On the Phone with Whisenhunt and Skelton
Posted by on November 16, 2011 – 6:26 PM
Arizona Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt was in no mood to create a quarterback controversy on Wednesday during his conference call with the Bay Area media.
The fifth-year coach may have a big decision to make before Sunday’s contest against the 49ers, as quarterback Kevin Kolb practiced on a limited basis Wednesday for the first time since injuring his right foot in Week 8. John Skelton has led the Cardinals to two straight wins in Kolb’s absence, but it sounds like Kolb, who joined Arizona via trade this offseason, will have a chance to regain his starting job when healthy.
Asked which quarterback will be starting on Sunday at Candlestick Park, Whisenhunt said he didn’t know yet.
“We’d like to see how Kevin progresses,” Whisenhunt said. “Obviously we’re comfortable with John if we don’t feel like Kevin’s ready to go. We’ll continue to look at that situation.”
Skelton also spoke to the Bay Area media and said he would be ready for which ever role he will have this weekend. In last week’s 21-17 road win against the Philadelphia Eagles, Skelton tossed two fourth-quarter touchdowns to complete the comeback win.
“Right now I’m just doing what’s asked of me,” said the second-year signal caller. “Of course I’d like to be the starter. I think everyone will tell you that – that they want to be starters in the NFL. I’m doing everything I can to help us win ball games right now.”
The Cardinals (3-6) are currently tied with the Seattle Seahawks for second place in the NFC West, five games behind the 49ers (8-1). Looking ahead to this weekend’s matchup at Candlestick Park, Whisenhunt said his team would have its hands full.
“They’re a tough team to prepare for,” Whisenhunt said. “They’re balanced, they have a lot of weapons and the quarterback’s doing a very good job of understanding that and making timely plays.”
Regardless of who’s under center for Arizona, the 49ers defense will still have to focus on one of the premier wide receivers in the game, Larry Fitzgerald, who hauled in seven catches for 146 yards and two touchdowns last week. Skelton said he feels like he’s building good chemistry with Fitzgerald this season, as the two worked together frequently in the offseason.
But after studying film this week, Skelton said he was impressed with the 49ers’ defensive backs.
“They’re secondary is an active group,” Skelton said. “Guys fly around to the ball and we just know that we have to be on top of our game as an offense to be successful against them.”
Click here to listen to Whisenhunt’s conference call
Click here to listen to Skelton’s conference call
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By nighthawk on Nov 16, 2011 | Reply
be scared
By 1980 9er fan on Nov 16, 2011 | Reply
Any given Sunday. Im a niner faithful and have been since 1980, my birth year, but you never know how things will go down. Stay humble and play our game, because it is OUR game. WHO’S GOT IT BETTER THAN US ??? NOBODY!!!!
By Rick in Round Rock Tx on Nov 16, 2011 | Reply
Just another game
We have to continue playing smart , hard nose football. Do not let them breath no matter the record. I say let Alex play the whole game practice makes Perfect and ALEX IS ON FIRE RIGHT NOW DONT LET IT COOL DOWN.
Go Niners !!!!!!!
By 5-moreyearswithalex on Nov 16, 2011 | Reply
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, WE WANT TO SEE A BLOWOUT THIS WEEKEND BY THE 49ERS
GO ALEX, GO 49ERS, 9 and 1 THIS WEEKEND
BLOW THE CARDINALS OUT OF SAN FRAN, BUT STAY HUMBLE!
By Patrick 49er on Nov 16, 2011 | Reply
Who’s got it better than us? NOBODY!
Coach Harbaugh is the best thing to happen to this team and the Bay Area in a long, long time. What a breath of fresh air. He’s the anti-Mike Singletary.
The 49ers must be focused like a laserbeam on the Cardinals this Sunday. For some reason teams have a tendency to play up to there competition and to play down to there competition. We must play the Cardinals like they’re the best team in the NFL.
Lets rock the Bay Area this Sunday!
By Bully on Nov 16, 2011 | Reply
Nicely said 1980 9er Fan….. nicely said….. Humble Pie for all. Proud to be part of this great organizations fan base. The 49ers are again flying high! Solid Team, great group of players and with Harbaugh and staff, we have a lot of years ahead of us yet. As long as we remain healthy, no severe injury’s; ah man! It can only get better for us Now! Niners Rule, Heavy Metal Rocks and all you 49ers have an awesome Holiday Season!
