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Lutui waiting for his chance on line
By Darren Urban, Tribune
September 22, 2006
Deuce Lutui had no expectations coming into his rookie season. The Cardinals’ second-round draft pick has watched the team’s offensive line merry-go-round since the beginning of training camp.
But the team never seriously considered dropping the guard into the lineup, and he didn’t worry about it either.
“I’m on standby,” Lutui said. “I am waiting to get called.”
The Cards will have their third different offensive line in three games Sunday. Right tackle Oliver Ross, who hurt his knee the second day of training camp and underwent surgery, finally returns to the starting lineup. Reggie Wells moves back to his left guard spot, and Arizona will have the offensive line it envisioned in the offseason.
Leonard Davis is at left tackle, Alex Stepanovich at center and Milford Brown at right guard.
“Hopefully,” coach Dennis Green said, “we will have it for a while and it will be productive.”
Lutui, obviously, will wait.
The Mesa High graduate may have been a high draft choice, but he stepped into a situation where there was no immediate need at his position. The Cardinals signed Brown, and the team matched Buffalo’s offer sheet to keep Wells.
Wells is the team’s most versatile lineman; he played right tackle in Seattle and has played everywhere on the line in his career. Since Lutui’s natural spot is left guard, it's possible Wells will eventually move to center to get Lutui on the field.
When Ross was still injured, the Cardinals used Lutui with the first unit a couple of times in practice, moving Wells to right tackle.
Green said Lutui, who is better as a run blocker, has made progress and that he “hopefully” will get playing time at some point. Offensive line coach Steve Loney said he wouldn’t hesitate putting Lutui in a game, but with the line’s inconsistency thus far, the Cardinals can’t afford to risk Lutui’s youthful mistakes on game days.
“I hope, at least from my standpoint, I am always into playing the best five linemen,” Loney said. “But from my perspective, if you are trying to get a unit settled down, experience probably helps more than anything.”
The Cardinals still are learning about Lutui as a player. He may have hurt his chance a little in training camp because he hasn’t practiced as well as he played in preseason games.
“He doesn’t show too much in practice, but he gets the job done,” Davis said with a chuckle. “Sometimes, he looks a little suspect, but when it’s time to play the game, he’s right on point.”
The Cards have to find more sure things along the line. Quarterback Kurt Warner has been sacked eight times already. Running back Edgerrin James has averaged only 3.1 yards a carry, with 137 yards on 44 attempts.
When he came to the Cardinals, a constantly shuffled offensive line “was one of my concerns,” James said.
“I saw they had all different people all over the place (last year),” James added. “Until this week, we had the same thing (this year). I think we all agree, you put in the guys and ride out with it, not move guys all around. That’s what we are going to do now and it will pay off.”
That means Lutui will sit on the bench, learning much like college teammate Matt Leinart is at quarterback.
“As far as getting a shot, I know by getting better it will take care of itself,” Lutui said. “I didn’t really have any thoughts of getting in right away. It’s a learning experience; I am a rookie.
“Right now I am comfortable with the coaches and players, and they’ve done a great job shaping and forming me.”
Contact Darren Urban by email, or phone (480) 898-6525
Lutui waiting for his chance on line
By Darren Urban, Tribune
September 22, 2006
Deuce Lutui had no expectations coming into his rookie season. The Cardinals’ second-round draft pick has watched the team’s offensive line merry-go-round since the beginning of training camp.
But the team never seriously considered dropping the guard into the lineup, and he didn’t worry about it either.
“I’m on standby,” Lutui said. “I am waiting to get called.”
The Cards will have their third different offensive line in three games Sunday. Right tackle Oliver Ross, who hurt his knee the second day of training camp and underwent surgery, finally returns to the starting lineup. Reggie Wells moves back to his left guard spot, and Arizona will have the offensive line it envisioned in the offseason.
Leonard Davis is at left tackle, Alex Stepanovich at center and Milford Brown at right guard.
“Hopefully,” coach Dennis Green said, “we will have it for a while and it will be productive.”
Lutui, obviously, will wait.
The Mesa High graduate may have been a high draft choice, but he stepped into a situation where there was no immediate need at his position. The Cardinals signed Brown, and the team matched Buffalo’s offer sheet to keep Wells.
Wells is the team’s most versatile lineman; he played right tackle in Seattle and has played everywhere on the line in his career. Since Lutui’s natural spot is left guard, it's possible Wells will eventually move to center to get Lutui on the field.
When Ross was still injured, the Cardinals used Lutui with the first unit a couple of times in practice, moving Wells to right tackle.
Green said Lutui, who is better as a run blocker, has made progress and that he “hopefully” will get playing time at some point. Offensive line coach Steve Loney said he wouldn’t hesitate putting Lutui in a game, but with the line’s inconsistency thus far, the Cardinals can’t afford to risk Lutui’s youthful mistakes on game days.
“I hope, at least from my standpoint, I am always into playing the best five linemen,” Loney said. “But from my perspective, if you are trying to get a unit settled down, experience probably helps more than anything.”
The Cardinals still are learning about Lutui as a player. He may have hurt his chance a little in training camp because he hasn’t practiced as well as he played in preseason games.
“He doesn’t show too much in practice, but he gets the job done,” Davis said with a chuckle. “Sometimes, he looks a little suspect, but when it’s time to play the game, he’s right on point.”
The Cards have to find more sure things along the line. Quarterback Kurt Warner has been sacked eight times already. Running back Edgerrin James has averaged only 3.1 yards a carry, with 137 yards on 44 attempts.
When he came to the Cardinals, a constantly shuffled offensive line “was one of my concerns,” James said.
“I saw they had all different people all over the place (last year),” James added. “Until this week, we had the same thing (this year). I think we all agree, you put in the guys and ride out with it, not move guys all around. That’s what we are going to do now and it will pay off.”
That means Lutui will sit on the bench, learning much like college teammate Matt Leinart is at quarterback.
“As far as getting a shot, I know by getting better it will take care of itself,” Lutui said. “I didn’t really have any thoughts of getting in right away. It’s a learning experience; I am a rookie.
“Right now I am comfortable with the coaches and players, and they’ve done a great job shaping and forming me.”
Contact Darren Urban by email, or phone (480) 898-6525