Raising Zona
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Arizona Cardinals: Punting addressed…sort of

By Scott Allen

Aug 22, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers long snapper J.J. Jansen (44) talks with tight end Matt Wile (6) during the second half of the game against the Miami Dolphins at Bank of America Stadium. Carolina wins 31-30. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 22, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers long snapper J.J. Jansen (44) talks with tight end Matt Wile (6) during the second half of the game against the Miami Dolphins at Bank of America Stadium. Carolina wins 31-30. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Arizona Cardinals addressed their punting situation Tuesday by not immediately removing Drew Butler

The Arizona Cardinals made a roster move involving a punter on Tuesday as promised.  It wasn’t exactly the move fans expected.

Punter Drew Butler still has a job and Matt Wile out of Michigan has one but not on the 53-man roster. Wile was signed to the practice squad on Tuesday.  He last was on the Atlanta Falcons roster for one week in November.

So why the move?  Do the Cardinals want a further look at Wile?  By signing him to the practice squad, it still leaves him vulnerable to other rosters.

At this point, either replace Butler or make a move in the offseason.  Adding a punter to the practice squad does nothing really at this point of the season.

Butler, who is averaging 41.3-yards-per-punt this season has not looked all that great since being re-signed by the Cardinals a couple of weeks ago.  He had a punt of 28-yards in Sunday’s victory over the Washington Redskins.  The punt failed to reach mid-field.

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Head coach Bruce Arians has continued to back Butler because he can hold on placekicks.  Are you telling me that the Cardinals can’t find one punter who can kick the ball consistently over 45-yards and can hold on kicks?

As I’ve said with kicker Chandler Catanzaro, there must not be a better replacement out in the free agent market if Butler is still around.  But is Wile maybe that guy?  I’m going to say not at this point if he’s just being put on the practice squad.

Maybe there is a method to the madness?  Maybe they’d like a look at Wile in practice this week and then make a more definitive decision later in the week?  We’ll see, otherwise this move makes little sense.  Butler’s days have to continue to be numbered in Arizona.

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