Patrick Peterson blocks a field goal Sunday, one of two blocks the Cards had in the game.
SAN FRANCISCO – Calais Campbell thinks the Cards' field-goal block unit has been able to play some mental mind games on the other teams' kickers.
Nearly automatic 49ers kicker David Akers missed wide right on a 49-yard attempt Sunday, after Campbell had already blocked his first attempt. And then rookie Patrick Peterson blocked a later field-goal try, one of the main reasons the Cards were still in the game at halftime.
"I think it is definitely on the kicker's mind and when you get blocks, it makes a difference in the game," Campbell said. "I wish it would have made a bigger difference in this game."
It was the first time the Cardinals had blocked two field goals in a game since they did it against the Colts on Sept. 17, 1972. For the 6-foot-8 Campbell, it's the fifth block of his career and already the third block of the season.
Peterson, who comes off the edge, got his first block. But it was the way he got it that was the most surprising, not diving but by merely sticking out his left hand and getting a piece of the kick.
"I knew I would get there but I didn't want to lay out because the kicker was on a different angle and if I missed it I didn't want to run into him and give them another chance at a touchdown," Peterson said. "I did what I had to do to get my left hand out there."
GETTING CHIPPY
As if the rivalry between the Cards and Niners needed any further proof, San Francisco safety Dashon Goldson was ejected in the second half after getting into it with Cards wide receiver Early Doucet. Goldson threw a pair of punches, earning the ejection.
Doucet said Goldson took a shot at him away from the ball, knocking him down. Replays showed Doucet then hitting Goldson in the helmet, and the fight was on.
"He hit me while I wasn't looking and I kind of lost it after that," Doucet said. "I am usually a fair player and I don't think it was a fair shot he took at me, so I felt it was right for me to take back a shot at him."
Later, Cardinals cornerback Michael Adams was flagged when, after he knocked punt returner Ted Ginn out of bounds on the San Francisco sideline, he followed Ginn off the field and taunted him.
"There was frustration through the whole game because we weren't playing like we felt we should have been playing," Doucet said. "It was a pretty intense night and everyone was on a short fuse, and it was only a matter of time before something escalated and I guess I was the one who kicked it off."
WILLIAMS BREAKS ARM; KEITH CONCUSSED
The Cardinals lost starting nose tackle Dan Williams with a broken left arm after he was hit during a play by the helmet of teammate Stewart Bradley as both were chasing the ball carrier. Whisenhunt said Williams is out for the season.
Starting right tackle Brandon Keith left the game with a concussion. He will be reevaluated this week.
FITZ'S CATCH AND MILESTONE
Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald surpassed the 9,000-yard career receiving mark Sunday – he had four catches for 43 yards -- to become the second-youngest receiver to do so. Fitzgerald is 28 years and 81 days old, while Randy Moss did it at 27 and 310.
Fitzgerald also had an improbable touchdown catch, somehow hauling in a pass that was slight grazed by a defender, changing the flight of the ball.
"Honestly, it was low and it kind of went through his hands," Fitzgerald said. "It changed the trajectory of the ball and I was able to focus in and catch it. I had one earlier that ricochets that I wasn't able to hang on to. I have to play better."
