Arizona Cardinals may be facing tough roster decisions
By Jim Koch
General manager Steve Keim will be facing some tough decisions on which veteran Arizona Cardinals to send packing this summer
It’s a part of the job that Steve Keim of the Arizona Cardinals doesn’t likely enjoy. Every year, NFL general managers such as Keim have to part with players they like, some they’ve built friendships with. This offseason will be no different.
The name for it is roster turnover. A low percentage of players have guaranteed spots, so several Cardinals who’ve been around awhile could be facing the chopping block. In many cases, it’s as simple as out with the old, in with the new.
The Cards’ signing of Blaine Gabbert has all of a sudden raised questions about backup quarterback Drew Stanton’s role going forward. Stanton has been Arizona’s second-string signal-caller since 2013. While the Cardinals’ brass insist the 33-year old’s job is safe, Stanton may find himself fighting for a roster spot in training camp.
Despite tearing his ACL last October, wide receiver Jaron Brown nevertheless signed a one-year extension the following month. The former undrafted free agent has played well since joining the team in 2013, albeit on a limited basis. The drafting of Chad Williams and Andre Ellington’s switch to wideout could possibly mean the end of Brown’s tenure in the desert.
Another pass-catcher, Brittan Golden, may also be the victim of a numbers game at wide receiver. Golden has also been a special teams’ contributor as a kickoff-returner, but that role may now be in jeopardy. One of the Cards’ fifth-round draft picks last month, running back T.J. Logan, was dynamic on kickoff returns at the University of North Carolina.
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Defensive lineman Ed Stinson has been with the organization since 2014, but has failed to make much of an impact. He has totalled just 26 tackles and one sack in his three seasons. A veteran signing on the defensive line during the summer could send the 27-year old packing.
Karlos Dansby’s return, the drafting of Haason Reddick and last season’s pickup of Scooby Wright could spell trouble for Alani Fua. A knee injury that cost him almost the entire 2016 campaign also has impeded his progress. Fua may need a strong training camp showing to remain in Arizona.
The oft-injured Tyvon Branch could be on the outside looking in this offseason. The safety was placed on injured reserve not once but twice last year, and he has already agreed to a pay cut. The Cardinals selected two defensive backs in the ’17 draft (Budda Baker and Rudy Ford), and could quite possibly sign a veteran cornerback before September.
These are just a few of the decisions Keim may soon be fretting over. It’s certainly not an enviable position for anyone to be in. But no one ever said the job of an NFL general manager was easy.