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The Arizona Cardinals are not known for having a dominant offensive line. The pieces have changed over the years, yet the results have been, mostly, mediocre.

The longest-tenured player on the line is guard Deuce Lutui, who joined the Cardinals as a rookie during the 2006 season. After an acrimonious contract battle last year, Lutui enters this offseason as an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career.

Re-up: Coach Ken Whisenhunt is a fan of having continuity along the offensive line, and he already has to replace his left guard, who retired. Lutui knows the system and, when motivated, is an above average run blocker. He is also a fiery player, able to get under the skin of his opponents. Certainly a good guy to have on the team.

Reject: Lutui came into camp out of shape last year, showing that unless he was being paid he could not be properly motivated. What will happen when he gets a nice, new contract? Furthermore, he's not exactly a Pro-Bowler. Lutui has been a stalwart on a line that has struggled; at what point do you cut ties and say "enough's enough?"

What say you?
Re-up
Reject
Verdict: Lutui, for all his faults, can be a very good offensive lineman. He's still got quite a few good years left in him and unless his next contract pays him like a top 10 guard the team should have him sign on the dotted line.

9 Comments   |   Join the conversation »
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  • Abuse
    FitzIsMyHero wrote...
    If the price is right...
    July 22, 2011 8:46 pm
    Just because of the amount of years he's been here. The offensive line was horrible last year protecting the QB. They have a hall pass on that one because our QB's sucked last year anyway. I think they all threw more INT's than TD's between all of themselves combined. But the run blocking sucked too. Its hard to put the blame on just one guy or lineman. So Im not going to blame Deuce. Ill put a majority of the blame on Russ Grimm though. Someone has to answer for the poor offensive line play last year. Id like Russ to tell us who to blame. Himself, his lineman, or the RB's.
  • Abuse
    Think4URself wrote...
    Nope
    July 23, 2011 9:17 am
    Continuity is very important but unfortunately I dont see him being a good teammate. Why? He should come to work ready to work. Instead he shows up 100 pounds overweight and cracks jokes with Anderson while getting their butts handed to them. Get rid of him please. I would like to see Gallery or Dahl - tough, mean, good players that show up ready to work. The Cards have the cash and it looks like the CBA will force Bidwell to finally spend some of it. Pair one of the two with either Gaither or Clabo on the left side. RTBrown
  • Abuse
    Boog wrote...
    Move him to center
    July 23, 2011 10:31 am
    He'll be less likely to have all those false starts that killed us!
  • Abuse
    the cooker wrote...
    Lutui
    July 23, 2011 12:09 pm
    Let me get this right! The BIG fat Hawaiian does not show up in shape, he jumps off side way too often and he is hard to motivate, BUT the Cards should resign him for MILLIONS!!! Truth is if I show up not wanting to do my job and am so darn fat I can hardly move, and make way too many mistakes I don't get a raise I GET FIRED!!!!
  • Abuse
    Boredinaz wrote...
    Have you seen Duece recently?
    July 23, 2011 1:56 pm
    Have you seen Duece recently? I have and he's in worse shape this year than he was at the start of last season. That should tell you he doesn't care about this team.
  • Abuse
    DanTheTimid wrote...
    If only we had another option...
    July 23, 2011 7:40 pm
    I don't like Lutui, his lack of off season commitment to his fitness is appalling, but here's the problem, good guards don't get let go. Your only other options are generally to massively over pay for some one of barely average talent, or to get some one with similar issues as Lutui. As such, assuming he doesn't demand unreasonable money, it just makes more sense to stick with a guy who already knows the system and has shown slightly above average skill when motivated then start over with some one with different but equally hair pulling issues of their own.
  • Abuse
    Fred T. wrote...
    Keep 'em
    July 25, 2011 7:35 am
    Duece is a VERY good pass blocker. He has problems with run blocking, especially when he is suppoe to pull or go after a line backer. He looks in slow motion at times trying for a linebacker. If he eats himself out of job it is only his fault.
  • Abuse
    theuglytruth wrote...
    Eyeball him first
    July 25, 2011 10:05 am
    Someone needs to see if this guy was commited to his craft and kept in shape during the offseason.
  • Abuse
    FanFare wrote...
    Keep Deuce!
    July 25, 2011 5:49 pm
    These negative comments are grounded in 2009. This last season was Deuce's best. Deuce allowed only 1.5 sacks the entire year. He was offsides only twice the entire year. He is Tongan, not Hawaiian. He did not come into camp 100lbs overweight. Statistically: sacks, blocks on run yardage, etc. etc Deuce is a top tier player. Deuce is in excellent physical condition. I am amazed at his strength and agility.
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