Arizona Cardinals: Thursday Evening Free Agency Update

The Arizona Cardinals didn’t officially add one but lost two of their own free agents

There were no free agent additions on Thursday for the Arizona Cardinals, however they did get one official visit.  Denver Broncos free agent linebacker Nate Irving made a visit promised earlier in the week.  The Cardinals also lost two of their free agents.

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The Cardinals lost offensive lineman Paul Fanaika to the Kansas City Chiefs and cornerback Antonio Cromartie to the New York Jets.  Neither loss was unexpected however there was a chance Cromartie would return.  He narrowed his 2015 team down to three teams on Wednesday and as late as Thursday morning there was still a chance he’d return.

However Cromartie ended up right where I expected him to.  You have to remember, he moved back to New York shortly after the season ended.  He is also good friends with cornerback Darelle Revis, who also signed a free-agent contract with the Jets this week.

Fanaika is not a surprise either given the moves the Cardinals have made to upgrade the offensive line this week.  He got a three-year deal from the Chiefs.  Good for him.  He did well in Arizona but Mike Iupati is an upgrade.

As for other transactions on Thursday, the Cardinals released longtime center Lyle Sendlein.  His departure was expected as well, although judging by some today, it came as a surprise.  His release had been rumored though if the Cardinals were able to upgrade on the line.  After signing center A.Q. Shipley on Wednesday, Sendlein’s status was sealed.  Sendlein was one of just three remaining players on the Cardinals Super Bowl roster in 2009.

No other updates on where the Cardinals stand in the running back situation.  Running back DeMarco Murray signed with the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday, leaving the Dallas Cowboys.  That left open speculation one one of two things, either the Cowboys weren’t interested in paying top dollar for a back, say an Adrian Peterson for example, or they were just trying to throw others off course and really want Peterson. On Thursday though per arizonasports.com quoting Yahoo Sports, Peterson has Arizona has his top choice.

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