Defensive back looking to grab Arizona Cardinals attention
By Jim Koch
A sleeper candidate is hoping to prove himself worthy of a starting position in the Arizona Cardinals defensive backfield
The Arizona Cardinals will be rolling with some fresh new faces in their secondary this coming season. We’ve learned recently that the club’s front office knew about Patrick Peterson‘s impending suspension for months. Cards’ general manager Steve Keim reacted accordingly, adding an array of talent to the squad’s defensive backfield.
One acquisition in particular could pay huge dividends this fall. Josh Shaw, a free agent added this past March who has kind of flown under the radar, will be attempting to secure a starting spot with the Cardinals. In fact, he’s one of several cornerbacks who will be vying for the opportunity that Peterson’s transgression with PEDs has created.
Shaw, a former fourth-round draft pick of the Cincinnati Bengals, is a darkhorse candidate for Peterson’s post. Cover guys like Robert Alford, Byron Murphy, Tramaine Brock Sr., and David Amerson are considered the favorites. Dismissing a talented player like Shaw, however, could be a huge mistake.
Admittedly, Shaw’s time with the Bengals can best be described as inconsistent. As a rookie in 2015, the former USC Trojan failed to put up significant numbers, recording just 15 tackles and one pass breakup in 15 appearances (one start). Shaw totaled 47 tackles, an interception and three passes defensed in 12 starts during his sophomore campaign, a big improvement over his first year as a professional.
In 2017, Shaw registered 34 tackles and three pass breakups in 16 appearances, but made just one start. Cincinnati released the veteran in 2018, a couple of days after he was placed on injured reserve with a mysterious ailment. Shaw would split the rest of the season with two organizations, playing four games with the Kansas City Chiefs and four more with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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Perhaps Arizona will be the perfect remedy for Shaw’s suddenly floundering NFL career. After being employed by four franchises in nine months, it’s now fair to apply the journeyman tag to the 27-year old. Shaw can certainly change the negative perception that some people are starting to have about him by playing well for the Cards in 2019.