BACH
Superbowl, Homeboy!
Green says Shelton cut wasn't personal
Odeen Domingo
The Arizona Republic
May. 20, 2005 12:00 AM
Cardinals coach Dennis Green said Thursday there was nothing personal in his decision to cut offensive tackle L.J. Shelton on Wednesday.
Green said it's his job to assemble a winning team.
"I mean this is a great Valley for football, (there are) a lot of people, but people aren't going to come and see you play unless you accept the responsibility of putting a winning football team on the field, and that's what I always do," he said at the conclusion of Thursday's rookie camp workout. advertisement
Shelton signed a contract extension in November 2003, but he's not the first to be cut loose by Green after getting an extension under the previous regime. Raynoch Thompson, Steve Bush and Marcus Bell suffered similar fates.
Return man wanted
The Cardinals rookies and first-year players practiced kickoff return coverage Thursday, but the most notable aspect of the drill was who was fielding the kickoffs.
The Cardinals were 28th in the league last year with a 19.9 kick-return average.
LeRon McCoy, drafted in the seventh round because of his 4.43 speed, took turns fielding kickoffs with rookie free agents Roger Robinson and Dan Sheldon.
During Wednesday's practice, first-round pick Antrel Rolle and first-year player Luke Powell received punts.
The Cardinals averaged 6.7 yards on punt returns last season, 26th in the league.
They have not returned a punt for a touchdown since 1993.
Am I the only one having a problem with Rolle returning kicks?