Cardinals: Ken Whisenhunt Conference Call

[14:14] ..." you lose the type of players that they've lost when you lose Rodney Harrison went. Tedy Bruschi doesn't play for you when you tragedy line. Pointed out due to injury you know waited. It's very difficult and I see"...

[9:15] ..." That is your punter situation. I mean do you feel Ben Graham sort of stabilized. Or."...

[12:26] ..." go Joey Porter on impaired. You know. What served. Twenty straight games with a touchdown pass for -- And -- sort of an odd. --"...

[14:14] ..." you lose the type of players that they've lost when you lose Rodney Harrison went. Tedy Bruschi doesn't play for you when you tragedy line. Pointed out due to injury you know waited. It's very difficult and I see"...

[0:00]" And and -- Earth I'm sure you've gotten this when you've come you didn't. Curious your thoughts on the whole west thing and and some of the challenges for. Teams -- track."

[0:15]" Well it's it's it's tough challenges stay in support of the effect on your body and they play in the 1 o'clock games it's very difficult. So we've. We've done a number of different things and finally settled on leaving. Friday afternoon. Which gives us today to acclimate. The last time that we did it this year was against. Carolina and we played the best that we've played on the east coast so weren't open. Bit. Maybe adjust our routine and how we do it will help us in this case."

[0:46]" And and how much of an adjustment has that been for you. As a head coach coming from. You know the northeast basically -- Pittsburgh. Getting used to that hole coming west to east."

[1:00]" Well yeah it doesn't it count going east to west -- not that difficult in my opinion going that way. So he was he was very new to me being here in Arizona and having to come back east we played a number of games five this year three last year so. You know it's always going to be -- that were faced with so. You'd have to find something that you think worked -- helped can help you prepare for so. You know like that I think we've made progress on that line it was tough for me. Just from the standpoint of mentally and physically what it does to you. -- get there at having to adjust the time in this thing that we found is that a lot of times we started very slowly in those games because we were sluggish starting out so. Hopefully coming in. The day earlier and acclimate ourselves. Has helped us."

[1:50]" And and I'm not sure the exact record but I think it might be one win for teams -- going west to east playing at 1 o'clock and I was just curious if you. Had Roger Goodell -- would you sort of say yeah. Hey you know may not be a bad rule that say let's let's make those 4 o'clock games I would really pretty even the playing field."

[2:11]" Well I don't know you know there's no real evidence to suggest that. Anything other than it at 1 o'clock is tough but a lot of times that's because some of the teams that we played. This year I don't play in the NFC east and now -- New England they're all good football team that makes it tough. So you know I think that's that's part of it. But. You know I think it is. There's nothing that we're going to do -- going to change it it doesn't help that. 1 o'clock -- it didn't difficult but and that there hasn't been much success I think you're right it the only team I think it's one was excessive just go beat Buffalo. Don't want to court game so. You know we're -- that we have felt a little work force and that we play well."

[2:59]" How. How worrisome is your record recently against the it's you know top teams -- Panthers the Giants Eagles and Vikings now the Patriots. Those are games right guess you could make. A big statement that you haven't been able to is that a concern for you."

[3:18]" Let's just sucked -- were pleased about especially two of the games where we didn't play well at all against Philadelphia and -- this past week against Minnesota. But I think that's all part of of growing up as a team you know we're we're still work in progress we're. Learning about ourselves that we -- that this week's going to be especially tough going into New England in. How NFC teams have not -- faired well against this team so it's a challenge you know we're just open that we can. Improve our play and get in position to play well in the playoffs."

[3:51]" He -- last week's loss. Was it anyway yeah hangover from -- in the division."

[3:56]" Utley who has yet to a degree I really think that. You know that's something that we focused on for almost two years now my Lester B in our first year -- this year -- a lot of time and energy and effort. Into doing that and winning the division and then. What you what you actually accomplish that goal. You are faced with a letdown it was something that I was concerned about last week -- mentioned that during the week to the team and just felt like that you didn't see indications that in practice but. Obviously we didn't play well I think that our focus in that game wasn't what it had been in earlier games so. You know I think it's very difficult when. Especially. That -- itself that has never been done in Arizona and that's what the division. -- a number of people that are excited and rightfully so talented -- good team you know on the back and it's easy to -- Was your focus and I think that is what happened to us to a degree. We also played good team that that it helped."

