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Arizona Cardinals: 3 surprises in 2018

By Scott Allen

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 16: Josh Rosen #3 of the Arizona Cardinals reacts after a rushing touchdown by David Johnson #31 in the first quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 16: Josh Rosen #3 of the Arizona Cardinals reacts after a rushing touchdown by David Johnson #31 in the first quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 23: Center Mason Cole #64 of the Arizona Cardinals in action during the NFL game against the Chicago Bears at State Farm Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Chicago Bears won 16-14. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 23: Center Mason Cole #64 of the Arizona Cardinals in action during the NFL game against the Chicago Bears at State Farm Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Chicago Bears won 16-14. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /

Among the dismal season for the Arizona Cardinals are a few bright spots

As much as the 2018 season has not gone right for the Arizona Cardinals, they do have some players to look forward to having for awhile.  Not everyone failed to put forth an effort week in and week out.

As many new players the Cardinals saw from 2017 to 2018, they will likely see as many if not more going from 2018 to 2019.  These five guys were nice surprises in 2018.

Mason Cole

Cole was a guy the Cardinals were high on in the draft.  However going into training camp they weren’t sure what they had, there seemed to be a little disappointment from coaches.

Then a season-ending injury happened to starting center A.Q. Shipley early on in camp.  Cole, a projected backup at the start of camp, all of a sudden was thrust into the starting role.

He had one week to prepare himself to start the first preseason game after the Shipley injury.  He looked great in that first game against the Los Angeles Chargers and hasn’t looked back since.

He’s been the one mainstay on an offensive line full of season-ending injuries.  The Cardinals have Shipley under contract for 2019 but right now the favorite to have the starting role has to be Cole, especially given the time he has had to break in quarterback Josh Rosen

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