Raising Zona
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Defensive line a pleasant surprise for Arizona Cardinals

By Jim Koch

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 17: Defensive end Frostee RuckerGLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 17: Defensive end Frostee Rucker #92 of the Arizona Cardinals on the sidelines during the NFL game against the New York Jets at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 17, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Jets 28-3. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 17: Defensive end Frostee RuckerGLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 17: Defensive end Frostee Rucker #92 of the Arizona Cardinals on the sidelines during the NFL game against the New York Jets at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 17, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Jets 28-3. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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The Arizona Cardinals’ defensive line is performing at a respectable level despite the free agent departure of Calais Campbell

The Arizona Cardinals’ front office needed to make a choice. With a bevy of their players experiencing free agency, who they would keep became a burning question. One Cardinal in particular required a lot of thought for those involved in the decision process.

Calais Campbell had been a major piece of the Arizona defensive line for nine seasons. The 6’8″, 300 pound giant was a consistent contributor on the field, and a model citizen off of it. Campbell left the desert to sign with the Jacksonville Jaguars, an unpopular move with many of the team’s fans.

The biggest problem facing general manager Steve Keim was going to be how to replace the former second-round draft pick. Campbell was coming off of an excellent campaign in 2016, not a surprise for someone on the last year of a contract. The final numbers for the defensive end in ’16 were eye-popping; 53 tackles, eight sacks, an interception, six passes defensed and two forced fumbles in 16 starts.

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Instead of replacing the star defender with a free agent from another club, Keim decided to roll with linemen already in the home locker room. A risky proposition to say the least. Based on the line’s play through nine games, the plan may have been the correct one.

Frostee Rucker appeared to be on his last legs last year, but has rebounded nicely this season. Josh Mauro played well in limited action over the past couple of campaigns, and has continued the trend in 2017. Corey Peters is resembling the run-stuffing rock that the Cards envisioned when they signed him two years ago.

Youngsters on the front line are contributing as well. Olsen Pierre is currently second on the Cardinals in sacks with two and a half, and has tallied 14 tackles as well. Xavier Williams and Rodney Gunter have combined for 20 tackles and one and a half sacks.

The one big disappointment has been Robert Nkemdiche. Arizona’s top pick in ’16 has pitched in four measly tackles in five game appearances so far. Can you say first-round draft bust?

All things considered, the unit has done a damn good job without the services of Campbell. There are many things worth criticizing about the 2017 Cardinals. The defensive line isn’t one of them.

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