P.S. Bully is an Oxymoron
Signing Off
By Frankie on Nov 16, 2011 | Reply
Goniners
By Ryan on Nov 17, 2011 | Reply
I don’t think the Niners will look at the Cards record at all. In the division, all records go out the window…Its Niners Cardinals!!! GO NINERS!!!!!!
By real 9er on Nov 17, 2011 | Reply
To tell the truth I’m a little worried about this game. The cardnials seem to be getting hot right now and it would be embarrasing to lose to a back up qb.
By rjd niner on Nov 17, 2011 | Reply
I agree with all the comments ,
Belive it or not we have a target on our back .
By JR Baca, New Mexico 49er on Nov 17, 2011 | Reply
WE NEED TO START FAST IN THIS GAME TO ACHIEVE A BLOWOUT, WE NEED TO BLOWOUT ALL THE NFC WEST TEAMS
THE WORLD NEEDS TO SEE WHAT THE 49ERS ARE TRULY MADE OFF.
GO 49ERS >>> 9 AND 1 ON SUNDAY
BUT STAYING HUMBLE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING!
By joe on Nov 17, 2011 | Reply
arz has a difficult game coming up. we shouldnt over look the cardinals because of the 3-6 record, no, we need to establish our idenety early and often…..well do fine. my prediction, SF26 ARZ13 GO NINERS!!!!
By Somebodyelse on Nov 17, 2011 | Reply
I for one am not concerned with the target on our back thing. Im not overly concerned with the upcoming Baltimore or Pittsburg games either. Our niners will come to play and we all know they are now capable of playing with anybody that lines up on the other side of the field. My conern is our games against the (Allegedly Weak) NFC west teams. We have to play extra hard in those games to ensure we dont lose a trap game to a spoiler team. Go Niners, Superbowl or Bust!
By Richard De Martini on Nov 17, 2011 | Reply
Season ticket holder since 1954,turned over tickets to my kids@85 years too old now to go the games but watch every game on TV never miss one still a red hot fan at 85.Harbaugh and new coaching staff great difference,he can pick the good players and gain theirrespect and confidence in winning,moving on back to the 80′s & 90′.Niner forever
By jrparker on Nov 17, 2011 | Reply
No let up! No mercy!! GO Niners.!!!
By Bay 49ner on Nov 17, 2011 | Reply
i hope they get Hunter more involved this weekend. Gore is a lil banged up and theres no need to push him right now and there is no reason to throw the ball against arizona as much as last week against the giants. i think hunter and maybe even dixon should get about 10-15 snaps each give alex smith a breather and establish our running game even more
By Bay 49ner on Nov 17, 2011 | Reply
I hope they get Hunter more involved this weekend. Gore is a lil banged up and theres no need to push him right now and there is no reason to throw the ball against arizona as much as last week against the giants. I think hunter and maybe even dixon should get about 10-15 snaps each give alex smith a breather and establish our running game even more. Go Niners Superbowl bound.
