Arizona Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt cuts practice, team heads to movies

FLAGSTAFF, AZ - In typical Ken Whisenhunt style, the Arizona Cardinals coach let his players get to the practice field for this morning's walk-through, then called the team together and told them they were headed to the movies.

A few cheers later and the Cards were off the field and headed to the showers, getting ready for one of three movies: The Bourne Legacy, The Campaign, or Total Recall.

Clearly, the kind of break players love, but the bigger question is does this team really need a break right now, or should they be grinding it out on the practice field?

Let's face it, this team hasn't exactly impressed anyone so far this pre-season, and you could easily make an argument that any kind of break at this point is unnecessary and unwarranted. With so much to get done, how do you take a morning off and head to the movies?

But then again, having spent the majority of my professional life coaching football, I'm more inclined to side with Coach Whisenhunt.

Giving guys an unexpected break like this can be just what the doctor ordered, especially if your key leaders buy in. Since he got here, Whisenhunt has talked about breaking up the routine, about seeing how guys react in a variety of situations, and clearly, going to the movies, instead of practicing, is one of those situations.

There's so much that this team needs to get done it may be hard to justify taking a morning off. With the new collective bargaining agreement, every practice is precious, and it's hard to imagine throwing one away. I know fans I talked with this morning weren't too happy about it. But the proof is in the pudding and only time will tell.

Then again, the fact that the Cardinals are playing the Oakland Raiders this week, and hey, a movie may be exactly what this team needs.

A movie day, the Raiders in town, and presto! A successful week of training camp! I'm not saying the Raiders are patsies, but if you're going to take a practice off to go see a movie, this may be the best week to do it!