Cardinals notebook: James supports rookie after losing starting spot

ST. LOUIS - The torch has been passed at the Cardinals’ running back spot. Tim Hightower replaced Edgerrin James in the starting lineup Sunday; James had started 135 straight games in his career.

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What’s more, the Cardinals went with Hightower, who ran for 109 yards, and J.J. Arrington (62 yards) in the backfield, not “Edge.”

Whisenhunt said he hadn’t planned on sitting James, the NFL’s No. 13 running back of all time, for the whole game. But with the Cardinals rolling, he stuck with what was working.

“That is just the way the game developed,” Whisenhunt said.

James, though, said, “It’s been brewing for a while. I’m not surprised. I’m happy for Tim.

“I’m supportive of him and happy for him.”

James, though he wasn’t specific, seemed to suggest his suggestion two weeks ago that he be more involved in the offense worked against him.

“I don’t fit the yes-man mode. It’s always going to come down on me.”

James, asked if his earlier comments played a role in his benching, replied, “I don’t know what it was.

“I’m not going to be a yes man. They can sit me down for the rest of the year.

“It don’t matter. I’ll come out and go to work.

After his comments, James had a subpar game at Carolina, including a lost fumble.

James said he expected High­tower to play, and, “I expected him to have a big day. We knew we should have a big day running the ball regardless of who was in there.”

James and Hightower have become friends, a relationship James said he intends to keep.

“I’m not gong to let somebody come between me and Tim. That’s just how I am.

“When this is all over, I’ll still be friends with Tim. That’s more important.”

James and Hightower stood near each other during the game, with the veteran giving the rookie advice.

“I’m going to help him as much as I can. Tim is going to be all right.”

Hightower praised James:

“Edge prepared me all week. He helped me to know what to look for and kind of calmed me down. He stayed with me all game and helped me out.”

INJURY UPDATE

Tackle Mike Gandy suffered an ankle injury late and had to come out of the game.

Otherwise, the Cardinals appeared to get off the field healthy.

RAMS’ WEAPON: REPLAY

Outside of punter Donnie Jones, the Rams had one weapon: the instant-replay challenge.

They used it twice in the second half, both of them successfully.

The challenges may have cost the Cardinals 11 points.

The first came when Hightower was ruled by the refs to have scored a touchdown to put the Cards ahead, 7-0. The replay took away the score on the basis of Hightower’s knee touching down at the 1-yard line.

The Cardinals ended up failing to score as a fourth-down quarterback sneak wasn’t close.

On the second play, the Cardinals would have had the ball on a first-and-goal at the 8-yard line, but a replay showed Larry Fitzgerald dropped a Warner pass.

That ended up forcing the Cardinals to settle for a field goal.

TOUGH GAME FOR DEUCE

Deuce Lutui recorded two major penalties: holding and a personal foul for grabbling the face mask.

The face-mask penalty nullified a Fitzgerald catch inside the 10-yard line. Instead, the Cards ended up punting.

STAT NOTES

Anquan Boldin got to 450 career receptions faster than anyone in history: 74 games.

Antrel Rolle’s touchdown return on an interception was his career’s fourth. The only Cardinals who have had more are Aeneas Williams (6) and Larry Wilson (5).