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Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Cardinals safety Antrel Rolle drew a $7,500 fine for the big hit he put on Giants tight end Kevin Boss in Week 7.

The fine was for unnecessarily striking a defenseless receiver.

Rolle's teammate, Levi Brown, drew a $5,000 fine for a chop block.

Boss took no offense for the hit, saying only that he wished there would have been a penalty called because the team needed the 15 yards.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt made a telling statement following Arizona's 24-17 victory over the Giants in Week 7.

"To not play our best and still win the game was a very good sign," he said.

The Cardinals are playing at a high level defensively and that should continue against the upcoming schedule.

Arizona is still finding its identity on offense, which sounds strange for a team that averaged 365 yards per game last season. The average has fallen to 329.5 this season. Larry Fitzgerald is averaging 10.8 yards per catch. Sixteen tight ends have better per-catch averages (minimum 15 receptions).

When I watch the Cardinals, I see an offense in transition. The Cardinals still like to spread the field with four wide receivers, but Beanie Wells averaged 10.0 yards per attempt on five carries when Arizona ran against the Giants from base personnel (two backs, two receivers, one tight end). Wells gained 6, 13, 6, 15 and 10 yards on those rushes.

Kurt Warner completed none of his three pass attempts from that base personnel group, however. Warner averaged 7.6 yards per attempt when Arizona used three or more wide receivers. Wells hasn't earned a place in those personnel groupings because he hasn't earned the Cardinals' trust in pass protection. Once he does, watch out for this offense.

• For download: Full personnel report for the Cardinals' offense in Week 7 and for the first six games.

Arizona left Wells alone in the backfield three times on pass plays agains the Giants. Those plays produced two passes to Wells totaling 7 yards and an 8-yard sack when Wells went one direction and the Giants linebacker Danny Clark blitzed from another. I can't say for sure whether Wells blew the protection, but the result wasn't what the Cardinals wanted. His assimilation remains a work in progress.

Cardinals Personnel Group vs. Giants in Week 7 Carries Yards Per Carry Pass Attempts Yards Per Attempt TD 4WR 0 0.0 17 7.3 0 1RB-2TE 9 2.1 3 2.3 0 1RB-1TE 1 -1.0 10 7.4 1 2RB-1TE 5 10.0 3 0.0 1 2RB-2TE 4 1.8 1 3.0 1 2RB-0TE 0 0.0 2 11.5 0 Totals 19 3.9 36 6.4 3

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic sizes up the Cardinals' accomplishments during their 24-17 victory over the Giants. Said nose tackle Bryan Robinson: "I'll say it again: When you play the Cardinals, bring your lunch pail. It's not an easy win. It's not where you see us on your schedule and you chalk us up as an easy win. Those days are done. Those are done." Somers named Beanie Wells the key player.

Also from Somers: The Cardinals still used Anquan Boldin effectively despite the receiver's ankle injury. Boldin is an inspiration. Very few players could play wide receiver effectively less than one week after suffering a high ankle sprain. Boldin: "For me, it wasn't a question of whether I was going to go or not. If I was able to move around a little bit, I was going to be out there. It got a little sore and stiff in the second half, and playing on that field turf didn't help."

Dan Bickley of the Arizona Republic says the Cardinals' defense is making them a legitimate playoff contender. Bickley: "Oh, it wasn't perfect. Kurt Warner was shaky. The play calling was suspect. The Cardinals left many big plays on the field and didn't give the ball to Beanie Wells nearly enough. But the defense was good enough to overcome every little flaw, even a fluke touchdown that would've sunk a lesser team." The play calling will improve, in my view, once the Cardinals more fully trust Wells in pass protection. Once that happens, opponents will have a harder time figuring out the Cardinals' intentions when Wells is in the game.

Also from Bickley: Adrian Wilson's interception was the key play in the game.

Scott Bordow of the East Valley Tribune says the Cardinals' victory over the Giants was no accident. Bordow: "Arizona didn’t beat New York on a fluke play or with a lucky bounce. It walked into Giants Stadium and manhandled the boys in blue."

Also from Bordow: Alan Branch collected the first two sacks of his NFL career.

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com says the team's confidence is off the charts right now. Urban: "I’ve been covering the Cardinals full-time since 2000, and I can’t remember –- and this includes last year's playoff run –- a time when the confidence felt more all-encompassing than it does right now. That’s why they could overcome some of the bad breaks in New York. They believe. You want to talk about a culture change in the franchise, that’s one major tell right there."

Also from Urban: The Cardinals kept their poise after allowing a freak touchdown reception.

More from Urban: Arizona' secondary perseveres. Urban: "Almost every defensive back was dealing with some sort of ding by the end of the game. Even nickel corner Ralph Brown was forced to play some safety on the final drive."

