Cardsmasochist
Full Throttle!!
Here come the rookies
By Darren Urban, Tribune
May 24, 2006
While the Cardinals continue with their rookie workouts this week, the focal point remains the team’s No. 1 draft pick.
But while quarterback Matt Leinart gets the attention — ESPN was in last week and the NFL Network is supposed to show up today, and it isn’t because of the surprisingly impressive showing of undrafted rookie receiver Micheal Spurlock — he won’t, in all probability, get much playing time this season.
Instead it’ll be the post-Leinart draft choices, the guys who have so far existed in his lengthy shadow, that have the best chance to make an immediate impact on the team.
Second-round pick Deuce Lutui will work as a starting guard as long as Reggie Wells is still rehabilitating his ankle. Third-round pick Leonard Pope has a chance to play immediately at tight end. Fourth-round choice Gabe Watson should be in the rotation at defensive tackle, even if he won’t start.
“I don’t play the game for attention,” Watson said. “You try to help your team win and possibly win a championship. There is a chance to play early and do some things, but it’s not for the attention.”
Added Pope, who praised Leinart as a leader during the rookie work, “We all have to earn our playing time.”
Coach Dennis Green has talked frequently about the need to have every one of his three Cards’ draft classes, including this year’s, to perform.
But asked Tuesday if the pressure was heavier on players like Lutui, Pope and Watson because No. 1 choice Leinart probably won’t play, Green smiled.
“The bottom line we have a lot of veterans here who don’t think any of them are going to play,” Green said. “Their careers are dependant upon (rookies) not playing.
“All of (those drafted) come in with excellent credentials. Guys like Lutui and Pope clearly should have been drafted higher. I think they all feel they can make a contribution.”
The Cardinals will benefit from building the roster into a much better unit than when Green first arrived. His initial draft class had solid picks like receiver Larry Fitzgerald, linebacker Karlos Dansby and defensive tackle Darnell Dockett, but those players were also all but forced to play as Green sought to rebuild.
Such urgency isn’t there any longer.
If Wells returns to health as expected and a center like Alex Stepanovich or Nick Leckey emerges in their third seasons, Lutui won’t have a spot to play anyway. Watson will come off the bench behind Dockett and free-agent signee Kendrick Clancy, and even Pope has some work to do before displacing one-time undrafted rookies Adam Bergen and Eric Edwards.
It isn’t surprising all three players choose to talk about learning the basics of the NFL game rather than their playing time this fall. “There’s a time for that,” Lutui said. “Right now, I am focusing on what’s tomorrow.
“I am a team guy and I know Matt or anyone on this team, even an (undrafted) free agent is a contributor to this organization.”
As for Leinart, he will get the bulk of the interviews if not the snaps. He has no problem deferring to his fellow rookies for now. “No, I am in the perfect situation,” Leinart said. “Out of all the (drafted) quarterbacks, I am in the best situation.”
EXTRA POINTS: Green said Leinart has been throwing better as the practices pass, and said he pleasantly impressed with Leinart’s mobility.
“He is a much better athlete than I think people gave him credit for,” Green said. . .
Spurlock has also gained Green’s attention. The college quarterback has been smooth in both his pass catching and route running thus far, and Green said he was surprised Spurlock wasn’t used at another position at Mississippi while waiting for Eli Manning to graduate. Spurlock will also get a shot as a punt returner and perhaps kickoff returns.
“He is the playmaker we have been looking for,” Green said. . .
The Cards’ rookies conclude their workouts Thursday afternoon. The entire roster is scheduled to return for team organized workouts beginning May 31.
By Darren Urban, Tribune
May 24, 2006
While the Cardinals continue with their rookie workouts this week, the focal point remains the team’s No. 1 draft pick.
But while quarterback Matt Leinart gets the attention — ESPN was in last week and the NFL Network is supposed to show up today, and it isn’t because of the surprisingly impressive showing of undrafted rookie receiver Micheal Spurlock — he won’t, in all probability, get much playing time this season.
Instead it’ll be the post-Leinart draft choices, the guys who have so far existed in his lengthy shadow, that have the best chance to make an immediate impact on the team.
Second-round pick Deuce Lutui will work as a starting guard as long as Reggie Wells is still rehabilitating his ankle. Third-round pick Leonard Pope has a chance to play immediately at tight end. Fourth-round choice Gabe Watson should be in the rotation at defensive tackle, even if he won’t start.
“I don’t play the game for attention,” Watson said. “You try to help your team win and possibly win a championship. There is a chance to play early and do some things, but it’s not for the attention.”
Added Pope, who praised Leinart as a leader during the rookie work, “We all have to earn our playing time.”
Coach Dennis Green has talked frequently about the need to have every one of his three Cards’ draft classes, including this year’s, to perform.
But asked Tuesday if the pressure was heavier on players like Lutui, Pope and Watson because No. 1 choice Leinart probably won’t play, Green smiled.
“The bottom line we have a lot of veterans here who don’t think any of them are going to play,” Green said. “Their careers are dependant upon (rookies) not playing.
“All of (those drafted) come in with excellent credentials. Guys like Lutui and Pope clearly should have been drafted higher. I think they all feel they can make a contribution.”
The Cardinals will benefit from building the roster into a much better unit than when Green first arrived. His initial draft class had solid picks like receiver Larry Fitzgerald, linebacker Karlos Dansby and defensive tackle Darnell Dockett, but those players were also all but forced to play as Green sought to rebuild.
Such urgency isn’t there any longer.
If Wells returns to health as expected and a center like Alex Stepanovich or Nick Leckey emerges in their third seasons, Lutui won’t have a spot to play anyway. Watson will come off the bench behind Dockett and free-agent signee Kendrick Clancy, and even Pope has some work to do before displacing one-time undrafted rookies Adam Bergen and Eric Edwards.
It isn’t surprising all three players choose to talk about learning the basics of the NFL game rather than their playing time this fall. “There’s a time for that,” Lutui said. “Right now, I am focusing on what’s tomorrow.
“I am a team guy and I know Matt or anyone on this team, even an (undrafted) free agent is a contributor to this organization.”
As for Leinart, he will get the bulk of the interviews if not the snaps. He has no problem deferring to his fellow rookies for now. “No, I am in the perfect situation,” Leinart said. “Out of all the (drafted) quarterbacks, I am in the best situation.”
EXTRA POINTS: Green said Leinart has been throwing better as the practices pass, and said he pleasantly impressed with Leinart’s mobility.
“He is a much better athlete than I think people gave him credit for,” Green said. . .
Spurlock has also gained Green’s attention. The college quarterback has been smooth in both his pass catching and route running thus far, and Green said he was surprised Spurlock wasn’t used at another position at Mississippi while waiting for Eli Manning to graduate. Spurlock will also get a shot as a punt returner and perhaps kickoff returns.
“He is the playmaker we have been looking for,” Green said. . .
The Cards’ rookies conclude their workouts Thursday afternoon. The entire roster is scheduled to return for team organized workouts beginning May 31.
