Sports360AZWinning is infectious, and you could sense it out in Tempe at the Cardinals training facility on Wednesday, as the team prepares to travel to the Bay Area and take on the NFC West leading 49ers on Sunday.
Head coach Ken Whisenhunt is well aware of what’s ahead of him and his team this weekend in San Francisco.
“It’s a challenge,” Whisenhunt said. “They’re a good football team. As with a team that’s won a lot of games, they’re playing with a lot of confidence.”
Quarterback John Skelton echoed Whisehunt’s sentiments toward the 49ers following practice.
“They’re a good team,” Skelton said. “That’s why they’re 8-1.”
Skelton talked about the much heralded 49ers defense, and what the offense needs to do to be successful against them.
“If we can protect up front, and get some running game going early, that hopefully we’ll be successful and get some throws on them.”
49ers running back Frank Gore has been on a major tear through the first nine games of the season. He’s currently seventh in the NFL in rushing yardage. Cornerback Patrick Peterson knows the challenge the defense faces in trying to stop him. Peterson said it’ll take a group effort to contain Gore.
“We have to, as a defense, contain the runner and corral the ball,” Peterson said.
Quarterback Kevin Kolb was on the practice field Wednesday and took some individual snaps. He walked gingerly to the interview podium and inside the locker room as well, so from a visual standpoint, he didn’t look 100 percent, but he’s taking it all in stride.
Kolb is human though, and told reporters that it is frustrating not being out on the field in his normal starter role.
“It is frustrating,” Kolb said. “I didn’t expect it’d take this long.”
“I am glad that we’re on a two-game winning streak during this time. It’s pretty sweet,” he said.
Skelton said that Kolb has been very helpful and supportive of him during these last few games. He said that the chemistry between him, Kolb and Richard Bartel has been nothing but positive all season long.
“Overall, I just think that whoever plays, we’re gonna be successful with,” Skelton said.
