Cardinals notebook: Ex-49ers LB Moore signs with team

Brandon Moore, a linebacker who was released Sunday by San Francisco, has signed a one-year contract with the Cardinals.

To make room, the Cards cut linebacker David Holloway, a second-year player whom the Cardinals signed last year as an undrafted free agent. He spent most of last season on the practice squad.

“I’m very, very excited to be here,” said Moore, who practiced Wednesday night.

Moore is the brother of former Cardinals receiver and current radio analyst Rob Moore. He spent the past six seasons in San Francisco and appeared in all 16 games (one start) last season. In 2006, he started 11 games and had career bests of 114 tackles, 6 1/2 sacks and four forced fumbles.

Moore had a connection to the Cardinals in that linebackers coach Bill Davis used to work for the 49ers.

The Cardinals now have a crowded linebacking corps that also includes Chike Okeafor, Clark Haggans, Gerald Hayes and Karlos Dansby — who are all assured of making the team — plus veterans Monty Beisel and Matt Stewart, and rookies Ali Highsmith and Chris Harrington.

TOP PICK OK; ROLLE OUT

Safety Antrel Rolle, who continues to struggle with a sore foot that was stepped on while returning a punt last week, probably will miss Saturday’s preseason game at Kansas City.

Cards' Rodgers-Cromartie suffers ankle injury

But cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie’s ankle sprain appears to be mild. He returned for part of practice Wednesday night and should be able to play Saturday, coach Ken Whisenhunt indicated. Cornerback Rod Hood, who has had a sore foot, should be OK to play.

No determination has been made yet on receiver Early Doucet, who has a sore hamstring. He could return to practice, at least on a limited basis, later this week. Rookie tackle Brandon Keith has an ankle sprain but will try to return to practice.

SPIRITED NIGHT

Wednesday night’s practice at old Lumberjack Stadium was what coaches like to call “spirited.”

Adrian Wilson tried to pull the ball out of running back Tim Hightower’s hands and got into a skirmish with tackle Levi Brown.

Also, linebacker Travis LaBoy put a hit on quarterback Brian St. Pierre and appeared to draw a scolding from Whisenhunt.

St. Pierre said, “I have no clue,” what happened. “I haven’t been hit in football practice since high school.”

AT THE MOVIES

The practice was set, then called off.

As he did last year, Whisenhunt had a welcome surprise for his team: He canceled Wednesday morning’s workout and instead took the team to the movies.

He thinks he did a better job this time around of keeping the switch a secret.

“A couple (players) suspected but I don’t think anybody knew for sure. Some of them may say they knew for sure. But there was doubt. We at least got away with that.”

Among the movie choices were “The Dark Knight,” “Step Brothers” (the favored flick) and “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.”

Quarterback Matt Leinart chose “Step Brothers,” which stars his buddy Will Ferrell.

“I knew it was going to be funny. But I was laughing the whole time. I think the whole theater was laughing. … Good job, Will.”

Leinart said he had lunch with the actor while attending USC and hung out with him at a recent Rose Bowl.

“A great guy,” Leinart said. “A normal guy, but when he gets in his element, he’s hysterical.”

All in all, the break from camp was a popular move by Whisenhunt, who noticed quite a bit of “grumbling and groaning about being sore and stiff.”

“It was probably good timing,” Whisenhunt said. “It was a good change of pace.”

Did teams engage in such fun and games when he was an NFL player in the 1980s?

“No, they didn’t.”

LEINART PRAISES DEFENSE

Leinart, who faces the Cardinals defense in practice daily, praised what he has seen.

“I think our defense is going to be really good. The most important thing is everyone is healthy. Another big thing is the depth we’ve added on the front seven and even in the secondary.”

The reason for the optimism: the return to health of Wilson, Okeafor and Bertrand Berry.

“A lot of talk is always about the offense,” Leinart said. “But those guys are great, and I think they’re going to have a great year.”