"He's our cornerstone player," Hart said.

Ellis excelled with the Mater Dei Monarchs and soon became one of the team's cornerstone players in the center position.

The 28-year-old Williams is one of the team's cornerstone players, so the Yankees must be careful.

Coleman, a 28-year-old former All-Star, had joined point guard Kenny Anderson as the two cornerstone players of the franchise.

If he becomes a quality N.F.L. quarterback, or at least takes a step forward this season, the 49ers will have a cornerstone player to build around.

Bad as they were last season, the Phillies had cornerstone players in their lineup, like John Kruk and Lenny Dykstra.

"We're trying to secure one of our cornerstone players," Smith said.

Rookie Aaron Glenn stepped right in at left cornerback, and could be a cornerstone player for years to come.

"He's a cornerstone player," said Arizona General Manager Joe Garagiola Jr. at a news conference in Phoenix.

They are the Nets' cornerstone players who must do more than assist, rebound and score.