matthews (career-high 21 points) as well as double-doubles from Carlos Boozer (21 points, 20 rebounds) and Deron Williams (18 points, 11 assists).

Utah shot 52.4 percent from the field to score its highest total of the season with a late boost from eight second-chance points in the fourth.

The Suns got off to an awful start, falling behind 17-5 by giving up a series of Jazz layups and losing Grant Hill to the pain of his bruised heel. But a switch to zone defense broke Utah’s rhythm and turned the Jazz into impatient shooters. Amar’e Stoudemire and Nash began reconnecting, and Dragic and Frye followed.

After scoring 18 in Saturday’s fourth quarter, Dragic remained aggressive to set a career high for the second consecutive game before the first half ended. Dragic’s 24-point first half was a major part of a 45-point second quarter, the Suns’ season high for any quarter.

“I felt like I could score every shot that I threw in,” Dragic said. “I’m not used to playing so many minutes. My legs were really heavy in the second half.”

Frye had 15 second-quarter points, finding open 3s and attacking the lane. Utah could not get a stop for the first half’s final 5:24, when the Suns scored 26 to lead 69-58.

Key player

The Suns got an unexpected career-high 32 points from Goran Dragic, making Utah rookie Wesley Matthews’ 21 points a huge offset.

Key moment

Leading 96-79, Utah closed the third quarter with a 12-0 run and scored the first four points of the fourth.

Key number

1: Shots the Suns took in the lane when they went scoreless for five minutes to blow a 17-point lead.

View from press row

Have a nice surgery Tuesday, Leandro Barbosa. The Suns appear to be in good hands for extra guard scoring. Between his fourth quarter Saturday and his first half Monday, Goran Dragic scored 42 points in 25 1/2 minutes of play. It was like he never cooled off.

He came out aggressive with a 3-point play and a fast-break take and ended the half with three 3-pointers in the final 2:41 to thrill his teammates. His 24 first-half points broke the career high he just set Saturday and overshadowed another great sign – 15 first-half points from Channing Frye.

Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner has not imposed a deadline for making his retirement decision, but the timing of it could be interesting, given his scheduled the next two weeks.

Warner is enjoying some down time with his family this week. Next week, he is scheduled to make appearances at the Super Bowl in Miami on Tuesday and Wednesday. Warner will be there on behalf of Disney and milk (apparently he couldn’t come to agreement with apple pie.)

In Miami, Warner will be making the rounds on radio row. On Thursday, Warner is scheduled to appear as a motivational speaker in Phoenix.

If Warner hasn’t announced a decision by then, he faces answering the retirement question a few hundred times.

Warner also is an alternate to the Pro Bowl, which is scheduled for Sunday, and could be asked to play, an opportunity he’s expected to reject.

Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb was named to replace the Saints Drew Brees, and Vikings quarterback Brett Favre is expected to pull out. That could mean an invitation for Warner or the Cowboys’ Tony Romo.

Warner suffered bruised ribs in the divisional game against the Saints and probably will politely reject a chance to play in the Pro Bowl.

Information in this article first appeared in Kent Somers’ blog.

Lauri Korpikoski found a way to clear his head of negative thoughts – scoring two goals in a game can do that for a player – and he’s hoping he can retain that touch on Tuesday when the Coyotes end a two-game road trip in Detroit.

“It was nice,” he said about his pair of goals scored in Saturday’s 4-2 loss at Washington. “It was a long time since I last had a couple of goals, so it was good. It creeps into your head when you’re not scoring, it’s a mental thing.”

Korpikoski has four goals this season. His other two came against Dallas in late November. In his two-goal effort against the Capitals, he was more of a presence around the net, and it paid off.

The Red Wings got off to a slow start this season, but the defending Western Conference champions have rallied and hold down the ninth spot. Still without left wing Tomas Holmstrom (broken foot), Detroit will be trying to rebound from a 3-2 loss to the Los Angeles Kings.

“They’ve been playing rally well,” Korpikoski said. “We’ve got to be really prepared for a hard game . . . bring it right to them, go hard on the forecheck and hang onto the pucks in their end.”

This will be the last of four meetings between the teams this season, with the Red Wings holding a 2-1 edge, including a 4-1 victory on Jan. 2 at Jobing.com Arena. The Coyotes, fighting for their first playoff spot in eight years, are desperate for a split on the road. They are fifth in the West.

“You want to get points from the road,” Korpikoski said. “In the playoffs, tough teams, tough games on the road, so it will be a good test for us.”

The IRS
says Cardinals safety Antrel Rolle owes $2.2 million in back taxes, interest and penalties, according to an article in Forbes.

