With protecting Palmer top priority, Cardinals bolster line
TEMPE — Perhaps the biggest uncertainty facing the Arizona Cardinals as the season approaches is whether the re-designed offensive line can protect Carson Palmer. Palmer was sacked 40 times and Arizona quarterbacks — and that almost always was Palmer — took 127 hits, thirdmost of any team in the NFL last season. The 37-year-old quarterback is crucial to Arizona’s
hopes of bouncing back from last year’s disappointing season.
The Cardinals obviously had some concerns because this week they signed seven-year NFL veteran guard Alex Boone to a one-year deal. Second-year pro Evan Boehm is the team’s new starting right guard and that won’t change, at least for now.
“He’s just learning,” Arians said Wednesday after Boone’s first Arizona practice. “Right now, he learned the snap count today, and he got a few reps. We’ll see. Right now, there’ll have to be an injury or somebody has to really fail badly (to change the O-line lineup).”
Boone was asked if he considered himself a starter.
“I consider myself whatever these coaches consider me,” he said. “I just follow orders. I’m a good soldier.”
And Boehm is adamant about keeping his job.
“He’s an awesome player,” Boehm said of Boone, “but it’s my job and I’m going to keep my job. Nobody’s going to take my job away from me.”
Boone signed a four-year, $26.8 million contract with Minnesota after spending his first seven NFL seasons with San Francisco. But he lasted only one season with the Vikings and was released last week, Minnesota eating $3 million in the process.
“At the end of the day it’s a business,” Boone said. “I get it. This isn’t my first rodeo. So I’m just happy to get picked up here with a great group of guys.”
Starter or not, Boone adds some much-needed veteran depth on the line.
“A guy that has played the positions, all across the (line), in very good organizations at a high level,” Arians said. “A pro. It’s one thing to depend on a rookie you really like, and it’s nicer to have a veteran, so you don’t have to throw that rookie out there.”
Other than Boehm, the starting offensive line in Sunday’s opener at Detroit is the same cast of characters from last year.
But D.J. Humphries moves from right tackle to left, while Jared Veldheer goes from left to right. Mike Iupati and A.Q. Shipley remain at left guard and center, respectively.