Cardinals notebook; Boldin's play, quick return drawing raves

He's back catching passes, scoring touchdowns and throwing downfield blocks. He has even run the ball a few times.

Read Mike Tulumello's blog, 'Bird Watching'

The Cardinals are expressing admiration for Anquan Boldin. They say they are surprised, not so much that he returned to playing full tilt, but that he's done it so quickly after his traumatic head injury Sept.26 at New York.

"When the hit occurred, you didn't know what to expect," coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "It was a terrible-looking injury. You immediately think he's down for a significant time.

"To come back in that short of time and be as productive as he is. ... You are surprised on one hand. But knowing how tough 'Q' has been, you're not surprised."

The Cardinals now are handing the ball off to Boldin and using him as a quasi-quarterback in the so-called "Wildcat" formation.

They "were definitely waiting" to do this until they were doubly sure Boldin was operating at 100 percent, Whisenhunt said.

"It's a little different catching the ball outside and running inside (where) you're more susceptible to contact and hits," he said. "It doesn't seem like he's slowed down one bit. He gives us an advantage because he is so good running with the ball. He can block and try to create mismatches."

Boldin suggested he returned when he was fully ready, no sooner, no later.

"If I was having any lingering effects, I wouldn't be back on the field. I didn't want to come back until I knew I was ready to play the way I'm used to playing," he said.

Quarterback Kurt Warner agreed, saying, "If anybody could do it, it was him,"

Even so, "Nobody expected it this quickly. Nobody expected him to come back without missing a beat and playing as physical as he was before."

Warner said he respects Boldin "as much as any teammate I've been around.

"I'm still in awe of what he does on a weekly basis and what he's done since he's come back from that injury.

"He's a special individual. Every single person in that locker room has been dramatically affected by what he's done and the character he's shown."

INJURY UPDATE

Cornerback Rod Hood (ribs) practiced fully on Friday but Eric Green (knee) was still limited. Both are listed as questionable for Sunday's game. Tackle Mike Gandy (ankle) and tight ends Ben Patrick (knee), Jerame Tuman (ankle) and Leonard Pope (ankle) all practiced Friday and are listed as probable.

REASONABLE WEATHER

The Cardinals look like they may catch a break with the weather in Seattle. The forecast calls for a high of 54 degrees with only a 20 percent chance of rain.

By contrast, last year's game was played with temperatures in the 30s.

COMING TO ARIZONA

Mike Holmgren will be living in Arizona for a while after he steps down from the Seahawks' coaching job at the end of the season.

He purchased a home in the state a few years ago, but it's mostly been used by his children and some of his friends.

"After the season, we're going to come down and be there for a little while," he said. "Now I'll get to use it. I'm looking forward to it."