Cards' Okeafor looks to rebound from lost season

FLAGSTAFF -  In addition to an injury-free season and a trip to the playoffs, Cardinals linebacker Chike Okeafor has his own goals.

They could include a trip to the Pro Bowl. Or double-digit sacks. Or 100 tackles. Or not to miss a snap.

We may never know.

"Those will stay with me," he said. "No offense, man."

None taken. Besides, those around him say he's chomping at the bit.

For a time, Okeafor was largely forgotten. He signed as a free agent in 2005, and following a position change in spring 2007, he was one of the stars of training camp and appeared on the verge of a standout season.

SLIDESHOW: Arizona Cardinals training camp in Flagstaff

Then he suffered a torn biceps in the first preseason game against Oakland and was lost for the season. Calvin Pace ultimately reaped big rewards from Okeafor's starting spot and cashed in with a big contract from the New York Jets.

It could have been Okeafor's season. Instead, it became the first time Okeafor missed a regular-season game since 2001.

"Worry about the things you can control," he said.

Such as this season. Now it's Okeafor's turn to resume what he started a year ago, and continue what was an average of eight sacks and three forced fumbles per season since 2003.

"He was hands-down the starter ahead of Pace," linebackers coach Bill Davis said. "It wasn't close at the time. Calvin stepped in and did a phenomenal job, and we're looking for Chike - in a different style - to have all the success Calvin did."

Davis has a string of successes turning undersized defensive ends into standout linebackers in his 15 years of coaching, a list which includes Pace, Atlanta's Keith Brooking, and former Pittsburgh and Carolina star Kevin Greene.

At roughly 250 pounds, Okeafor is 20-25 pounds lighter than Pace and relies on agility and athleticism to Pace's power and strength.

Different means, same destination: The ball, and whoever is holding it.

"He missed considerable time last year and you aren't going to knock the rust off in a little bit," defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast said, "but right now it's looking like a good camp."

It often takes six months to a year before players are fully comfortable with making the switch. Vision and watching the play unfold is the biggest adjustment between being a "rush" end and coverage linebacker.

Once Okeafor's eyes have it, look out.

"When he was in preseason (in 2007) he felt like he was in a position to have a very good year, and we saw indications of that early in camp," Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "It was very frustrating for him to sit out and I think that's really motivated him to get back and turn loose some of that aggression."