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King's future in question
Surgery on wrist to keep DT out 8 to 12 weeks
Kent Somers
The Arizona Republic
Aug. 9, 2006 12:00 AM
FLAGSTAFF - Defensive lineman Kenny King's future with the team is in doubt because of his decision to undergo surgery to remove a plate from his right wrist.
That surgery is expected to keep King out between eight to 12 weeks, which will cause him to miss the opening of the season. It will be the third straight year that King has had surgery on the wrist.
It also could mean that King will be placed on injured reserve for the third straight year. If that happens, he'll be paid his salary of $721,600, unless an injury settlement is reached.
When asked if King could return this year, coach Dennis Green said, "I'm not sure what it means at all. I've been here three years; he's had two weeks of work."
King expected to have the plate removed at the end of the season, but plans changed after he suffered a broken hand last week in practice. The wrist has healed, and the plate apparently was restricting mobility in the joint and might have contributed to the injury, King said.
King said he didn't think his latest setback would affect his ability to contribute this season.
"You got four preseason games, then you got another four weeks, so I'm looking to come back during the sixth week of the season," he said.
His absence presents the club with some depth problems at end. Antonio Smith is the only experienced backup. The club could move linebacker Calvin Pace, a former end, back to that position for some spot duty. That's not a likely option, however, because the Cardinals are also thin at strong outside linebacker.
Things are changing
The defensive line will look a bit different this year, not only in how it lines up but in how it plays.
There will be some alignment changes designed to help the nose tackle to use his hands, a technique that new line coach Larry Brooks is emphasizing for all the defensive linemen.
A premium still will be placed on penetration, but it's hoped the changes will allow the linemen to get off blocks more efficiently.
"It's definitely a penetration-oriented defense," said defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast, "just the ways to get the penetration are different."
The change isn't a drastic one, said defensive end Bertrand Berry.
"You play football long enough and you'll play pretty much every style there is," he said. "This is basically going back to the fundamentals. It's really not that big of deal. Guys have adapted to it pretty quick."
No Leinart
There was little news Tuesday regarding contract negotiations with quarterback Matt Leinart, but Green hinted that part of the problem might be Leinart's representatives not accepting that the quarterback wasn't taken higher than No. 10.
"I just know this," he said. "There were 10 picks. We got our 10th pick and we got our player. We had 10th pick money. Everybody's got to get used to being the 10th pick."
Leinart is the only pick in this year's draft who has not signed.
It's believed one unresolved issue is so-called "escalators" - play-time incentive clauses that would trigger salary hikes in the last years of the contract.
The contract of the 11th pick, Denver quarterback Jay Cutler, should give the two sides a template for a deal. Cutler received about $11 million in guarantees.
If Cutler plays in 60 percent of the team's offensive plays in each of his first three seasons, which isn't likely, he'll receive an addition $4 million in the fifth year and $12 million in the last year of the deal.
Or, if he plays 70 percent in the fourth year, which is more likely, he'll receive those pay raises.
If Cutler pans out as a player, the team likely will renegotiate before he reaches that final year.
Surgery on wrist to keep DT out 8 to 12 weeks
Kent Somers
The Arizona Republic
Aug. 9, 2006 12:00 AM
FLAGSTAFF - Defensive lineman Kenny King's future with the team is in doubt because of his decision to undergo surgery to remove a plate from his right wrist.
That surgery is expected to keep King out between eight to 12 weeks, which will cause him to miss the opening of the season. It will be the third straight year that King has had surgery on the wrist.
It also could mean that King will be placed on injured reserve for the third straight year. If that happens, he'll be paid his salary of $721,600, unless an injury settlement is reached.
When asked if King could return this year, coach Dennis Green said, "I'm not sure what it means at all. I've been here three years; he's had two weeks of work."
King expected to have the plate removed at the end of the season, but plans changed after he suffered a broken hand last week in practice. The wrist has healed, and the plate apparently was restricting mobility in the joint and might have contributed to the injury, King said.
King said he didn't think his latest setback would affect his ability to contribute this season.
"You got four preseason games, then you got another four weeks, so I'm looking to come back during the sixth week of the season," he said.
His absence presents the club with some depth problems at end. Antonio Smith is the only experienced backup. The club could move linebacker Calvin Pace, a former end, back to that position for some spot duty. That's not a likely option, however, because the Cardinals are also thin at strong outside linebacker.
Things are changing
The defensive line will look a bit different this year, not only in how it lines up but in how it plays.
There will be some alignment changes designed to help the nose tackle to use his hands, a technique that new line coach Larry Brooks is emphasizing for all the defensive linemen.
A premium still will be placed on penetration, but it's hoped the changes will allow the linemen to get off blocks more efficiently.
"It's definitely a penetration-oriented defense," said defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast, "just the ways to get the penetration are different."
The change isn't a drastic one, said defensive end Bertrand Berry.
"You play football long enough and you'll play pretty much every style there is," he said. "This is basically going back to the fundamentals. It's really not that big of deal. Guys have adapted to it pretty quick."
No Leinart
There was little news Tuesday regarding contract negotiations with quarterback Matt Leinart, but Green hinted that part of the problem might be Leinart's representatives not accepting that the quarterback wasn't taken higher than No. 10.
"I just know this," he said. "There were 10 picks. We got our 10th pick and we got our player. We had 10th pick money. Everybody's got to get used to being the 10th pick."
Leinart is the only pick in this year's draft who has not signed.
It's believed one unresolved issue is so-called "escalators" - play-time incentive clauses that would trigger salary hikes in the last years of the contract.
The contract of the 11th pick, Denver quarterback Jay Cutler, should give the two sides a template for a deal. Cutler received about $11 million in guarantees.
If Cutler plays in 60 percent of the team's offensive plays in each of his first three seasons, which isn't likely, he'll receive an addition $4 million in the fifth year and $12 million in the last year of the deal.
Or, if he plays 70 percent in the fourth year, which is more likely, he'll receive those pay raises.
If Cutler pans out as a player, the team likely will renegotiate before he reaches that final year.
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I love D. Green. Mac would be blaming himslef.
