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With the well-chronicled difficulties at the tackle positions, fans of the Arizona Cardinals have been clamoring for one of two things: improvement or change.

In Sunday's 31-17 loss to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field, they got both.

Early in the contest, head coach Ken Whisenhunt replaced starting left tackle D'Anthony Batiste with rookie seventh round draft pick Nate Potter, and the results were promising.

"He did real well, I'm very impressed with what Nate did for us (Sunday)," Whisenhunt said at his weekly press conference Monday. "I think it was a good time to make that switch with him in there and based on what I saw on the tape, it merits moving forward."

The Cardinals' pass protection was noticeably better than it's been for most of this season. Arizona allowed only two sacks in 48 drop backs by quarterback John Skelton, the lowest total since they allowed just one in a Week 2 win over the New England Patriots.

Potter, a consensus All-American as a senior last year at Boise State, had the unenviable task of matching up with Green Bay defensive end Clay Matthews. But the rookie did a stellar job on the three-time Pro Bowler, holding him without a sack. Matthews eventually left the game with a hamstring injury.

"He's worked hard on the scout team in getting his reps, he's paid attention and he's healthier now than he was," Whisenhunt said. "He struggled in the preseason because of the high ankle (sprain), so it was encouraging to see that, but it was one game."

Despite Potter's performance and the struggles Batiste has endured at the position, Whisenhunt stopped short of announcing a permanent change at left tackle.

"We're looking towards doing that with Nate, I think his play merited that," he said. "That's what this week's about, we're going to evaluate a lot of things."

The Cardinals are in their bye week, with 13 days to get ready to play the undefeated Atlanta Falcons on the road in Week 11. When asked whether the bye week would stimulate other changes, Whisenhunt didn't give an outright answer.

"I think we're going to look at what we're doing and who we're doing it with," he said. "But the one thing I want to be very clear about is, we're not going to be afraid to make a change.

"If it gives an opportunity to get better and not stay the same, then that's what you have to do because we've been inconsistent and we're looking for more consistency. When we play consistent football, we're a pretty good football team."

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  • Abuse
    the real fan wrote...
    Test for Mr. Grimm
    Lets see what Rus Grimm can do with him, if he can get a 7th round starting he might be as good as people say.
  • Abuse
    Guyinaz wrote...
    ..
    I didn't notice the switch, but I noticed the difference. If I had to guess, I'd say Potter came in during the 2nd quarter (they didn't say when he came in) because that is when the offense started to move.
  • Abuse
    FitzIsMyHero wrote...
    Yea I didnt notice either
    The line actually played well enough. The biggest thing that stood out was the WR's dropping balls and the defense missing tackles and blowing coverages/giving up the big passes.
  • Abuse
    usmc0331 wrote...
    I noticed the change
    On 1 specific play I saw Matthews come across the line towards Potter, faked the bull-rush and then went for his spin move and Potter blocked it perfectly, unfortunately Colledge allowed the sack on that play!! Hopefully Potter is the answer at LT, he held up very well!!!
  • Abuse
    Supa-main wrote...
    Some good news...
    With all the negativity about the offensive line I want to say this is great. If we can raise the 2 rookies to be great OT's for us then what a draft we just had and huge holes filled for years to come. I am gonna be optimistic
  • Abuse
    OpinionH8d wrote...
    Whiz promising changes
    Look in the mirror buddy. You hosed this team by courting Manning while Winston was signing elsewhere and by your stubborness not drafting an OT in the first round. You could have shown the fans you care with a trade deadline deal, but no. So how about now showing your buddy Grimm the door? You won't....until the offseason when you get an ultimatum.
  • Abuse
    Kreedos wrote...
    One thing I've disliked about Whiz
    Is his inability to get rookies playing time early on. We'll see how things change from here on out. Give the QBs time and good things can happen. Of course, the WR's need to catch the ball!
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