Further insight into the "Dansby Debacle." Interesting read by Mr. Somers.
Kent Somers
The Arizona Republic
Aug. 9, 2006 12:00 AM
FLAGSTAFF
For evidence of the fickle nature of professional sports, look no further than the Cardinals' strong outside linebacker position.
Karlos Dansby, the starter the past two years, has taken up residence in coach Dennis Green's doghouse. While there, it would be nice if he would forward the mail of a former resident, Calvin Pace.
For those scoring at home, that's Dansby replacing Pace in the doghouse, and Pace replacing Dansby in the starting lineup.
Ironic, don't you think?
"You know, man, anything can happen out here," Pace said. "Never get too complacent because before you know it, you'll be in the doghouse quick with somebody."
Dansby earned admittance by not yet practicing in this training camp after undergoing surgery on a thumb this summer. But even before that, Green was not pleased with Dansby's commitment this off-season.
Meanwhile, Green has praised Pace at every turn. Coaches moved Pace to linebacker from defensive end this spring, and he's drawn rave reviews there. In fact, whenever Dansby does start practicing, he might be moving to the weak side, where he'll compete with the current starter, Orlando Huff.
"I think we'll look at all our possibilities, including Karlos playing 'Will' (weak-side) backer," Green said. "We like Calvin at 'Sam' (strong side). We think he brings us a little more size. I think that might be the way we're going to go."
Green then cautioned, "Right now, we don't have a clue on when Karlos will be back."
Karlos' tumble
Dansby's fall from grace has been precipitous. Green often has referred to Dansby as part of the team's core of talented young players, and the team was interested in extending his contract some time this year. That hasn't been talked about for some time, however.
While Dansby has missed just two games in two years, he has been nicked with a handful of injuries and missed practice time.
Coaches think Dansby, like many young players, must learn to practice through some injuries and discomfort. That's why Green has been disappointed in Dansby not practicing in camp.
But Dansby's absence has been Pace's opportunity. He's been running with the first team all camp, and coaches are excited about his progress.
Pace has traveled a rough road since his selection in the first round of the 2003 draft. The team passed on a chance to take Arizona State's Terrell Suggs in that draft, choosing to trade down. The Cardinals ended up with receiver Bryant Johnson and Pace, who some draft experts thought was a reach.
When Green took the Cardinals job in 2004, one of his first moves was to sign free agent Bertrand Berry to replace Pace at right defensive end. And last year, Pace's season ended after five games when he suffered a severe laceration while roughhousing with a friend during the off week.
When coaches approached him this spring about moving to linebacker, he wondered whether they were shoving him out the door.
"I'll tell people, I don't want anything from this organization except an opportunity," Pace said. "You have to stay positive. I could have been like, 'No, I don't want to play here, release me. Or put me back at end.' But it's a new challenge and it's fun, so I'm trying to make the most of it."
By making the move, Pace has not only solidified his place on the roster, but it appears he'll be an integral part of the defense. In some nickel packages, he'll return to his roots and rush the passer as a defensive end.
His versatility gives defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast more options when devising game plans.
Moving Pace to linebacker wasn't a snap decision. Frank Bush, the assistant head coach who works with the linebackers, said "it's always been in the back of my mind" that Pace could be a linebacker.
"You hate to see a guy with talent go to waste," Bush said. "I think with the way coach Green approached it and the way Clancy and myself were able to tell him, 'This is what it is. Here's the way we see you,' I think he finally bought into it and said these guys are legitimately trying to give me a chance to be on the football field."
Which almost any player will tell you, is preferable to the doghouse.
