ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals look to build off big win over Cowboys

Dec 5, 2011, 9:12 PM | Updated: 11:26 pm

Entering Sunday, the biggest knock against the Cardinals
this season was that none came against playoff teams.

That’s no longer the case.

The Cardinals beat the Cowboys 19-13 in overtime,
improving their record to 5-7 this season.

On Sunday the Cards looked like the team many expected to
see at the beginning of the season. Kevin Kolb was mobile,
accurate and mistake free, Andre Roberts proved to be a
legit number two receiver, and the 3-4 defense showed what
it could do, sacking Tony Romo five times.

Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt says now the whole
team must build off the strong performance, including the
quarterback.

“I think there were a number of things that we saw in the
second half that I really liked,” Whisenhunt said. “[Kevin
Kolb] got a better feel for the game as it went on, it was
really nice for him to make those strides as far as the
way we’re running our offense, and that will give us
confidence going forward — especially if we can continue
to run the football.”

On the other side of the ball, Whisenhunt attributes the
defense’s improvement to defensive coordinator Ray Horton.

“This is Ray’s first job as a defensive coordinator and to
come in here with no offseason with a bunch of new guys
and get them all on the same page, it’s tough,” Whisenhunt
said. “It was a tough stretch for us early, but Ray is a
very disciplined, good teacher, understands the scheme,
does a great job communicating with our players and I
think they believe in what we’re trying to get done.”

Whisenhunt said the defense is finally playing together,
which allowed the team to get pressure.

Looking forward, the head coach just wants to take it one
game at a time.

“The important thing for us is to keep our focus like it’s
been the last five or six games and that’s just one week
at a time,” Whisenhunt said. “We want to make sure that we
focus on trying to get better each week and we’re starting
to see progress with that.”

Presented By
Western Governors University

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals first-round draft picks Michael Floyd and Larry Fitzgerald...

Kevin Zimmerman

With Cardinals eyeing a franchise receiver, let’s look back at Arizona’s history of drafting WRs

The Arizona Cardinals have rarely drafted receivers in the first round of the NFL Draft. In 2024, that rarity should happen.

47 minutes ago

A general view as the Arizona Cardinals make their draft pick during the first round of the 2019 NF...

David Veenstra

All the Arizona Cardinals picks in the 2024 NFL Draft: Full list

The 2024 NFL Draft order is now set after compensatory picks were announced on Friday. The Cardinals have 11 total picks.

2 hours ago

Trey Lance...

Arizona Sports

What is the going rate for top 5 picks? Looking at NFL Draft trades with Cardinals facing choices

The Cardinals are in the opportunistic position of owning the No. 4 pick when more teams need a quarterback entering the NFL Draft.

13 hours ago

Monti Ossenfort looks on...

Tyler Drake

What trade packages could the Cardinals potentially get for the No. 4 NFL Draft pick?

What could the Cardinals get in a trade for the No. 4 overall pick? A look at the teams that might be interested and what it would cost.

15 hours ago

Monti Ossenfort chats with Michael Bidwill pregame...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals Corner: Best- and worst-case scenarios for Cardinals’ NFL Draft

Cardinals Corner co-hosts Tyler Drake and Lauren Koval break down the best- and worst-case scenarios for Arizona this NFL Draft.

16 hours ago

LSU's Malik Nabers, a top NFL Draft prospect...

John Gambadoro

The Gambo 5: Predicting whom the Arizona Cardinals pick 1st in 2024

Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze and two others are on Gambo's list of predicted Arizona Cardinals picks in the 2024 NFL Draft.

21 hours ago

Cardinals look to build off big win over Cowboys