Arizona Cardinals right to stick by Gonzalez for now

Arizona Cardinals kicker Zane Gonzalez has had a rough couple of weeks

Arizona Cardinals fans are calling for his job.  They have every right to be upset.  However given the current situation, sticking with kicker Zane Gonzalez is the right thing to do.

Certainly though his position deserves some scrutiny once the season ends.  However with the team still competing for a playoff spot, it would be best to stick with you know.

Also, if they were to cut Gonzalez, their only option, at least for now, would be Mike Nugent.  Nugent is on the team’s practice squad.

Having had Nugent now for awhile on the practice squad certainly gives them some familiarity with each other.  However there is a reason he is still sitting on the practice squad and not currently on the Cardinals or another team’s active roster.

If the Cardinals were to bring another kicker in, he’d have to go through days of Covid protocols and would not be immediately available.  It is a situation that continues to deserve the scrutiny it is getting though.

Gonzalez missed a potential game winning field goal against the New England Patriots and then missed another field goal this past Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams. Head coach Kliff Kingsbury commented that they are sticking with Gonzalez.

However he added some confusion in that the position will be discussed.  That was presumably after speaking with general manager Steve Keim.

One thing is certain, Gonzalez won’t go without competition once preparations are underway for the 2021 season.  He’s not really had any competition this year. He didn’t have any in training camp.

Sure, Nugent is here on the practice squad. But really, just how good or reliable is Nugent if the Cardinals have yet to move him to the active roster by now?

The tune could change though if he struggles yet again this week in New York against the Giants.  Another huge struggle game everyone may agree no matter what at this point, he needs to go.

For now, with playoffs still in sight, continuity is important. Don’t forget, he’s made some big kicks as well. The short term is what we remember the most though.