Center Lyle Sendlein was one of the players named captain for the 2010 season.




In a way, Lyle Sendlein took Kurt Warner's "C".

The Cardinals' center didn't think about it that way Wednesday, when he was one of the players named captain for the 2010 season, and he still didn't want the comparison.

"Kurt was a much better captain than I'll ever be," Sendlein said with a grin. "We're all just happy to have a lineman (as a captain)."

Sendlein was the only upset. Defensive tackle Darnell Dockett and safety Adrian Wilson repeated on the defensive side, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald repeated on the offensive side and the departed Sean Morey was replaced on special teams by punter Ben Graham and running back Jason Wright.

Sendlein, who arrived as an undrafted free agent in coach Ken Whisenhunt's first year of 2007, has emerged not only as a starter but as the main constant of an offensive line that went through an offseason overhaul.

"Guys recognize what he's done," Whisenhunt said.

Sendlein has started 38 straight games, including the postseason, since taking over for an injured Al Johnson at the outset of the 2008 season.

"Lyle has come a long way," Fitzgerald said. "That's a tribute to him. It's a privilege to share the honor of being captain with him."

WAITING FOR BEANIE


Running back Beanie Wells was the only Cardinal not to practice Wednesday because of his bruised knee, although Whisenhunt does not sound overly concerned.

"We're just making sure we're cautious with that," Whisenhunt said. "He's improving rapidly."

Whisenhunt later said if Wells and Wright can't play – "Which I don't anticipate," Whisenhunt made sure to add – he is comfortable using a tandem of Tim Hightower and LaRod Stephens-Howling, who has returned from a concussion.

Wells didn't seem all that worried either, with both his injury and a less-than-flashy preseason in which he averaged 2.8 yards a carry.

"It's the preseason," Wells said. "You know it'll be a long season ahead of you. I don't think any of the top backs in the league had a great preseason. You take it for what it is worth."

EXTRA POINTS


Fitzgerald practiced fully, as did tight end Ben Patrick (knee) and both are expected to be fine for the opener after missing most of the preseason. …

Whisenhunt, on getting a chance to see the offense as a whole for the first time: "It's a little bit like when you get a new car, you don't know a lot about it. It's supposed to do this or it's supposed to do that, but it's always fun to get it out on the road and see exactly what it does."