Breaking Down the Arizona Cardinals Roster: OL

Aug 17, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals center Lyle Sendlein (63) communicates with his teammates during the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Cardinals thought they had struck gold in the 2013 draft with the selection of guard Jonathan Cooper.  In fact, they seemed to have done just that.  That is, until the Cooper went down with a season-ending injury in the preseason.  Now the Cards offensive line is once again a work in progress.

Guards: Daryn Colledge, Paul Fanaika, Earl Watford, Jonathan Cooper (injured reserve)

Tackles: Levi Brown, Bobby Massie, Nate Potter, Eric Winston

Centers: Mike Gibson, Lyle Sendlein

First with the guards, Colledge, who had sported an injury early in camp and once thought to have his job in jeopardy, is now going to be relied on once again with Cooper out.  Watford was inconsistent in the preseason and leaves doubts in some minds as to whether he can play at this level on a consistent basis.

With the tackles, Brown once again proved his inconsistency in the preseason.  He got called for a few false starts.  False starts will kill you every day.  It’s all a matter of focus.  Plus he got blown up a couple of times like he was just a rag toy.  Massie hasn’t yet proven to the new coaching staff he can be relied upon as a starter.  He will have to keep working hard if he wishes to remain in good graces.  The man here is Winston.  Sure, he signed right before camp but I think it was a steal considering when they got him and how much they paid for him.

As for the centers, Sendlein does a solid job and he should be fine.  The entire line though is going to have to continue to work for consistency in their performance if they want to keep quarterback Carson Palmer injury-free this season. Good luck I say.