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Christmas at home, and other stuff

Merry Christmas Eve from Cardinals-land:

Normally, the Cardinals spend the night before a game in a hotel, even home games. But not tonight. Not Christmas Eve.

“I feel it’s important, especially with the guys who have young children, that they spend Christmas morning with their families,” coach Ken Whisenhunt said. “We are fortunate we don’t have to be on the road. There are so few times when you get a chance to spend Christmas morning home with your family in this profession that when you have a chance to do it, it’s the right thing to do.”

That doesn’t mean, however, that the holiday makes things easy with a game looming less than 24 hours away.

“It takes away from your study time,” Whisenhunt said, noting the team will come back for a night meeting at the facility this evening. “You hate to say Christmas is a distraction, but when you are working, that’s what it is. … With the number of mistakes we’ve made this year, you have to get in the books and study and try to eliminate those things.”

– It’s been a semi-popular topic of late — just where did wide receiver Stephen Williams go? He’s not inactive on game days, but there have been some DNP-coach’s decision on his resume. Honestly, it’s not a surprise, not when you are the fifth wideout (behind Fitz, Breaston, Doucet and Andre Roberts) and you don’t make an impact on special teams. Now that Early Doucet is on injured reserve, however, you figure Williams will get a little work these last two games — and he couldn’t be happier.

“It’s what I have been waiting for,” the undrafted rookie said. “I’ve been practicing good and making plays, it’s just that I’ve been doing it on the (practice) field with the guys, the media sees but not people on the outside. It’s kind of frustrating but you have to keep pushing through.”

Williams was one of the stars of training camp, and with early injuries to Doucet and Fitz, he was forced to play a lot early in the season. Then everyone got healthy, Roberts emerged after a rocky training camp and first month, and Williams was the odd man out.

“It’s  been hard, getting the feet wet, getting to play and then when all the guys returned it was like, ‘You’ve got to take a seat,’ ” Williams said. “Just got to wait my turn. Listen and learn.”

– Linebacker Joey Porter (tricep) did some limited work today, and his status for tomorrow will be a game-time decision. It was always going to be about whether Porter has enough strength to defend himself in a game; I’d still guess he’d take a one-game sit and then get ready for San Francisco (like Dockett did with his shoulder). LaRod Stephens-Howling sat and is doubtful. Whisenhunt said if The Hyphen did anything, it’ll be kick returns, but I am guessing that’s a long shot. Derek Anderson will dress, although whether he is second or third QB is still TBD, although “probably” he will be the third, Whiz said.

– Because of the Saturday’s game, this week’s “The Ken Whisenhunt Show” will air tonight at 10:35 on KPNX Ch. 12 (NBC)  following the late local news. Included will be the Larry Fitzgerald sit-down in which Fitz discusses the milestone catches in his career.

Injuries, illness and stepping away

Linebacker Joey Porter (tricep) and running back LaRod Stephens-Howling (hamstring) improved a bit and coach Ken Whisenhunt said he was encouraged by their efforts. “Whether that means they play Saturday, that’ll be tough,” Whisenhunt said. The players seem matter-of-fact about their situations — “Can’t do nothing about it,” Porter said — although with only two games left, there has to be optimism they can at least return for the San Francisco game, because otherwise, the team might just find another option and put them on injured reserve.

– Quarterback Derek Anderson and tight end Stephen Spach also were absent today because they were ill. But in the spirit of the season, Whisenhunt, while talking about Anderson, deadpanned “it wasn’t reported like Tom Brady was, when he was out with the flu, but it’s a similar situation.”

– Whisenhunt touched on the notion of giving some playcalling duties to passing game coordinator Mike Miller, saying it is a natural progression that will only continue to grow for Miller.

“There are a lot of things going on on game day you have to be on top of, and fortunately we have a number of good coaches on the staff to help with that,” Whisenhunt said. “I get a lot of personal satisfaction when you call good plays or call a game with good success. That’s part of what I have done successfully for a number of years and it’s hard to step away from that.”

