Cardinals notebook: Cards have eye on weather for game

The Cardinals head East this week for the final time…

…Unless, of course, they win their playoff opener.

That’s why they’re viewing Sunday’s game as preparation for that much-hoped-for Game 2 of the playoffs.

This simulation starts with the weather.

The forecast for Foxborough, Mass. on Sunday calls for a high of 33 degrees and a 50 percent chance of snow showers.

“Everybody in the league would like to play in nice weather, as opposed to cold and rain and snow,” quarterback Kurt Warner said.

“There’s no question that it’s a mental battle. You have to go in with the mindset… 'I’m going to be cold out there. But so what? I have to focus through that.’

“You have to get over it mentally, so you can prepare and play the way we want, physically.”

Warner said cold isn’t so much the factor that affects the game as much as wind and wet, slick conditions.

Coach Ken Whisenhunt agreed:

“Certainly rain, if it’s heavy rain, affects any offense, even running the football.

“But wind is probably the biggest concern in being able to successfully throw.

“We’ll see. Who knows what it’s going to be like?

“It could rain, it could snow. Hopefully we’ll still be able to do our thing.”

He said he’s discussed possible inclement weather with his players.

“But it’s not like there’s some place we can go and practice and prepare for it. That’s part of growing up as a team and being able to stay focused. “It will be a good test for us.”

The Cardinals thought they were going to get some help from sub-par weather for Wednesday’s practice. But, as Whisenhunt noted, the skies “miraculously” cleared just as they were about to hit the field.

Maybe they’ll have better luck with bad weather today.

INJURY UPDATE

Backup linebacker Clark Haggans was declared out for Sunday’s game with a lingering foot injury.

Receiver Anquan Boldin sat out Wednesday with a sore shoulder. Also sitting out were running back J.J. Arrington (knee), receiver Early Doucet (hamstring) and linebacker/defensive end Travis LaBoy (ankle).

Special teams player Pago Togafau returned to practice on a limited basis.

For the Patriots, linebacker Tedy Bruschi, who is not expected to play Sunday, sat out with a knee injury.

Also sitting out were tackle Matt Light (shoulder) and safety James Sanders (abdomen).

A host of Patriots were listed as limited, including nose tackle Vince Wilfork (shoulder) and cornerback Ellis Hobbs (corner).

PLAYOFF TICKETS ON SALE SATURDAY

Tickets go on sale to the general public on Saturday for the home playoff game on Jan. 3-4.

Starting at 7 a.m. on Saturday, tickets will be available through Ticketmaster by phone at (800) 745–3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Saturday sales will be limited to those with Arizona billing addresses.

Also on Saturday, fans can purchase tickets in person from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Cardinals’ box office at their training facility at Hardy and Warner in Tempe. Tickets also will be on sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Glendale at the stadium box office. Tickets at both locations will be limited to Arizona residents with photo ID.

Fans will be limited to eight tickets per transaction.