Guest BackInDaDay Posted March 4, 2005 Share Posted March 4, 2005 First of all, props to the good doctor for marrying two of man's most primitive and unappealing responses, into one of the most recognizable literary catch-phrases of the last thirty years. That's been long overdue. This is about LJ Shelton and Travis Henry. How these two men's fortunes have risen and fallen within the last two years are compelling enough stories, but how they now find their fates tied to each other, well that's a tale that needs telling. LJ Shelton had toiled at the left tackle position on the Cardinal's offensive line since being drafted in the 1st round of the '99 draft. He was Arizona's 2nd pick of the 1st round, and the 3rd OT taken. He was immediately teamed up with Anthony Clement, drafted in '98, and the two anchored the Cardinal line at the OT spots. A "talented bookend tackle combo" is how the two are described in the Cardinals website. In 2001 a very large, dominant LT from Texas, Leonard Davis, was available, and with the 2nd overall pick of the draft, the Cardinals took him. Why would a team that already had a young, talented OT tandem choose to spend such a valued pick on another LT? Well, by 2001, LJ Shelton was entering into his third year of a four year contract. He wasn't making much money, considering he was a 1st round pick, and in two more years he'd be an unrestricted free-agent. Unfortunately, Davis was never able to take the starting job from Shelton. In his first year, '01, he played RG next to Clement. Shelton played 16 games at LT. In his second year, '02, he filled in for the injured Clement at RT. Shelton played 16 games at LT. It was at the end of this season that Shelton accepted his award for 'The Last Man Standing'. It was a tribute given for finishing the season on an ankle injured badly enough to require post-season surgery. LJ also received a hefty contract for several million dollars a year. In his third year, '03, Davis was back to RG, that is, when he was healthy enough to play. Shelton played 15 games at LT, missing the final game due to severe ankle sprain. Now it's 2004. The Cardinals have three OTs, each making millions in salary alone. According to the Cardinals, LJ Shelton was being benched for reporting to camp overweight. Davis would be handed his job. There is a familiar theme that runs through both Shelton's and Henry's short careers. Both have shown their willingness to sacrifice. Both have been sacrificed. Heck, there's even shadowy figures of OTs from Texas haunting the lives of both. It's almost Shakespearean. The possible atonement that may await these athletes transcends trading uniforms. It's poetic to the point of fiction that each of these two warriors could find redemption in the arms of each other's past. Ladies and gentlemen, this is fate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Losman-McGahee-Evans Posted March 4, 2005 Share Posted March 4, 2005 First of all, props to the good doctor for marrying two of man's most primitive and unappealing responses, into one of the most recognizable literary catch-phrases of the last thirty years. That's been long overdue. This is about LJ Shelton and Travis Henry. How these two men's fortunes have risen and fallen within the last two years are compelling enough stories, but how they now find their fates tied to each other, well that's a tale that needs telling. LJ Shelton had toiled at the left tackle position on the Cardinal's offensive line since being drafted in the 1st round of the '99 draft. He was Arizona's 2nd pick of the 1st round, and the 3rd OT taken. He was immediately teamed up with Anthony Clement, drafted in '98, and the two anchored the Cardinal line at the OT spots. A "talented bookend tackle combo" is how the two are described in the Cardinals website. In 2001 a very large, dominant LT from Texas, Leonard Davis, was available, and with the 2nd overall pick of the draft, the Cardinals took him. Why would a team that already had a young, talented OT tandem choose to spend such a valued pick on another LT? Well, by 2001, LJ Shelton was entering into his third year of a four year contract. He wasn't making much money, considering he was a 1st round pick, and in two more years he'd be an unrestricted free-agent. Unfortunately, Davis was never able to take the starting job from Shelton. In his first year, '01, he played RG next to Clement. Shelton played 16 games at LT. In his second year, '02, he filled in for the injured Clement at RT. Shelton played 16 games at LT. It was at the end of this season that Shelton accepted his award for 'The Last Man Standing'. It was a tribute given for finishing the season on an ankle injured badly enough to require post-season surgery. LJ also received a hefty contract for several million dollars a year. In his third year, '03, Davis was back to RG, that is, when he was healthy enough to play. Shelton played 15 games at LT, missing the final game due to severe ankle sprain. Now it's 2004. The Cardinals have three OTs, each making millions in salary alone. According to the Cardinals, LJ Shelton was being benched for reporting to camp overweight. Davis would be handed his job. There is a familiar theme that runs through both Shelton's and Henry's short careers. Both have shown their willingness to sacrifice. Both have been sacrificed. Heck, there's even shadowy figures of OTs from Texas haunting the lives of both. It's almost Shakespearean. The possible atonement that may await these athletes transcends trading uniforms. It's poetic to the point of fiction that each of these two warriors could find redemption in the arms of each other's past. Ladies and gentlemen, this is fate. 262026[/snapback] I've yet to read something this good on ESPN.com. Awesome post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark VI Posted March 4, 2005 Share Posted March 4, 2005 What a great read. You're hired. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike32282 Posted March 4, 2005 Share Posted March 4, 2005 Oh man, that was beautiful! I hope you are right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Posted March 4, 2005 Share Posted March 4, 2005 Nice..... Souds like a great fit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Navy Chief Navy Pride Posted March 4, 2005 Share Posted March 4, 2005 Great post!!!---good read too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BackInDaDay Posted March 4, 2005 Share Posted March 4, 2005 What a great read. You're hired. 262060[/snapback] I'm hired? Wish I would have seen this before going to work this morning! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astrobot Posted March 4, 2005 Share Posted March 4, 2005 I bet Marlowe wrote this, not you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark VI Posted March 4, 2005 Share Posted March 4, 2005 I'm hired? Wish I would have seen this before going to work this morning! 263276[/snapback] We pay peanuts. Virginia roasted, to be exact. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John from Riverside Posted March 4, 2005 Share Posted March 4, 2005 We will soon see if it fate or not..... Two General Managers on both side are playing "battleship" with Henry and Shelton as pieces to the game Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BackInDaDay Posted March 5, 2005 Share Posted March 5, 2005 We will soon see if it fate or not..... Two General Managers on both side are playing "battleship" with Henry and Shelton as pieces to the game 263303[/snapback] Absolutely. Any NFL GM worth his salt has a heart as cold as a well-diggers ass, but never under-estimate the football gods! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VABills Posted March 17, 2005 Share Posted March 17, 2005 Good post. I had not seen that before. You may have missed your calling in life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R. Rich Posted March 18, 2005 Share Posted March 18, 2005 That's how you do it, folks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobblehead Posted March 18, 2005 Share Posted March 18, 2005 Can you send this to Travis and his agent please? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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