Defensive Line Taking New Shape
Kate Brandt
azcardinals.com
On top of those new faces, several of last season’s injured Cards returned to the field, trying to recapture their roster spots. In 2005, injured Cardinals missed a total of 210 games. Players on the defensive line alone missed 56 total games.
“There were many games last year were we had a lot of injuries and we only had six guys on the roster and sometimes five guys active,” stated Head Coach Dennis Green on the injuries that plagued the Cards defensive line in 2005. “Guys had to play more than they should have. Hopefully we’ll have eight guys, and eight guys that can really play and contribute that will give us a chance to keep guys fresh on the field.”
Third year defensive tackle Kenny King is a prime example of a player trying to reprove his worth. King has spent the past two seasons on injured reserved due to a wrist injury. As the Alabama native reunited with his teammates on the field last week, he said he is ready to make an impact and demonstrate why the Cardinals selected him in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL Draft.
“It feels good to be out there again,” commented King following the first three days of organized team workouts. “I’ve been through a lot with my wrist but this is the best I have felt since my rookie year so I’m excited.”
“Kenny can really play three positions,” said Cardinals Head Coach Dennis Green. “I think he can play under tackle, left end and right end. I think the big thing since we have been here is that he has been injured, and I’ve never even seen him play in a preseason game. Hopefully his injury is behind him because I think he is a very explosive player and he looks great out in practice right now and I think he could help us out in a lot of different ways.”
Also returning to the defensive line is Cardinals 2004 Pro Bowl defensive end Bertrand Berry. Berry’s 2005 season was cut short by a pectoral injury which placed him on injured reserve in mid-November.
“It feels good to be back out there and back in the mix with all of the fellas and feel a part of things,” stated Berry. “It was frustrating last year, not being able to contribute because of my injury and it was tough to watch my guys go out there and fight and not be there with them.”
In addition to King and Berry the defensive line will also add defensive tackle Langston Moore and defensive end Calvin Pace back into the mix. Both were injured in 2005. During the free agency period the Cardinals also signed defensive tackle Kendrick Clancy, who spent six seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, then tested the free agent market in 2004 and signed with the New York Giants. In 2005, Clancy recorded 2 sacks and 37 tackles for the Giants.
Clancy is not the only addition to the defensive line. The group is now led by new position coach Larry Brooks, who was selected to five consecutive Pro Bowl appearances (1976-1980) as a defensive tackle for the Los Angeles Rams.
“Everyone gets to reprove themselves and our understanding is you have to go out every week and it is a challenge,” King said of having a new position coach. “Competition makes the best of all of us and you know if you have competition behind you, you’ll strive to be your best and that is what we need.”
The fact that Brooks had a long and successful career as a player is something that Cardinals players are very aware of.
“He is a down to earth guy and he is a guy that actually played in the league,” Dockett commented on Coach Brooks. “He knows what he is talking about because he has been there, done that. He is the type of guy that if you get your work done and work hard on every play there aren’t any issues. Everything is positive and I think he has things moving in the right direction. Anytime you have a coach that played it just adds to the respect you have for them and you don’t mind going out there and giving an extra ten percent for the coach.”
The Cardinals also used two of their seven draft picks to select defensive tackles Gabe Watson (4th Round) and Jonathan Lewis (6th Round), hoping to create added depth and some old fashioned competition.
“We expect a lot out of the two first year players,” confirmed Green. “Both have a lot of experience and they’re going to battle to earn their football time.”
“It increases the motivation,” said King on the talented rookie tackles. “We knew last year that a lot of guys went down and we’re coming back and we understand what we need to do as a defensive line. Everyone is looking at us as a defensive line to carry this defense so we are going to button together and try to make it happen.”
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Kate Brandt
azcardinals.com
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[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]As veteran Cardinals players returned to the field for organized team workouts and mini camp last week, several new faces appeared around the Cardinals Training Facility. Newly signed free agents and the 2006 Draft Class entered their new home in hopes that their talents can be used as a major force in making Cardinals a winner in 2006.
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[/FONT]On top of those new faces, several of last season’s injured Cards returned to the field, trying to recapture their roster spots. In 2005, injured Cardinals missed a total of 210 games. Players on the defensive line alone missed 56 total games.
“There were many games last year were we had a lot of injuries and we only had six guys on the roster and sometimes five guys active,” stated Head Coach Dennis Green on the injuries that plagued the Cards defensive line in 2005. “Guys had to play more than they should have. Hopefully we’ll have eight guys, and eight guys that can really play and contribute that will give us a chance to keep guys fresh on the field.”
Third year defensive tackle Kenny King is a prime example of a player trying to reprove his worth. King has spent the past two seasons on injured reserved due to a wrist injury. As the Alabama native reunited with his teammates on the field last week, he said he is ready to make an impact and demonstrate why the Cardinals selected him in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL Draft.
“It feels good to be out there again,” commented King following the first three days of organized team workouts. “I’ve been through a lot with my wrist but this is the best I have felt since my rookie year so I’m excited.”
“Kenny can really play three positions,” said Cardinals Head Coach Dennis Green. “I think he can play under tackle, left end and right end. I think the big thing since we have been here is that he has been injured, and I’ve never even seen him play in a preseason game. Hopefully his injury is behind him because I think he is a very explosive player and he looks great out in practice right now and I think he could help us out in a lot of different ways.”
Also returning to the defensive line is Cardinals 2004 Pro Bowl defensive end Bertrand Berry. Berry’s 2005 season was cut short by a pectoral injury which placed him on injured reserve in mid-November.
“It feels good to be back out there and back in the mix with all of the fellas and feel a part of things,” stated Berry. “It was frustrating last year, not being able to contribute because of my injury and it was tough to watch my guys go out there and fight and not be there with them.”
In addition to King and Berry the defensive line will also add defensive tackle Langston Moore and defensive end Calvin Pace back into the mix. Both were injured in 2005. During the free agency period the Cardinals also signed defensive tackle Kendrick Clancy, who spent six seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, then tested the free agent market in 2004 and signed with the New York Giants. In 2005, Clancy recorded 2 sacks and 37 tackles for the Giants.
Clancy is not the only addition to the defensive line. The group is now led by new position coach Larry Brooks, who was selected to five consecutive Pro Bowl appearances (1976-1980) as a defensive tackle for the Los Angeles Rams.
“Everyone gets to reprove themselves and our understanding is you have to go out every week and it is a challenge,” King said of having a new position coach. “Competition makes the best of all of us and you know if you have competition behind you, you’ll strive to be your best and that is what we need.”
The fact that Brooks had a long and successful career as a player is something that Cardinals players are very aware of.
“He is a down to earth guy and he is a guy that actually played in the league,” Dockett commented on Coach Brooks. “He knows what he is talking about because he has been there, done that. He is the type of guy that if you get your work done and work hard on every play there aren’t any issues. Everything is positive and I think he has things moving in the right direction. Anytime you have a coach that played it just adds to the respect you have for them and you don’t mind going out there and giving an extra ten percent for the coach.”
The Cardinals also used two of their seven draft picks to select defensive tackles Gabe Watson (4th Round) and Jonathan Lewis (6th Round), hoping to create added depth and some old fashioned competition.
“We expect a lot out of the two first year players,” confirmed Green. “Both have a lot of experience and they’re going to battle to earn their football time.”
“It increases the motivation,” said King on the talented rookie tackles. “We knew last year that a lot of guys went down and we’re coming back and we understand what we need to do as a defensive line. Everyone is looking at us as a defensive line to carry this defense so we are going to button together and try to make it happen.”
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