Violations cut Cardinals' offseason workouts short
By wire services
Published July 14, 2004
The Arizona Cardinals have ended their offseason workouts a week early after a group of players complained to the the union that the team had violated league rules by working the players too hard.
NFL Executive Vice President Harold Henderson and Players Association Executive Director Gene Upshaw said the team violated rules on the intensity level and tempo of drills during voluntary workouts under new coach Dennis Green.
As a result, the Cardinals have forfeited the final week of their offseason program, which was scheduled to run through Friday. The team reports to training camp in Flagstaff Aug. 1.
"We're very respectful of the (collective bargaining agreement) and are taking the appropriate measures to make sure this does not re-occur," said Rod Graves, Cardinals vice president of football operations.
The Cardinals are the second team this year to give up voluntary workouts because of contract violations.
The New York Giants, who also have a new coach, Tom Coughlin, were told in May that the team had to give up two days of their offseason program because of violations on the length of workouts and the scheduling of classroom sessions.
CHARGERS: Defensive tackle Ryon Bingham, a seventh-round draft pick, signed a three-year contract Tuesday. He was a two-year starter at Nebraska.
