Cardinals cornerback Rod Hood is one of the few defensive backs that hasn't had a chance on offense yet this season.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rod Hood and Eric Green couldn't be blamed for feeling left out.
They are the key defensive backs that have yet to be worked into the Cardinals' offensive scheme. Against San Francisco rookie cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was used to run a fly pattern at receiver. Against Miami, safety Adrian Wilson came in to be a blocking wingback on a running play. Against Washington, safety Antrel Rolle caught a short pass, although it was negated because of a penalty.
So Hood and Green wait their turn – if there will be a turn.
"You know what, I am looking forward to it," Hood said with a grin. "I told coach I'm known for having the ball in my hands. But I am happy to see guys go in and make some plays. I thought Antrel looked good on that screen."
Green deferred, saying his offensive days ended in high school.
"Those guys have great tools we can use," Green said. "Antrel is a guy who has got great moves when the ball is in his hands, and Dominique is a guy who can run with the best of them. You want your playmakers to make plays and that's something we can definitely use. Some guys are better with the ball than others."
Coach Ken Whisenhunt has said the Cardinals don't want to go overboard with using defensive players on offense, but he has also said it will continue to be a possibility each week.
That's the hope to which Hood and Green must cling.
"It's just one play – They're not missing out on much," Rolle said with a grin. "If they put more plays in (for us) I may feel more sorry for them, but they have to get their offensive skills up, you know?"
WILSON QUESTIONABLE
Wilson, nursing a sore hamstring, did not practice Friday and will be listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Jets. Aaron Francisco would start in Wilson's place if Wilson's can't play. Whisenhunt said Wilson's absence Friday was precautionary with the wet weather.
Losing Wilson would be a tough blow for a defense that will already be without defensive end Bertrand Berry, who won't play because of a groin tear.
Defensive tackle Gabe Watson (knee) and defensive tackle Darnell Dockett (hamstring) practiced full. Watson remains questionable while Dockett is probable. Receiver Sean Morey (Achilles) was limited again and is questionable. Receiver Anquan Boldin tweaked his hamstring in practice Friday but is expected to be fine.
Tight end Jerame Tuman (hamstring) still has not returned to practice.
FITZ AT 350
Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald needs four receptions Sunday to reach 350 in his career. If he does so he will be the third-fastest wideout to reach the mark (in his 64th game), trailing teammate Anquan Boldin (58 games) and Denver's Lionel Taylor (63 games).
Boldin reached his mark during last season's September home game against Seattle.
Fitzgerald also needs just 163 yards to reach 5,000 in his career.
EXTRA POINTS
Berry said on his radio show Thursday night the initial prognosis for his being on the sideline is three to four weeks with his groin tear, but he would "bet on the under" when he would come back. …
The Cardinals, after going through a walkthrough at the hotel Saturday morning, will board a train to travel to their hotel in New Jersey.
Contact Darren Urban at askdarren@cardinals.nfl.net. Posted 9/26/08.
