ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals GM Steve Keim: Offensive line play ‘was unacceptable’

Sep 26, 2017, 8:23 AM | Updated: 5:41 pm

The Dallas Cowboys and the Arizona Cardinals line up during the second half of an NFL football game...

The Dallas Cowboys and the Arizona Cardinals line up during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 25, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

LISTEN: Steve Keim, Cardinals GM

If you watched the Cardinals’ 28-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night — either in the stadium or on TV — it was quite obvious that Arizona’s offensive continues to struggle.

Performance is an issue. The Cardinals allowed quarterback Carson Palmer to get sacked six times, hit on 11 other occasions and failed to open up many running lanes for backs.

They’re also struggling with health. Left tackle D.J. Humphries and left guard Mike Iupati each missed a second straight game against Dallas.

But general manager Steve Keim thinks help is on the way, and maybe in time for Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers.

“Fortunately for us, I think we’re going to be getting a few players back, and back this week,” Keim told Doug & Wolf Tuesday morning on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station. “I’d like to think D.J. Humphries will return this week. I think there’s a good chance Mike Iupati can potentially return this week, so there’s two offensive line starters.”

Getting players back from injury is a positive, but it’s not necessarily the cure to what ails the line, either.

“We just have to get better,” he said. “There’s no doubt about it that (Monday) night’s display of offensive line play was unacceptable, not only from a technical standpoint when you look at guys’ footwork, their sets, their hand placement, but in this game, as we know, it comes down to one-on-one situations and being challenged at the point of attack. You have to win those battles.”

The offensive lineman struggling the most is right tackle Jared Veldheer, who was challenged by coaches heading into the Dallas game to improve. The veteran settled into a new position, but Keim doesn’t think that switch is the culprit for Veldheer’s difficulties.

“I don’t think it has anything to do with right tackle,” he said. “I think the fact of the matter is he’s got to get better. He’s got to improve all those little things I just talked about — his footwork, his technique, his hand placement — and get back to basics.

“Again, sixty-four thousand people saw it last night and Jared’s a prideful guy and I expect nothing less from him to be in here this week and make some improvements.”

Though he started his message on the line with positive news concerning the pending return of two starters, there was some potentially damaging developments in Monday’s loss. Guard Alex Boone, who has started the last two games in place of Iupati, suffered an injury late in the contest.

“He has some type of a (pectoral) strain. I don’t know the extent of it, but I know he has to get an MRI,” Keim said. “The one thing I know about Alex in the short time he’s been here is he’s extremely tough. He’s the kind of guy who will play through pain and you know, I think it would have to be pretty severe for him to miss time.”

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

Cardinals GM Steve Keim: Offensive line play ‘was unacceptable’