ARIZONA CARDINALS

Arizona Cardinals’ GM Steve Keim: Bobby Massie in ‘best shape of his career’

Jul 28, 2014, 6:22 PM | Updated: 6:23 pm

LISTEN: Steve Keim, Arizona Cardinals GM

Most NFL players report to training camp in shape, but occasionally someone will fail a conditioning test.

Arizona Cardinals right tackle Bobby Massie impressed general manager Steve Keim with his fitness level.

Keim said on the Doug and Wolf show on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM right tackle Bobby Massie is “in the best shape of his career so far.”

When the pads come on during Cardinals camp on Monday, Massie will be the first team right tackle. Coach Bruce Arians said at his daily media briefing Sunday, “It’s pretty much his job to lose,” adding the disclaimer, “there’s plenty of time to win or lose a job once we start hitting.”

At 6-foot-6 and 316 pounds, Massie has prototypical size for an offensive lineman. He was the Cardinals’ fourth-round pick in the 2012 draft from Ole Miss.

Massie immediately filled a hole on the team’s offensive line, starting 16 games in his rookie season in 2012. In 2013 he lost his starting gig to veteran Eric Winston, and only appeared in a backup role for the Cardinals.

“Some people forget that when he started as a rookie, the first half of the season, there was no question there were times he struggled, but the second half of that season his rookie year, he played pretty good football,” Keim said.

“If he can pick up where he left off there and play focused and continue to not have any mental errors, Bobby’s got a chance to be a pretty good player because he has all the physical tools. There’s not many right tackles that have his feet.”

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.

1 day 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.

1 day 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.

2 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.

2 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.

2 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.

2 days ago

Arizona Cardinals’ GM Steve Keim: Bobby Massie in ‘best shape of his career’