Cards notes: Leinart will stay in game in red zone

The Cardinals can't improve much on last year's performance in the red zone.

They scored 94 percent of the time they had the ball inside the 20-yard line. That ranked No. 2, behind only the New England Patriots.

St. Pierre, Morelli vying for No. 3 QB spot with Cards

What's different this year is that Matt Leinart - assuming he hangs onto the No. 1 quarterback job - figures to be calling the shots.

Kurt Warner, even when he was backing up Leinart, came in when the Cardinals had a goal-line situation. This year, indications are that the starter will be in the game no matter where the offense has the ball.

Coach Ken Whisenhunt said Leinart is "much better this year" in terms of changing plays at the line.

"When you get down there, that's critical," he said.

If defenses leave either Larry Fitzgerald or Anquan Boldin in single coverage, "You want to check to a quick throw, or you want to be able to get in the right run against a certain defense," Whisenhunt said. "I don't anticipate Matt having any problems down there."

The Cardinals spent a good part of Monday morning honing their red-zone offense, experimenting with various plays and personnel.

Said Whisenhunt, "It helps when you have Larry and Anquan. If you get matched up out there, if you throw the ball up, those guys are going to come down with it more often than not."

USING BREASTON

If Steve Breaston takes over as the No. 3 receiver - the spot vacated by Bryant Johnson - he'll still be used as both a punt returner and kickoff returner, Whisenhunt said.

"If you have somebody who has the dynamic ability to be a threat in both areas, then obviously you want to give him a chance to have the ball in his hands," he said. "I don't anticipate the more he plays offensively will detract from that."

The No. 3 spot hasn't been finalized, though Whisenhunt praised the play of Breaston and Jerheme Urban.

The Cards are hoping they can get rookie Early Doucet, who has a hamstring problem, on the field Saturday at Kansas City.

Some of the younger receivers played Thursday against New Orleans, but the offensive line that struggled in the second half.

"It's not really fair to say we've made a decision," Whisenhunt said. "There are still a couple of games to be played."

UNDER THE LIGHTS

The camp's final night practice takes place at7 p.m. Wednesday.

The idea behind night practices is to change the pace, lest players get a "tunnel vision" view of camp, Whisenhunt said.

"One of the things we, as a team, have to be better at is adapting to different situations.

"I don't think a night practice is like playing on the road, but it is a change in the schedule, something they have to adapt to and still practice well," he said.

EXTRA POINT

Safety Aaron Francisco made a diving interception of a Leinart pass in the morning practice.