Arizona Cardinals get early jump on rebuilding roster
By Jim Koch
Early additions to the player roster are a sure sign that the Arizona Cardinals plan on making a dramatic turnaround in 2019
It’s become quite apparent that the Arizona Cardinals mean business in 2019. While other NFL clubs are plotting player moves for the offseason, the team from the desert is already making acquisitions. The sudden show of aggression is refreshing, and is something that Arizona fans are not accustomed to.
The revamping of the Cardinals’ roster actually began towards the end of last year. This past December, the club added a kick-returner who was voted to the Pro Bowl following a stellar performance in 2017. Pharoh Cooper, who had just been released by the Los Angeles Rams, will play a big part in the Cards’ return game this fall.
A week later, on Christmas Day, Arizona’s front office made an even more impressive addition. Safety D.J. Swearinger, who had been with the squad for two campaigns (2015-16), was brought back to the nest. The 27-year old will play a significant role in new coordinator Vance Joseph‘s defense this season.
This past Tuesday, Cardinals’ management plucked Tanner Vallejo off of the waiver wire, adding depth to the linebacking corps. The 24-year old played in 13 games for the Cleveland Browns in 2018 (one start), tallying 27 tackles and a forced fumble for the “Dawg Pound”.
Two days later, general manager Steve Keim addressed the Cards’ long-running problem at the number-two cornerback spot. Robert Alford was acquired, two days after being jettisoned by the Atlanta Falcons. The veteran cover guy was handed a three-year, $22.5 million deal, with $13.5 million of it guaranteed.
Arizona’s offseason aggressiveness cointinued this past Saturday. Linebacker Brooks Reed, who was a teammate of Alford’s for four years in Atlanta, was inked to a one-year, $2 million contract.
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The fact that the organization is being so proactive is a great sign. It’s a blatant indication that the team’s brass does not want a repeat of the sorry product that took the field this past fall. The Cards are seemingly determined to insure that last year’s losing ways will not continue in ’19.