Steve Keim’s Arizona Cardinals shopping list
By Jim Koch
With training camp just around the corner Arizona Cardinals general manager Steve Keim could be bargain hunting
If you’ve ever walked through a department store you may have noticed those bins they have out on the floor, usually towards the front of the store near the cash registers.
They’re usually filled with CDs, DVDs, gift-wrapping paper, candy, things like that.
The items are typically priced very reasonably , therefore the bins are called ” bargain bins”.
Every year, around training camp time, the same kind of bargain bin shopping goes on throughout the NFL. Talented, veteran players looking for work, willing to give whatever team they sign with a discount. A way better option than not playing and not getting paid at all.
Arizona Cardinals GM Steve Keim has a knack for finding and signing players of this type. Since taking over as Cardinals’ GM in 2013 his list includes John Abraham, Eric Winston, Tommy Kelly, Jermaine Gresham and Lyle Sendlein.
With training camp just a few weeks away time has arrived to start making the shopping list and checking it twice. As of this writing the Cards are roughly four and a half million dollars under the cap.
Although the Cardinals have built a strong roster there are a few players still available who could fill a role and contribute. Here’s a few that Keim could have some interest in:
OT Jake Long- One big question mark for the Cardinals is the projected starter at right tackle, untested second year player D.J.Humphries. Long is a 31 year old, four time Pro Bowler who’s career has been marred by injuries. Still, the former number one overall pick is quality insurance should Humphries not come through and at worst a backup for both tackle positions.
OT Will Beatty – Beatty had started 63 games for the New York Giants before his release last February. He’s recovering from shoulder surgery and turned down visits with the Raiders and Broncos because he hadn’t fully healed. Like Long he could compete with Humphries for the right tackle job or settle into a swing tackle role.
Edge rusher Dwight Freeney – A defense can never have enough pass rushers so despite the acquisition of Chandler Jones, Freeney would be an excellent addition. Now 36, Freeney showed no signs of slowing down last season, registering eight sacks in only eleven games in his lone season as a Cardinal. He’s received interest from Cincinnati and Atlanta but has yet to be offered a contract.
ILB A.J. Hawk- The former Packer standout is coming off a disappointing season in Cincinnati. It appears Deone Bucannon will remain at linebacker but his partner on the inside, Kevin Minter, has been underwhelming. Hawk could provide depth at the position or ideally push Minter for the starting position.
ILB Donald Butler – Butler showed so much early promise that San Diego signed him to a big-money contract. He was released in March after failing to live up to expectations. Still, Butler does have talent, maybe a fresh start in Arizona is just what the doctor ordered.
CB Leon Hall – A burning question for many Cardinals fans is the capability of starting cornerback Justin Bethel. Hall, coming off of back surgery, was brought in by the Cards for a visit but left without a contract. At this point of his career he may be best suited for the slot though, a spot the Cards are already set at with Tyrann Mathieu.
CB Chris Culliver- Culliver would be a nice addition but he did suffer a torn ACL in November, so his availability for the beginning of the season is in question. He certainly has the size and cover ability the Cards covet and is just 27 years old.
CB Antonio Cromartie – “Cro” is one year removed from an excellent season with the Cards but performed miserably last season as a New York Jet. Bringing him back at a reasonable price could be a decent move though, he has the skills and moxie to have a bounce back season.