Here’s the link. http://www.forbes.com/2010/01/26/irs-charity-nfl-cardinals-personal-finance-antrel-rolle-tax-audit.html?boxes=Homepagechannels

Rolle’s dispute with the agency was revealed in a lawsuit the player filed in U.S. Tax Court, accusing the IRS of not acting in a “fair, professional and courteous manner.”

Rolle was audited and the IRS disallowed substantial charitable and business expenses. The dispute centers around 2005 and 2005, Rolle’s first seasons in the league.

Cardinals free safety Antrel Rolle will play in the NFL Pro Bowl on Sunday, replacing the Saints’ Darren Sharper.

Rolle suffered a concussion in the Saints game, but apparently has recovered sufficiently to commit to the Pro Bowl.

It is the first Pro Bowl for Rolle, who is from the Miami area.

Staff opening

Coach Ken Whisenhunt is expected to interview a handful of candidates to coach running backs.

The position opened last week when Curtis Modkins became the offensive coordinator for the Bills.

Whisenhunt and the rest of his staff are in Mobile, Ala., this week for the Senior Bowl this week. Whisenhunt is expected to interview a candidate or two there and another one or two candidates in Arizona later in the week.

Cardinals running backs coach Curtis Modkins has been hired as the Bills offensive coordinator, according to Mike Jurecki of XTRA-910.

Modkins worked for new Bills head coach Chan Gailey at Georgia Tech and then for a year with the Chiefs, where Gaily was the offensive coordinator.

Modkins joined the Cardinals in 2009, so it appears Ken Whisenhunt will be hiring his third running backs coach in three years.

Over the past three years, Coach Ken Whisenhunt and his offensive staff adjusted their philosophy to better suit the Cardinals talent. It would have been foolish to shape the system around a running game with Kurt Warner at quarterback and Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald and Steve Breaston at receiver.

It’s also true, however, that the Cardinals lacked the talent at running back to run the Steelers-like attack that everyone expected Whisenhunt to install. That all changed in 2009, however, and at running back, the Cardinals are talented enough to be dangerous running the ball for the next few years.

Tim Hightower retained the starting role throughout the season, but by mid-season Bennie Wells had become the team’s featured runner. Wells, the 31st pick in last year’s draft, proved to be a dynamic runner, possessing both speed and power. He can make linebackers and defensive backs miss tackles, something Edgerrin James couldn’t do.

Wells had a bit of trouble with fumbling, but his problems pale in comparison to, say, the Vikings Adrian Peterson. What struck me about Wells was his toughness. He fell in the draft because scouts questioned his durability and passion for the game, and that label seemed to fit when Wells suffered a sprained ankle in his first training camp practice.

Maybe that label irritated Wells. Whatever the motivation, he finished runs violently, punishing defensive backs. Wells improved as a pass blocker, although he still needs work, and proved that he could catch the ball.

Hightower showed growth in his second season. He was a smarter, more decisive runner. He developed into a great pass blocker, and he’s always had good hands. With Wells, Hightower gives Whisenhunt the duo of running backs he’s desired.

The weakness at running back, if you can call it that, was the lack of an impact third-down back. The Cardinals missed J.J. Arrington, who left via free agency. Jason Wright was versatile, filling in at fullback when needed, and rookie LaRod Stephens-Howling showed flashes of open-field ability. But neither was as dynamic as Arrington in 2008.

Whisenhunt thinks Stephens-Howling will grow into that role, and Wright, who is under contract for 2010, is a steady veteran. Both players are important special teams contributors.

The Cardinals don’t use a fullback a lot, but Dan Krieder proved his worth as the season developed. He was a very solid blocker, but his shoulder problems late in the year are a concern. The Cardinals added fullback Nehemiah Broughton late in the year.

Overall, this is one of the team’s strongest positions. It doesn’t need to be addressed in free agency, and I don’t see the club adding a back during the draft, unless the opportunity is too good to pass up. A rookie free agent is a possibility.

Glendale is dropping its lawsuit against the Arizona Cardinals over advertising restrictions and other disagreements on 95th Avenue near University of Phoenix Stadium.

The city now must pay the NFL team $213,187 for legal fees incurred during the three-year court battle, with the first installment of $128,765 due immediately. The balance will be paid over 11 months, at about $7,000 per month, according to a settlement between Glendale and the team.

The City Council approved the settlement this month.

But letters exchanged in August between City Manager Ed Beasley and Cardinals President Michael Bidwill show the city was open to settling even before it lost in a second court bout in September and filed initial paperwork for another appeal in October.

“I would propose moving forward with the terms and payment schedule you recommend in your letter,” Beasley wrote Aug. 21 to Bidwill. “We will move as quickly as possible to recommend to Council the settlement of this matter.”

It would take nearly six months for city staff to bring the settlement before the council for a vote.

City Attorney Craig Tindall said “procedural” delays held up the settlement process, such as reviewing property boundaries to fix typos on the deed and staff being gone for the holidays.

