Raising Zona
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Arizona Cardinals: Andy Lee on punting duty

By Scott Allen

CHARLOTTE, NC - JANUARY 12: Phil Dawson #9 of the San Francisco 49ers and Andy Lee #4 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrate after a field goal by Dawson in the fourth quarter against the Carolina Panthers during the NFC Divisional Playoff Game at Bank of America Stadium on January 12, 2014 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - JANUARY 12: Phil Dawson #9 of the San Francisco 49ers and Andy Lee #4 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrate after a field goal by Dawson in the fourth quarter against the Carolina Panthers during the NFC Divisional Playoff Game at Bank of America Stadium on January 12, 2014 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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The Arizona Cardinals made the signing official on Monday Morning

Many of thought it would happen on Sunday.  However Monday morning it was made official, the Arizona Cardinals signed punter Andy Lee.

Lee, who is 35, is a three-time Pro Bowl punter who was just cut by the Carolina Panthers on Saturday.  He lost out on the job to Michael Palardy.

Lee also has experience with the Cardinals new kicker Phil Dawson.  He was Dawson’s placekicking holder in 2013 and 2014.

This was a decision that had to be made.  The Cardinals struggled with who was going to win the punting job during preseason.  Matt Wile, who was released in conjunction with the signing on Monday, initially beat out Richie Leone.

All along however it was no secret that if the right guy came along after cuts, that both Wile and Leone would be out of a job in Arizona.  Turns out that was true all along.

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The Cardinals tried everything to separate the performances of Wile and Leone but nothing set them apart much.  They were both average and neither performed well as backup kickers in the preseason.

Once Lee was released on Saturday, it was almost immediately reported that the Cardinals would be interested in bringing in Lee.  Now that it is official, the Cardinals hopefully can put their some of their special teams woes behind them.

The punting and kicking games were a big part of the failure of the Cardinals last season.  It wasn’t close to being the only thing but it was one of the only things still being scrutinized at the end of the preseason.

If nothing else, now the Cardinals have experience all around in the kicking game.  Dawson is in his 18th season, Lee his 14th season and long snapper Aaron Brewer in his sixth.  Let’s hope the move to bring Lee in pays off.

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