Cardinals notebook: Rodgers-Cromartie makes case for starting

The Cardinals recently moved a rookie ahead of a veteran in the starting lineup. Might they make another such move?

Coach Ken Whisenhunt on Wednesday said only that Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, the team's No. 1 draft pick this year, is pressing starter Eric Green for playing time.

Green gave up a long touchdown pass at St. Louis on Sunday. He also appeared to give up on the play early, though Whisenhunt said Green thought the receiver had stepped out of bounds.

"That is obviously not acceptable ... in terms of giving up those kinds of plays," Whisenhunt said earlier this week.

"We can't allow those types of plays to continue. That's something we're going to continue to address."

The Cardinals, of course, recently replaced Edgerrin James at running back with rookie Tim Hightower.

Green said injuries are hampering him, but he declined to be specific.

"But no excuses," he said.

As for his starting status, "They're going to do what they feel is best for the team ... You can't quit. You continue to control what you control."

Green noted he's been challenged for his starting status before.

"It's like I'm reliving something all over again that I thought was over.

"It's nothing new for me. All I can do is continue playing football and help the team as much as I can."

Rodgers-Cromartie said he believes he's ready if called upon.

"I've had eight weeks to learn and sit back and watch and get experience," he said.

SPECIAL-TEAMS HELP

The happiest Cardinal in the locker room Wednesday probably was the newest one: Pago Togafau.

He was a practice-squad player for New Orleans when the Cardinals, needing special-teams help after the season-ending knee injury to Ali Highsmith, called him on Monday.

Togafau played for the Cardinals in training camp last year; he was released and ended up playing for Philadelphia.

"That's one of the reasons we got Pago back," Whisenhunt said. "He showed last year in camp that he's a good special-teams player."

Togafau said, "I'm still trying to let it all hit me. I'm blessed to be back.

"I don't want (the Cardinals) to have a fall-off because of Ali going down. I want to contribute to what they've already got rolling."

The Cardinals' special teams also are hurting now that Hightower is starting at running back.

To replace him, fullback Tim Castille played on special teams Sunday at St. Louis.

"It's important," Whisenhunt said. "It's an emphasis for us. Tim had been doing a very good job for us. We take a little hit when he doesn't play."

RATINGS FLY HIGH

The Cardinals' win at St. Louis was - for the seventh time this season - the Valley's most-watched TV program for the week.

The game had a rating of 16.7 and 36 share while reaching 310,000 households.