Raising Zona
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Offensive weapon available if Arizona Cardinals so desire

By Jim Koch

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 01: Gary Barnidge PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 01: Gary Barnidge #82 of the Cleveland Browns runs upfield after a catch in front of Arthur Moats #55 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first half during the game at Heinz Field on January 1, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 01: Gary Barnidge PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 01: Gary Barnidge #82 of the Cleveland Browns runs upfield after a catch in front of Arthur Moats #55 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first half during the game at Heinz Field on January 1, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /
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Signing veteran tight end Gary Barnidge could provide a much-needed boost to the offensive firepower of the Arizona Cardinals

This past week has been particularly tough on the Arizona Cardinals’ offense. The unit’s brightest star, David Johnson, was lost for months. Injuries took a toll on the offensive line, as well as the tight ends’ group.

The good news is that there’s still 15 games yet to be played in this extremely young campaign. Plenty of time for the coaching staff to deal with the shelved players. And, perhaps more importantly, plenty of time for the front office to bring in any outside help that they deem necessary.

One available free agent who could possibly be of some help is tight end Gary Barnidge. The veteran, a 2015 Pro Bowler with the Cleveland Browns, is for some unknown reason still unemployed. That perhaps could be a red flag, but would there be any harm in kicking the tires on the 31-year old anyway?

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Barnidge could actually assist the Cardinals in a couple of different ways. For one, their top two tight ends are both questionable for Sunday’s tilt with the Indianapolis Colts. Starter Jermaine Gresham is nursing bruised ribs, and Troy Niklas is having trouble with his hip.

Secondly, the 6’6″, 250 pounder out of Louisville, could provide quarterback Carson Palmer with a much-needed aerial threat. Barnidge hauled in 79 receptions for 1,043 yards and nine touchdowns in 2015, earning him the Pro Bowl nod. He was less productive last year, when he caught 55 balls for 612 yards and two scores.

The injuries to the tight ends’ room wasn’t the only hit the passing game took last week. Johnson caught 80 passes in 2016, so his absence is more than just a loss for the Cards’ rushing attack. On top of that, wide receiver John Brown won’t make the trip to Indy since he’s still feeling the effects of a quadricep injury he initially suffered during the summer.

The Houston Texans brought Barnidge in for a look this week but obviously took a pass. Arizona did sign a former tight end of theirs, Jim Dray, for insurance. However, Barnidge would be a significant upgrade over Dray, the squad’s former seventh-round draft pick of 2010.

With the amount of injuries they’re now dealing with, it’s time for the Cardinals’ brass to be proactive. The season, after just one week, is certainly not lost. Not by a long shot.

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