It almost always is preferable to overcome rather than succumb, and Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt thinks his team’s rebound from a 1-6 start could have an impact this off-season and in future years.

“Your younger players are now developing and learning how to do it when it’s been as tough as it could possibly be,” Whisenhunt said. “And that means it makes you stronger as a team going forward. If you learn how to win and you don’t know any different, then when you lose it can really be catastrophic.”

Imagine if the Cardinals had collapsed instead of winning six of the next seven games. Or what life would be like now if the Cardinals had started 6-1, then lost six of the next seven.

Whisenhunt would have received a game ball Oct. 30, not Dec. 18, for winning the most games in franchise history. And there would be speculation about his job status.

“Oh, my God,” Whisenhunt said, laughing, when asked to imagine if the halves of this season had been flipped. “They’d be taking the game ball back, that’s what they’d be doing.”

It’s been two seasons in one for the Cardinals. This is not anyone’s ideal scenario for a season, but if a team can have only one winning streak a year, better it come late than early. If the Cardinals had blown a 6-1 start, there would be a clamor for a major housecleaning at the team’s facility, starting with the head coach’s office.

But winning in the second half has changed everyone’s outlook on the Cardinals’ future.

“It builds equity,” Whisenhunt said. “When you go through the pain of losing those games with all these young guys, and they understand now what they have to do in order to get out of it, that makes you stronger as a team.

“You have this group of young players who understand ‘This is what we have to do. This is the standard that we have to set in practice and in meetings and what we have to do in games.’

“Now when you have a group of free agents come in here, you have a group of guys who won’t accept anything but this standard.”

The Cardinals had that equity after winning the NFC West in 2008 and 2009. They lost it in 2010, when quarterback Kurt Warner retired, receiver Anquan Boldin was traded and linebacker Karlos Dansby and safety Antrel Rolle didn’t re-sign.

The 5-11 record in 2010 produced new questions about the abilities of Whisenhunt and General Manager Rod Graves to successfully retool the roster. Six losses in September and October gave critics additional fuel.

Those questions still might exist, but six victories in the past seven games have at least siphoned away some of the anger.

They also have given Whisenhunt additional credibility with both fans and players. At midseason, he was being criticized for reciting mantras of “staying the course” and “we know this system works.”

“You got to be consistent,” Whisenhunt said. “If you have a consistent message, the guys will believe in you and believe in what you’re doing.

“That’s what they’re looking for. I yell and scream at times when I get mad, but you do it all the time, it doesn’t mean as much.”

A toll taken

Beanie Wells has been playing with a painful, swollen right knee since the sixth game, yet he needs only 6 rushing yards to reach 1,000 for the season.

Throughout the season, Whisenhunt has praised his running back’s toughness, because it’s clear Wells isn’t 100 percent. The condition of Wells’ knee is a “week-to-week thing,” Whisenhunt said. “It’s a different struggle every week for him trying to get his knee ready. He’s not as elusive as he would be if was he 100 percent healthy, and we understand that.”

That’s especially clear when Wells breaks through the line and faces linebackers and defensive backs at the second level, Whisenhunt said.

Even when he’s healthy, Wells isn’t a shifty back. He’s physical and he’ll run defensive backs over before trying to dodge them. But every back needs to be able to cut hard to evade defenders, and Wells is having a hard time doing it.

Wells touched the ball 16 times against the Browns on Sunday. On four occasions, he made it to the second level of the defense but couldn’t make the first tackler miss. Most of the time, the Browns tackled Wells by diving at his feet.

If healthy, Wells might have broken one or two of those plays for bigger gains.

“They’ve either came to cut him or he’s gotten hit from the side where he can’t plant and cut back under, or he can’t pick his feet up and get through that tackle,” Whisenhunt said. “But let’s not forget that Beanie’s had a good year for us. We’re really focused on trying to get him the 1,000 yards and have him fight through this thing.”

Coach’s Corner

“I think that when we were sitting 1-6 and everybody was killing us, we were focused on just doing it one week at a time. Would it be great to have a winning season? You’re darn right it would be. It would be something very special because of where we were. But to be honest with you, I hadn’t thought about that. All I thought about was trying to win this game and that if we can continue on this, that’s something that’s pretty good. Winning four in a row is something we haven’t done here, not since I’ve been here.”

