The Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston have a good chance of ending this season with more than 3,000 yards in receptions, and quarterback Kurt Warner went into last night's game at Lincoln Financial Field trying for his sixth straight 300-yard passing game.

Hanson figured to be the third cornerback in the Eagles' nickel defense because Asante Samuel was out of the lineup because of a stinger he suffered last week against Baltimore. But in a surprise move, Hanson started ahead of Lito Sheppard, and that move sent two messages: Hanson could have a future with the team, while Sheppard, who has been unhappy with his contract since the Eagles opened their wallets wide for the free agent Samuel, is likely to be out the door.

"I like starting," Hanson said with a smile after the Eagles dominated the Cardinals, 48-20.

Before last night, The only line on Hanson's resume this season was a sack he had on a corner blitz early in the schedule. He wasted little time adding to it when he picked off a Warner pass during the Cardinals' first possession. The Eagles' cornerbacks had gone into the game with four interceptions, three by Samuel.

Arizona had second and 13 on its own 43 when linebacker Stewart Bradley tipped Warner's pass and Hanson pulled it in and ran 13 yards with the first interception of his NFL career.

"When I turned and looked, I saw the ball coming toward my man and Bradley tipped it," Hanson said. "It was a tough catch, but it stuck in my gloves and it felt good. It's great when you get [a turnover] early because during the game you keep looking to get more and more turnovers."

Hanson's play gave the Eagles the ball on the Cardinals' 41-yard line, and four Brian Westbrook runs later, they were in front, 14-0.

The soft-spoken Hanson had characterized the Arizona receivers as "beasts", a high compliment in the macho culture of the NFL. He was impressed by Fitzgerald's Velcro hands, Boldin's dangerous moves after he makes a catch, and Breaston's speed. Impressed but undaunted.

"It was a tough job," Hanson said. "I was just out there trying to hold my own and play tough. It felt great. It felt great to make a play."

For the most part, the Eagles' revamped secondary played well. The part that didn't work so well was Sheppard, who was beaten by Fitzgerald on a 7-yard slant for a TD in the fourth quarter.

In the third quarter, when Arizona went for a two-point conversion after its second TD, cornerback Sheldon Brown made amends for a face-mask penalty by making a terrific play to break up a pass to Fitzgerald. Safety Quintin Mikell also had an interception, and Brian Dawkins offered a flashback to the days when he was in his prime with a crushing hit on Boldin that separated the receiver from the ball. During mop-up time, Dawkins also had an interception and returned it 25 yards.

Afterward, coach Andy Reid credited Brown for getting the secondary ready.

"Sheldon really got those guys going," he said. "He fired everybody up out there. Asante was down, and he's a good player, so Sheldon rallied the troops."

The effort by the secondary was reflected in the final numbers: Warner finished a below-par 21 for 39 for 235 yards and was picked off three times. He had a grim 65.7 passer rating. Fitzgerald, Boldin and Breaston combined for 173 receiving yards, but none had more than 65.

Hanson's beasts had been tamed.

Contact staff writer Ray Parrillo at 215-854-2743 or rparrillo@phillynews.com.