– The next-to-last Big Red Rage is tonight. Adrian Wilson’s guest is kicker Jay Feely for the broadcast, which is live at 6 p.m. at Majerle’s Sports Grill at Chandler Fashion Center (give yourself time withe the traffic, if you plan on going). It will be aired live on Sports 620 KTAR (and also streamed live right here).

Porter not done, Anderson returns, a sellout

Turns out LB Joey Porter’s triceps injury is a strain and not a full tear as coach Ken Whisenhunt first feared. So Porter will rehab. He was out Wednesday and frankly, I will be surprised if he can make it back for Saturday, but the finale, perhaps. Whisenhunt said Porter already is feeling better, so who knows. LB O’Brien Schofield would get the chance to start in Porter’s place, an amazing turn of events considering where Schofield was earlier this season rehabbing from knee surgery. RB LaRod Stephens-Howling did pull a hamstring and sat Wednesday. Whisenhunt said he wasn’t sure The Hyphen will be back for Saturday either, but he’s not being ruled out.

Quarterback Derek Anderson was finally back on a limited basis, but Whisenhunt wouldn’t declare him the No. 2 before seeing how practice goes this week. Even if Anderson is healthy, I won’t be surprised if they keep Rich Bartel as the No. 2, so if a change has to be made, they can take a look at Bartel.

The game Saturday, by the way, is officially a sellout. It will be televised on NFL Network and, locally, also over the air on KUTP MY45/Ch. 9.

Finally — and I will flesh this out in my notes on the homepage in a bit — QB John Skelton won Valley fans over quickly by declaring that, even though he is from Texas, he has always rooted against the Cowboys. Maybe he was born to be a Cardinal.

The day after, Porter hurting

Coach Ken Whisenhunt opens his Monday press conference touching on injuries, even though there is usually not a whole lot of new information on the guys we had already heard about Sunday — in this case, wide receiver Early Doucet (hip, but not related to the surgery he had earlier this season) and running back LaRod Stephens-Howling (hamstring, the same one that was bothering him). Stephens-Howling’s injury probably isn’t serious.

But Whisenhunt also mentioned a triceps injury for linebacker Joey Porter, and it seems that usually, when Whisenhunt brings up a new injury (Porter’s injury wasn’t reported yesterday) it tends to skew serious. Whisenhunt said it could be, although he didn’t know yet since Porter is waiting to get an MRI. At this point, I guess it wouldn’t be shocking to see Porter be out the final two games. We will see.

– Quarterback John Skelton remains the starting quarterback, but at this point, that’s definitely not a surprise. Whisenhunt noted Skelton struggled yesterday, but that wasn’t a surprise for a rookie on the road for the first time. The Cards still don’t know about Derek Anderson this week anyway.

– Not that he discounted Tim Hightower’s fumble, but when I asked about if there was anything else to say, Whisenhunt said “That was a tough play. He was scrambling to get something and it was a big hit … it wasn’t a strip, the helmet hit the ball and it came out and fortunately Steve (Breaston) was there to pick it up. There wasn’t much you could say about it.”

Anderson remains inactive

Quarterback Derek Anderson (concussion) remains sidelined today, meaning the Cards will have just two QBs: Starter John Skelton and Richard Bartel. The rest of the inactive list looks familiar, including veteran linebacker Gerald Hayes on the bench:

• WR Max Komar
• CB A.J. Jefferson
• S Hamza Abdullah
• CB Marshay Green
• C Ben Claxton
• DT Gabe Watson

For the Panthers, cornerback Chris Gamble, who has fallen out of favor with coach John Fox, is inactive.

Friday before the Panthers

We’re in the air on the way to Carolina for this edition of “Friday before.” Derek Anderson missed a second straight week of practices, so – barring something unforeseen – the Cardinals will have two QBs Sunday: John Skelton, and backup Richard Bartel.

So that leaves who as an emergency quarterback?

Coach Ken Whisenhunt hasn’t said. Maybe he’d rather not jinx it. But looking at the guys who could, wide receiver Early Doucet – who has played the spot from the wildcat position once or twice – seems like the guy.

“I think so,” Doucet said.

And what does he think about that? Like most non-quarterbacks, the idea of playing the spot in the NFL does bring a smile to his face.

