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[font=verdana,arial,helvetica]Injuries deplete Cards line
2 starters out for Saturday's game
Odeen Domingo
The Arizona Republic
Aug. 12, 2005 12:00 AM
PRESCOTT - If the offensive line is really the key to the Cardinals' success, call the locksmith. There's a game Saturday.
Two starters, center Alex Stepanovich (hand) and right tackle Oliver Ross (knee), will be missing from a line that needs to give quarterback Kurt Warner time to throw and running back J.J. Arrington lanes in which to run.
Free-agent addition Ian Allen, who has 11 career starts (all in 2003), will replace Ross, and 2004 sixth-round draft pick Nick Leckey will make his first start at center when the Cardinals open the preseason against the Dallas Cowboys at 7 p.m. Saturday at Sun Devil Stadium. advertisement
There is a concern putting Warner behind a depleted line, Cardinals coach Dennis Green said.
"Absolutely, but Kurt will be aware of that when we go out to play," Green said. "I think we just have to watch what we're doing and emphasize to the other guys that when you go in there, protect the quarterback. Go in there, do your job and finish the play.
"We've lost a few guys, some key starters for us, but the show has to go on. I think the other guys will have a chance to show they belong on our team."
Green also said Ross' knee injury isn't serious. The team won't know the status of Stepanovich's hand until today.
The Cardinals signed rookie free agent Chad Bandiera Wednesday to back up Leckey at center, even though Bandiera was a three-year starter at guard and tackle at Kent State.
Centers and guards have the same blocking assignments, and Green said that he likes finding guards who can snap the ball.[/font]
2 starters out for Saturday's game
Odeen Domingo
The Arizona Republic
Aug. 12, 2005 12:00 AM
PRESCOTT - If the offensive line is really the key to the Cardinals' success, call the locksmith. There's a game Saturday.
Two starters, center Alex Stepanovich (hand) and right tackle Oliver Ross (knee), will be missing from a line that needs to give quarterback Kurt Warner time to throw and running back J.J. Arrington lanes in which to run.
Free-agent addition Ian Allen, who has 11 career starts (all in 2003), will replace Ross, and 2004 sixth-round draft pick Nick Leckey will make his first start at center when the Cardinals open the preseason against the Dallas Cowboys at 7 p.m. Saturday at Sun Devil Stadium. advertisement
There is a concern putting Warner behind a depleted line, Cardinals coach Dennis Green said.
"Absolutely, but Kurt will be aware of that when we go out to play," Green said. "I think we just have to watch what we're doing and emphasize to the other guys that when you go in there, protect the quarterback. Go in there, do your job and finish the play.
"We've lost a few guys, some key starters for us, but the show has to go on. I think the other guys will have a chance to show they belong on our team."
Green also said Ross' knee injury isn't serious. The team won't know the status of Stepanovich's hand until today.
The Cardinals signed rookie free agent Chad Bandiera Wednesday to back up Leckey at center, even though Bandiera was a three-year starter at guard and tackle at Kent State.
Centers and guards have the same blocking assignments, and Green said that he likes finding guards who can snap the ball.[/font]
