Cards notebook: Whisenhunt’s 14-11 start best mark since the ’20s

Through his first 25 games as coach, Ken Whisenhunt’s record is 14-11.

That’s the best record at this point in a Cardinal coach’s career since Norm Barry went 16-7-2 in the 1920s for the Chicago Cardinals.

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Whisenhunt, leaning on advice from Bill Cowher, said he won’t reflect on such matters during the season.

“I’m very happy to be here and be part of this team, to be in a city where the fans support us. We’re focused on trying to win our division and get to the playoffs. That’s something or whole team is excited about.”

PLUGGING THE HOLES

The Cardinals’ heroes on the 49ers’ final two running plays in Monday night’s game were linebacker Chike Okeafor, who got just enough of running back Frank Gore to knock him down at the 2-yard line, and linebacker Clark Haggans — with help from the entire line — to stop Michael Robinson at the 1 as time expired and preserve the 29-24 victory.

“He was aggressive and read it well,” Whisenhunt said of Haggans.

“Our defensive line did a god job of creating a pile. Clark stepped in and made the hit. It was a huge play.”

On the play, Gore lined up as a receiver.

“I didn’t know what to expect when he was out there,” Whisenhunt said. “But I did see him.’

TIGHT ENDS LACKING

Whisenhunt acknowledged he needs more from his tight ends.

He’ll have all four of them available Sunday at Seattle, the first time this season Whisenhunt has had this luxury.

“Hopefully, we can find one that will play a little better. ... We’ll have to make a decision on who we’re going to go with and stick with that.”

The shortcomings at tight end have hurt the team’s running game, he suggested.

“Whenever you trying to run on the perimeter, you have to have somebody to handle that situation. We have not been as consistent at that position. We hope as we go forward, that will improve.”

NEED BETTER PUNTING

Whisenhunt, asked to assess punter Dirk Johnson’s performance, replied tersely:

“Not very good.”

This was especially true on a weak punt at game’s end when the 49ers ended up with the ball at the Cardinals’ 42-yard line.

Whisenhunt said he’s not looking to make a change at this point, but he also said, “his performance has got to improve. ...”

He even asked a reporter, “Can you punt?”

STAT NOTES

• The Cardinals have a four-game division lead for the first time in franchise history.

• The 6-3 mark is their best start since 1984, when they also were 6-3.

• They’ve won seven straight at home, the franchise’s longest such streak since 1925, when they won nine.

• With 263 points, they are the league’s highest scoring team, one point ahead of the New York Giants.