Cards’ offensive linemen want to stay anonymous

FLAGSTAFF • A good offensive line is like an umpiring crew: You never notice it unless it messes up.

That the Cardinals’ offensive line has generated little discussion in training camp for maybe the first time in this millennium is a big plus for a team that believes its time has arrived.

“I think we have a chance to have a very good off-line,” Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt said.

Says Russ Grimm, the line coach who molded the current group into a functional unit last year, “We’re so much farther ahead of where we were last year.”

The main issue is depth, which could be tested early if starting center Al Johnson is out for an extended time with continuing knee problems.

His replacement is Lyle Sendlein, who filled in capably last season during an absence by Johnson.

“In the little bit he played last year, he did a very good job,” Whisenhunt said. And the second-year player out of Scottsdale Chaparral High and the University of Texas has “had a very good camp so far.”

“If you look at where he is now compared to where he was a year ago, I have no issues whatsoever putting Lyle in there.”

The other main backup is also a youngster. Elton Brown, who can play both guard and tackle, also filled in with solid results last year.

The line is anchored by old pros Mike Gandy (left tackle) and Reggie Wells (left guard).

For the line to be truly outstanding, the right side needs to come through. That means second-year tackle Levi Brown and third-year guard Deuce Lutui — both high draft picks — need to blossom.

So far, so good.

Whisenhunt said: “Levi has started off very well in camp, and Deuce has as well. The whole line has ... I know their confidence is higher.”

Whisenhunt is looking for “consistency more than anything” from Lutui.

“If I had to characterize Deuce’s play, there were flashes of being a pretty good player. But there were also some bonehead mistakes for lack of a better term, that you wouldn’t expect a veteran player to make.

“If he can clean those things up, he can become a very good player because he has all the physical tools. ... He’s a powerful man.”

Lutui knows that a player’s third year can label him, one way or the other:

“I would say it’s a set-up year for me.

“I know what’s at stake. It’s helping my drive to become better as a player.

“I make sure when I practice and see the film I don’t make the same mistakes. I’m optimistic of starting this season and letting loose the knowledge I’ve been taught.”

As for his miscues, including penalties, “I have no excuse for bonehead mistakes. But this is my third year. ... It’s looking good for me.

“All I know is I’m still playing.”

Brown, last year’s first-round draft pick, said he’s much more comfortable the second time around.

Last year, “It was a whole new system for everybody. We were all trying to figure out the calls, the adjustments and trying to get an overall understanding of the offense and what our coaches were expecting.

“I was worried about: ‘Am I blocking the right guy?’ I wasn’t really firing off.

Now, “We all know the system. We know the rules. This year it’s more polishing and executing better instead of getting assignments.”

They were still good enough last year to finish in the top 10 in fewest sacks allowed. The problems were in the running game — the Cardinals finished 29th — and with penalties.

The ideal would be to produce games with zero sacks while Edgerrin James rushed for 100 yards.

“And never see our names in the paper,” Johnson said.

“That would be the greatest season ever if that happens 16 weeks in a row.”

Then they’d look like an umpiring crew enjoying a great game.

Other contenders for playing time on the line include Brandon Keith, the seventh-round draft pick, and undrafted rookies Peter Clifford from Michigan State and Carlton Medder of Florida.

“So far I like where the young guys are at,” Grimm said.

“We’ll weed is out over the next couple weeks and see if we can find some good backups.”