Arizona Cardinals now just throwing darts at available free agents
By Scott Allen
The Arizona Cardinals made yet another move at the kicking position on Tuesday
So I’d love to know exactly what Matt McCrane did to coach Steve Wilks and/or general manager Steve Keim? The Cardinals released McCrane on Monday after filling in for Phil Dawson.
Now on Tuesday they added former Arizona State kicker Zane Gonzalez to the practice squad. Gonzalez was drafted by the Cleveland Browns last year but struggled over the first couple of weeks this season and was subsequently waived.
Before spinning the wheels on Gonzalez, go back to McCrane. I asked yesterday why he was released, said the Cardinals should have kept him. Granted if Dawson was healthy, McCrane would have had to be re-signed to the practice squad after being waived.
The Cardinals have been moving guys off and on the roster with regularity, like they were just closing their eyes and throwing darts at names over the last couple of weeks, which includes the practice squad. It will be interesting to see how many players will have been on the team roster by the time the season ends.
So here we are with a guy that many fans, and yes they are out there most definitely, wanted to see the Cardinals draft last season. While this is only the practice squad, Gonzalez could have a second chance.
It would seem the Cardinals are not convinced Dawson is going to remain healthy, therefore they would need a kicker waiting. Gonzalez was a star at ASU but quickly fell out of favor in Cleveland.
Maybe the change of scenery will do him well and eventually gets the chance to kick again in a meaningful game, whether with Arizona or someone else. Remember, any NFL practice squad player can be taken and signed to the active 53-man roster by any other team.
Dawson is in his 20th season. Maybe Gonzalez sticks around long enough to see a kicking competition next August in training camp?
While that’s a ways down the road, we still have to deal with this season. Teams don’t just add a second kicker to the team, practice squad or not, unless there is real concern with the regular guy. We may see Gonzalez before it is all said and done and of course, likely many more fresh faces.