Bashaud Breeland to Arizona Cardinals still a possibility
By Jim Koch
A recent ESPN report indicates that the Arizona Cardinals may not have closed the door on signing cornerback Bashaud Breeland
The Arizona Cardinals’ need for help at the cornerback position has been well-publicized. General manager Steve Keim has made several additions this offseason, with hopes of finding the squad a viable number-two cover guy. There are indications that the search may not be over.
ESPN’s Josina Anderson is reporting that the Cardinals’ interest in Bashaud Breeland could be alive and well. It’s been assumed that recent trade acquisition Jamar Taylor would be the starter opposite the great Patrick Peterson in the Arizona secondary. Many also believed that the deal with the Cleveland Browns would put an end to their courtship of Breeland.
Not so fast, Cards’ fans. If the recent rumors about the front office still having interest in Breeland are true, it’s possible that the club may have other plans for Taylor. The release of Tyrann Mathieu back in March has created a void at slot cornerback as well, a job that the 5’10”, 195 pound Taylor may actually be better suited for.
Breeland had visited the Cardinals just one day before the trade for Taylor went down. The 26-year old, who has spent his four seasons in the NFL with the Washington Redskins, obviously left the desert that day without signing a contract. The speculation is that Breeland may have asked for more guaranteed money than Keim was willing to part with at that point.
The 2014 fourth-round pick had inked a three-year, $24 million deal with the Carolina Panthers shortly after the free agent signing period had begun. The agreement fell through, however, when Breeland failed his physical. The corner had injured his foot while on vacation, and apparently hadn’t healed well enough to satisfy Panthers’ management.
Anderson stated that Arizona may meet with Breeland again in a “few weeks”. Perhaps the organization wants the veteran to be 100% healthy before making a commitment to him.
Next: Arizona Cardinals training camp schedule is out
Landing a quality competitor like Breeland would do wonders for the franchise. An area of the defensive backfield that was so weak entering the offseason, could suddenly become a strength. And make a very good Cardinals defense even better.