Cardinals Sign Rhinehart, Starkey

[Jim O]

Cardinals Secure Rhinehart, Starkey
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, March 20, 2003 10:07am

Tempe, Arizona -- The Arizona Cardinals secured two
returning free agents today when center Jason Starkey
signed a one-year contract and defensive back Coby
Rhinehart agreed to the terms of a two-year deal.

Starkey was a two-year starting center at Marshall
where he snapped for record-setting quarterback Chad
Pennington, the first quarterback selected in the 2000
NFL Draft and current starter for the N.Y. Jets.
Starkey signed as a free agent with Arizona in 2000. He
has played in 30 games with nine starting roles at
center, including the final eight outings last year in
place of injured regular Mike Gruttadauria.

Rhinehart, originally selected by the Cardinals in the
sixth round (190th overall) of the 1999 NFL Draft, saw
action primarily on special teams as a rookie. He
missed the entire 2000 season following reconstructive
knee surgery, then returned in 2001 to play in 13
games. Last year, Rhinehart played in all 16 contests
with two starting roles and led Arizona’s special teams
in tackles (18 and “blocks” (65). From scrimmage, he
collected 18 tackles (16 solos), 1 tackle for loss, 3
pass deflections, and 1 interception.

–cards–

 

[SECTION 11]

I think Starkey did a good job last year.

 

[Krangodnzr]

Super Bowl, here we come!!!!!

 

[Mrospi]

1 year deal for Starkey..... I think we will draft Faine if he is there in the 2nd round

 

[Ed B]

Originally posted by SECTION 11
I think Starkey did a good job last year.

I'm afraid we were watching different games. He was terrible. He's just too small. Never succeeded in moving a DT a single inch.

With Frank Garcia, when we draft a center as is widely speculated, Starkey won't even make the team.

 

[JeffGollin]

1 year deal for Starkey..... I think we will draft Faine if he is there in the 2nd round
Are you forgetting we also signed Frank Garcia?

 

[Mrospi]

I didn't forget Garcia......Faine is a can't miss as long as he stays healthy..... He would step in and start immediately.... garcia is a solid back up and I believe he can play guard

 

[Northern Card]

With all of the needs we have to address on DAY one of the draft, we pick a centre in the second round?

For one, I'll have to see it to believe it...

 

[kerouac9]

Originally posted by Northern Card
With all of the needs we have to address on DAY one of the draft, we pick a centre in the second round?

For one, I'll have to see it to believe it...

Well, someone has to protect Bryon Leftwich!

 

[Zeno]

I can't get excited about either of these 2 guys coming back, Starkey is a below average back-up Center and Rhinehart is a liability on defense.

My hope is that they are just training camp bodies and not expected to contribute much to the team.

 

[Northern Card]

Originally posted by kerouac9
Well, someone has to protect Bryon Leftwich! [/QUOTE

Well then who better than a former centre from Marshall ... Starkey...

 

[Northern Card]

Originally posted by Zeno
I can't get excited about either of these 2 guys coming back, Starkey is a below average back-up Center and Rhinehart is a liability on defense.

My hope is that they are just training camp bodies and not expected to contribute much to the team.

Given the gagging lack of a pass rush last year, all our DBs could be described as liabilities on defense. Rhinehart has some skills and his development was unfortunately held back through injury. At a minimum he helps on special teams. So, let's see.

P.S. if I remember correctly, his one INT last year led to the winning touchdown against Carolina...

 

[ajcardfan]

This staff genuinely likes Starkey, he would've been cut a long time ago if it wasn't so. His rookie year, I thought he was the worst player I've ever seen in a Cardinals uniform. Really, the fact that he was able to play last year without completely embarassing himself was a big step for the guy.

They didn't sign Garcia to draft a center in RD. 2. Plus, they think Grace has potential. I'll bet a buck we pass on Leftwich if he's there, and we don't draft a center on the first day.

 

[kerouac9]

Originally posted by ajcardfan
They didn't sign Garcia to draft a center in RD. 2. Plus, they think Grace has potential. I'll bet a buck we pass on Leftwich if he's there, and we don't draft a center on the first day.

Preach on, AJ!

 

[jmr667]

Didn't Starkey start out on special teams last year? I thought I'd heard he did a good job of blocking on kick returns. He got a concussion leading the blocking wedge on that return for a touchdown.

Could be some of these signings are going to be primarily special teams players. Last year the special teams were ok until all of the original guys got forced into starting roles.

 

[JeffGollin]

I can't get excited about either of these 2 guys coming back, Starkey is a below average back-up Center and Rhinehart is a liability on defense.
I agree. But I am happy we signed both - they provide better than decent backup depth.

 

[Cardiac]

Originally posted by JeffGollin
I can't get excited about either of these 2 guys coming back, Starkey is a below average back-up Center and Rhinehart is a liability on defense.
I agree. But I am happy we signed both - they provide better than decent backup depth.

This is probably the most significant change this year over previous years. The Cards lack of depth has been obvious for several years now. Even though they have signed few sure fire starters at this point at least the Specail teams and depth are being addressed. The Cards are setting their draft up so they don't have glaring holes which allows them to draft the BPA which is how winning teams are built. DE could still be considered a weakness at this point but the overall picture is better than it has been over the past several years.