Cards notes: Hightower runs through St. Louis again

ST. LOUIS – Tim Hightower has two 100-yard rushing games in his career. Both have come in St. Louis.

“You’d be in the Pro Bowl if you played here every week,” a reporter said after the Cardinals’ 21-13 victory over the Rams Sunday.

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“Is that supposed to be a compliment?” Hightower said with a smile. “What about all the other weeks?”

Hey, no slight intended. But the facts are the facts. Hightower rushed for 109 yards here last year in his first career start and he backed that up Sunday with 110 yards on 14 carries, including a 50-yard romp that was the Cardinals’ longest run from scrimmage since 2004.

Hightower said he couldn’t help but think about last year’s game but that it had nothing to do with his performance Sunday. Instead, he praised the offensive line and said Arizona’s improved running game – the Cardinals rushed for a season-high 183 pounds – is simply a result of coach Ken Whisenhunt calling a more balanced game.

“It’s a question of opportunity,” he said. “The more you do something the better you’re going to be at it … We just need to stick with it. We wanted to establish the run and we did that.”

Beanie Wells added 74 yards on 14 carries, and Arizona averaged 6.1 yards per rush.

“That’s (the running game) been important to us the last couple of weeks,” Whisenhunt said. “The running game opened up a lot of things in our passing game today.”

MUTED VICTORY

The Cardinals didn’t exactly celebrate their victory, not after nearly blowing a 21-3 halftime lead.

“I feel like we made a game hard that should have been easy,” wide receiver Early Doucet said.

Obviously, the offense’s failure to score in the second half made the game a lot more interesting. But the defense also contributed to the queasy feeling when it allowed St. Louis to convert three fourth downs – one on a penalty – on a 44-yard touchdown drive that turned a 21-6 yawner into a one-score game.

“We have to learn how to keep opponents down and finish teams,” free safety Antrel Rolle said.

MCFADDEN HURT

Cornerback Bryant McFadden suffered a right knee contusion in the first half and didn’t return, forcing backup Michael Adams into extensive duty.

The Rams tried to pick on Adams, particularly on their final scoring threat, but he stepped up and batted away a third-down pass in the end zone to Brandon Gibson.

Whisenhunt said McFadden’s injury doesn’t appear to be serious and that he seemed to be walking well in the locker room after the game.

EXTRA POINTS: Larry Fitzgerald moved into fourth on the Cardinals’ career receptions list, passing Frank Sanders.

Kurt Warner became the first Cardinals’ quarterback to throw for at least 20 touchdowns in three straight seasons