azdad1978
Championship!!!!
You must be registered for see images
After missing the entire preseason and the first regular season game, second year center Alex Stepanovich returned to the practice field Wednesday, September 14.
“It feels good to be back out there and be part of the loop,” said Stepanovich, who did not miss one snap all last season. “Everyone says you miss some things so it’s just good to be back out as a part of the team. Plus the guys listen to you a little more when you’re out there toughing it out with them.”
Stepanovich had originally hoped to be back for the season opener in New York but the team doctors felt it would be in his best interest to wait another week.
“I think we did the right thing by waiting,” confirmed Stepanovich. “I feel closer to one hundred percent and feel more mentally prepared. I feel good. I think we have done the right things so far and have given it enough time. Right now it is just protecting it because there still is damage there, but I feel real good.”
Stepanovich is practicing while wearing a protective device on his injured snapping hand and realizes it is a necessary evil, “I wish the thing wasn’t on there but sometimes things work out that way.”
Starting quarterback Kurt Warner has worked with several different centers this season, but says he has never been concerned with who is snapping him the ball.
“I don’t worry about that,” stated Warner. “Whoever is going to give me the ball, gives me the ball, but I think there is a comfort level with a lot of our guys having him back in there since they have gone to battle with him before.”
Although it is only Stepanovich’s second year with the Cardinals, he feels he can provide the leadership this offensive line needs.
“He has the knowledge and understands the offense so I can just feel a difference with the other guys, knowing that he will help get them into the right spots,” commented Warner.
“It’s not my first year anymore and I’m used to playing now,” said Stepanovich. “I know what I need to do, and I know what it is like to be young, so I know how to help guys out. I know this weekend isn’t going to be easy on me, and either is probably the next couple of weeks but it is part of the job and I’m up to the challenge.”
In addition to Stepanovich, the Cardinals other second year center Nick Leckey has also been working his way back into the teams practice regimen, after suffering a high ankle sprain in the second preseason game in Kansas City.
With the return of both second year centers, the Cardinals offensive line is hoping to get back together this weekend to provide plenty of protection for Warner and the backs.
“We just have to go out and clean some things up and we’ll be fine,” Stepanovich declared. “It is tough when you have a young tailback and two young linemen in there, but we’ll be alright. We know we are going to have to run the ball to win in this league, so one way or another we’re going to get the job done.”
Injury Update
TE John Bronson (knee), LB James Darling (knee), DT Darnell Dockett (illness) and LB Gerald Hayes (knee) did not participate in practice.
http://www.azcardinals.com/news/news_details.html?iid=3061
