azdad1978
Championship!!!!
1st-round pick returning from surgery on left knee
Bob McManaman
The Arizona Republic
Dec. 8, 2005 12:00 AM
After sitting out the past nine weeks, rookie cornerback Antrel Rolle is ready to roll.
The eighth overall pick in this year's draft, returning from surgery to repair cartilage damage in his left knee, practiced with the first-string defense Wednesday and will play in nickel-coverage situations Sunday against the visiting Washington Redskins.
"First day back in a full-speed practice and everything went pretty good today," Rolle said. "There were no limitations. If I had limitations, I wouldn't be out there. . . . It was pretty much shaking the rust off. This is a process right now. You can't jump into it. You have to ease into it slowly."
Coach Dennis Green said Rolle looked quick and sharp and should bring himself up to game speed Sunday.
Rolle won't be used on punt returns for the rest of the season, Green said.
100 ways
The Cardinals haven't had a running back rush for 100 yards in a game this season, and even as a team, they haven't reached triple digits on the ground.
Green is convinced rookie J.J. Arrington is ready to break out. The second-round pick is gaining confidence and running with more of a north-south approach.
So if he becomes the first Cardinals back since Emmitt Smith (Oct. 24, 2004, vs. Seattle) to rush for 100 yards or more, will Arizona beat Washington?
"I think so," Green said. "If they throw for 220 and run for 50 or 60, we probably win that game. But if they run for 250 and throw for 100, we're not going to win. You can't allow that team to run."
Mr. Clinton
Redskins running back Clinton Portis became just the ninth rusher in NFL history to surpass the 1,000-yard mark in each of his first four seasons. Yet despite his 1,079 yards to date, it's the funky get-ups he wears during his weekly news conferences that seem to attract most of the attention.
"I guess it's trying to keep the team revved up. You know, trying to keep guys at ease, just having fun," Portis said during a conference call Wednesday. "Last year was difficult for us. There wasn't too much excitement around here, and I guess I took on a different role trying to keep guys' spirits up.
"We have a lot to play for, and we don't want our season to go sour."
Quick kicks
Kicker Neil Rackers (left calf) didn't practice Wednesday but could be available for one-step field-goal duty Sunday if necessary, Green said.
• Guards Elton Brown (knee) and Jeremy Bridges (ankle) were on the field, but only Bridges stands a chance to play vs. the Redskins. Running back Marcel Shipp (neck) is listed as probable.
• Notable on the Redskins' injury report are receiver Santana Moss (hamstring), who is probable, linebacker LaVar Arrington (thigh), who is questionable, and offensive tackle Chris Samuels (knee), who is probable.
• Offensive lineman Alex Stepanovich considered trying to play through a shoulder injury but ultimately decided to have surgery now instead of at the end of the season, Green said.
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardinals/articles/1208cardsnb1208.html
Bob McManaman
The Arizona Republic
Dec. 8, 2005 12:00 AM
After sitting out the past nine weeks, rookie cornerback Antrel Rolle is ready to roll.
The eighth overall pick in this year's draft, returning from surgery to repair cartilage damage in his left knee, practiced with the first-string defense Wednesday and will play in nickel-coverage situations Sunday against the visiting Washington Redskins.
"First day back in a full-speed practice and everything went pretty good today," Rolle said. "There were no limitations. If I had limitations, I wouldn't be out there. . . . It was pretty much shaking the rust off. This is a process right now. You can't jump into it. You have to ease into it slowly."
Coach Dennis Green said Rolle looked quick and sharp and should bring himself up to game speed Sunday.
Rolle won't be used on punt returns for the rest of the season, Green said.
100 ways
The Cardinals haven't had a running back rush for 100 yards in a game this season, and even as a team, they haven't reached triple digits on the ground.
Green is convinced rookie J.J. Arrington is ready to break out. The second-round pick is gaining confidence and running with more of a north-south approach.
So if he becomes the first Cardinals back since Emmitt Smith (Oct. 24, 2004, vs. Seattle) to rush for 100 yards or more, will Arizona beat Washington?
"I think so," Green said. "If they throw for 220 and run for 50 or 60, we probably win that game. But if they run for 250 and throw for 100, we're not going to win. You can't allow that team to run."
Mr. Clinton
Redskins running back Clinton Portis became just the ninth rusher in NFL history to surpass the 1,000-yard mark in each of his first four seasons. Yet despite his 1,079 yards to date, it's the funky get-ups he wears during his weekly news conferences that seem to attract most of the attention.
"I guess it's trying to keep the team revved up. You know, trying to keep guys at ease, just having fun," Portis said during a conference call Wednesday. "Last year was difficult for us. There wasn't too much excitement around here, and I guess I took on a different role trying to keep guys' spirits up.
"We have a lot to play for, and we don't want our season to go sour."
Quick kicks
Kicker Neil Rackers (left calf) didn't practice Wednesday but could be available for one-step field-goal duty Sunday if necessary, Green said.
• Guards Elton Brown (knee) and Jeremy Bridges (ankle) were on the field, but only Bridges stands a chance to play vs. the Redskins. Running back Marcel Shipp (neck) is listed as probable.
• Notable on the Redskins' injury report are receiver Santana Moss (hamstring), who is probable, linebacker LaVar Arrington (thigh), who is questionable, and offensive tackle Chris Samuels (knee), who is probable.
• Offensive lineman Alex Stepanovich considered trying to play through a shoulder injury but ultimately decided to have surgery now instead of at the end of the season, Green said.
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardinals/articles/1208cardsnb1208.html
