Cardinals’ trades come back to haunt team
Aug 29, 2011, 9:17 PM | Updated: 11:26 pm
The Arizona Cardinals made a couple of trades during the offseason, sending Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Tim Hightower to Philadelphia and Washington, respectively.
The moves made sense, as the team had depth the cornerback and running back positions, and the trades were used to help fill holes the team had.
Oops.
“They traded a corner and a running back, and the two major injuries, a corner and a running back,” Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro said. “It couldn’t have played out any worse for the Arizona Cardinals.”
Gambadoro said there is no way the Cardinals would have made the trades if they knew Ryan Williams and Greg Toler would each go down with season-ending injuries, as now the team is thin at both positions.
And, while the Cardinals should be able to find a solid running back before the regular season begins, the odds of them adding a capable cornerback are not as good.
“I was speaking with [ESPN NFL insider] Adam Schefter,” Gambadoro said, “he told me, ‘look, Gambo, the pickings are slim at the cornerback.'”
As it stands, the Cardinals may be able withstand their injuries because of the players who are still there.
Because, while losing Ryan Williams hurts, Beanie Wells was still expected to be the number one running back, and LaRod Stephens-Howling was going to play a role, too. On defense, the Cardinals still have Patrick Peterson, Richard Marshall and A.J. Jefferson lining up at corner.
Even if the Cardinals wanted to find another corner, Arizona Sports 620’s Dave Burns doesn’t think they will. A running back, yes. But not a corner.
“They’re not going to find anybody worth a darn at cornerback because you don’t cut decent cornerbacks in the National Football League,” he said. “Look at some of the most successful defenses of the last couple of years, and what do they all have in common? It’s not a great pass rush, it’s the ability to defend the pass.”
Having quality corners is important, something the Cardinals surely know. They traded one away because of their depth at the position, though that will be tested now.