– Ken Whisenhunt

Stat pack

The Cardinals have won four consecutive games in a season for the first time since 1999. They haven’t five games in a row since 1977.

Beanie Wells has 10 rushing touchdowns, tying for the fourth-best season total in franchise history. John David Crow set the record with 14 in 1962.

The Cardinals have won three overtime games this season. That ties them with eight other teams for the most in NFL history.

The Cardinals converted 8 of 16 third-down opportunities against the Browns. The 50percent conversion rate was their highest of the season.

Larry Fitzgerald has 20 receptions of at least 20 yards this season, and 10 have come in the fourth quarter or overtime. Fitzgerald had 14 catches of at least 20 yards in 2010.

Browns vs. Arizona Cardinals

Sunday, 4:15 p.m. in University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Ariz.

Record: 6-7.

Last game: Beat 49ers, 21-19, Dec. 12 in Glendale.

Coach: Ken Whisenhunt, 41-41, fifth year.

Series record: Browns lead, 33-12-3.

Last meeting: Cardinals won, 27-21, Dec. 2, 2007, in Glendale.

League rankings: Offense is 22nd overall (23rd rushing, 20th passing), defense is 21st (19th rushing, 23rd passing) and turnover differential is minus-11.

Offensive overview: Ken Whisenhunt seeks to run a derivative of the Don Coryell West Coast offense, which uses a power running game to set up vertical throws to tight ends and receivers. When fully healthy, they want to play off the hard running of Beanie Wells and get the ball to receiver Larry Fitzgerald and tight ends Todd Heap and Jeff King. But injuries have beset quarterback Kevin Kolb, Wells and Heap. Just as Kolb was finding some rhythm after missing four games with a foot injury, he suffered a concussion. Backup John Skelton has functioned OK, but he is less experienced, less mobile and less accurate. Wells has played through a knee injury and effectively shed the label of lack of toughness. Fitzgerald is fighting through excessive attention on the field. Whisenhunt has tinkered a little with cornerback Patrick Peterson on offense, but he hasn’t been able to lessen coverage on Fitzgerald.

Defensive overview: New coordinator Ray Horton is trying to duplicate Dick LeBeau’s zone-blitz Steelers scheme. The team’s recent resurgence is a result of the defense getting comfortable after adjusting to the 3-4 scheme. All the pieces might not be in place just yet, but the front seven has been formidable of late. Rookie outside linebacker Sam Acho has come on and displaced former starter Joey Porter. Ex-Steeler Clark Haggans is the other rush linebacker. End Calais Campbell and tackle Darnell Dockery have been very good. The areas of pressure have been unpredictable. The last two games they have had five sacks, each time from different players. First-round pick Patrick Peterson has had a learning experience at cornerback. Adrian Wilson is one of the league’s unknown good safeties.

Special teams overview: Peterson leads the NFL with four punt returns for touchdowns and is second in average at 16.3 yards. The kick return game is not as explosive. Kicker Jay Feely is 13 of 18 in field goals with a long of 51 yards. He is 29th with 14 touchbacks. Punter Dave Zastudil is 13th in gross average (45.7 yards) and 23rd in net (37.4). Calais Campbell has two field goal blocks.

Players to watch:

• Cornerback-returner Patrick Peterson: The rookie joined three other players for the most punt returns for touchdowns in a season. He has scored from 89, 82, 99 and 80 yards. He’s added two interceptions and a sack at cornerback.

• Receiver Larry Fitzgerald: One of the league’s consistent playmakers will be making his first career appearance against the Browns. He already is over 1,000 receiving yards for the sixth straight season and has his best yards per catch average (17.6) of his career.

• Defensive end Calais Campbell: He has posted unusual numbers for a 3-4 defensive end — seven sacks, 13 quarterback hits, one interception, six passes defensed. Not to mention the two blocked field goals.

