Breaking Down the Arizona Cardinals Roster: DB’s
By Scott Allen
Aug 24, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; San Diego Chargers wide receiver Vincent Brown (86) is tackled in the first half of a preseason game against Arizona Cardinals corner back Jerraud Powers (25) at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
The next stop in our 53-man Arizona Cardinals roster tour takes us to the cornerbacks and safeties. This was a highly contested area of the football team during the training camp. Some of the guys who got cut were just part of a numbers game. This group should be full of top performers this season.
Cornerbacks: Javier Arenas, Justin Bethel, Antonie Cason, Jamell Fleming, Bryan McCann, Patrick Peterson, Jerraud Powers
It’s a great looking group of players in my opinion. The versatility and athleticism from this group astounds me right from top to bottom. Of course this group is led by two-time Pro Bowler Patrick Peterson. Just when you think Peterson can do it all, he does more. We know he can defend. We know he can return punts. Now this season he will get his shot on offense. The man can just flat out ball. Then you have Bethel. Bethel not only is a good defender, he is a monster on special teams. We know about his ability to block kicks. Powers comes over as a free agent and was impressive in the preseason. Cason, a University of Arizona product, came over from the San Diego Chargers and has made the team. He did enough in the preseason. There was some concern he’d be one of the guys left out thanks to the numbers game. I’m very interested to see how he performs this season.
Safeties: Yeremiah Bell, Tony Jefferson, Rashad Johnson, Tyrann Mathieu
This group is a little more on the unknown side. Although we know for the most part what Johnson is capable of, Bell comes in as a free agent. Jefferson probably made this team thanks to his special teams play. Mathieu had spurts of greatness in the preseason. He was moved to safety by coach Bruce Arians. I’m very excited to see him perform when they lace them up for real next week.