azdad1978
Championship!!!!
Odeen Domingo
The Arizona Republic
Aug. 27, 2005 12:00 AM
OAKLAND - Injuries to players at significant positions keep piling up.
Starting wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald strained his right knee in the first quarter and punt and kick returner J.R. Redmond dislocated a shoulder on the game's first punt return Friday night against Oakland at McAfee Coliseum.
Free safety Robert Griffith (groin) and defensive tackle Darnell Dockett (chest) were also hurt.
Fitzgerald did not return in the first half.
Redmond, who was held out for the remainder of the game, was hit and fumbled after gaining 3 yards on the return. Dislocated shoulders usually aren't serious, but it is not known how long he will be out.
The Cardinals are relying on Redmond to liven up their return game, which hasn't been a threat for years. The team released last year's kick returner, Josh Scobey, last week.
Makeshift line
Because of a rash of injuries, there were at least five changes to the starting offensive line during training camp.
The most noticeable modifications were at center, where the Cardinals are down to their fourth center. But there were other changes. Ian Allen had to start the first two preseason games at right tackle because Oliver Ross was nursing a knee injury. Cardinals coach Dennis Green promoted fourth-round pick Elton Brown to starting right guard in place of third-year veteran Jeremy Bridges.
Much of an offensive line's success comes from knowing each other's tendencies. Starting left guard Reggie Wells said it has been hard for the Cardinals to establish that cohesion, especially when the center position has been changing more than the name of the Raiders' home stadium.
"The guys who came in definitely handled it very well," Wells said.
Finally playing
When the Cardinals signed rookie free agent Ernest Shazor after the NFL draft, many thought is was a steal - if he could stay healthy.
Shazor is a 6-foot-4, 231-pound safety from a big-time college program (Michigan). But he injured a hamstring late in the college season and went undrafted.
Shazor missed most of the off-season minicamps and training camp, returning before the second preseason game.
But Green likes Shazor's potential. He kept Shazor and cut rookie free-agent defensive back Aaron Francisco, who has been healthy since he signed.
Shazor made Green look good by intercepting a pass in his first action at Kansas City.
"I didn't expect to play, but (Green) said he thought I was ready," Shazor said. "So I went in there and did what I could do. I don't think I'm ready all the way yet, but I'm almost there."
Injury update
Strong safety Adrian Wilson (leg contusion), tight end Bobby Blizzard (back), linebacker Gerald Hayes (knee), center Bill Conaty (triceps), center Nick Leckey (ankle), center Alex Stepanovich (hand), tight end Eric Edwards (pectoral tear) and defensive tackle Kenny King (wrist) were not active Friday.
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardinals/articles/0827cardsnb0827.html
The Arizona Republic
Aug. 27, 2005 12:00 AM
OAKLAND - Injuries to players at significant positions keep piling up.
Starting wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald strained his right knee in the first quarter and punt and kick returner J.R. Redmond dislocated a shoulder on the game's first punt return Friday night against Oakland at McAfee Coliseum.
Free safety Robert Griffith (groin) and defensive tackle Darnell Dockett (chest) were also hurt.
Fitzgerald did not return in the first half.
Redmond, who was held out for the remainder of the game, was hit and fumbled after gaining 3 yards on the return. Dislocated shoulders usually aren't serious, but it is not known how long he will be out.
The Cardinals are relying on Redmond to liven up their return game, which hasn't been a threat for years. The team released last year's kick returner, Josh Scobey, last week.
Makeshift line
Because of a rash of injuries, there were at least five changes to the starting offensive line during training camp.
The most noticeable modifications were at center, where the Cardinals are down to their fourth center. But there were other changes. Ian Allen had to start the first two preseason games at right tackle because Oliver Ross was nursing a knee injury. Cardinals coach Dennis Green promoted fourth-round pick Elton Brown to starting right guard in place of third-year veteran Jeremy Bridges.
Much of an offensive line's success comes from knowing each other's tendencies. Starting left guard Reggie Wells said it has been hard for the Cardinals to establish that cohesion, especially when the center position has been changing more than the name of the Raiders' home stadium.
"The guys who came in definitely handled it very well," Wells said.
Finally playing
When the Cardinals signed rookie free agent Ernest Shazor after the NFL draft, many thought is was a steal - if he could stay healthy.
Shazor is a 6-foot-4, 231-pound safety from a big-time college program (Michigan). But he injured a hamstring late in the college season and went undrafted.
Shazor missed most of the off-season minicamps and training camp, returning before the second preseason game.
But Green likes Shazor's potential. He kept Shazor and cut rookie free-agent defensive back Aaron Francisco, who has been healthy since he signed.
Shazor made Green look good by intercepting a pass in his first action at Kansas City.
"I didn't expect to play, but (Green) said he thought I was ready," Shazor said. "So I went in there and did what I could do. I don't think I'm ready all the way yet, but I'm almost there."
Injury update
Strong safety Adrian Wilson (leg contusion), tight end Bobby Blizzard (back), linebacker Gerald Hayes (knee), center Bill Conaty (triceps), center Nick Leckey (ankle), center Alex Stepanovich (hand), tight end Eric Edwards (pectoral tear) and defensive tackle Kenny King (wrist) were not active Friday.
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardinals/articles/0827cardsnb0827.html
