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**gruntbygod** · 08-10-2007, 10:44 AM

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It was just one drill, but perhaps Marcel Shipp gave a clue to his future when he busted in for a touchdown during a live goal line sequence earlier during the Cards’ first night practice.

Coach Ken Whisenhunt acknowledged Thursday he is looking for his goal line running back. Shipp got in for a touchdown with the second unit; Edgerrin James, playing with the first unit, could not.

Whisenhunt said it was not a fair way to judge James on the goal line – “I know Edge can run on the goal line,” Whisenhunt said – but also said James needs more live repetitions.

With that in mind, expect James to get more than the seven preseason carries he had a season ago, although Whisenhunt was not committing to exactly how much James will work in exhibition games.

“We will get a feel for that next week,” Whisenhunt said. “I’d like to get him a little bit of work just so he can be working with the line. But he is getting a lot done on the practice field.”

BATTERING RAM

Terrelle Smith describes himself as quiet and laid-back, and explained how he was trying to find his place on the Cardinals by saying “You try to find a spot and you plant a seed and it grows until you have a whole forest.”

It sounds so benign, until the 6-foot, 245-pound fullback gets on the field. He isn’t a great runner or pass catcher. But Smith can block, thundering into defenders multiple times already in camp.

That’s what Whisenhunt wanted to see from Smith, after contact was not allowed during summer workouts. That and a thinner Smith, after the veteran arrived in Arizona needing to lose a few pounds.

But, Whisenhunt said, “He is a proven commodity. You like those tough football players.”

The Cardinals were looking for a fullback after the previous staff had stripped the roster of the blocking backs. Smith, cut by Cleveland unexpectedly, was happy to return to Arizona, after he played college at Arizona State.

“At night, sometimes I can’t sleep because I just thank God for getting me here,” Smith said.

Since the other fullbacks on the roster are inexperienced – including three undrafted rookies – Smith is confident he is the man who will block for Edgerrin James, Marcel Shipp and J.J. Arrington.

“Every night we are together, all four of us, we are just talking about what we need to do to get better,” Smith said. “Because the storm is coming.”

TIGHT END ISSUES

The Cardinals chased free-agent tight end Reggie Kelly in March for a reason. Whisenhunt’s offense needs a couple of solid blocking tight ends, but at this point, the coach is still searching for one.

Top tight ends Leonard Pope and Troy Bienemann, along with Tim Euhus, John Bronson, Alex Shor and rookie Ben Patrick, haven’t earned Whisenhunt’s trust yet. During the live goal line work earlier this week, Whisenhunt said the tight ends caved in on the first failed play before doing better on second down.

That, the coach said, isn’t enough.

“We are looking for consistency and we are looking for someone who will take the reins,” Whisenhunt said. “Fortunately, we have some time before we have to make that decision.”

NEW SAFETY

The Cardinals signed safety Oliver Celestin Thursday. Celestin, who came into the NFL in 2003 and played last season in Seattle, replaces Will Gulley on the roster. Gulley never reported to camp.

Official Site of the Arizona Cardinals