“Obviously you want everyone to stay healthy but if that opportunity did present itself, I am confident enough and played the position all through high school and a couple times in college, so I don’t think it’d be something completely new,” Doucet said. “It would be fun, but at the same time I’d rather have the quarterbacks stay healthy.”

I think it’s safe to say the rest of the Cardinals are thinking the same.

– Speaking of quarterbacks …

I’m going to write on Donovan McNabb because, well, I have to. The news came down that not only is McNabb not starting for Washington, he’s not even the backup. Yikes. So obviously, he’s not going to be in Washington next season (unless the Redskins want to take this mess into 2011, which I can’t see why).

So everyone – again – wants to see him in Arizona. They try to connect the dots out there around the NFL. Here’s my non-Twitter take: It won’t happen. Will I say that 100 percent? No. The veteran list out there this offseason is very, very thin. The Cards still need one. But I will repeat what I have said many times: For the Cards to get him, it means two teams will have given up on McNabb in one year. If that isn’t a red flag, I’m not sure what is. The Cards haven’t had interest in chasing him before, and I don’t think that will change.

– It’s been quite the week for kicker Jay Feely, and deservedly so. Yet, as a kicker, he still was taking some good-natured shots this week. Why, I ask. Why? Here was Larry Fitzgerald talking about getting the offense going a little more: “We love for Jay Feely to get points but we need some touchdowns this week.” Then there was Panthers coach John Fox, who was asked in the conference call if he might, you know, scheme a little defense for our man Jay. “Our media ask me about that,” Fox said. “I told them, ‘No offense’ but I did giggle.”

– You want to see a cool interview, Paul Calvisi sat down with Fitz to watch some video of Fitz’s greatest catches after he broke the franchise record for catches. I got a sneak peek and it was worth the time. It’ll air on “Maximum Cardinals” Saturday on NBC (Ch. 12) at 4 p.m. If you miss it, it’ll be posted on the website Sunday.

– Strange note of the week: Fox is going to use music during Sunday’s broadcast of Cards-Panthers, as an experiment. According to the USA Today, it could include popular music, but this weekend will definitely have some original pieces. Kind of like a movie score, I’d guess. I’m a huge fan of movie scores, but not sure it’ll work in this setting. We’ll see. (Yes, the game will still have announcers).

– Loved this quote from Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who was praising Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith and saying he enjoyed going up against someone that good: “He’s a little angry guy and he’s going to give you 100 percent.”

DRC came out ahead the last time these two saw each other in Charlotte. And the cornerback did have one of his better games last week. Having him finish strong is important.

– OK, that’s long enough. See you on the other side. Or at least when we land (love in-flight internet).

Finishing before the trip

The Cards are flying out today for their Carolina road trip, to be better acclimated for the early kickoff and the vaunted “East Coast” game which dominated the storylines back in 2008 — basically, up until the point the Cards went to Carolina in the playoffs and won.

The theme doesn’t come up really anymore, although coach Ken Whisenhunt said that doesn’t mean it isn’t part of the team’s thought process.

“When you are planning for those trips, from the standpoint of how you operate … I don’t think of it as something that affects us for the game, because I feel like the way we do it now, we have the right mindset,” Whisenhunt said. “As far as how we travel, when we get there, what we do when we get there. I don’t sense it with our players anymore either. I think maybe that’s because we have gone to the East Coast and won some games. You kind of got the monkey off the back.

“Listen, it’s not easy. But as far as the mental part of it, I don’t see it as an issue.”

– QB Derek Anderson was still sitting Friday and will officially be listed as doubtful. “We still have to take the flight,” Whisenhunt said. “It’s 50-50 at best right now. But finally, we are getting to the point where there is a little bit of progress.”

– LB Clark Haggans (groin) is listed as questionable. Everyone else on the injury list is probable.

Fun in the rain

It’s not what anyone in Minnesota or Chicago or Green Bay is dealing with, but there was a little poor weather for the Cardinals’ practice Thursday (and it’s relative — coach Ken Whisenhunt was still wearing shorts) as the rain came down at a steady clip. Which, all things considered, isn’t a bad turn of events. Some rain is forecast for Charlotte this weekend, and while it isn’t supposed to come down Sunday, dealing with a wet field is something useful. “We get something positive out of today’s work,” Whisenhunt said.

