Cardinals release Dykes

The Browns cut AdamHoppel and Branndon Braxton, while the Packers released Anthony Smith.

By JOE SCALZO

Vindicator sports staff

Keilen Dykes has learned how to deal with disappointment throughout his football career, so when he got cut from the Arizona Cardinals on Friday, he did his best to keep his head up.

“I believe everything happens for a reason,” said Dykes, talking by phone Saturday from Arizona. “This is just another step.

“I’ve never had it easy anyway.”

Dykes, a Chaney High graduate who plays defensive line, spent all of last season on the Cardinals’ practice squad after signing as a free agent following the 2008 draft. He was having a strong summer before suffering a strained quadriceps in early August that forced him to miss much of the preseason.

Although he was surprised by his release, he said he talked to the coaches for an hour on Friday and they urged him to stay patient.

“Coach [Ken] Whisenhut told me I’d get my chance,” said Dykes, who will rejoin the Cardinals’ practice squad if he’s not claimed by another team. “We’ll see what happens. If I don’t get claimed, I’ll just re-sign here and keep working.”

Dykes was one of five area players released this weekend as NFL teams worked to get down to the 53-man limit by Saturday afternoon.

The Cleveland Browns cut defensive lineman Adam Hoppel (Beaver Local) and offensive lineman Branndon Braxton (Ursuline). The Green Bay Packers cut safety Anthony Smith (Hubbard High) while Baltimore Ravens released tight end Isaac Smolko (Springfield High). Smith played three seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers before signing with the Packers. The Detroit Lions released offensive lineman Dan Gerberry, a free agent pick-up after the draft.

Dykes, a two-time All-Big East selection at West Virginia, said he was surprised by the release, but said the coaches told him the decision had more to do with a rash of injuries at wide receiver.

The Cardinals were without Pro Bowl wide receiver Anquan Boldin the last two games because of a sore hamstring and wide receiver Steve Breaston missed two games with a bruised kneecap.

Also, the team opted to keep six defensive lineman, not seven. When asked if he was hoping they’d keep seven, he said, “I was just hoping to be on the roster, even if they only wanted five.

“I felt like I was doing what I need to do to get on the roster But being injured and missing playing time, I know they wanted to see me in there for more than just one game. I understand it’s a business.”

That doesn’t mean he wasn’t surprised.

“Truthfully, it [the release] was unexpected, but you’ve got to roll with the punches and keep pushing,” he said. “You never know what’s going to happen in this business. I know my time’s going to come this year. I’m just going to keep grinding.”

Dykes could still end up elsewhere — “If another team claims me, of course I’d take that situation,” he said — but if he stays in Arizona, he expects to be promoted to the active roster sooner rather than later.

“They know I can play,” he said, “and I know I can do it.”

scalzo@vindy.com