ARIZONA CARDINALS

Newest Cardinal TE Jake Ballard excited for new opportunity

Nov 7, 2013, 12:34 AM | Updated: 12:34 am

The newest member of the Arizona Cardinals is tight end Jake Ballard, and the former New York Giant is glad to have another chance.

“It’s nice to have an opportunity to part of a team,” the former Ohio State Buckeye said. “I got right in the playbook and started looking over some stuff. It seems like there’s a lot of good guys, and I’m excited to learn the offense and do whatever I can do to help win some games.”

Ballard, who won the Super Bowl with the Giants in 2011, was cut by the New England Patriots at the end of August. The Cardinals felt he could bring something to a tight end group that’s lacked in production this season.

“Jake was in for a workout a couple of weeks ago, we really liked what we saw as far as a veteran player at that position,” head coach Bruce Arians said.

The Cardinals are currently starting Rob Housler, with Jim Dray serving as his backup. The team released rookie tight end D.C. Jefferson in order to make room for Ballard.

Though it was tough to wait, Ballard understood the process and that it sometimes takes a while for a need to pop up.

“They didn’t have a spot for me at that time, [the Cardinals said] they’d let me know in a couple weeks or so,” Ballard added. “I know it’s part of the game, injuries, coming back, everything is a waiting game, so I just kind of took in stride.”

Ballard suffered a torn ACL in that Super Bowl, and he has not played in an NFL regular season game since.

It’s still unsure what Ballard’s role will be, but he’s ready to do whatever the team asks.

“I think it’s looking at what they feel comfortable with letting me do and what I can do the best and what sets me apart I guess,” Ballard said.

Ballard signed with the Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2010, and he has 604 receiving yards and four touchdowns in his career.

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Desmond Ridder runs the rock against Houston...

Tyler Drake

Desmond Ridder eager to remind fellow Cardinals QB Clayton Tune about college wins

Cardinals quarterback Desmond Ridder may not know Kyler Murray just yet, but he and Clayton Tune go way back.

2 days ago

LSU's Malik Nabers, a top NFL Draft prospect...

Kevin Zimmerman

NFL Draft: Malik Nabers to visit Arizona Cardinals after LSU pro day, per report

Top NFL Draft receiver prospect Malik Nabers will reportedly visit with the Arizona Cardinals after the LSU Tigers' pro day.

2 days ago

Desmond Ridder looks to pass...

Tyler Drake

QB1 or not, Desmond Ridder keeping starter mentality with Cardinals

New Cardinals QB Desmond Ridder is focused on using the good and the bad from his first two seasons rather than listening to outside chatter.

3 days ago

Jonathan Gannon and Kyler Murray look on...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Jonathan Gannon: Kyler Murray’s ‘best football is ahead of him’

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon believes Kyler Murray will continue taking the necessary steps forward with a full offseason of work.

3 days ago

Kyler Murray chats with Jonathan Gannon...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals will face ‘really good’ AFC opponent for joint preseason practices

The Arizona Cardinals expect to hold joint practices in the preseason against a really good AFC opponent, in the words of Jonathan Gannon.

3 days ago

Patriots and Cardinals kick off return in 2020...

Associated Press

NFL owners approve new kickoff rules for 2024

NFL kickoff rules will take on a hybrid approach similar to the XFL. League owners approved the new measures Tuesday.

3 days ago

Newest Cardinal TE Jake Ballard excited for new opportunity