More still from Urban: The Cardinals' performance might change national perceptions.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

The Cardinals claimed a watershed victory to reaffirm their status as the team to beat in the NFC West, in case there were still doubters.

Known for their glitzy passing game, the Cardinals showed grit in persevering despite severe injury problems in the secondary.

Closing out the Giants on the road would have been impressive even if strong safety Adrian Wilson and cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie had been available. Getting the job done with both players sidelined in crunch time stands as a tremendous achievement, no matter the Giants' deficiencies at wideout.

The Cardinals are 3-0 on the road for the first time since 1982. They are 4-2 overall and likely to reach 5-2 after facing the Panthers at University of Phoenix Stadium in Week 8.

Arizona still has tremendous potential for improvement as rookie running back Beanie Wells becomes more comfortable in the offense. Wells ran hard and ran well against the Giants. The Cardinals showed versatility on offense, a key to their postseason surge last season.

The heart Arizona showed on defense was the difference. Antrel Rolle's game-clinching interception provided a fitting end given all the injury problems in the secondary. The Cardinals were trusting Ralph Brown and Michael Adams in coverage late, and they still beat a good team on the road.

The defensive staff deserves credit, too. Secondary coach Teryl Austin had to be sweating out the final minutes given the obvious personnel deficiency. Coordinator Bill Davis kept the blitzes coming and his players executed them effectively.

This is the sort of victory that brings a team together.

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The Cardinals haven't let frustrations drag them down against the Giants.

The Giants got a lucky bounce on that long touchdown reception. The Cardinals' Adrian Wilson probably should have had an interception.

Kurt Warner missed Larry Fiztgerald in the end zone. Warner failed to see an open Anquan Boldin, also in the end zone. Tim Hightower lost a fumble.

I take it as a sign of maturity that Arizona has persevered through these setbacks to take a 17-14 lead in the third quarter against this team, at this venue.

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If only the Cardinals could combine Tim Hightower with Beanie Wells.

Arizona's two most recent plays showed why the team needs both of them. Hightower alertly caught the ball on third-and-10, converting a first down. Wells followed by delivering two stiff-arms during an impressive touchdown run.

The sooner the Cardinals can trust Wells on those third-down plays, the better they'll be. Wells is clearly the Cardinals' best runner.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

HOUSTON -- I've returned to my hotel room from Reliant Stadium to watch the NFC West's final chance for victory in Week 7.

Anquan Boldin is active for the Cardinals.

This road game against the Giants provides Arizona with the opportunity and motive to make a statement nationally.

Count me among those who thought the Cardinals would have had a hard time winning the NFC Championship game if Philadelphia hadn't beaten the Giants in the divisional round. The Eagles' victory sent Philadelphia to Arizona. A Giants victory would have forced Arizona to visit Giants Stadium.

And we all know the Cardinals wouldn't have beaten the Giants on the road, right?

This is their chance.

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Cardinals receiver Anquan Boldin hopes to play against the Giants on Sunday despite being told initially that his ankle injury could sideline him for several weeks.

"They were originally telling me 3-4 weeks with a high ankle sprain and I've seen guys be out about that long with it," Boldin told Mike Jurecki of XTRA910 radio in Phoenix, "but I've got a lot of people praying for me, so hopefully I get back out there Sunday."

Listen to the interview here.

"I'm feeling real good right now," Boldin said.

His comments suggest he did suffer a high sprain, which is more serious than a lateral one.

» NFC Final Word: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Five nuggets of knowledge about Week 7:

	Jason Bridge/US Presswire
	Kurt Warner needs to get rid of the football quickly against the Giants' pass rush.

Warner hasn't lost his edge. Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner took notice when New York-area reporters asked him about getting rid of the football quickly. The subject was a sore one for Warner during his days as the Giants' quarterback. He took too many sacks and the critics thought he held the ball too long. "If I'm successful, people say I am getting the ball out quick," Warner said. "If I am not successful, then people say I am holding the ball too long. I don't think I have ever held the ball long. To me, it is all based on my reads." Whatever the basis, Warner needs to get rid of the football quickly against the Giants' pass rush. The Giants sacked him only once when the teams played last season, but they hit him 12 times.

Two tights still make sense. The Cardinals' dramatically increased use of two tight ends upon Ben Patrick's return might not be a one-game phenomenon. Receiver Anquan Boldin's ankle injury could limit how much the Cardinals use him. Putting a second tight end on the field makes sense if Boldin is indeed limited. Arizona also faces likely issues in pass protection against the Giants. A second tight end could help in that area as well, unless Arizona decides to spread the field and stick with its quick passing game. Rookie running back Beanie Wells has vastly outperformed Tim Hightower as the lone running back from the Cardinals' primary two-tight end grouping. Wells has a 4.3-yard average on 16 carries from this grouping. Hightower has a 2.3-yard average on 11 such carries. Is the Cardinals' offensive identity evolving?

