Cards notebook: Warner likely to start at QB vs. Chiefs

FLAGSTAFF - Kurt Warner is likely to start at quarterback on Saturday at Kansas City in the Cardinals' second preseason game, coach Ken Whisenhunt said.

Whisenhunt wants Warner to get some time with the starters, and he indicated the best way to assure that is to put him in at the start.

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"I'm thinking about starting him in the game so we can control the reps. ... We don't know how long our offensive line is going to go."

A start by Warner might come as a surprise to Matt Leinart.

On Wednesday, Leinart - comparing the upcoming game to last week's opener vs. New Orleans - said, "I'm sure I'll get a little more playing time, which would be nice to establish a rhythm."

A few players will miss the game with nonserious injuries.

Defensive tackle Darnell Dockett has a mild pectoral strain and will sit out. "But I don't think it's anything that's very serious," Whisenhunt said.

Also sitting out will be safety Antrel Rolle with a sore foot. Rookie receiver Early Doucet is doubtful with a hamstring injury. Cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who has a sore ankle, seems likely to play.

THE NEWEST CARDINAL

Linebacker Brandon Moore, who had just been released by San Francisco, made his debut at Wednesday night's practice at old Lumberjack Stadium.

Moore, the brother of former Cardinal Rob Moore, said he was "surprised" at his release by the 49ers, saying he had been told he would be part of the team's future.

At the same time, he said he was "very, very excited" to have been acquired by the Cardinals. He figures linebackers coach Bill Davis, who coached him in San Francisco, played a role in the move.

"This is a great thing for me, a great thing for my family. ... I just want to contribute in any way I can."

PUMMEL THE OPPONENTS

As training camp rolls into multiple weeks, it's normal to have skirmishes among players.

At least that's the way Whisenhunt explained a couple of incidents at Wednesday night's practice.

On the positive side, "I thought it was a good practice. There was some competitiveness going on, some anger... It was good to see the intensity."

On the downside, though, such spirited play isn't always smart.

In particular, linebacker/defensive end Travis LaBoy put a hit on quarterback Brian St. Pierre, which is a no-no in practice.

"I don't have a clue" what happened, said St. Pierre, who said he hadn't been hit in practice since high school.

Whisenhunt, who scolded LaBoy after the incident, said, "You have to control your emotions. ... That's what the talk was more about."

Also, in a goal-line competition between the offense and defense, Adrian Wilson hit running back Tim Hightower to try to prevent a score and ended up in an altercation with tackle Levi Brown.

The goal-line competitions can be spirited but tricky. The defense doesn't tackle in practice, so these situations can become wrestling matches.

All in all, Whisenhunt said, "You have to be very careful to make sure to understand we are teammates. The competitiveness is good for our team but you leave that on the football field."

Then Whisenhunt smiled and said, "I hope we can focus that energy on our opponents."

EXTRA POINTS

Rattlers coach Kevin Guy attended Wednesday night's practice. He was scouting possible players for his team after the Cardinals make their final roster decisions. ... Monty Beisel, who is fighting to make the team as a backup linebacker, practiced for the first time Thursday. He had been out with back problems.