Victoria's Urban ready for third season with Cardinals
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Advocate-Area NFL PlayersJerheme Urban (Victoria Stroman) WR Arizona Cardinals
Shane Lechler (East Bernard) P Oakland Raiders
Cody Wallace (Cuero) C San Francisco 49ers
Joe Jon Finley (Cuero/Arlington High) TE San Francisco 49ers
Blake Schlueter (Ganado) C Seattle Seahawks
...- SHOW ALL »
Advocate-Area NFL PlayersJerheme Urban (Victoria Stroman) WR Arizona Cardinals
Shane Lechler (East Bernard) P Oakland Raiders
Cody Wallace (Cuero) C San Francisco 49ers
Joe Jon Finley (Cuero/Arlington High) TE San Francisco 49ers
Blake Schlueter (Ganado) C Seattle Seahawks
Jerheme Urban and his wife, Emily, went to a movie on Sunday night. Urban has spent much of the rest of the week watching film of the San Francisco 49ers.
Urban begins his third season with the Arizona Cardinals when they host the 49ers on Sunday.
The Victoria native expects his role to be virtually the same as last season when the Cardinals advanced to the Super Bowl before losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Urban will be the Cardinals' fourth wide receiver and play on special teams as he did last season when he set career highs for receptions (34), receiving yards (448) and touchdown catches (4).
"I want to improve on my numbers and grow as a player," Urban said. "If I can do that, I can help us win a few more games."
Urban began his career with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent out of Trinity University and he spent a year on the Dallas Cowboys practice squad before signing with the Cardinals.
The success Urban had last season allowed him to feel more comfortable during training camp.
"This was the first training camp where I felt like a veteran," said Urban, who will turn 29 in November. "I did not have to worry about learning my position. Of course, you can't grow complacent. There are always younger guys out there trying to win a job. But I definitely felt like one of the older guys in the room."
Urban had 10 catches for the 161 yards during the preseason and has seen little change from last year's offense, despite the departure of offensive coordinator Todd Haley.
"A lot of it is the same," Urban said. "Coach (Ken) Whisenhunt has been really involved and these guys have adapted and grown into it with him. We kind of feel like we all grew into this."
Urban's experience has helped him learn how to deal with the grind of a season.
"You really have to prioritize your time," Urban said. "You have to make sure you're putting in the time early in the week doing things like breaking down film while at the same time keeping your focus on what's going on at home and not just football.
"It's a long season. You have to keep your body healthy and your mind fresh week after week."
Urban slightly hyper-extended his left knee in the Cardinals' final preseason game against the Denver Broncos.
But Urban has been practicing this week and will be ready to play on Sunday.
"I'll be getting a little more amped up as the week goes on," Urban said. "By the time Saturday night gets here my focus level will increase."
Mike Forman is a sports writer for the Victoria Advocate. Contact him at 361-580-6588 or mforman@vicad.com, or comment on this column at www.VictoriaAdvocate.com.
