News And Events

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The tackling will get better.

The Cardinals believe that, after a poor game in that regard in the preseason opener.

“It’s the first game and we haven’t really been able to hit guys and take them to the ground (before then),” linebacker Daryl Washington said. “But in practice, as far as when we get to the ball carrier squaring up and putting two hands up there instead of just tagging off and running by them,  Coach (Ray) Horton definitely put more emphasis on that this week.”

It’s about getting body in the right position, coach Ken Whisenhunt said, with the right knee bend.

“It’s hard without doing it, but we have to get better as we progress,” Whisenhunt said. “Early in camp it’s something you have to work your way back into, because you can’t do it in practice, bodies can’t take that.

“A lot of times with the walkthroughs, or ‘thudding’ in practice, you have a tendency to play high, to not use your hands and wrap guys up. When we tackle as poorly as we did, it creates a sense of urgency to work on it.”

TOLER’S ROAD BACK

Cornerback Greg Toler continues to work his way back after tearing his ACL last season, but the chances of him sliding right back in to his pre-injury spot were never high this early. Whisenhunt said he’s never been worried about Toler’s knee structurally, but there is rust to be knocked off.

Asked how Toler has looked, Whisenhunt was blunt: “He’s looking like he is coming off knee surgery last year.”

“He is battling soreness now and that’s part of it,” Whisenhunt said. “You have to go through that. You can do all the rehab you want but it’s not the same as tackling guys, as putting torque on it. At that position it’s even more difficult with all the change of direction.”

CARDINALS ON TV

The Cardinals will begin with the first of three team-produced preseason broadcasts with Friday’s game in Kansas City. The game will be shown on ABC-15, with usual radio voices Dave Pasch and Ron Wolfley doing the call. Pregame will begin at 4:30 p.m.

The radio call will be handled by Jon Bloom and Glenn Parker.