Cards notebook: Defense holds Turner in check

The Cardinals didn't have to lose sleep figuring out a defensive game plan.

Facing a running back a nose short of 1,700 yards, they focused on containing Michael Turner.

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They succeeded, holding the guy who got some MVP votes to just 42 yards on 18 carries; as a team, the Falcons ran for just 60 yards on 24 carries.

"You got a 1,700-yard rusher," safety Adrian Wilson said. "They were going to lean on him heavy.

"We knew we needed to be disciplined, physical and penetrate the gaps. ... We did a great job."

Coach Ken Whisenhunt said, "Today you saw a defense that was focused and disciplined."

Not only did the Cardinals fill the correct gaps, they had one of their best tackling games this season.

Linebacker Karlos Dansby said, "Our plan was to fly to the ball and make tackles. (Turner's) a great running back ... to hold him to 42 yards is huge."

Falcons coach Mike Smith congratulated the Cardinals, praising defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast for executing their game plan of stopping the run.

"They did a nice job of getting off blocks. They loaded the box and did a very good job of controlling the line of scrimmage."

BOLDIN'S BIG PLAY

Anquan Boldin, back after missing two games with a shoulder injury, made only two catches Sunday.

But one was huge.

He caught a Kurt Warner pass and exploded down the left sideline, eluding safety Lawyer Milloy's attempt to push him out of bounds en route to a 71-yard touchdown.

That made the score 14-3 for the Cardinals with 8:58 left in the second quarter.

But Boldin suffered another injury, this one to his left hamstring. His availability for next week's game is unknown.

PRAISE FOR DRC

The Cardinals saluted their rising rookie cornerback, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, for his work on Roddy White, the Falcons' No. 1 receiver.

White had 11 catches but for only 84 yards.

"He has exceeded a lot of expectations," Whisenhunt said of Rodgers-Cromartie. "The future is bright for that young man."

Defensive tackle Darnell Dockett added, "One guy who stood out was the guy who went against their best receiver (White): Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

"I take my hat off to him."

SAFETY/CELEBRATION

Antonio Smith made a huge play with a sack of quarterback Matt Ryan for a safety early in the fourth quarter to make it 30-17 Cardinals.

"The quarterback held the ball a little bit too long," Smith said. "I wrapped him up, but I could still feel his little arm trying to get the ball out. ...The more he tried, the more I tried to lift him and dump him. I was glad when the referee blew the whistle (for a safety)."

Smith started to celebrate; his plan was to make a "strong right arm" salute to the fans. But Dockett jumped on him and rode Smith like a bull-rider.

This drew a 15-yard penalty, allowing the Falcons a free kick from the 35-yard line instead of the 20.

"I got overexcited," Dockett said. "I need to take that into the next game; I can't do that again. That 15 yards hurt us. But I was so excited."

The celebration was "totally unorchestrated," Smith said. "I was going to do my own celebration."

SITTING IT OUT

For the Cardinals, linebacker/defensive end Travis LaBoy, who has struggled with a lingering ankle problem, was inactive.

So were a couple of Cardinals whose stock dropped this season: tight end Leonard Pope and cornerback Eric Green.

Also sitting out were offensive tackles Elliot Vallejo and Brandon Keith, defensive tackle Alan Branch, receiver Early Doucet and emergency quarterback Brian St. Pierre.

For the Falcons, starting defensive end Jamaal Anderson sat out injured.