Cards notebook: Playoff game a sellout

The Cardinals announced they’ve sold out today’s playoff game vs. the Atlanta Falcons. And that means the game will be televised locally on KPNX-TV (Channel 12). Tickets returned from the visiting team allotment and club seats — neither of which count against the blackout — remain available for purchase.

Cards aim to stay calm amid playoff excitement

Bordow: With a win, Cardinals can own the Valley

The stadium box office will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Fans also can purchase tickets through Ticketmaster by phone at (480) 784-4444 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

HELPING HIS BUDDY

Ken Whisenhunt is a buddy of the Atlanta Falcons’ offensive coordinator.

In fact, Whisenhunt is so close to Mike Mularkey that he sent Mularkey some plays the two had once worked on.

Was there any prohibition on the Falcons’ coordinator using the plays against Whisenhunt some day?

“That never was a condition,” Whisenhunt said, laughing. “Trust me, I know Mike. He’d definitely use it against me if he has the chance.”

An explanation is in order.

The two got to know each other in their NFL playing days; both were tight ends.

As coaches, Mularkey and Whisenhunt worked together in Pittsburgh; Mularkey preceded Whisenhunt as the Steelers’ offensive coordinator (Mularkey left to become the head coach in Buffalo).

With the Steelers, the two devised plays together.

So the plays Whisenhunt sent Mularkey shortly after he took over the Cardinals are “his plays, too.

“Some of the materials I had that we had created together, he wanted to use and put in his playbook. We have that kind of relationship.”

So, “I sent him some old stuff we had done that we had used together.

“Who would have thought when we sent him that information that we would be meeting in the playoffs? Hopefully, we’ll be able to use some of that stuff on them.”

Whisenhunt said he recognizes some of the Falcons’ offense as similar to the Cardinals’.

“You see it on the tape. That’s one of the things that’s fun.

“You see some of the things you’ve done together (and think), 'I remember that!’”

THEY CAN COVER

The Falcons set an NFL record for limiting opposing punt returners to 49 yards on the entire season.

Their coverage team would figure to be in for a good game against a Cardinals’ return unit that has had a tough time generating much yardage.

Steve Breaston, the Cards’ punt returner, praised Falcons punter Michael Koenen.

Breaston said, “He’s impressive. He gets good hang time, good distance. … He gets it to the sideline. He does a great job putting the ball in good locations.

“It’s going to be a tough assignment, but I think we can handle it.”

As far as the Cardinals’ end of the special-teams battle, “I have to be smart back there, and we have to do the job up front.

“It takes a collective effort. When everybody is on the same page, good things happen.”

Sean Morey, the Cardinals’ special teams’ Pro Bowler, said the Falcons “do everything well. They have big, physical, fast core special teams players. They’re beasts. They’re going to be a great challenge for us.”

INJURY UPDATE

Listed as questionable for today’s game are linebacker/defensive end Travis LaBoy, receiver Anquan Boldin, defensive tackle Gabe Watson and tight end Leonard Pope. All but LaBoy had a full practice on Friday; LaBoy was limited.

For the Falcons, a host of players were listed as questionable. The only player who didn’t practice Friday was defense end Jamaal Anderson.