Oppurtunity may knock for pair of Arizona Cardinals
By Jim Koch
The ongoing rehabilitation of a couple of Arizona Cardinals’ veterans could provide a chance to shine for two of their teammates
Don’t look now Arizona Cardinals’ fans, but opening-day is just two short months away. A brand new coaching staff, a totally different quarterback room and a new-look defense are providing plenty of intrigue. But while it’s an exciting time for the team’s observers, a pair of rehabbing players are racing to get healthy.
Defensive end Markus Golden, who just two years ago led the squad in sacks (12.5 In 2016), is one of the two. A torn ACL suffered last October ended the former second-round draft pick’s 2017 campaign. A free agent pickup named Benson Mayowa is waiting in the wings, ready to step in if Golden’s recovery fails to go as planned.
Another Cardinal fighting to get healthy, Jermaine Gresham, tore his Achilles tendon this past December. The tight end went down with just minutes left to play in the season finale. Ricky Seals-Jones burst onto the scene as an undrafted rookie in ’17, and is raring to go if Gresham isn’t healed by September 9th.
Of the two hobbled Cards, Golden appears closer to returning. That stands to reason, considering the fact that the outside linebacker turned defensive end was injured three months before Gresham. Pairing Golden with Chandler Jones, the NFL’s 2017 sacks leader, has to be an exciting proposition for new coordinator Al Holcomb.
Mayowa, a Dallas Cowboy for the past two years, is hoping to get into the defensive end mix. The 6’3″, 265 pounder has 11 career pro starts, but has been mostly a backup since entering the league in 2013. Mayowa’s best showing was in ’16, when he tallied six sacks and 25 tackles in 13 appearances (six starts) for Dallas.
Gresham’s situation is much more dire than Golden’s. By the time the regular-season arrives, the 30-year old will be just eight months removed from his mishap. Seals-Jones showed promise during his first year, turning three of his 12 receptions into touchdowns, and averaging 16.8 yards per catch.
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Many spend their time in the league without ever hearing their number called. But various circumstances create opportunities for others. Mayowa and Seals-Jones are hoping to get their chance to sparkle in 2018.