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"The Tugboat"
http://eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=4123
Fisher ready to start at left-side linebacker
By Darren Urban, Tribune
The Cardinals bolstered their linebacking corps this offseason, signing free-agent James Darling and drafting Gerald Hayes and Tony Gilbert.
But the key man at the position is a guy who was already here.
Levar Fisher, the team’s second-round draft pick in 2002, was supposed to make a push to start as a rookie last season. But a right knee injury kept him out of nine games, and he was forced to have two separate surgeries along the way.
“It was the worst feeling ever,” Fisher said. “It was probably the most I have ever cried in my life. That hurt.”
Fisher added about 13 pounds of muscle since last season as he tries to take over as the left-side starter for the departed Rob Fredrickson. He said he wants to be stronger so that any injury that might occur will heal faster.
Right now, Fisher has experienced some normal swelling on the knee, expected in his first real on-field work since shutting down in early December.
“He seems to be healthy to me know, but he has to hold up,” coach Dave McGinnis said. “He’s got flash quickness, and he is a missile to the football. He’s a guy we need on the field.”
The Cards have put Darling inside for now, working as Ron McKinnon’s backup. Hayes is practicing as a backup outside man. Fisher, though, is finally the starter. And he plans to stay there.
“The only way I lose this is because of injuries,” Fisher said. “They drafted me for the job. I am staying there.”
SMALL-SCHOOL STUD
There has not been an NFL player from the tiny Pennsylvania school of Clarion since 1954. There hasn’t even been a NFL training camp body from Clarion since 1985.
“It’s been a while,” said offensive tackle Reggie Wells, the Cards’ sixth-round pick from Clarion. “The whole atmosphere is different,” Wells said. “From the first-class treatment....I’m not saying Clarion was second-rate or anything, but I’m sure they don’t have the money as these guys have seen from the bigger schools. So the whole experience has been different.”
Wells, though, doesn’t think he’s any further behind the learning curve just because of his small-school roots.
“Maybe technique-wise,” Wells said, “but I have different stuff to bring to the table.”
EXTRA POINTS
The Cardinals may still look for a veteran cornerback if one of worth is cut later in the offseason, McGinnis said. “You can never have too many of those guys,” he added.
McGinnis said that 51 of the Cards’ 61 non-rookies on the roster have taken part in the voluntary workouts so far this offseason.
Receiver Jason McAddley, joking about Jerry Sullivan’s move from receivers coach to offensive coordinator: “That sarcasm and stuff he liked to put on the receivers last year now goes to everybody. Last year, guys were like, ‘Why is your coach messing with you so much?’ Now I can go back to them when he says something about them. Everybody gets a little now.”
Fisher ready to start at left-side linebacker
By Darren Urban, Tribune
The Cardinals bolstered their linebacking corps this offseason, signing free-agent James Darling and drafting Gerald Hayes and Tony Gilbert.
But the key man at the position is a guy who was already here.
Levar Fisher, the team’s second-round draft pick in 2002, was supposed to make a push to start as a rookie last season. But a right knee injury kept him out of nine games, and he was forced to have two separate surgeries along the way.
“It was the worst feeling ever,” Fisher said. “It was probably the most I have ever cried in my life. That hurt.”
Fisher added about 13 pounds of muscle since last season as he tries to take over as the left-side starter for the departed Rob Fredrickson. He said he wants to be stronger so that any injury that might occur will heal faster.
Right now, Fisher has experienced some normal swelling on the knee, expected in his first real on-field work since shutting down in early December.
“He seems to be healthy to me know, but he has to hold up,” coach Dave McGinnis said. “He’s got flash quickness, and he is a missile to the football. He’s a guy we need on the field.”
The Cards have put Darling inside for now, working as Ron McKinnon’s backup. Hayes is practicing as a backup outside man. Fisher, though, is finally the starter. And he plans to stay there.
“The only way I lose this is because of injuries,” Fisher said. “They drafted me for the job. I am staying there.”
SMALL-SCHOOL STUD
There has not been an NFL player from the tiny Pennsylvania school of Clarion since 1954. There hasn’t even been a NFL training camp body from Clarion since 1985.
“It’s been a while,” said offensive tackle Reggie Wells, the Cards’ sixth-round pick from Clarion. “The whole atmosphere is different,” Wells said. “From the first-class treatment....I’m not saying Clarion was second-rate or anything, but I’m sure they don’t have the money as these guys have seen from the bigger schools. So the whole experience has been different.”
Wells, though, doesn’t think he’s any further behind the learning curve just because of his small-school roots.
“Maybe technique-wise,” Wells said, “but I have different stuff to bring to the table.”
EXTRA POINTS
The Cardinals may still look for a veteran cornerback if one of worth is cut later in the offseason, McGinnis said. “You can never have too many of those guys,” he added.
McGinnis said that 51 of the Cards’ 61 non-rookies on the roster have taken part in the voluntary workouts so far this offseason.
Receiver Jason McAddley, joking about Jerry Sullivan’s move from receivers coach to offensive coordinator: “That sarcasm and stuff he liked to put on the receivers last year now goes to everybody. Last year, guys were like, ‘Why is your coach messing with you so much?’ Now I can go back to them when he says something about them. Everybody gets a little now.”
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