Offensive coordinator Harold Goodwin was blunt talking about rookie running back David Johnson.

"He could be special," Goodwin said. "Very special."

That's an easy conclusion to reach after three touchdowns on just nine NFL touches, including a 55-yard touchdown reception and a 108-yard kickoff return. One thing coaches and teammates love about him isn't his talent — although, yes, they love his talent — but his ability to be humble. Of course, he does have to absorb some grief.

"I don't believe no one in this locker room is really reading their press clippings," safety Tyrann Mathieu said. "Well, maybe David. David is probably reading his." Mathieu chuckled. "I'd be reading them too."

Johnson chuckled himself when he heard Mathieu's comments. "It was a little harder this week," Johnson said, "but the coaches made sure I stayed grounded, and the players around me reminded me it's a long season."

It is going to be a long season. That's why almost everyone around the Cardinals followed Bruce Arians' lead this week in brushing off the 2-0 start. Playing the 49ers Sunday is both a step up in opponent and a foray into the NFC West, and the Cards understand both cannot be underestimated.

-- No word on the offensive line as of yet. The fact Mike Iupati still has not been able to practice fully any one day has to raise a red flag, but we'll see if he's able to go against his former team Sunday. As for right tackle, Arians said Bobby Massie is better at pass protection and Earl Watford is better in run blocking. He's also noted Watford has given up too many quarterback hits. The Cards like to the throw the ball. We'll see if that impacts the decision.

-- The 49ers are a grind-it-out team. That makes sense because a) they have a talented running back in Carlos Hyde and b) quarterback Colin Kaepernick, while he has made strides as a passer, still isn't someone you'll lean on the majority of the time.

Then there is Kaepernick's ability to run himself, which will force the Cardinals to be on top of things while he scrambles around back there.

"From an awareness standpoint, I think our guys have to know that any down, any distance, he could tuck the ball and run with it," defensive coordinator James Bettcher said.

-- Goodwin, talking about the Bears game Thursday: "Last week there were a lot of things I didn't agree with in terms of hitting the quarterback, a couple of shots he took. (Carson Palmer) is going to get hit. We just have to minimize it."

Friday, Bears linebacker Pernell McPhee was fined $17,363 for his low hit on Palmer on the flea-flicker touchdown to Larry Fitzgerald. McPhee was flagged for a personal foul on the play.

Cardinals safety Rashad Johnson was also fined $17,363 for his hit to the helmet of Bears quarterback Jay Cutler. Johnson did not draw a flag on the play.

-- Don't forget Adrian Wilson will be inducted into the Cardinals' Ring of Honor at halftime of Sunday's game. What was behind Wilson growing into one of the best players in franchise history? Take a look back at my "Making of A-Dub" piece from 2010.

-- Bettcher said the defensive line has a "great rotation" right now, and that includes some snaps for Calais Campbell at nose tackle. In reality, the Cards don't really use a true nose tackle — Xavier Williams has been inactive, and starter Rodney Gunter (whom Bettcher said is doing well) is more like a Campbell. Again, the Cards were going for versatile on the line this season.

-- Campbell makes it on Sports Science.

-- Will Larry Fitzgerald go off again this week? Who knows? Arians is always coming up with different things. Even Fitz knows things can change.

"Coach Arians is like a mad scientist," Fitzgerald said. "He's always finding ways to get guys involved, to create mismatches for his playmakers."

-- Anquan Boldin gets another chance at his former team. He's said in the past playing the Cardinals is just another game, but frankly, I don't believe him. Q is too intense along those lines to have it be otherwise.

"He's a physical receiver," Mathieu said. "He's 100 percent for 4 quarters. I'll be matched up with him so I have to bring my big boy pads."