Arizona Cardinals number-two cornerback not working out
By Jim Koch
The trade that the Arizona Cardinals orchestrated back in May for cornerback Jamar Taylor has disaster written all over it
It’s incredibly painful to admit, but it appears that the Cleveland Browns took Arizona Cardinals’ general manager Steve Keim for a ride. Yes, you read that right. The laughingstock of the NFL got one over on the Cards, a squad that is turning into quite a joke themselves these days.
This past offseason, Keim orchestrated a trade for a number-two cornerback named Jamar Taylor. The club sent a sixth-round draft pick to the Browns for the 27-year old, hoping that he would bring some stability to the Arizona secondary’s weak spot. Anyone who has witnessed the first two games of this season can clearly see that the problem still exists.
Taylor’s play over the last two weeks has been dreadful. When the 5’10,195 pounder isn’t getting toasted in pass coverage, he’s getting called for holding penalties. Not exactly what the Cardinals had in mind when they consummated the deal for Taylor back in May.
Many Cards’ fans, including yours truly, believed that the acquisition of Taylor would pay huge dividends. The veteran tallied 119 tackles, three interceptions and 23 pass breakups over the last two campaigns for Cleveland. Pretty solid numbers, despite the fact that Taylor was playing for the worst team in football.
The Cardinals have had a revolving door at the corner slot across from Patrick Peterson for quite awhile now. Last year’s solution, Tramon Williams, performed admirably after taking the now-departed Justin Bethel‘s job. Unfortunately, the club had to go on the hunt again after Williams signed with the Green Bay Packers this past March.
Arizona chose to ignore the big names that were available during the free agency period. Trumaine Johnson, Aaron Colvin, Malcolm Butler and Kyle Fuller were there for the taking. Instead, Keim went the cheap route, and the team is now paying dearly for it.
Taylor is by no means the only weakness on the Cardinals defensive unit. He has, however, been a colossal disappointment. Just one of many that appear to be heading the Cards’ way in 2018.