Raising Zona
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Jared Veldheer, offensive line a huge problem for Cardinals

By Mark A. Hernandez

GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 25: Quarterback Carson Palmer #3 of the Arizona Cardinals is sacked by defensive end Tyrone Crawford #98 of the Dallas Cowboys, defensive tackle Maliek Collins #96 and defensive end Demarcus Lawrence #90 during the first half of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 25, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 25: Quarterback Carson Palmer #3 of the Arizona Cardinals is sacked by defensive end Tyrone Crawford #98 of the Dallas Cowboys, defensive tackle Maliek Collins #96 and defensive end Demarcus Lawrence #90 during the first half of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 25, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /
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After (literally) a perfect start from Carson Palmer and the offense, the Arizona Cardinals offensive line breaks down and continues its reign as the weakest link on a talented team.

Another game in the books, and another loss for the Arizona Cardinals who had high hopes coming into the 2017 season. They are now 1-2 on the season.

The Cardinals were not going to beat the Cowboys easily, but early on, it seemed that they would run away with a win.

Carson Palmer started the night going 11-for-11 and the Cards were up early as they scored on their opening drive. As the night progressed, however, Dallas Cowboys’ defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli made adjustments and the pocket continued to collapse with mostly a 3-man rush.

“We’ve got to protect better,” head coach Bruce Arians said. “It’s not schemes, it’s not anything else. It’s just one-on-one football and we’re not doing a good enough job of protecting our quarterback.”

The biggest story of the night was the play of Cowboys defensive end Demarcus Lawrence. By the end of the night, he totaled 3 sacks and 6 quarterbacks. And in the process, completely outworked — and embarrassed — right tackle Jared Veldheer.

Kent Somers of The Arizona Republic even went so far as to say the poor offensive line play made Lawrence “look like Lawrence Taylor or at least DeMarcus Ware in his prime.”

Not a hyperbolic statement by any means when you go back and look at how dominant he was when he was on the field.

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The culprit this week was veteran tackle Jared Veldheer. Playing right tackle for the first time in his career, the 8-year pro is having a hard time getting acclimated to the new position.

Listed at 6-foot-8, 321 pounds, the giant Veldheer looked like a boy among men on Monday night. His general manager Steve Keim was not please, by any means, saying the play was “unacceptable.”

With a statement as firm as that, it seems some changes might be inevitable on the offensive line moving forward.

Changes the Cardinals desperately need if they want to keep their playoff hopes alive.

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