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Finishing the year with a sellout

The Cardinals officially have sold out Sunday’s finale against Seattle, meaning it will be televised locally (Fox) and making it 63 straight at University of Phoenix Stadium. There were many wondering about the sellout streak this season, especially with the early-season losses, but the Cards completed a sixth season of sellouts as they head into 2012.

A limited supply of tickets remains available for purchase, including in the lower level south end zone where additional seats have been installed for Monday’s Fiesta Bowl. The extra seats aren’t included when determining a sellout because they are there for a special circumstance.

Kolb situation echoes Warner’s

Coach Ken Whisenhunt said quarterback Kevin Kolb did a little more in practice today following his concussion and the expectation is that he will do more again Friday. But there are reasons to think, barring a big jump in Kolb’s recovery, that John Skelton will start against Cleveland Sunday, and one of them is the path Whisenhunt went down with former quarterback Kurt Warner before a game at Tennessee in 2009.

Warner suffered a concussion in St. Louis the week before, but he passed his tests and came back to practice Wednesday that week. A couple of days later, Warner was “probably going to play.” That sounded good — until Sunday morning, when Warner has some blurry vision, and ultimately the decision came late he wouldn’t play.

Part of the problem wasn’t Warner’s absence Sunday, but that he took almost all of the practice reps during the week because he was supposed to start, leaving Matt Leinart hanging when his number was called. That happens — Skelton was stuck in basically the same situation last weekend against the Niners because Kolb was knocked out early — but Whisenhunt said he was prepared.

“John did OK last week with no reps,” Whisenhunt said, laughing. “Maybe that’s the key. Maybe if we give him no reps and tell him it’s the third quarter, we’re in good shape.”

Seriously, though, “the situation with Kurt was different because we thought he was going to play and the procedures are a lot different now,” Whisenhunt added. “You do want to make sure, if you have those concerns, you get the other guy reps. And we have gotten John more reps this week because of that.”

– Sunday’s game against the Browns has officially been declared a sellout — 62 in a row — and will be televised locally on CBS (Ch. 5). There has been no decision made yet on opening the roof and that will likely be a game-day choice because of the chance of rain.

– S Kerry Rhodes has returned to practice fully and should play Sunday, but he will be slowly worked back into the lineup given so much time away. Rhodes hasn’t played since Oct. 9 because of a broken foot and subsequent surgery.

Cards sell out game against 49ers

The Cardinals officially have sold out Sunday’s game, meaning it will not be blacked out locally and instead be shown on Fox (Ch. 10) in the Valley. The game is the 61^st straight time – out of 61 possibilities – in which the Cards have sold out University of Phoenix Stadium.

That’s an impressive total (46 of those games are from the regular season) but they have a while to go to match the longest streaks. Both the Denver Broncos and Washington Redskins have sold out all their regular season games since 1974. The Steelers since 1976. The Jets date back to 1981, the Giants 1981 and the Packers 1989.

Cards-Rams is a sellout; Kolb about the same

It’s official: The game Sunday at University of Phoenix Stadium when the Rams visit is a sellout, making the Cards 59-for-59 since moving into the building and assuring that the game will be broadcast on local TV. It seemed like it might be a hurdle given the Cards’ struggles, but there wasn’t even an extension needed. (You’d figure the Cards will reach 60 too, since the next home game is against the Dallas Cowboys).

Meanwhile, quarterback Kevin Kolb — who sat out practice again — remains hopeful he could still give playing a shot Sunday, although he acknowledged he will be in the same situation Friday morning, where he will see if he can even practice. Coach Ken Whisenhunt said he’s got “a ways to go.” Whisenhunt said he would “consider” playing Kolb even if he didn’t practice Friday, “especially if we needed him in a certain situation.” John Skelton warms up in the bullpen.

RB Beanie Wells was upgraded to limited Thursday, just like last week.

On sellouts and the fans’ discontent

The Cardinals have sold out 58 games in a row at University of Phoenix Stadium — in fact, every game they have ever played there, preseason and postseason included. But with the way the season has gone in 2011 (and the way 2010 went), along with the visit from a fellow 1-6 team in the St. Louis Rams Sunday, the question has built up for a while: Will the streak continue Sunday?

Coach Ken Whisenhunt, not surprisingly, is hoping it does.

“It’s obviously something that’s important to our team,” Whisenhunt said. “We’re working hard to try to make sure we’re taking care of business, and we haven’t done that. It’s been a tough stretch for our fans, I understand that, and we’re working hard to try to get that fixed. Hopefully they’ll continue to support us. We’ve had a number of exciting games (at UoP) and they’ve been a big part of that. All I can tell you is that we’re going to have more (exciting games) there, and we sure would appreciate the support.”

That led to a follow-up question about hearing criticism coming from fans, and Whisenhunt pointed it out it’s delivered by “you guys,” as in the media, because even if he isn’t reading message boards or listening to talk radio, he isn’t unaware of what’s being said.

“I understand that’s part of this business,” Whisenhunt added. “We’re not performing the way we expect to perform and we’re not performing the way our fans expect us to perform. But let me tell you this, it’s not because out guys aren’t working and they’re not trying. When we walked off that field yesterday, our guys were crushed. It’s hard. We want to win and we’re working hard to try to do it. It’s one of those things where we have to stick together.”

