E: Grinding it out

This is just about the time most Cardinals players start seriously disliking the routine of camp.

The novelty has expired.

The first exhibition game has been played.

The daily to-do list in Flagstaff features three meals in the same location (the NAU cafeteria), practicing, meetings, and fulfilling media obligations.

As for the latter, guys like Matt Leinart have been fielding the same questions since reporting for camp.

"How does it feel being the number one quarterback (for now)?"

"Do you feel Ken Whisenhunt has faith in you?"

"Are you really dating Ali from The Bachelorette?"

Heck, wide receiver Steve Breaston joined Gambo & Ash Tuesday and pleaded for the media to stop pestering his quarterback with the same monotinous questions.

For others like Max Komar, Jim Dray, Stevie Baggs, and Jorrick Calvin-no time in their football life is more important than the present.

It's time to grind. Time to play thru the bumps and bruises of two-a-days. Time to place extra concentration on hitting the same players in the same practice uniforms on the same fields for the last three weeks.

They, along with several others don't have the luxury of knowing their spot on the roster is secure.

They're the long shots.

The ones you have to double check on your roster after they make a nice play like Komar's diving catch on the sideline Saturday night against Houston.

GM Rod Graves examined their resumes and liked what he saw.

Now each has month-long on-the-job training to see first-hand if they're the right candidate.

Sure, the odds are stacked against late-round picks and undrafted free-agents but don't tell that to Jeff Saturday, Wes Welker, James Harrison, Antonio Gates, and some guy named Kurt Warner who all were passed over on draft weekend.

So remember to keep a close eye on the griddy kid from Idaho (Komar), the cornerback from Troy (Calvin), and the pride of Bethune-Cookman (Baggs).

They're each just looking for that one break.