Cards notebook: Swinton brought in to return kicks
By Darren Urban, Tribune
September 6, 2005
The Cardinals tried to get Reggie Swinton in 2003. They tried again in 2004.
So when the kick returner and receiver became available again Saturday after he was cut by Houston, the Cards — still looking to upgrade their return game — tried for a third time.
Monday, it worked out, with Swinton signing a one-year deal.
"This is where I’m supposed to be," Swinton said after Monday’s practice.
The decision means J.J. Moses, who had "won" the return job after one preseason game, was released.
Swinton is a more accomplished return man, with career averages of 23.9 yards on kickoff runbacks and 10.9 yards on punts and four total touchdowns.
"We think he will give us the explosive, big-play capabilities we have been looking for," coach Dennis Green said.
Swinton, at 6 feet, is also six inches taller than Moses and is a much better fit as the team’s fifth receiver behind Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, Bryant Johnson and Charles Lee. Swinton had a career-high 18 receptions last year with Detroit for 213 yards.
But Swinton’s main job will be as a return man. The Cardinals are hoping he can improve on last year’s numbers, when he averaged 22.8 yards a kickoff return and 6.5 yards a punt return. Swinton is confident that will happen.
"I am not afraid to use my instincts and go backside (against the grain)," Swinton said. "That’s what makes me a dominant return man.
"If the offense is playing bad but the defense is playing good, if I can go out and have a big return and spark the offense . . . hopefully I can bring that here."
BRIDGES CUT
After practice Monday, Green announced fourth-round pick Elton Brown was his starting right guard, and that Jeremy Bridges, who started the preseason finale, had gotten "one more shot." It was assumed Green meant as a starter, but it apparently meant to keep a job.
Monday evening, Green cut Bridges, who came into training camp as the first-team right guard. Green said Brown has "got his work cut out for him." The Cardinals resigned veteran guard/tackle Ian Allen in Bridges’ place. Fred Wakefield can also play guard and tackle.
Green had been disappointed that neither Bridges nor Brown had stepped forward during camp to win the job. With Bridges sitting near his locker earlier Monday, Brown said Bridges had been his main mentor.
"When I went in there (as a starter), Jeremy didn’t get down or get mad," Brown said. "He really helped teach me the game.
"(Green) has a lot of confidence in his rookies. Now I have to hold up my end of the bargain."
CENTERED ON REHAB
Backup center Nick Leckey returned to practice Monday, trying to knock the rust off his ankle sprain. Starting center Alex Stepanovich, whom Green hoped would be cleared to practice, was again on the sideline.
"It was good just to get my helmet back on and make some calls," Leckey said.
But both Leckey and Green were doubtful Leckey would be healthy enough to play in Sunday’s season opener against the New York Giants. Shawn Lynch, picked up Aug. 24 and who made the team only because of the Stepanovich and Leckey injuries, remains with the first unit.
"Shawn is our starter and we are treating him as such," Green said, reiterating the Cardinals have been lucky to have Lynch.
EXTRA POINTS
Middle linebacker Gerald Hayes, who underwent knee surgery in mid-August, said he still wasn’t sure when he would return. The Cardinals are keeping him on the roster, however, hoping he can return possibly by late October.
Meanwhile, Hayes has tried not to get down after the injury.
"It happens, and you can’t do nothing but smile," Hayes said. "It’s not the end of the world." . . .
Cornerback Antrel Rolle is one of four players featured in the 2005 version of NFL Films’ "Hey Rookie," which followed the players from the draft through training camp. The other players are San Francisco quarterback Alex Smith, Jacksonville receiver Matt Jones and Tampa Bay running back Cadillac Williams. The show airs today at 5 p.m. on ESPN2. . . .
Cardinals vice president Michael Bidwill, a pilot, flew supplies to hurricane victims in Baton Rouge, La., Sunday. . . .
The players are off today, and return to practice Wednesday.
