Cards bring back Sowell

Austin Zonie

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That's an interesting statement at the end. First I've seen a piece on the team's site that puts Sendlein specifically in a competition to earn a roster spot. Great to see.

"Ted Larsen, who can play both guard and center, long-time starting center Lyle Sendlein and guard Earl Watford are among the current players who will be battling for roster spots."
 

Bodha

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Good for him and his family, but I dont get it from a football stand point. Does it matter who your 3rd string T is? Not really.

But still, arguably 30 FA Ts are better, and therell be 100 more rookie Ts in this draft who we could pick up either mid-late, or even UDFAs who are at least comparable or better.
 

Jetstream Green

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Good for him and his family, but I dont get it from a football stand point. Does it matter who your 3rd string T is? Not really.

But still, arguably 30 FA Ts are better, and therell be 100 more rookie Ts in this draft who we could pick up either mid-late, or even UDFAs who are at least comparable or better.

It does matter if one considers injuries, proven at various positions last year. It makes sense since Arians and the staff are familiar with him and Sowell with the system in place. Sure there are people better and we can argue that but to say it does not matter who any guy on your possible final roster is with a 16 game schedule is not too accurate I would say :)
 

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Good for Sowell, and good for us. I can't imagine he's getting much more than the minimum. His versatility is solid, but he could be replaced by a rookie with upside if available.

I'm softening on my stance about Sendlein. I could see him being released at this point...
 

bg7brd

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It does matter if one considers injuries, proven at various positions last year. It makes sense since Arians and the staff are familiar with him and Sowell with the system in place. Sure there are people better and we can argue that but to say it does not matter who any guy on your possible final roster is with a 16 game schedule is not too accurate I would say :)

I agree. Depth and continuity are integral to winning a championship.
 

RugbyMuffin

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That's an interesting statement at the end. First I've seen a piece on the team's site that puts Sendlein specifically in a competition to earn a roster spot. Great to see.

"Ted Larsen, who can play both guard and center, long-time starting center Lyle Sendlein and guard Earl Watford are among the current players who will be battling for roster spots."

It would be the first time in a long time that Sendlein would actually have to compete for his spot. For many a season, Sendlein was handed the center job because other area's of the offensive line needed to be addressed 1st.

Sendlien had a really good 2013 season, but regressed again this season. His age, salary, and performance should put him in this spot, IMO.

Earl Watford is just a disappointment. He is the Arians version of Senio Kelemete, so much promise, but so little production.

Happy to see the Cardinals looking to revamp the interior line, that is for sure, but this is like icing on the cake, IMO. This is not the offensive line woes of Russ Grimm and company.
 

RugbyMuffin

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I should also comment that signing Bradley Sowell is a good move. Yes, without a doubt he is not a top end talent at LT, but I guarantee there are teams that would be better off with him as their starting LT.

He is versatile, and can at least hold his own at LT need be. He is better than a Levi Brown, or D'Anthony Batiste so its a smart move by the Cardinals. If he is beat out in camp...even better. Cause that means our depth is only improving from his talent level.

Such as difference from the Grimm era.

To think the team is looking for pass rushers, quarterbacks, and pass defenders......those are the problems that all teams in the league have, even the elite ones.
 

Krangodnzr

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Camp body and competition. We at least know that Sowell can play and not totally embarrass himself (Batiste!)

Man, Batiste was bad. He's probably the worst LT I've ever seen. That Rams game where Robert Quinn was literally beating him on ever play was about the worst display I've ever seen from a tackle at any level.
 

Darkside

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It would be the first time in a long time that Sendlein would actually have to compete for his spot. For many a season, Sendlein was handed the center job because other area's of the offensive line needed to be addressed 1st.

Sendlien had a really good 2013 season, but regressed again this season. His age, salary, and performance should put him in this spot, IMO.

Earl Watford is just a disappointment. He is the Arians version of Senio Kelemete, so much promise, but so little production.

Happy to see the Cardinals looking to revamp the interior line, that is for sure, but this is like icing on the cake, IMO. This is not the offensive line woes of Russ Grimm and company.
Not trying to be a dick, it may appear that way, because it comes so naturally to me, but how do you know Sendlein has regressed? By what standard is he held to? To whom are we comparing him?

The reason I ask is because this comes up every year with the dude and he's still here. Some dudes are able to judge tackles and guards through film and just visually during games. We all do it every week.

But nobody, and I mean nobody, during a game in the gameday thread comments on the center. Ever. I see all of those threads, for years now. It never happens. Nor is there ever a breakdown of Center play along the line after a game.

So I'd like to know how you and others recognize that his play is slipping? Or is subpar to begin with? Because it never comes up. Never is a long time, perhaps I should say rarely. The point remains.
 

