Cardinals’ Holliday ‘still has that itch’

There were 241 players drafted by NFL teams in 1998. Only
11 of those players appeared on NFL rosters in 2011.

Among that exclusive club is Arizona Cardinals defensive
tackle Vonnie Holliday, who is entering his second season
in the desert and 15th year in the league.

After re-signing with the Cardinals Monday, Holliday was
on the field Tuesday for the team’s mini-camp practice in
Tempe. The 36-year-old participated in individual drills
and worked on the sideline during the team portion of
practice.

And after all the battles in the trenches, the veteran
says he still has a desire to play the game.

“I still have that itch,” Holliday said Tuesday. “I’m
still enjoying it, still feel that I can compete at a high
level and we’ll see what happens with the rest of this
preseason going into the regular season.”

Holliday, whom the Cardinals acquired from Washington in
the Tim Hightower trade during training camp last summer,
played in 16 games, compiling 14 tackles for Arizona in
2011.

The veteran envisions a role similar to the one he filled
last season — a role that included plenty of tutoring.

“I’ll try to coach the guys up as much as I can and help
bring them along and at the same time, when my number is
called, just be ready to make plays.”

Head coach Ken Whisenhunt is also happy to see number 91
back with the Cardinals.

“He’s a good leader, a good mentor for these young guys,”
Whisenhunt said. “I know he’s meant a lot to Dan
[Williams] and Calais [Campbell] and David Carter, and to
have him back is important.

“I think he understands his role and I know that we can
count on him, so those are all valuable points.”

Arizona Sports’ Craig Grialou contributed to this
report

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