Arizona Cardinals on the roster bubble

With training camp just weeks away there are Arizona Cardinals players who will have to battle to remain in the desert

It’s one of the hardest parts of being an NFL coach. They all must do it, must pass along news to players that they’re no longer part of the team.

Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians despises it, so much so that he adamantly fought against having the league’s “Hard Knocks” series invade his office to film the misery.

It’s hard enough giving first year players the bad news. But saying goodbye to players who’ve been Cardinals for awhile has to be even more difficult.

The following are some Cardinals who may or may not have to receive that news during the upcoming training camp :

DE Frostee Rucker- Rucker is a consummate pro, a true leader and good soldier in the locker room. But his play has diminished a bit and there’s strong depth at his position. It’s therefore possible Rucker will be searching for a new team to play for this season.

OL Earl Watford – Watford is versatile, that appears to be his best asset. But the truth is he’s never been good enough to earn a starting job. If youngsters such as Antoine McClain, Cole Toner and Rob Crisp have good camps than Big Earl’s days as a Cardinal may come to an end.

TE Troy Niklas – Niklas has had a hard time proving he was worth the second round pick the Cards invested in him. An array of injuries coupled with a lack of production when he does play has put his roster spot in jeopardy. With Jermaine Gresham, Darren Fells, Ifeanyi Momah and Gerald Christian in the fold Niklas may be looking for work come August or early September. 

QB Matt Barkley – Barkley is really gonna have to play well in camp and in preseason games to remain with the team. He’ll be pushed by Alabama undrafted free agent Jake Coker for the third job behind Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton. If the team decides to keep just two QBS than both Barkley AND Coker will be released.

RB Stepfan Taylor – Taylor is a solid, unspectacular back who is a good special teams player. With both Johnsons and Andre Ellington ahead of him on the depth chart, it’s possible Taylor may have to beat out Kerwyn Williams to remain in the desert.

P Drew Butler – Many Cards fans thought Butler should’ve been gone last offseason. The team brought in Fresno State’s Garrett Swanson to compete with him. There’s a decent chance Butler will finally be shown the door.