Cardinals play inspired

Cardinals play inspired
January 4 Arizona Republic columnist Dan Bickley

"Redemption begins with red. There were plenty of both to be found Saturday in Glendale.

Feel free to chirp. The Cardinals validated a rocky season with a raucous playoff victory, beating the Falcons 30-24 at University of Phoenix Stadium. Our football team is now the pride of the community, and no longer scorned by NFL opinion makers.

Mathematically, they are two wins from the Super Bowl. Emotionally, the Cardinals' 2008 season is now a smashing success, no matter what happens next.

After posting their first playoff win in 10 years, their tattered credibility has been restored.

"This game is really big for the organization, really big for everybody," Cardinals safety Adrian Wilson said. "We all stood up."

Earlier in the week, some national analysts called the Cardinals the worst playoff team in NFL history. Others ridiculed the local market when the hosts struggled to sell out the first home play- off game in Arizona history.

Turns out, the waves of criticism were just what this team needed.

The Cardinals played inspired, aggressive, winning football. Their defense held Atlanta's powerful running game to 60 yards, and wrestled away the game's momentum in the second half. And before it was over, a derided fan base played a huge role in the triumph.

Arizona fans were loud, boisterous, and partisan in their approach. We have all been spoiled by a parade of big-time sporting events in recent years, from the Super Bowl to the BCS Championship Game to Boise State's remarkable triumph in the Fiesta Bowl. But the vibe attached to this contest was crackling, genuine and intensely personal. For once, nobody was cheering for the opponent.

It was so inspiring that Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt did a victory lap after the game, circling the field and slapping hands with the patrons.

"It was electrifying out there," Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald said.

Many played a hand in this triumph. The sensational Fitzgerald turned in another routinely spectacular performance. After not practicing all week, Anquan Boldin turned a short pass into a 71-yard touchdown, injuring his hamstring in the process.

Meanwhile, the anonymous Stephen Spach came up with a game-clinching reception in the fourth quarter, allowing the Cardinals to defuse the drama and run out the clock.

Fitzgerald and Boldin are Pro Bowl players, and such contributions are to be expected. Spach, on the other hand, was out of work and getting a flat tire fixed in his hometown of Fresno, Calif., when the Cardinals called him in late October.

"That's what it's all about," Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner said. "It just felt like we did whatever it took to win today. It was a great team effort."

Remember how the stress of a tumultuous regular season had Warner contemplating retirement on more than one occasion? After this game, the veteran quarterback looked renewed. He was beaming with happiness,Link