[4:56]" Penalties the Patriots have been I guess lead the league in fewest in. You're up there near the top for most. What can you do to to fix your problem and Al admirable as what the Patriots are are accomplishing in."

[5:12]" What you -- patriotism. As a model for the L autonomy in the went that you can say about thirteen visit there very disciplined they play with technique. They're very seldom what they do and that's the reason that there not a penalized team that's something that. Do we work -- we were greatly improved this year on our penalty. Number our yardage is way down our penalty yardage so we are proving it even though. We may be listed at -- near the top we have improved significantly from last year and that's something that we're constantly aware of -- working on and it's. What you see a team like New England. You know you have when you play against them you know you have to play well because they don't make mistakes and the reason they don't make a lot of mistakes is because. They pay attention to the details and there are very disciplined well coached team."

[5:58]" It's a lack of balance on offense. Something that concerns you I mean obviously with a three receivers you have -- great year. For all the balls pretty good option but do you feel like. Teams are. Not respecting the running game defenses are not respecting the running game minutes maybe compromising what you can do passing."

[6:19]" I don't think so I think we've been successful throwing the ball all the reasons that were doing that is because we've won games that we've been. Successful scored points getting into the red zone scoring touchdowns. You know and even our time of possession is about thirty so when you look at all those things. You know we obviously would like to run the football better than what we have been. That's something that we're going to continue to work on it's been a number of things just what we have it but. You know I think it's going to this debate is always that you went throwing the football consistently and you do expose yourself to a potential for turnovers. More when you throw the ball and that's something that up until the last few weeks we haven't been. That -- and so you know I think it I'm comfortable from the standpoint of if we play. Well and don't turn the ball all over that. We can't throw the ball and be successful but we do certainly. Continue to work on the run because. Going to a game like this where there's potential for -- two of the weather too. To change -- not know what to expect it's always nice to have that as something you can do."

[7:29]" Apart from just being his coach as a guy who's been around football and you know knows the game. Is this sort of second active -- career. You know surprising in any regard it's not. Not usually choose he has a great player and a five year dipped and then get back to the level anyone wants that."

[7:49]" You know I think it's it's a credit to -- more than anything and and it's competitive Spirit. I'm not surprised. I'm surprised that he's been as proficient this year because. You know. Not many quarterbacks throw the ball well he's thrown it this year with the accuracy in the India. Number of touchdowns but. I'm not surprised on the other level because he works so hard I think fit. Being in competition. With Matt where he had to earn this you know at 38 year old quarterback. In that position. Work the way he did. Made him better player and I know that he was a good player already but I think some of the things that we asked him to do. As far as the ball security better decisions with soreness throws those were things that because of the competition that he worked on and it has helped them. As far as this season has gone I'm excited for Kurt because it's always great to see a guided. About people were saying it couldn't do it anymore have -- and --"

[8:52]" And Stephens clockwork and."

[8:55]" She's doing a good job force we we each it is time we were really desperate we were. Batting depth at tight -- we didn't have a one healthy guy among three government. He came in the first game. And also a short week performed very well he's a competitive. Young man that doesn't very nice job having picked up our system and has fit in very well."

[9:15]" That is your punter situation. I mean do you feel Ben Graham sort of stabilized. Or."

[9:20]" Yeah I'd do at this point he is you know it's only -- two game split. But he does some things foursome very excited about this policy -- have been very good needed. He's kicked ball for average. Obviously that helps that we had a punt return force on for a touchdown last week. But I don't think there was as much as fault that was our coverage team but just. The reason that we made the switch with the putter was because of a game. Like this where you played a good opponent. Where the weather conditions you don't know what to expect -- field position could become such a critical part of it. You know that aspect of the game we had not been as good as we needed to be and -- actually been will give us that. As we go forward."

[10:02]" I know this is that something for down the road a couple of weeks that first home playoff games since 1947. That's. Mean you ever step back got that staggering that some that a franchise could go that long without."

