Professor

Brown put on line as a starter

excerpt:

FLAGSTAFF - The education of Levi Brown has been ratcheted up a notch this week, as the outlook for injured right tackle Oliver Ross and outside linebacker Chike Okeafor remained bleak Tuesday.

Brown, the fifth overall pick in April's draft, has been promoted to the starting lineup to replace Ross, who could be out for the year with a torn left triceps. Ross suffered the injury last week in practice, coach Ken Whisenhunt said, but didn't think it was serious so didn't seek medical help.

Ross played with the injury last Saturday in Oakland, but felt weak when he tried to block. An MRI on Sunday confirmed the injury.

Okeafor suffered a torn left biceps while trying to make a tackle in the first quarter against the Raiders.

Both players have sought second opinions, and the team is waiting for the medical information. The chances of them avoiding surgery and playing this year, however, seem bleak.

That puts pressure on Brown, who received more work in individual pass-rush drills Tuesday than any other lineman did. Most of those snaps came against Bertrand Berry, the team's best pass rusher, and he dominated the rookie, which is to be expected.

Calvin Pace and Darryl Blackstock are competing for Okeafor's starting job.

The Cardinals are down two offensive linemen. Backup center Nick Leckey is out two to four weeks with a knee sprain.

The club is expected to add a couple of offensive linemen in the next few days.

The Cardinals could make room on the roster by placing Ross, Okeafor or fullback A.J. Schable (broken foot) on injured reserve.

Bringing them along

Whisenhunt was pleased with the play of most of the team's draft picks last Saturday but he's not ready to anoint any of them just yet.

He thought Brown and nose tackle Alan Branch, the second-round pick, played well. Inside linebacker Buster Davis, the third-round pick, didn't play much, but he'll see more action Saturday against Houston in the preseason home opener.

Receiver Steve Breaston, the fifth-round pick, looked good as a returner, Whisenhunt said, and tight end Ben Patrick, the seventh-rounder, is coming along slower after missing much of the off-season work with a hamstring injury.

"He's still learning the offense to a degree," Whisenhunt said, "and when you speed it up like you do in a game, it's tough. But I've seen some encouraging things from Ben."

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