Here’s what went down Thursday on G&A…

Still Hope…the Cardinals announced Thursday the NFL granted the team a 24-hour extension in hopes of selling the final 1,000 available tickets and lifting the blackout for Sunday’s game against the Texans.  The Cards have sold out the University of Phoenix Stadium 36-straight times.  G&A are certain the game will sellout (with just under 1,000 tickets) and keep the streak alive.

We caught up with Houston Astros third baseman AARON BOONE who is doing the color commentary for ESPN Radio for the Cardinals-Dodgers NLDS.  He shared his thoughts on the playoffs, his playing career, and recovering from open-heart surgery to replace a bicuspid aortic valve back in March.

Must Win?…the Cards are preparing for Sunday’s game against the Texans.  G&A concur the Texans are a decent, but certainly not excellent team and another home loss could prove disastrous with the 49ers playing so well under Mike Singletary.  John thinks the Cards need to run the ball to have success so the Texans (weak against the run) are visiting at a perfect time.  Ash knows this is a big game for the Cards and a 1-3 start could doom the Birds’ chances for another postseason run.

Lost Power…the Cardinals are having trouble moving the ball and their overall offensive numbers are down across the board in 2009.  Gambo feels the most glaring discrepancy is scoring offense where Ken Whisenhunt’s team is currently 20th in the NFL in points per game.  He also looks at Larry Fitzgerald’s yards per reception-which is down nearly five yards from 2008 to just over 10 per reception.  Mark knows the Birds must balance their pass/run plays even though he knows the passing game is the club’s bread-and-butter.

Mutual Respect…the Mercury are one win away from bringing Phoenix another WNBA title.  There is no arguing the WNBA is a fringe sport, but only to the sports fans, not the athletes themselves.  Larry Fitzgerald was spotted at a Mercury game last week, while Peyton Manning was hanging out at the Mercury-Fever game Wednesday night in Indianapolis.  Ash knows male athletes support female athletes, whether it’s Herb Sendek’s team attending an ASU women’s game or the Suns trio of captains (Amare, Nash, Grant Hill) buying the entire upper deck for the Merc’s deciding Game 5 Friday at U.S. Airways Center.

Former Cardinals defensive end, now Houston Texan, ANTONIO SMITH discussed his first year playing for Gary Kubiak and what he expects to see from his former team this weekend at the University of Phoenix Stadium.  He talked about playing with talented wide receiver Andre Johnson and said he has a special celebration dance for former teammate Darnell Dockett this weekend.

Run to Glory…the Cards need some balance in their offensive scheme.  The Cards have not been able to run the ball and thus, teams are keying on stopping Kurt Warner and the Birds’ vertical passing game.  Ash knows now is the time to try to run, but if the Cards couldn’t run the ball on Indy (also poor against the run), what makes us think Sunday will be any different?  Gambo would love to see fumble-prone rookie Beanie Wells get more carries because he’s a “homerun hitter” with game-changing speed in the open field.  With Mario Williams nursing a bad shoulder (he didn’t practice Thursday), both feel a breakout game for Warner and crew could happen this weekend.

We were joined by Cards head coach KEN WHISENHUNT who discussed the focus of his team this week coming off the bye and what he expects to see from the Houston Texans Sunday afternoon in Glendale.  He is hoping for more balance offensively, but knows the problem won’t be solved overnight.  Look for Beanie Wells to get plenty of touches against Houston.

Beanie Time…Ken Whisenhunt told Gambo & Ash Thursday that he expects to give Beanie Wells more carries on Sunday.  G&A love the idea because he gives the Cards a bigger, stronger option to Tim Hightower.  The guys aren’t sure Whiz totally trusts Wells after his two-fumble game against Jacksonville, but knows he may be the best option to help the club’s struggling rushing attack thru the first three games.

Friday we’ll be joined by ESPN NFL analyst Mark Schlereth at 5:25 and sports handicapper Brandon Lang at 4:25

 

 Aaron Boone [7:00m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (4)

 

 Antonio Smith [9:07m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (15)

 

 Ken Whisenhunt [12:16m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (18)