News updates are sent daily. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Cards notebook: Warner tackling cautious approach to offense
Digg|
Save|
License|
Print|
E-mail|
Kurt Warner has put his gunslinger mentality on the back burner. Warner is adjusting to life as a more cautious quarterback in the Cardinals offense, which has been taking what the defense gives it in recent weeks.
Read Mike Tulumello's blog, Bird Watching
Warner acknowledged Wednesday that the Cardinals offense is “a little bit” more conservative than what he’s been a part of in the past. “I’ve been in offenses here and in St. Louis where we were pass first,” he said.
Now, he’s making the transition from “being aggressive, attack, attack, attack … to a ball-control, play-action, spread it out when we have to, but not have to do that all the time.
“I have to feel my way through. That’s what I’m trying to do, trying to get comfortable with everything we’re doing, really make it make sense to me.”
Coach Ken Whisenhunt said, “We’re finding out what we do well.”
Warner is making adjustments with “some of the throws he’s used to making, especially the timed throws that he’s done for a long time to better fit what we do, which ties into the play action and the run-based schemes,” the coach said.
NO LETDOWN
The Cardinals may be facing a toothless opponent in the San Francisco 49ers, but they vow they won’t suffer a letdown.
Defensive tackle Darnell Dockett said, “No matter what their record is, they’re the most dangerous team in the league right now. They have nothing to lose.”
More than anything, the Cardinals remember how they let one get away against the 49ers in the season opener.
“They’re the team that beat us that first game on national TV on Monday night,” Dockett said.
“To me, and I think everybody else, this game is real personal.”
Defensive end Antonio Smith echoed the “personal” nature of the game and added, “We had the game won, and then we let it go at the end.
“I don’t think anybody on the team let it go or forgot about it. I think it will show up on the field Sunday … there’s not going to be any letdown.”
INJURY UPDATE
Safety Adrian Wilson, struggling with a sore right leg, once again sat out practice on Thursday, as did receiver Jerheme Urban, who has a heel injury.
Wilson has missed nearly a game-and-a-half with a problem he says has lingered for years.
Also sitting out was safety Aaron Francisco, who developed a sore calf while coming back from a knee sprain.
Please add your comments, but follow these guidelines to keep this a safe, credible place for discussing the news: