Here are some news and notes regarding the Arizona Cardinals:
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- If it was just tackle Levi Brown's absence that hampered the Arizona offense, that would be one thing. But it is a whole lot more, Craig Morgan of Fox Sports Arizona writes. With Brown and fellow offensive lineman Jeremy Bridges absent, and the pair joined by tight ends Todd Heap and Jim Dray and running backs Beanie Wells and LaRod Stephens-Howling, the Cardinals have had to make do. Or, more accurately, they haven't made do, as the offense ranks 31st in the NFL. As a result, coach Ken Whisenhunt gave the team the weekend off to recuperate. “No question. No question it affects us,” Whisenhunt said. “But all teams face those kinds of issues. We have to get through them. Hopefully we’ll get some of those guys back before our next game.”
- Arizona offensive line coach Russ Grimm, who has had the toughest task in terms of replacing injured contributors, should not be held accountable, Jess Root of RevengeoftheBirds.com writes.
- One of the constants of the Arizona season so far has been the fine play of punter Dave Zastudil. Zastudil ranks first in the league in punts, total yards and punts inside the 20-yard line, and is seventh in net punting average at 42.4 yards per punt. It has been quite the return of sorts for Zastudil, who missed all of 2010 with a knee injury, Josh Weinfuss of AZCardinals.com writes.
- The Cardinals' upcoming opponent, the Buffalo Bills, might be in for a slap on the wrist because of an already injured wrist. The team's handling of the injury report, which has not included defensive end Mario Williams' banged-up wrist, has drawn the ire of the league, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com wrote.
For more news and analysis from Cardinals blogger Jon Gold, follow @CBSCards on Twitter.