Cardinals flex muscles on defense

Jan 4, 2009 - 3:38 PM By Bob Huhn PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

GLENDALE, Arizona (Ticker) -- The Arizona Cardinals rode their high-powered offense into a playoff berth this season.

The Cardinals scored a franchise-record 427 points. They had three receivers with at least 1,000 yards and a quarterback in Kurt Warner who brought back memories of his days with the "Greatest Show on Turf," when he compiled record-breaking numbers with the world champion St. Louis Rams.

But on Saturday, in their first playoff game in 10 years and their first home playoff game in over 60 years, the Cardinals displayed the balance necessary to win in the playoffs in a 30-24 victory over the Atlanta Falcons.

And, yes, they showed they can play defense when needed.

"We have the most underrated defense and players in the league," defensive tackle Darnell Dockett said. "Karlos Dansby is one of the best linebackers in the league and he gets no recognition. You put (Tampa Bay's) Derrick Brooks in a Pro Bowl over Karlos Dansby. You put me in as an alternate.

"Antonio Smith is one of the best linemen in the league and nothing, no one has heard of him because we are in Arizona. We are under the radar and more then underrated, but we showed what we can do (Saturday)."

In the first half of Saturday's NFC wild card matchup, it looked like the Atlanta Falcons and the second most potent running game in the league was going to have their way with the Cardinals' defense, which has struggled to stop the run.

Rookie quarterback Matt Ryan engineered a 14-play, 77-yard drive that lasted a little more than six minutes and followed with another quick score to give Atlanta a 17-14 at the half.

In the past, Arizona's defense would be deflated, but something was different Saturday.

"We never doubted ourselves. They made some nice plays in the first half, but we felt that the second half was going to be our half," said Bertrand Berry, who started in place of injured defensive end Travis LaBoy. "We stayed aggressive and made big plays that help turn the momentum around."

One of the pivotal plays came on the second play of the second half. Dockett broke through the line and applied pressure on Ryan, who was tying to hand off to Michael Turner. The ball popped up and was grabbed by Antrel Rolle, who scampered 27 yards for the go-ahead touchdown.

"We needed to make a play and that was the play that sparked us and turned the whole thing around," Dockett said. "Antrel picked it up and scored and then we never looked back. Big players make big plays in big games and it was time for me to make a big play."

In that third quarter Arizona held Atlanta's offense to just 11 total yards. In addition to the fumble, the Cardinals forced two three-and-outs and added an interception by rookie Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in the quarter.

"We played like that on the defense at times throughout, the year we just haven't been as consistent," head coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "Part of that was not handling success and losing focus a bit.

"I think today you saw a defense that was focused and disciplined. The thing we did today that was impressive was that we tackled well and we responded well to adversity, especially in the third quarter."

Arizona also held the NFL's second-leading rusher, Michael Turner to a season-tying low of 42 yards, including 11 in the second half.

"It seemed like they had guys everywhere," said Turner, who rushed for 1,699 yards on the season. "They crowded the line of scrimmage, they had a game plan and it looked like they knew what play we were about to run."

"We knew that they wanted to establish him as their main offensive set. With their solid running game we knew they were going to do," Berry said. "Stopping the ball carrier is something that we have not done consistently but today we were determined to do that."

After allowing 35 or more points in four of the last five games of the regular season, the players on the defense felt they had something to prove. For at least for one day, they did.

"We had a chip on our shoulder," Dockett said. "We heard all week that we couldn't stop the run and that our defense wasn't good. When we play like that, flying around, being aggressive, we can beat everybody."