Arians: Drew Stanton will be Cardinals backup quarterback
Aug 22, 2017, 1:47 PM | Updated: Aug 23, 2017, 3:51 pm
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton (5) throws for a touchdown as Oakland Raiders linebacker Shilique Calhoun (91) closes in during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Throughout the preseason a big question mark on the Arizona Cardinals’ depth chart was whether Drew Stanton or newcomer Blaine Gabbert would be the backup to Carson Palmer at the start of the regular season.
That question has been answered.
“Decision’s made, Drew’s our backup,” head coach Bruce Arians said with Bickley and Marotta on 98.7 FM, Arizona’s Sports Station.
This preseason, Stanton has played two games, combining for 13-for-21 for 129 yards and one touchdown. His counterpart, Blaine Gabbert, has played in three games, going 30-for-48 for 412 yards and adding one touchdown and an interception.
“Blaine’s been a great surprise, like Steve (Keim) said, it was a no-risk proposition,” Arians said. “Is he ready to be our No. 2 in the season? I doubt it just because he doesn’t know the offense well and he’s seeing a lot of vanilla stuff out there.”
With the Jacksonville Jaguars and San Francisco 49ers prior to his arrival in Arizona, Gabbert completed 56 percent of his throws and registered 38 touchdowns in his six-year career.
When asked what Arians would do if another team came calling for Gabbert, Arians wasn’t too keen on the thought of moving the veteran quarterback.
“It would be a tough decision because of the future and the age of the other two guys,” Arians said. “That would be a real interesting conversation.”
