Raising Zona
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Cornerback option has dropped into Arizona Cardinals’ laps

By Jim Koch

Oct 23, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans cornerback Jason McCourty (30) celebrates after a defensive stop in the second half against the Indianapolis Colts at Nissan Stadium. The Colts won 34-26. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans cornerback Jason McCourty (30) celebrates after a defensive stop in the second half against the Indianapolis Colts at Nissan Stadium. The Colts won 34-26. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Acquiring veteran Jason McCourty would give the Arizona Cardinals their best number-two cornerback since Antonio Cromartie

Arizona Cardinals’ fans have been hearing the talk. Head coach Bruce Arians has insisted that the club is just fine at the number-two cornerback position. The claim is that Justin Bethel will excel now that he’s healthy and Brandon Williams will improve.

But in what could very well be the last season for Larry Fitzgerald and Carson Palmer, isn’t a proven veteran a better option? The Tennessee Titans have potentially done Arizona a big favor. They are moving on from Jason McCourty, a 29-year old corner who’s had an excellent career.

General manager Steve Keim needs to pounce on the Rutgers University product. Enough with throwing Bethel out there to get burnt like toast. Enough with placing faith in Williams, a former running back who played cornerback for a whole one season in college.

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In McCourty, they’d have a bona fide starter. In his nine years with the Titans, he’s accumulated 505 tackles, 13 interceptions and an impressive 73 pass breakups. If acquired, McCourty would represent the best number-two corner the Cards have had since Antonio Cromartie in 2014.

At 6’0″, 193, McCourty offers the kind of size the Cardinals covet for the position. Pairing him with perennial Pro Bowler Patrick Peterson would give Arizona one of the finest cornerback tandems in the league. In 14 starts in 2016, McCourty tallied 69 tackles, two picks and 12 passes defensed.

While McCourty certainly won’t come cheap, his salary demands could be reasonable. Tennessee didn’t do him any favors by cutting ties with him at this stage of free agency. Arizona is currently $16 million and change under the salary cap, enough room to get something done.

The ball is in Keim’s court. Word is that McCourty wants to play for a contender. Let’s hope he winds up in the desert.

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