Steelers game is a sellout

No surprise, but the game Sunday between the Cards and Steelers at University of Phoenix Stadium is a sellout, making the franchise 58-for-58 — including preseason and postseason games — in sellouts since moving into the building in 2006. Pittsburgh, for now, is the sellout bookends, since the first Cards’ game at UoP was a preseason game against the Steelers.

Broncos game — and perhaps season — a sellout

The game Sunday between the Cardinals and Broncos has been officially announced as a sellout, making the Cardinals 52-for-52 at University of Phoenix Stadium on sellouts, assuring that the game won’t  be blacked out on local television and, perhaps most significantly, virtually means the Cards will be blackout-free in 2010. The only home game remaining after Sunday is Christmas with the Dallas Cowboys, and any game with Dallas — regardless of records — is basically a lock to be a sellout.

– A quick reminder, the Cards’ two defensive captains, Adrian Wilson and Darnell Dockett, will be the stars of tonight’s Big Red Rage at Majerle’s in Chandler at 6 p.m. The show airs live on Sports 620 KTAR, or, if you can’t make it in person, you can watch it streamed live right here.

– If “Marcos Tucson” is reading, please e-mail me ASAP at askdarren@cardinals.nfl.net.

Rams game sells out, beer, and the Rage

The game Sunday between the Cards and Rams has been deemed a sellout, so the broadcast will not be blacked out on local television and the Cards now have gone 51-for-51 in selling out games played at University of Phoenix Stadium. The game will be aired on Fox.

– On Saturday, the Great Lawn outside the stadium will be the place for the Albertson’s “Big Red Pour” — an international craft beer and music festival. Running from noon to 10 p.m., the musical acts will  be headlined by Kenny Wayne Shepherd. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster. There is a discount for advance purchases. The concert lineup includes The Elevens from 3-4:30 p.m., Steve Ansel and the Jackson Street Band from 5-6:30, Sludge’s Build-a-Band from 7-7:40 and then Shepherd at 8:10. A $5 coupon is available at all Albertson’s locations.

– Tonight’s Big Red Rage radio show with Adrian Wilson will feature guest LaRod Stephens-Howling. The show will be aired live in Sports 620 KTAR and if you want to watch it live, it’s where it is always, Majerle’s Sports Grill in Chandler. It can also be seen live right here on azcardinals.com.

Niners game a sellout

Fear not, those worried about a TV blackout — the Cardinals’ 50th game at University of Phoenix Stadium (including preseason and postseason games) on Monday night against the 49ers is a sellout. That makes the Cards 50-for-50 in sellouts at home and should make for a great backdrop for the national ESPN telecast.

Don’t forget, the Cards are also wearing the black uniforms in the game as well.

Where there’s a Will …

Will Davis was a defensive end in college at Illinois. He’s been a linebacker since the Cards took him in the sixth round of the 2009 draft. His days as a D-end are long over. Kind of.

“I am out of that world,” Davis said, laughing. Then he reconsidered. “It’s kind of a rush end, it’s an end with sugar on top. That’s how I consider it.”

Davis will start if veteran Clark Haggans can’t go. And Haggans, who hurt his groin, doesn’t seem likely, although coach Ken Whisenhunt said Haggans has played in the defense long enough he could go without practicing all week. Not that Whiz has a problem turning to Davis.

“Will played 24 snaps in last week’s game and he played well,” Whisenhunt said. “That gives you confidence. Last year, when he got banged up (with a knee injury) at the end of the year, he was playing well then. So I have seen it twice. I think the light has come on for him.”

Davis said that when he got to the league, “I had never really heard about routes and things like that,. Now, the way game has slowed down for him is “crazy. Like night and day. Coach (Matt) Raich said he sees me evolving.”

“I feel like I am better equipped to start because of Raich getting with me to watch film,” Davis added. “I always practice like I am going to start. I am always trying to push Joey (Porter) and Clark.”

– Whisenhunt said WR Steve Breaston looks good and should play this week. LB Gerald Hayes also has a couple packages put in for him and “he’s pretty close to being ready to go.” Even with the injury to Haggans, Whisenhunt sounded less certain about activating LB O’Brien Schofield, because he is a rookie and hasn’t played yet. If either Hayes or Schofield are activated, however, that also means the Cards must make a corresponding cut on the roster.

– DE Alan Branch was added to the injury report with a sore back, and he was limited Thursday. He still should be available, I’d think. The rest of the Cards’ injury report stayed the same. Haggans was out and four guys besides Branch were limited: Breaston (knee), WR Early Doucet (groin), CB Greg Toler (back) and Porter (groin). I’d think all will be able to go.

– The Buccaneers’ injury report is long. C Jeff Faine (quad) is already out. Fellow offensive linemen Jeremy Trueblood (knee) and Keydrick Vincent (back) sat out again, although CB Aqib Talib (calf) went from sitting out Wednesday to practicing fully Thursday. DE Kyle Moore (shoulder), LB Geno Hayes (knee), WR Preston Parker (knee) and DT Brian Price (pelvis) also sat out.

– The game Sunday is officially a sellout, so the game will be televised on local TV. And don’t forget the Cards will be wearing for the first time in the regular season their alternate black jerseys.

– The Big Red Rage will be tape delayed on Sports 620 KTAR tonight because of the Suns broadcast, but it will be live at Marjerle’s at Chandler mall beginning at 6 p.m. as usual. Adrian Wilson’s guest will be Branch.