Kurt Warner concerned with Cardinals’ linemen
Jun 10, 2016, 4:30 PM | Updated: Jun 11, 2016, 10:18 pm
Cardinals offensive linemen get loose during an OTA practice. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports)
(Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports)
The Arizona Cardinals addressed their needs on the offensive and defensive lines in the offseason, but former Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner wants to see results rather than be happy with what’s on paper.
Warner spoke with Bickley and Marotta on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Thursday about his concerns with the Cardinals roster.
“You look at the offensive line and you just say ‘OK, where are they going to be this year?'” Warner said. “I look at it more in critical run situations. There were a number of times last year where I felt they got in the tight red zone and they struggled to be able to push the pile and get some easy touchdowns.”
Arizona brought in guard Evan Mathis on a one-year deal and spent a fifth-round pick on lineman Cole Toner.
Mathis, 34, is a 12-year veteran and has played in 130 games. He is a two-time Pro Bowler (2013 and 2014) and a one-time First-Team All-Pro (2013).
Toner, 22, was drafted 170th overall out of Harvard. He is 6-foot-5 and 306 pounds, and was a first-team All-Ivy League choice in 2014 and 2015.
Also this offseason the Cardinals traded guard Jonathan Cooper and a second-round pick to the Patriots for OLB Chandler Jones.
Jones’ pass-rushing ability will be greatly welcomed to the Cardinals, who needed a boost in that area.
“They addressed the issues a little bit, but until you get out there and show that you can bring and have constant pressure on the quarterback, I think that’s the one area this team has struggled with for a couple years is just consistent pressure on the quarterback,” Warner explained. “Now your back-end of all those great players can really do their thing. You can bring pressure and do different kinds of things because you can count on those guys up front.”
Jones has 36 career sacks in four seasons. He racked up a career-high 12.5 in 15 games last season with New England, while also forcing four fumbles and grabbing his first career interception.
Jones will be joined by fellow-newcomer DT Robert Nkemdiche, who the Cardinals drafted with their first-round pick.
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