Cardinals HC Whisenhunt says Rams “certainly present some challenges”

Arizona Sports News online

Yes the Cardinals are 4-0, but there’s hardly time to celebrate, because the work week is very short.

The team will take center stage this week, as they’ll head to St. Louis, Mo., to take on the Rams on Thursday Night Football.

The last time the Cardinals played on TNF was November 27, 2008, and they didn’t fare so well, as they were beaten soundly by the Eagles 48-20 in Philadelphia, Pa.

“I hope we do a better job this time,” head coach Ken Whisenhunt said.

The team fumbled the ball four times against Miami on Sunday, had six penalties, and threw two interceptions.

With all that being put out there, Whisenhunt is well aware that there’s a lot that the team needs to work on this week as they get ready to face another NFC West opponent in the Rams.

“Cleaning up some of our technique errors, cleaning up some of our detail things, as well as making sure that we give our players enough rest,” Whisenhunt said. “It’s a fine line between doing enough to be prepared and also making sure you give them enough rest.”

The Rams are coming off a big win over the Seahawks at home on Sunday, and they’ll have all the confidence in the world heading into the game with the Cardinals.

“The Rams have always played hard against us,” Whisenhunt said. “They’re playing hard, they’ve got some good young players, [so] certainly they present some challenges.”

As far as injuries are concerned, Whisenhunt said there wasn’t anything that caught his eye after the game in the locker room.

He said he’ll know more later on in the day as the players come in for meetings and a night practice.

Todd Heap [knee], Darnell Dockett [hamstring] and LaRod Stephens-Howling [hip] are the three biggest names who were missing on the field against the Dolphins on Sunday.

Whisenhunt said the practice on Monday night will be lighter than usual, being that the team isn’t too far removed from the game, plus it’s a short week with travel and another game on Thursday night.

Whisenhunt said there will be chances for all three to show him and his coaching staff that they’re ready to suit up and play again.

“If they can continue in their rehab process and show us something on the field, then when we test them out, you’re optimistic that you’ll be able to have them,” Whisenhunt said.

Quarterback Kevin Kolb led the team to yet another victory, despite being sacked eight times and throwing the aforementioned interceptions.

Whisenhunt said Kolb is a guy that moves on from his mistakes and continues to make things happen.

“I think part of that is what his role was in Philadelphia, in a tough situation, being able to operate that way,” Whisenhunt said. “He has a lot of confidence in his teammates, he has a lot of confidence in himself and he hung in there and made some big plays for us at the end.”

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