Everyone Celebrate!! Stepanovich benched, Fitz Looking better!!

[AzWins23]

Darren Urban of the EVT reports....


CHANGE AT CENTER

The offensive line was already going to undergo one change this week with right guard Milford Brown (ankle sprain) injured, but it also appears backup center Nick Leckey will get his first start this week in place of the struggling Alex Stepanovich. Leckey started nine of the 14 games he played in last season. Stepanovich’s troubles have been noticeable this season against high-grade defensive tackles, and the Bears come into the game with one of the best defensive tackle tandems in the league in Tommie Harris and Tank Johnson.

If Leckey starts, it makes sense that coach Dennis Green would use veteran Chris Liwienski to start in Brown’s spot. Green said rookie Deuce Lutui will see playing time this week, but he said he wasn’t sure if Lutui will start.

FITZ LOOKING BETTER

Receiver Larry Fitzgerald sat out practice with his bad hamstring, but he was walking much better than he was Monday and Green expressed hope that Fitzgerald’s injury would only keep him out a game or two. Fitzgerald is officially listed as doubtful for Monday’s game, but he won’t play against the Bears. There remains a chance he could return for the following week’s game in Oakland.


EXTRA POINTS
Green also was encouraged by the rehabilitation of Brown and defensive tackle Kendrick Clancy (ankle), although both are listed as doubtful. Rookie Gabe Watson will start in place of Clancy. . . .

 

[vince56]

Leckey's not much better, but hey, anything's better than Stepanovich! woot woot!

 

[BACH]

Cool. Both Leckey and Watson in the line-up.

Leckey vs. Tommy Harris and Watson vs. Kreutz. Interesting to see how they hold up against that.

I doubt Leckey is a long-term answer, but I hope he'll bring some stability to the position. Leckey will make the right blocks, but can get overpowered by bigger DTs. BUT since Step got overpowered AND missed blocks left and right it's an improvement.

 

[Shane]

 

[Goldfield]

About time!

 

[traveler]

Finally! Lechey is much better. It's amazing how long it takes a dim witted NFL coach to do the obvious. Now with Lechey and Latui playing more we have something to build on. I'm of course thinking of next year. Big fat turd will be gone and Wells will go to one of the tackles. That leaves a need for a guard and tackle aquisition in the off season. Lechey will make the guard play look much improved.

 

[EndZone]

YES!

Its about time!

 

[Capital Card]

I opened this thread sure it was a joke.

Here's to hoping that Leckey doesn't give Denny any reason to sit him as well.

Go Cards!!!

 

[Pariah]

If fitz is "ready" in two weeks, I hope they hold him out three.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

If fitz is "ready" in two weeks, I hope they hold him out three.

Furthermore, if they hold him out 3, they might as well hold him out until after the bye week.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

About time!

LT-Wells
LG-Davis
C-Lecky
RG-Lutui/Brown
RT-Lewinsky

Thats what my line looks like, but I am not sure between Liewinski or Gorin.

 

[Duckjake]

LT-Wakefield
LG-Liewinsky
C-Leckey
RG-Latui
RT-Gorin

If we're going 3-13 might as well let everybody play.

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

It only took Green 2 years to catch a clue!

 

[phillycard]

Now that's a "step" in the right direction. I actually realized the pun in that when I was typing that, so please, no bricks thrown at me.

 

[vinnymac]

i don't know how much worst lecky is, but he can't do any worst than step. the cardinals have a bye week after the raidiers. so that will give fitz 3 weeks. green said in his interview that fitz had a slight tear in the hamstring. he might need to take the whole five weeks off. i rather see fitz sit until he his healed than loose him for the entire season.

 

[New Mexico]

I guess now we get to see if all those people clamoring for Leckey instead of Stepanovich are as smart as they think they are.

 

[CardLogic]

the cardinals have a bye week after the raidiers. so that will give fitz 3 weeks.

The Cardinals bye week is Nov 5th. following the game vs. Green Bay.

 

[vinnymac]

The Cardinals bye week is Nov 5th. following the game vs. Green Bay.

i looked at the schedule wrong. thanks for the correction. i still think fitz should stay out untill he feels like he can play.

 

[Russ Smith]

Nice on both counts although I am concerned that Leckey won't look any better than Step.

 

[DeAnna]

Nice on both counts although I am concerned that Leckey won't look any better than Step.

That was my concern also, but hey, he can't do any worse!

 

[Russ Smith]

That was my concern also, but hey, he can't do any worse!

I only say that because I remember Hardy Brown saying quite emphatically in camp that Step WAS better than Leckey, not much but he is better. He didn't elaborate but he seemed quite clear that it wasn't just favoritism keeping Step starting.

 

[Rivercard]

Nice on both counts although I am concerned that Leckey won't look any better than Step.

He was second string for a reason.

 

[NEZCardsfan]

I only say that because I remember Hardy Brown saying quite emphatically in camp that Step WAS better than Leckey, not much but he is better. He didn't elaborate but he seemed quite clear that it wasn't just favoritism keeping Step starting.

I witnessed this too. But it is obvious that our practices are not spilling over to the games. It's like we enter an NFL stadium and our OLine completely loses focus.

 

[Wild Card]

The offensive line was already going to undergo one change this week with right guard Milford Brown (ankle sprain) injured, but it also appears backup center Nick Leckey will get his first start this week in place of the struggling Alex Stepanovich. Leckey started nine of the 14 games he played in last season. Stepanovich’s troubles have been noticeable this season against high-grade defensive tackles, and the Bears come into the game with one of the best defensive tackle tandems in the league in Tommie Harris and Tank Johnson.

If Leckey starts, it makes sense that coach Dennis Green would use veteran Chris Liwienski to start in Brown’s spot. Green said rookie Deuce Lutui will see playing time this week, but he said he wasn’t sure if Lutui will start.

So what will this be, the fourth different starting group of o-linemen in six games? Anyone still puzzled by the Cardinals' offensive struggles this season need look no further.

WC

 

[Renz]

Now that's a "step" in the right direction. I actually realized the pun in that when I was typing that, so please, no bricks thrown at me.