Injury report: QB Kevin Kolb (concussion) had to leave the last game. Beanie Wells (knee) will be limited. OT Brandon Keith (ankle) left the last game.

Small world: Former Browns include receiver Chansi Stuckey, safety Hamza Abdullah, defensive tackle Nick Eason, quarterback Richard Bartel, guard Rex Hadnot and punter and Bay native Dave Zastudil. … Running back Beanie Wells is an Akron native and played at Ohio State. … Head coach Ken Whisenhunt was Browns special teams coordinator in 1999. … Director of pro personnel T.J. McCreight is from Willoughby and was Browns personnel director (2005-08). … Strength coach John Lott had same position with Browns (2005-06). … Special teams coordinator Kevin Spencer was Browns assistant coach (1991-94).

Read More: Larry Fitzgerald (WR – ARI), Frank Gore (RB – SFX), Early Doucet (WR – ARI), Beanie Wells (RB – ARI), John Skelton (QB – ARI), Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers

The Arizona Cardinals hosted the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday and were able to walk away with a come-from-behind, 21-19 upset win over the postseason-bound Niners. Here’s a look at some of the key offensive performers that allowed the birds to come away with the victory.

Quarterback John Skelton did give up two interceptions, but was the outstanding passer in the game. While the Arizona defense held the San Francisco to four first-half field goals and a Frank Gore touchdown, Skelton helped keep the Cardinals alive offensively, heaving a 60 yard touchdown pass to Early Doucet midway through the second quarter that actually put Arizona ahead at the time. In all, Skelton contributed directly to all three Arizona scores, which the defense allowed to hold up for the win. Skelton finished the game 19-for-28 with 282 passing yards, three touchdowns, 25 rushing yards and 106.5 passer rating.

Larry Fitzgerald led all receivers in the game with 149 receiving yards on seven catches. He scored a touchdown in the third quarter on a 46 yard pass from Skelton. Andre Roberts also caught a touchdown pass, a three yarder in the fourth quarter that put Arizona on top for good. Roberts only had two catches for eight yards.

The Cardinals chose to focus on the air attack in this game. Skelton was second in Arizona rushing yards behind Beanie Wells, who picked up 27 yards on 15 carries, averaging only 1.8 yards per.

For all news and information regarding the Arizona Cardinals, please visit Revenge of the Birds.

Arizona Cardinals update:

The importance of field position isn’t a topic that’s going to push anyone’s hot buttons. But it will be a vital factor in Sunday’s game against the 49ers.

San Francisco plays in low gear. The 49ers love to run, throw safe passes and gradually win the field position game with superior defense and punting. It’s a grinding way to play, and the Cardinals lost the game within a game three weeks ago in San Francisco.

The Cardinals had 12 possessions in that game and started, on average, at their 23-yard line. Only twice did they open drives outside their 20-yard line and that was at their 36 and 39.

The 49ers, on average, started at their 38, an advantage of 15 yards. Due mostly to Cardinals turnovers, they started drives at the Arizona 38, 26, 37 and 31.

The Cardinals were indeed fortunate that they only yielded 23 points.it took an excellent defensive performance and San Francisco kicker David Akers missing three field goals (including two blocks).

As coach Ken Whisenhunt mentioned on Wednesday, the main thing the Cardinals need to do Sunday that they didn’t do three weeks ago is hang on to the ball. Quarterback John Skelton was terribly off that day, completing 6 of 19 passes with three interceptions. Beanie Wells lost a fumble.

The Cardinals will need more out of its quarterback position on Sunday than just ball security. In the game three weeks ago, the Cardinals believe they had pass plays open early, throws that were low in degree of difficulty. Skelton looked nervous early, and his passes sailed over receivers’ heads.

Kolb needs to complete those passes. He and his teammates, as well as coaches, must be aware of the first-down markers at all times. First downs will be at a premium in this game.

The Cardinals need to maintain patience on offense. First downs will be at a premium, and the Cardinals need to concentrate on getting one or two, at least, when deep in their territory. Cardinals punter Dave Zastudil is having a solid season and has been especially effective over the past month. But he’s also punted in or near the end zone far too often in that time.

 

Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 10:20 AM

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