TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) -Ken Whisenhunt has so many ties with the Atlanta Falcons.
He grew up in nearby Augusta, went to Georgia Tech and was drafted – in the 12th round – by the Falcons.
Whisenhunt interviewed for the Atlanta coaching vacancy two seasons ago, before he was hired by Arizona. And when Atlanta offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey was putting together his Falcons playbook, he called Whisenhunt for some material from their Steelers days – both worked on Bill Cowher’s staff.
“Who would have thought when we sent him that information that we’d actually be meeting in a playoff game?” Whisenhunt said.
Whisenhunt said Monday that he sees some of the old Steelers system when he watches video of Atlanta’s play.
“I don’t know if it helps,” Whisenhunt said. “It really comes down to fitting the right gap or getting the right coverage zone or whatever you’re doing against them defensively. But I think just insight on how they attack an opponent will maybe help.”
n muster. Even though they’re playing at home Saturday afternoon, they’re a 3 1/2-point underdog. At 40-to-1, Arizona is seen as the least likely team to win the Super Bowl.
Safety Adrian Wilson, who has spent his eight NFL seasons with the Cardinals, expected as much.
“We’re the Cardinals, man. Nobody gives us respect,” he said. “It’s always something with this team. … But I know we play well at home, and it’s going to be a tough game.”
The franchise will be playing its first home playoff game since winning the NFL championship as the Chicago Cardinals in 1947. The Cardinals are in the playoffs for the first time in a decade and only the second time since 1984.
It’s unclear whether wide receiver Anquan Boldin, who sat out the last two games of the regular season to rest a sore shoulder, will take the field Saturday.
Whisenhunt said Monday that Boldin’s performance in practice will determine his status. But Boldin, who like Wilson has never played in the playoffs, scoffed at the suggestion his status was in question.
“If anybody thinks that I’m going to miss this game they’re not too bright,” Boldin said.
Only a handful of Arizona players, led by former Super Bowl MVP Kurt Warner, have playoff experience.
Whisenhunt, who succeeded Mularkey as the Steelers’ offensive coordinator, has been involved in a few playoff games, most notably Pittsburgh’s run to the Super Bowl championship in the 2005 season.
He suggested Cardinals players remember their Monday night game this season against San Francisco.
“If you take that energy for a game and you multiply it by 10,” Whisenhunt said, “that’s what a playoff game is.”
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