Arizona Cardinals should monitor cornerback’s situation
By Jim Koch
Reports that talented cornerback Aqib Talib could be released or traded should have the Arizona Cardinals considering a deal
An answer to a lingering question mark on the Arizona Cardinals’ defense appears to be available. Going on four years now, the club has been searching for a cornerback to pair with seven-time Pro Bowler Patrick Peterson. If the front office plays it’s cards right this offseason, their quest may be over.
Word out of Denver is that the Broncos could be looking to cut bait with a talented corner of their’s, Aqib Talib. The almost-32 year old has become expendable with Chris Harris Jr. and Bradley Roby lying in wait. Besides the presence of the talented duo, Talib’s $12 million salary cap number could be another reason for Denver to move on from the veteran.
Broncos’ general manager John Elway would love to be able to trade the five-time Pro Bowl invitee. However, Talib’s 2018 base salary of $11 million will make that difficult. An outright release is imminent, and there should be no shortage of suitors for the cover man.
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With Talib comes some off-field baggage. There was the gunshot wound to the leg that the volatile defensive back suffered in 2016. There was the time in 2011 when Talib fired a handgun at his sister’s boyfriend, and another incident in 2009 when he assaulted a cab driver.
If Arizona could find a way to overlook those indiscretions, they’d be getting a shutdown corner who’s almost as good as Peterson. Talib’s career statistics are eye-popping. His impressive resume includes 34 interceptions,118 passes defensed and 425 tackles during 10 seasons in the NFL.
The number-two cornerback spot has been a problem for the Cardinals since Antonio Cromartie’s departure following the 2014 campaign. The team’s management thought that Justin Bethel could handle the role, but ultimately realized that they were mistaken. Tramon Williams played well when he replaced Bethel last year, but he’ll be a free agent who will turn 35 in March.
Could Talib be on the Cards’ radar? Will the squad add a piece to their secondary that could make the group among the league’s best? It’s a scenario that’s certainly worth looking into.