Cards' 6-3 start best since 1984
Not since the "Roaring 20s" has a Cardinals coach started off as well as Ken Whisenhunt.
The former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator is 14-11 since coming to the desert a year ago. That's the best start by a coach of the team since Norm Barry directed the Chicago Cardinals to a 16-7-2 record in his first 25 games as coach in the mid-1920s.
The statistic is a measure of how bad the Cardinals have been over the years, but after Monday night's frantic 29-24 victory over San Francisco, Arizona has a four-game lead in the NFC West with seven to play.
The 6-3 start is the Cardinals' best since 1984, four years before the franchise moved to Arizona from St. Louis.
Next up is a trip to Seattle to face the Seahawks, a team that has dominated the division, including the Cardinals, since the NFL was realigned.
"They've been the bullies on the block for a long time," Whisenhunt said. "For a confidence builder for your team, especially a team you hope to get into the playoffs and be successful, you have to exorcise some of those demons."
Arizona improved to 10-2 at home under Whisenhunt and have won six in a row there, four this season.
Parker returns to practice: Pittsburgh Steelers running back Willie Parker will return to practice Wednesday, and coach Mike Tomlin is optimistic Parker will play Sunday against the San Diego Chargers.
Parker has played only once since spraining his knee Sept. 21 in Philadelphia, running for 70 yards in a Monday night win over the Washington Redskins on Nov. 3 in which he dislocated his shoulder.
Ravens' McAlister, Landry on IR: The Baltimore Ravens placed cornerback Chris McAlister and strong safety Dawan Landry on injured reserve, ending their seasons.
McAlister underwent surgery Monday in Coral Gables, Fla., to repair his posterior cruciate ligament and cartilage damage on his right knee. McAlister, who leads the Ravens with 3 interceptions, has had problems with the knee dating to last season.
Landry is still experiencing tingling sensations in his neck after sustaining a spinal cord concussion against the Cleveland Browns in the third game of the season.
Bell rejoins Broncos in pinch: Maybe a blast from the past can help the Denver Broncos' shortage of running backs.
Down to rookie fullback Peyton Hillis as their primary ballcarrier following injuries to all four of their tailbacks, the Broncos signed free agent Tatum Bell on Tuesday, bringing back a player they drafted in the second round out of Oklahoma State in 2004.
Bell was traded to Detroit in 2007 as part of the deal that brought cornerback Dre' Bly to Denver, and he played for the Lions last season before being released March 2.
Bell knows the Broncos' blocking scheme and terminology, but he and Alex Haynes, a versatile free agent who signed Monday, will take some time getting up to speed.
Bell is by far the most accomplished of the running backs left in the Broncos' backfield, having rushed 525 times for 2,524 yards (a 4.8-yard average) and 14 touchdowns in his career. He also has 61 receptions for 362 yards.
His 4.9-yard average during his three seasons in Denver represents the second-best career mark in club history among players with at least 250 carries.