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By The Associated Press
Arizona Daily Wildcat
August 22, 1996
TEMPE - Boomer Esiason, who has yet to lead the Arizona Cardinals into the end zone in three preseason games, still has the edge on Kent Graham for the starting job at quarterback.Coach Vince Tobin said Esiason will start the last exhibition game Friday night against the Falcons in Atlanta and continue as No. 1 into the regular season.
''Boomer is a guy that's been very productive in the league,'' Tobin said. ''He's won games, he's been to the Super Bowl. I think the demeanor that he brings to the huddle is very good for a football team in the position we're in, that hasn't had a lot of success on the offensive side of the ball.''
Esiason said he spoke to Graham and third-stringer Stoney Case to make sure there were no hard feelings.
''The other guys know I'm going to rely on them when I play, and they can rely on me if they have to play,'' said Esiason, who missed four games because of a concussion last season. ''Knowing how long a season can be, they're going to have to help us win.''
Graham didn't take a snap last year while on the Detroit Lions' roster. He has completed 42 percent this preseason, but has thrown two 19-yard touchdown passes - the only TDs by the Cardinals in a 1-2 preseason.
Tobin said Graham will get his shot eventually.
''He's made a lot of progress, and he has a bright future here with the Cardinals, and when his time comes remains to be seen. It could be at any point this season, or it could be a year from now,'' Tobin said.
OUT WITH HEARST: For a while Wednesday, some former teammates held out hope that Garrison Hearst's $2.1 million salary would allow him to slip through waivers and then return to the Cardinals.
It didn't happen, because the Cincinnati Bengals added Hearst to their stable of running backs.
''He has more talent than any other back that I've played with since I've been here,'' said fullback Larry Centers.
Pat Dye Jr., Hearst's agent, said he was surprised at the news, because he knew the Bengals had Ki-Jana Carter and Eric Bieiemy at the position and didn't seem in need.
Tobin acknowledged that Hearst was a casualty of the salary cap.
''Garrison Hearst is a good football player and a good person,'' Tobin said. ''He can help your team.''
PLAYING TIME: Defensive tackle Eric Swann, a sixth-year veteran who held out until Tuesday, will start against the Falcons. But rookie defensive end Simeon Rice, who didn't sign his contract until Monday, has more to learn.
Tobin said he doesn't know how much playing time Rice will get.
''It's a two-edged sword. You want to get them as much time as you can, so that they'll be ready to open against Indianapolis (Sept. 7), but I don't want to give them so much they might get hurt.''
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