TAMPA, FLA. - Consider Cardinals cornerback Ralph Brown among those who think the Vikings must find consistency at quarterback before they have a chance to reach the Super Bowl for the first time since the 1976 season.

"They had confidence and momentum going into the playoffs," said Brown, a former Viking. "If they had the passing attack, they might be here because they had everything else."

Brown said the 35-14 loss to the Vikings at home Dec. 14 was more embarrassing to him than the following week, when the Cardinals lost 47-7 at New England.

"The Vikings game did come right after we clinched the (NFC West), but it was at home," Brown said. "We only lost two games at home this year, and that one embarrassed our fans."

Brown, who has two interceptions in three postseason games to double his regular season total, said Vikings fans shouldn't give up hope.

"Hey, we're the perfect example of a team that just got hot at the right time," Brown said. "The Vikings have Adrian Peterson and that defense. They have a lot to look forward to if they can figure out their passing attack."

MARK CRAIG

Practicing in the rain

Arizona practiced in a steady drizzle in what coach Ken Whisenhunt called a "really good day of work" three days before the Super Bowl.

The rain started about an hour into the 2-hour, 15-minute workout.

Running back and kickoff returner J.J. Arrington, who missed all of last week's practices because of a sore right knee, went through a limited workout for the second day in a row. Injured defensive ends Travis LaBoy (biceps) and Antonio Smith (knee) both worked out extensively.

Tough Christmas was turning point

Whisenhunt was mad after a 40-point loss to the Patriots. A grueling Christmas week of practice followed, and the coach told the players that anyone who didn't give it his all would not play in the playoffs.

"It made us wake up and realize the playoffs were coming and if we were going to keep playing like we did, we would have a short playoff run," defensive end Bertrand Berry said.