Contact Darren Urban by email, or phone (480) 898-6525
By Darren Urban, Tribune
September 6, 2005
The Cardinals tried to get Reggie Swinton in 2003. They tried again in 2004.
So when the kick returner and receiver became available again Saturday after he was cut by Houston, the Cards — still looking to upgrade their return game — tried for a third time.
Monday, it worked out, with Swinton signing a one-year deal.
"This is where I’m supposed to be," Swinton said after Monday’s practice.
The decision means J.J. Moses, who had "won" the return job after one preseason game, was released.
Swinton is a more accomplished return man, with career averages of 23.9 yards on kickoff runbacks and 10.9 yards on punts and four total touchdowns.
"We think he will give us the explosive, big-play capabilities we have been looking for," coach Dennis Green said.
Swinton, at 6 feet, is also six inches taller than Moses and is a much better fit as the team’s fifth receiver behind Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, Bryant Johnson and Charles Lee. Swinton had a career-high 18 receptions last year with Detroit for 213 yards.
But Swinton’s main job will be as a return man. The Cardinals are hoping he can improve on last year’s numbers, when he averaged 22.8 yards a kickoff return and 6.5 yards a punt return. Swinton is confident that will happen.
"I am not afraid to use my instincts and go backside (against the grain)," Swinton said. "That’s what makes me a dominant return man.
"If the offense is playing bad but the defense is playing good, if I can go out and have a big return and spark the offense . . . hopefully I can bring that here."
BRIDGES CUT
After practice Monday, Green announced fourth-round pick Elton Brown was his starting right guard, and that Jeremy Bridges, who started the preseason finale, had gotten "one more shot." It was assumed Green meant as a starter, but it apparently meant to keep a job.
Monday evening, Green cut Bridges, who came into training camp as the first-team right guard. Green said Brown has "got his work cut out for him." The Cardinals resigned veteran guard/tackle Ian Allen in Bridges’ place. Fred Wakefield can also play guard and tackle.
Green had been disappointed that neither Bridges nor Brown had stepped forward during camp to win the job. With Bridges sitting near his locker earlier Monday, Brown said Bridges had been his main mentor.
"When I went in there (as a starter), Jeremy didn’t get down or get mad," Brown said. "He really helped teach me the game.
"(Green) has a lot of confidence in his rookies. Now I have to hold up my end of the bargain."
CENTERED ON REHAB
Backup center Nick Leckey returned to practice Monday, trying to knock the rust off his ankle sprain. Starting center Alex Stepanovich, whom Green hoped would be cleared to practice, was again on the sideline.
"It was good just to get my helmet back on and make some calls," Leckey said.
But both Leckey and Green were doubtful Leckey would be healthy enough to play in Sunday’s season opener against the New York Giants. Shawn Lynch, picked up Aug. 24 and who made the team only because of the Stepanovich and Leckey injuries, remains with the first unit.
"Shawn is our starter and we are treating him as such," Green said, reiterating the Cardinals have been lucky to have Lynch.
EXTRA POINTS
Middle linebacker Gerald Hayes, who underwent knee surgery in mid-August, said he still wasn’t sure when he would return. The Cardinals are keeping him on the roster, however, hoping he can return possibly by late October.
Meanwhile, Hayes has tried not to get down after the injury.
"It happens, and you can’t do nothing but smile," Hayes said. "It’s not the end of the world." . . .
Cornerback Antrel Rolle is one of four players featured in the 2005 version of NFL Films’ "Hey Rookie," which followed the players from the draft through training camp. The other players are San Francisco quarterback Alex Smith, Jacksonville receiver Matt Jones and Tampa Bay running back Cadillac Williams. The show airs today at 5 p.m. on ESPN2. . . .
Cardinals vice president Michael Bidwill, a pilot, flew supplies to hurricane victims in Baton Rouge, La., Sunday. . . .
The players are off today, and return to practice Wednesday.
Contact Darren Urban by email, or phone (480) 898-6525