By Adrian 9er for life on Nov 17, 2011 | Reply
just winn baby winn
By adrian in colorado on Nov 17, 2011 | Reply
well i said it week two of preseaon when everyone was bagging on alex that jim would turn it around and he has he is an amazing coach and i cant wait till sunday o we can see smiths true talents come to play you heard it first here 347 yards 3 touch downs and he will be an air nominy next week this is only the begining
By seven years with Alex on Nov 17, 2011 | Reply
ok so when i mention how Alex can only play 2 quarters the post doesnt go on the board
By seven years with Alex on Nov 17, 2011 | Reply
lol oh now it does …well the defense was out there for the last part of the 2nd most of the first and all of the 3rd …they were so tired they almost gave up 2 TD’s to tie the game …..thank you justin smith for putting up your hands
By seven years with Alex on Nov 17, 2011 | Reply
wow so if i say Alex cant do something this wont post is that it
By seven years with Alex on Nov 17, 2011 | Reply
ok so i can only write 2 lines i guess because the web guy cant stand the truth
By seven years with Alex on Nov 17, 2011 | Reply
look for 5 weeks now we should have blown out these teams by half time our defense is on fire and getting us the ball so many times yet Alex can only throw to open receivers wich dont happen much in NFL
By seven years with Alex on Nov 17, 2011 | Reply
with a real QB who can manage a game without haveing the playbook on his wrist and be able to make timeing throws for touchdowns we would be pounding these guys
By seven years with Alex on Nov 17, 2011 | Reply
the giants did exactley what they saw in all our films ….Stack the line with 9 and stuff the run make Alex hurt you …he didnt do anything in the first half worth noteing and only came alive in the 4th when he finally realized that ..oh i have to make plays so the running game can get going and win this game
By seven years with Alex on Nov 17, 2011 | Reply
Coach H is for real i just hope we can get a real QB for him to utilize to full potential…. his game plans and personnel are right on Q and this team is thriveing. The offense under Alex sputtered for 3 quarters and wow the conditioning of the defense is fenominal …but they were way too tired after being on the field for 3 quarters the last 10 min of the game showed how well the giants broke us down i hope Alex can play better and keep the defense off the field so they can rest
By JR Baca, New Mexico 49er on Nov 17, 2011 | Reply
WE HAVE A GREAT QB IN ALEX SMITH, AND I HOPE THE 49ERS SIGN HIM FOR ANOTHER 5 YEARS.
AND I HOPE WE BLOWOUT ARIZONA 55 TO 0
9 AND 1 ON SUNDAY
By ftgambit on Nov 18, 2011 | Reply
Smitty Bring the Rain!
By rjd niner on Nov 18, 2011 | Reply
If alex had a coaching staff that had stayed together for 7 YEARS ,
7 DIFFERENT OC IN 7YEARS .
And now he has a coaching staff that has this team at 8-1.
and you want to rage on him because hes wearing a wrist ban,
check this out WRIST BAN +COACHING STAFF +TEAM =8-1,
niners all the way
By rjd niner on Nov 18, 2011 | Reply
SEVEN YEARS , YOU ARE ALWAYS FINDING NEGETIVEB THINGS TO SAY ABOUT THE NINERS IN A ROUND ABOUT WAY .
By JR Baca, New Mexico 49er on Nov 18, 2011 | Reply
NINER NATION WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR 49ER TEAM AND ALL OUR COACHING STAFF FOR BRINGING BACK THE DREAM OF MANY VERY POSSABLE SUPERBOWL WINS STARTING THIS SEASON!
GO 49ERS, 9 AND 1 ON SUNDAY
By sfninerfan on Nov 18, 2011 | Reply
I We need to keep the pedal to the medal this Cardinal team could create problems for us remedy take em out early.GO NINERS BE PROUD.
By Matt H on Nov 19, 2011 | Reply
Cards fan here. These games are the ones I look forward to every year. Hope we can put a stop to you (but I doubt it) go big red!
By tony hallerman on Nov 19, 2011 | Reply
49ers don’t take your guard down of arizona’s record hit them hard and fast rack up the points on the board and prepare for baltimore i beleive in you go 49ers, to 9-1 this week watch larry so he don’t get points on the board.
By Cardianlsbestindawest on Nov 19, 2011 | Reply
Cardinals win 24-13 baby
By ogre on Nov 20, 2011 | Reply
One game at a time! Despite the record of any NFL team; ANY GIVEN SUNDAY!
Championship teams show consistency in play and character. These guys are
as talented as anyother team within the NFL. But none act like “stars” and that
is humility. Eagles Jackson calling himself a STAR. Star butt head. Take no team
for granted and take no prisoners. Focus and execution in all three phases of
the game. THE SUPERBOWL WILL TAKE CARE OF ITSELF. GO NINERS!
By Rick in Round Rock Tx on Nov 20, 2011 | Reply
??????? Were is the gameday blog!!!!!!!! I am pumped up for the Cards!!!!!!
By JR Baca in New Mexico on Nov 20, 2011 | Reply
Cardianlsbestindawest, NEWS FLASH, YOU LOST 23 TO 7 PAL