The Cardinals must find a way for quarterback Kurt Warner and the offensive line to work together a little better after Warner's six-turnover game.
Kurt Warner had trouble keeping the ball away from the Jets last weekend, and afterward, coach Ken Whisenhunt said the protection had failed the Cardinals' quarterback.
Wednesday Whisenhunt wasn't quite as specific.
"It's a team sport so it's the team's fault," Whisenhunt said. "Obviously we did not protect Kurt well enough. But there is enough blame to go around for everybody."
There were certainly enough turnovers to go around. With Warner's three interceptions and three lost fumbles (along with a fourth fumble Edgerrin James recovered), some could be attributed to Warner holding the ball too long and some went directly to blocking breakdowns.
"A lot of the turnovers are because we are letting him get hit," center Lyle Sendlein said. "It falls on the offensive line."
Guard Reggie Wells said the Jets did a good job mixing up their looks, for instance rushing just two and dropping nine into coverage at one point.
"Games like that, they happen," Wells said. "We showed what we could do in the second half, when things calmed down and we did what we do best."
Tackle Levin Brown did not have a good game. The Jets also used several blitz packages, although Wells said he didn't think it was necessarily aimed at forcing Warner to turn the ball over.
"I just think it's proven when you give him time to operate back there he'll pick you apart, no matter what the defense," Wells said.
Warner said there are things he can do to help the line protect him, including making quick reads, changing the snap count and being accurate in his drops on certain plays.
Warner also was happy with the offensive production in the second half against the Jets, and brushed off his first six-turnover game in the NFL.
"I'm not going to second-guess the things I know I can bring to the table," Warner said. "I will continue to work on the things I struggle with. I have had those games before. You bounce back and play again next week."
WATSON MAY BE READY
Whisenhunt said it was a "distinct possibility" defensive tackle Gabe Watson would finally play against Buffalo after his long rehab on his injured knee.
Watson said it would take about five plays in a game to really know how he will respond, although he said he is "so, so, so ready to unload. There is a lot built up."
At one point in a practice, offensive lineman Elton Brown fell on the back of Watson's kne when Watson was on the ground. "I stood up and was like, 'Hey, it's OK,' " Watson said.
He smiled when he acknowledged he needed someone to test it. "It's like testing a Mercedes Benz," Watson said. "Can't get any better than that."
INJURY UPDATE
Whisenhunt said safety Adrian Wilson (hamstring) told the coach not to rule him out this week, and that defensive end Bertrand Berry (groin) was waiting for the coach Monday to say he wanted to play this week. Both players – who missed the Jets game – sat out practice Wednesday.
Tight end Jerame Tuman (hamstring) also missed practice. Tight end Leonard Pope (ankle) and defensive tackle Darnell Dockett (hamstring) were limited.
WARY OF JOB SECURITY
Whisenhunt was talking about the Bills and admitted he was concerned for one important reason.
"The last two coaches this team played, they fired those guys," Whisenhunt said to laughter.
The Bills' last two opponents have been the Raiders – who fired Lane Kiffin this week – and the Rams – who fired Scott Linehan this week.
EXTRA POINTS
With Anquan Boldin unable to practice, the team brought back wide receiver Onrea Jones to the practice squad – he was released last week – and cut running back Ryan Moats from the practice squad. …
Whisenhunt said that despite the chance Steve Breaston would be the No. 2 receiver this week because of Boldin's injury, Breaston will likely remain as the team's kickoff and punt return man.
"You may consider it but he's such a crutch back there for me," Whisenhunt said. "He doesn't turn the ball over. I would think we would leave him back there because I think he is a force for us."
Contact Darren Urban at askdarren@cardinals.nfl.net. Posted 10/1/08.