Jetstream Green

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Not trying to be a dick, it may appear that way, because it comes so naturally to me, but how do you know Sendlein has regressed? By what standard is he held to? To whom are we comparing him?

The reason I ask is because this comes up every year with the dude and he's still here. Some dudes are able to judge tackles and guards through film and just visually during games. We all do it every week.

But nobody, and I mean nobody, during a game in the gameday thread comments on the center. Ever. I see all of those threads, for years now. It never happens. Nor is there ever a breakdown of Center play along the line after a game.

So I'd like to know how you and others recognize that his play is slipping? Or is subpar to begin with? Because it never comes up. Never is a long time, perhaps I should say rarely. The point remains.

I think what has kept him around is that he is really good at calling the protection :)
 

RugbyMuffin

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Not trying to be a dick, it may appear that way, because it comes so naturally to me, but how do you know Sendlein has regressed? By what standard is he held to? To whom are we comparing him?

The reason I ask is because this comes up every year with the dude and he's still here. Some dudes are able to judge tackles and guards through film and just visually during games. We all do it every week.

But nobody, and I mean nobody, during a game in the gameday thread comments on the center. Ever. I see all of those threads, for years now. It never happens. Nor is there ever a breakdown of Center play along the line after a game.

So I'd like to know how you and others recognize that his play is slipping? Or is subpar to begin with? Because it never comes up. Never is a long time, perhaps I should say rarely. The point remains.

Simple.

In 2013 Sendlein played with better power, leverage, and smarts. The usual of watching him get blown up 3 to 5 times a game which seemed the standard for a long time was drastically reduced.

But, 2014 he regressed, beat on more stunts, got blown up more than a few times, and it seamed this year he got zero push. Older player that may have been injured, who knows? To be fair, his 2014, imo, was better than his post-2013 showing. Yet, his skills are going in the wrong direction.

To put a cherry on top, would be that the Cardinal's brass came out and made it public they want to re-vamp the interior line, which helps my opinion.

As for where do you see anything that lets you determine how an offensive lineman is playing ? Simple, when you root for a team that arguably had one of the worst offensive line groups in the nfl on an annual basis it forces people that are problem solver to do there thing and frustration can be a great motivator. So, I tried to find ways to get a good idea of how these guys were playing. First, off you gotta watch the line and not the ball, and realize the line can tell you where the ball is and where it is probably going. Then take any replays as a chance to really see who did what. A big TV helps.

K9 was/is a great source to ask to see some tape breakdowns of offensive linemen as well, and that helps you get a decent idea of what is expected.

After that it is based on my opinion of what I have seen, read, and researched, and I will happily state that even saying all that above, I am still not an NFL coach, so take it with a grain of salt.

Yet, in Sendlien's case, I am sure he has gone into A LOT of preseasons where his "competition" was Ben Claxton or worse.......that is not really competing for the job, more than showing up for work.

My pleasure to answer the question by the way, more than a valid one, too.


Sent from my intergalactic transmorgapher
 

GuernseyCard

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Simple.

In 2013 Sendlein played with better power, leverage, and smarts. The usual of watching him get blown up 3 to 5 times a game which seemed the standard for a long time was drastically reduced.

But, 2014 he regressed, beat on more stunts, got blown up more than a few times, and it seamed this year he got zero push. Older player that may have been injured, who knows? To be fair, his 2014, imo, was better than his post-2013 showing. Yet, his skills are going in the wrong direction.

To put a cherry on top, would be that the Cardinal's brass came out and made it public they want to re-vamp the interior line, which helps my opinion.

As for where do you see anything that lets you determine how an offensive lineman is playing ? Simple, when you root for a team that arguably had one of the worst offensive line groups in the nfl on an annual basis it forces people that are problem solver to do there thing and frustration can be a great motivator. So, I tried to find ways to get a good idea of how these guys were playing. First, off you gotta watch the line and not the ball, and realize the line can tell you where the ball is and where it is probably going. Then take any replays as a chance to really see who did what. A big TV helps.

K9 was/is a great source to ask to see some tape breakdowns of offensive linemen as well, and that helps you get a decent idea of what is expected.

After that it is based on my opinion of what I have seen, read, and researched, and I will happily state that even saying all that above, I am still not an NFL coach, so take it with a grain of salt.

Yet, in Sendlien's case, I am sure he has gone into A LOT of preseasons where his "competition" was Ben Claxton or worse.......that is not really competing for the job, more than showing up for work.

My pleasure to answer the question by the way, more than a valid one, too.


Sent from my intergalactic transmorgapher

And K-9 has concluded, from what I gather, that while Sendlein is hardly great, other moves can be made to improve interior line play.

For one, I'm still waiting for an inking of concern about Sendlein specifically from the team directly or indirectly.
 
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