wilycoyote24
All Star
Kent Somers
The Arizona Republic
Apr. 5, 2005 12:00 AM
[font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]The first meaningful game is more than five months away, but for many of the Cardinals players the 2005 season started Monday.
That was the first day of the team's off-season workout program, which lasts 14 weeks and is labeled "voluntary" under the collective bargaining agreement. But those who adhere to the literal meaning of the word risk unemployment under coach Dennis Green.
Several players who didn't attend last year fell into disfavor. And many of those who did attend made a favorable impression. Regular attendance helped running back Emmitt Smith get promoted to the starting lineup.[/font]
[font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif] [/font]
[font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]"Technically, it's not mandatory, but we all know better," defensive end Bertrand Berry said. "You just kind of understand that you have to make a certain level of commitment to the organization and they make a certain level of commitment to you."
Around 40 players reported to work Monday, doing shift work in the weight room and in meetings.
There were a handful of new guys, including quarterback Kurt Warner and offensive tackle Oliver Ross, signed as free agents this off-season. There were some familiar faces, such as offensive tackle Anthony Clement and defensive tackle Russell Davis. And there were some surprises, including outside linebacker Raynoch Thompson, who has been rumored to be on his way out of town.
Thompson has filed a grievance against the team to recover a portion of a signing bonus the organization withheld when he served a four-game suspension in 2003. Thompson did not play in the season finale last year, and there was speculation that the club was either going to trade or cut him.
"I'm still a Cardinal," Thompson said. "I'm still under contract. I'm going to come here every day. If they don't want me here, that's their decision. I just have to go by what they tell me."
These off-season workouts have become a point of contention in the NFL. Some players have complained that the year-round physical demands violate the spirit of the collective bargaining agreement. And there has been some speculation that such workouts contribute to injuries, because players' bodies don't have time to recover from the rigors of the season.[/font]
[font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif] [/font]
[font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]"I think it's a little excessive," said Berry, who made the Pro Bowl last season. "I think in this day and time guys are pretty knowledgeable about how to take care of themselves. I don't think it would be a stretch to say these guys could come in the same kind of shape doing it on their own. I think if we could come in around June, that would be ideal."
Some guys don't come in at all. Offensive tackle Leonard Davis wasn't there Monday. He traditionally works with his own trainer, even though he has bonuses in his contract for working out with the Cardinals.
Last year, he forfeited $200,000 to work out on his own. This year, it will be $175,000. Other notable absentees Monday were receivers Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald and defensive end Calvin Pace.
Of the team's five most recent first-round picks, only defensive tackle Wendell Bryant was in attendance Monday.
Of course, players such as Leonard Davis have job security and millions in the bank. Many others don't.
Running back Marcel Shipp missed all of last season after suffering a fractured fibula in training camp. He's faced challenges for a starting job every year, and with the team expected to take a running back high in the draft, this season will be no different.
"It's the way of the world," Shipp said. "In the NFL, you are going have to compete for your job every year."
For other players, such as Warner, these workouts provide a chance to learn the system as well as the teammates.
"When you've been here for two weeks, you've met hundreds of people and to try to put a name to a face is difficult to do," he said.[/font]
[font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif] [/font]
[font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardinals/articles/0405cards0405.html[/font]
The Arizona Republic
Apr. 5, 2005 12:00 AM
[font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]The first meaningful game is more than five months away, but for many of the Cardinals players the 2005 season started Monday.
That was the first day of the team's off-season workout program, which lasts 14 weeks and is labeled "voluntary" under the collective bargaining agreement. But those who adhere to the literal meaning of the word risk unemployment under coach Dennis Green.
Several players who didn't attend last year fell into disfavor. And many of those who did attend made a favorable impression. Regular attendance helped running back Emmitt Smith get promoted to the starting lineup.[/font]
[font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif] [/font]
[font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]"Technically, it's not mandatory, but we all know better," defensive end Bertrand Berry said. "You just kind of understand that you have to make a certain level of commitment to the organization and they make a certain level of commitment to you."
Around 40 players reported to work Monday, doing shift work in the weight room and in meetings.
There were a handful of new guys, including quarterback Kurt Warner and offensive tackle Oliver Ross, signed as free agents this off-season. There were some familiar faces, such as offensive tackle Anthony Clement and defensive tackle Russell Davis. And there were some surprises, including outside linebacker Raynoch Thompson, who has been rumored to be on his way out of town.
Thompson has filed a grievance against the team to recover a portion of a signing bonus the organization withheld when he served a four-game suspension in 2003. Thompson did not play in the season finale last year, and there was speculation that the club was either going to trade or cut him.
"I'm still a Cardinal," Thompson said. "I'm still under contract. I'm going to come here every day. If they don't want me here, that's their decision. I just have to go by what they tell me."
These off-season workouts have become a point of contention in the NFL. Some players have complained that the year-round physical demands violate the spirit of the collective bargaining agreement. And there has been some speculation that such workouts contribute to injuries, because players' bodies don't have time to recover from the rigors of the season.[/font]
[font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif] [/font]
[font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]"I think it's a little excessive," said Berry, who made the Pro Bowl last season. "I think in this day and time guys are pretty knowledgeable about how to take care of themselves. I don't think it would be a stretch to say these guys could come in the same kind of shape doing it on their own. I think if we could come in around June, that would be ideal."
Some guys don't come in at all. Offensive tackle Leonard Davis wasn't there Monday. He traditionally works with his own trainer, even though he has bonuses in his contract for working out with the Cardinals.
Last year, he forfeited $200,000 to work out on his own. This year, it will be $175,000. Other notable absentees Monday were receivers Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald and defensive end Calvin Pace.
Of the team's five most recent first-round picks, only defensive tackle Wendell Bryant was in attendance Monday.
Of course, players such as Leonard Davis have job security and millions in the bank. Many others don't.
Running back Marcel Shipp missed all of last season after suffering a fractured fibula in training camp. He's faced challenges for a starting job every year, and with the team expected to take a running back high in the draft, this season will be no different.
"It's the way of the world," Shipp said. "In the NFL, you are going have to compete for your job every year."
For other players, such as Warner, these workouts provide a chance to learn the system as well as the teammates.
"When you've been here for two weeks, you've met hundreds of people and to try to put a name to a face is difficult to do," he said.[/font]
[font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif] [/font]
[font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardinals/articles/0405cards0405.html[/font]