[10:15]" You back. That you're aware that the -- that's a topic of conversation and that was. Certainly I think part of why we didn't play well last week is because their buddy wanted to talk about that but. You know as far as approach and try to prepare -- this but it got to learn the lessons from bill cower that is not to reflect. That you're going to -- you know I'm very pleased that we won the division that we did what we needed to do you win the division and they were in the playoffs. And now our focus is going to be on played better than we did last week so that we can actually have a chance to win a playoff game so. Dog happy for the organization because it has been so long that we've done that but. You know I think that we need to move on from that and and hopefully play better."

[11:01]" for beating the Patriots be given. You know your struggles recently against playoff bound teams with this. -- obviously you want to win no matter if you play and whoever this week that. Given that is the Patriots would that. Give you a boost more than. They beat the Rams and forty niners and."

[11:20]" absolutely I mean this team has done at five it's. Leading -- tied for the lead with this if you're in a division leader in the we know what a tough opponent they are they were in the bowl last year today. We're well aware back and they played at our stadium last year so I think this is a team has been very successful. I know. From a personal standpoint. They've kicked my butt as a coach a few times so I recognize. What a job coach Belichick has done his status and how well prepared. Those players are and I think you would be a great boost for us if we were able to. Get away."

[12:01]" How do you know could spell checks."

[12:06]" coached against him for a number of years but did not know enough to say politico telecheck. But have tremendous amount of respect for what he's done. In doing and how that program has been consistently. Winning. Especially since that we lost to championship games to. Six."

[12:26]" go Joey Porter on impaired. You know. What served. Twenty straight games with a touchdown pass for -- And -- sort of an odd. -- is set to speak to his consistency."

[12:44]" I think it does I think it's. You know I think we have. Done -- I think he has some good receivers that have made some place form but I think Kurt. Has always been a quarterback to make good decisions that understands what people are doing until they can get the ball out. In situations and I think it when we get to the red zone. We put a lot of -- no -- make decisions and because of his ability to do all those things. -- just mentioned he has had great success down there so. You know it's definitely an advantage to us because and I think that's a reason why. We've scored so many touchdowns this year is because of his ability to. Make decisions. In the red --"

[13:27]" What do we regret as the Patriots defense has been hammered by injuries especially at linebacker. You know their rankings. On third down and red zone are pretty poor."

[13:41]" But they're not to. Their rankings on George given up are not. Not bad at all effective pretty good. From a standpoint of sorts. It within a drive so I think did. I think it's what they've done with the number of injury that -- they have that had. This is a testament to their players and their coaches because they're they're playing very well. With what they have and I know they've had to make a number of changes in -- As coaches had difficult that can be at times especially when you lose the type of players that they've lost when you lose Rodney Harrison went. Tedy Bruschi doesn't play for you when you tragedy line. Pointed out due to injury you know waited. It's very difficult and I see what I see on tape. Once again as a disciplined in that doesn't make a lot of mistakes and it makes you earned everything that you get and you know we know that we're going to have to play well in order to be successful offensively."

[14:41]" Unless things ten. Both teams here at receivers you've taken huge shots this year no maybe not to compare that to hit the Wes Welker took with one and one. At that just talk about the resiliency in the tenacity that. The receivers. Sometimes have to. Have to exhibit when they know they think take shots like that balance that out."

[15:04]" Why don't fall receivers can do that I mean I think that. You know I think it Anquan. West have similar qualities and that's that they're both very tough. Competitive football players that'd. Are playing at a very high level and the competitive nature of that position and actually those individuals. Is what drives -- you know. -- conceded the -- at west plays and I think you can see in the way they Anquan plays they play with no fear and when you have a situation where you take a big shot like that. You know it is difficult is it maybe for the normal -- that bounced back from that because there. So competitive because they're. So. Play at such high level you know I think it's it's as one of the reasons why they can come back."

[15:56]" Okay we'll thank you very much for taking time as we speak -- depreciated."

[16:00]" No problem thank you can to -- get some more weather on the -- you know we're sure looking very you'd learn about. Yeah hopefully that they discuss the it."