Clements one key for the 49ers. The Texans' Andre Johnson takes his turn against 49ers cornerback Nate Clements. Clements has helped the 49ers match up well inside the NFC West. The Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald has averaged about 35 fewer yards per game against the 49ers since San Francisco signed the veteran corner in 2007. That success hasn't always transferred against other receivers. Terrell Owens surpassed 200 yards receiving against Clements and the 49ers in 2008. Roddy White had a 200-yard game against Clements and the 49ers in Week 5. The 49ers need Clements' best in this matchup. I'm not sure if they will get it. Johnson's size-speed combination could be problematic.

The Rams are protecting the pass protector. The Rams are leaning toward starting Adam Goldberg at right tackle even though rookie first-round choice Jason Smith is healthy enough to play. It's probably a smart move. The Colts' Robert Mathis tends to dominate whichever tackle he lines up against. The Rams have brought along Smith slowly. Throwing him onto the field against Mathis in his first start since suffering a knee injury would not produce positive results for Smith or the Rams. Goldberg is going to have problems, too, but the expectations are different for him. The Rams will probably fall behind the Colts, putting St. Louis in obvious passing situations. Mathis and fellow defensive end Dwight Freeney have to like their chances.

Michael Crabtree's time has come. The 49ers' rookie receiver makes his NFL debut Sunday against the Texans. Are the 49ers getting ahead of themselves? My thoughts on the video.

Cardinals Personnel on First 30 Plays 2008 vs. Giants Week at Seattle 4WR 16 6 1RB-2TE 1 11 2RB-1TE 6 4 2RB-2TE 0 1 1RB-1TE 7 7 2RB-0TE 0 1 Totals 30 30

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The Cardinals face interesting choices against the Giants' defense in Week 7.

One potential approach would be to spread the field with three or more wide receivers, focusing on completing quick, short passes before the pass rush arrives. Succeeding with such a strategy sometimes leads defensive coordinators to back off with their blitzes. Seattle rarely blitzed in Week 6, presumably because the Seahawks felt sending extra pressure would have been futile given how quickly Kurt Warner could get rid of the football while throwing shorter passes to multiple targets.

So far this season, Warner's passes have traveled an average of 6.9 yards in the air, the fifth-shortest distance among players with at least 25 attempts, according to ESPN Stats & Information. For comparison, passes from the Giants' Eli Manning have traveled 9.7 yards in the air on average, the fifth-highest total.

It's tough to throw short passes most of the time and still run the ball effectively. Longer passes tend to loosen up defenses, in theory. A strong ground game can also open opportunities down the field.

Warner has completed 13 of 15 attempts for 154 yards -- a healthy 10.3 yards per attempt -- on play-action passes. But 32 quarterbacks have more play-action attempts this season. Joe Flacco (60), Drew Brees (56), Matt Schaub (50), Jake Delhomme (41) and Tom Brady (40) have at least 40. It's not a big part of what the Cardinals are doing.

But if you watched Arizona against Seattle, you saw a Cardinals team suddenly using two tight ends far more frequently. The extra tight end can help in pass protection and the running game, but the tradeoff is having fewer attractive options to make that short passing game work so effectively. I'll touch on this during the weekly "Final Word" entry scheduled to appear at 4 p.m. ET.

The chart compares the Cardinals' first 30 snaps against the Giants last season to their first 30 snaps against the Seahawks in Week 6. The first two rows show how differently the Cardinals have approached those games. The four-receiver figure against the Giants is somewhat inflated by 2-minute offense usage, but that second row is telling.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Giants general manager Jerry Reese went on record suggesting the proposed asking price for Boldin "could" be too high.

Reese's comments about Boldin were not specific enough to swerve into tampering, in my view, but his subsequent comments about Fitzgerald and Arizona will surely find their way into the Cardinals' locker room before the teams face one another Oct. 25 at Giants Stadium.

Reese: "I think people are panicked a little bit about receiver. We're not panicked about it. You'd like to have a big Larry Fitzgerald, Andre Johnson, Calvin Johnson ... you'd like to have those types of guys. But Larry Fitzgerald's team didn't win the Super Bowl. Almost is not good enough in this league. He was outstanding, but his team didn't win. There are other ways to do it."

The Giants won a championship after David Tyree made a circus catch off his helmet. That's one way to win a championship, but not as reliable as, say, targeting Fitzgerald over the middle with the game on the line, as Kurt Warner did in rallying Arizona into the lead during the final minutes of the most recent Super Bowl.

The Giants have a terrific organization and a very good team. But to link Fitzgerald's presence on the Cardinals' roster to Arizona's runner-up status in the Super Bowl? That's a stretch.