--Quarterback Kurt Warner didn't play in the preseason opener. Coaches wanted Matt Leinart to get plenty of work, and they didn't want Warner to play behind the second-team offensive line. "I just hope in some way, shape or form, it doesn't work against you in the competition part of it," Warner said. "I don't think it will. I think the audition process is more for Matt, to show where he is at and what he's capable of. I just think they know what they've got with me."
--Coach Ken Whisenhunt is out of patience with his team's propensity to commit penalties. The Cardinals led the league last year with 137 penalties and had eight in their preseason opener. "The tank is pretty much on empty as far as patience goes with that," Whisenhunt said. "There are going to be penalties. I understand that. But when there are selfish penalties, when there are penalties where guys' emotions are getting the best of them, unsportsmanlike conducts or personal fouls, those things we are not going to tolerate."
--Cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, the first-round draft pick, knows the rap against him is that he's not a willing tackler. He tried to dispel that with a big hit against Saints tight end Mark Campbell. "Most teams when they're scouting me say I'm not very physical and they're going to come at me to see if I'll hit," he said. "So I'm just waiting on that opportunity."
"I mean, look at what's going on with our offensive line right now," coach Ken Whisenhunt said, referring to the rash of injuries there. "You just can't afford to use one of those spots for an extra kicker or an extra punter and take away from a receiver, a DB (defensive back), a lineman."
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Like an old coach used to say, don't put him in Canton yet." -- Running backs coach Maurice Carthon on Tim Hightower's performance in the first game.
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