Every once in a while, Whisenhunt likes the idea it’ll rain during the week. Sunny every day seems nice and “I’m not going to complain.” But, he added, “At some point we’re going to need to play in it so it’s good to get work in it today.”

– The injury report remained unchanged from Wednesday, meaning QB Derek Anderson still is not practicing and seven others were limited.

– Running back Beanie Wells was much better Thursday from his illness, Whisenhunt said, although he was still limited. The big concern now is making sure Wells remains hydrated, especially with a long flight to Carolina tomorrow. That’s always impressed upon the players, to drink a lot of fluids for long flights, and it’s more important for someone who has been sick and lost a lot of fluid.

– Anderson still can’t come back. Whisenhunt said Anderson is having headaches every time he returns to activity, a red flag that prevents him from being cleared. Again, a scary situation. Until he can avoid those, he won’t get back on the field. I was asked if Anderson could go on IR; I don’t expect it, but if he can’t come back this week, it may be worth it to pick up a third QB for the last two games and shelve Anderson. Again, it’ll depend on Anderson’s progress.

Anderson still out and a post-practice update

Quarterback Derek Anderson remains sidelined with concussion symptoms, a moot point in one way since John Skelton was going to start regardless but now something that has to be a concern. No matter how you feel about his play, having a concussion knock a guy out into a second week is scary.

Seven players were limited today, including two newcomers from last week’s group. Running back Beanie Wells said he is “trying” to get past the leftovers of what took him out of the game Sunday (and since I apparently have been afflicted with an illness myself — thanks, son — let me say working in this environment not so much fun). Linebacker O’Brien Schofield also was limited with a hamstring injury, but I don’t expect any of these to cause a problem Sunday.

As a heads-up, rookie nose tackle Dan Williams will be Adrian Wilson’s guest on the Big Red Rage tomorrow. It’ll be at Majerle’s at 6 p.m. and air live on Sports 620 KTAR (and be streamed live on video here at azcardinals.com).

Skelton remains starting QB

First things first: Coach Ken Whisenhunt said at quarterback, the Cards will go with the guy with the best chance to win, “and right now, that’s John Skelton.” So Skelton will remain the starter, which — after Sunday — is the way it should be. Quarterback Derek Anderson still is working to be symptom-free from his concussion for 24 hours; he can’t practice until he does so. When he does return, I’d expect him to be the backup and Richard Bartel to slide to third-string.

A couple of other quick notes:

– RB Beanie Wells was so sick yesterday with a fever that Whisenhunt was impressed with how much he did play. Wells ended up taking two IVs before the game started and then just ran out of steam and had to stop. “I admire how he fought through it,” Whisenhunt said.

– If Wells had been healthy, or if LaRod Stephens-Howling hadn’t been gassed, Whisenhunt wouldn’t have put Tim Hightower — who had fumbled — back in the game. “It was out of necessity,” Whisenhunt said. “But he did what he had to do.”

– With “where we were” defensively, Whisenhunt decided the Cards needed LB Daryl Washington back in the starting lineup. Once that happened, the reserve linebacking corps came down to special teams, which is why Reggie Walker was the choice over Gerald Hayes. If Washington stays the starter — and Whisenhunt praised his play — I’d expect Hayes to continue to be inactive barring an injury.

– Whisenhunt on K Jay Feely’s Pro Bowl candidacy: “I certainly would vote for him.”

– Feely is the first player to score a touchdown and kick a field goal of at least 50 yards since Gino Cappelletti did it for the Boston Patriots on Nov. 20, 1964 versus … wait for it … Denver.

– Whisenhunt, on what he would say to those who wish the Cards would lose to secure a better draft pick: “I want to win football games. I think the most important thing for us is to play to win these games. I talked to coach Herm Edwards about that and he said, ‘Hello? You play to win.’ “

Always easy to crack a joke after a big win.

(H/T to @burns620 for the Feely pic)