“There are higher priority items that took the place (on meeting agendas) before we could get it to council,” he said.

The city initiated a second appeal in October, surprising Cardinals officials, in order to keep Glendale’s legal options open, Tindall said.

“Until we talk to council, we need to preserve our legal rights,” he said, adding, “The procedures for the courts don’t always line up with the procedures for the governmental body.”

Glendale would have lost its right to appeal to a third judge if it didn’t file a preliminary notice within 30 days of losing the Maricopa County Superior Court case Sept. 15. With the council’s acceptance of the settlement, the city’s notice of appeal is withdrawn.

Cardinals spokesman Mark Dalton said the team is glad the lawsuit is over.

But he added, “Our contention from Day One was the entire exercise was unnecessary. . . . The time and energy and money expended certainly could have been better spent elsewhere.”

Glendale sued the Cardinals in 2006 to remove restrictions on the half-mile section of 95th between Maryland Avenue and Bethany Home Road west of the stadium.

The Cardinals, for instance, would not have allowed Pepsi billboards outside the stadium, because the team’s sponsor is Coco-Cola, according to limits the team placed on the deed. The city reimbursed the Cardinals for costs to build the road in return for the deed to the property.

Glendale officials believed the city’s less restrictive advertising ordinances should govern the road instead.

The city won the first round of the suit but lost when the Cardinals appealed. With the settlement, Glendale will yield to the team’s advertising limitations.

Tindall said the lawsuit was worth it, despite that setback.

“There was a significant achievement,” he said, noting that the team withdrew language requiring the city to build a canal bridge near the street and agreed to allow more access to the street on game days.

“It’s always easy to say, ‘You’ve spent all these legal fees,’ ” Tindall said. “That was money that was certainly justifiable in this circumstance.”

Dalton countered that the changes were made in 2007, with no new alterations between then and the settlement.

“To bring up the bridge as a compromise is completely disingenuous,” he said.

Three of the four Cardinals chosen for the Pro Bowl won’t play in the game, various sources confirmed Wednesday.

Strong safety Adrian Wilson and his wife, Alicia, are expecting their third child next week, and Wilson decided to stay home with his family.

Cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is unable to play because of a knee injury suffered in Saturday’s divisional playoff game against the Saints.

Receiver Larry Fitzgerald won’t play, citing a knee injury suffered against San Francisco in December. Defensive lineman Darnell Dockett still is expected to play.

The Pro Bowl moves from Hawaii to Miami for this edition only. The game is Jan. 31, one week before the Super Bowl.

Cardinals outside linebacker Bertrand Berry announced his retirement Thursday night on a weekly radio show he co-hosts.

Berry played 12 seasons in the NFL, including the last six with the Cardinals. Berry finished his career with 65 sacks, including six this season in a part-time role.

Berry, 34, signed with the Cardinals in 2004 and made the Pro Bowl in his first season, finishing the year with 14 1/2 sacks. His next two seasons were cut short by injuries, but Berry played in 29 games over the past two seasons. He had 40 sacks with the Cardinals, ranking him sixth on the franchise’s all-time list.

Berry entered the league with the Colts in 1997, a third-round draft pick
out of Notre Dame. He spent three seasons with the Colts but was cut and spent the 2000 season out of football. He returned the next year with Denver and emerged as an elite pass rusher.

Pitcher Brandon Webb, whose health might be the key to the Diamondbacks’ season, has been playing catch regularly at Chase Field.
It’s still early in the recovery process, but so far so good, manager A.J. Hinch said.
“He looks really good and really comfortable,” said Hinch, who has played catch recently with Webb a couple of times. [...]

Jay Leno will headline the Diamondbacks’ annual “Evening on the Diamond” charitable fundraiser April 1 at Chase Field.
The Emmy Award-winning comic, who will return as the host of NBC’s “The Tonight Show” on March 1, will perform on the field during an event that has raised $3.5 million for charities through the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation.
The [...]

It wouldn’t be an NBA season if trade rumors about Amar’e Stoudemire weren’t rampant, but these feel different because the moment of truth is staring the Suns in the face.
Stoudemire can walk away this summer.
This is something those of us who struggle with the idea of a team giving up on an All-Star player have [...]

SALT LAKE CITY – As interest in trading for Amar’e Stoudemire perks up this winter, it feels like a familiar blanket for the Suns forward.
He said nothing has changed for what he wants. He would prefer to find a way to remain with the Suns. If he gets an extension, he believes he merits a [...]

The dawn of baseball season seemed so bright. The Diamondbacks had reunited with Gonzo, now a club employee. They had refitted with some deft moves from their general manager, adding the spice of promise to spring training. And then Donald Schulz, a converted Cubs fan, simply stole the moment.
He went out and died in fantasy [...]