Arizona Cardinals Pre-Training Camp Roster Projections: Center
by Hawkwind on Jul 13, 2009 11:55 AM MDT
in 2009 Camp & Preseason
11 comments
With the defensive side of the ball wrapped up, we're going offensive and today the centers of the Arizona Cardinals will be under the microscope. Going into last year the Red birds felt like they had a solid veteran starter and the starter of the future in place but things quickly changed. Al Johnson's knee didn't improve after off season knee 
surgery and the team was forced to remove the "of the future" label from Lyle Sendlein's title. The results were mixed, at best, but quite a bit was asked from Sendlein, a second year player who wasn't even drafted a year before. We learned of a shoulder injury that he sustained early during the 2008 season and hopes are high that he'll improve greatly during his second season in the starting lineup. Ken Whisenhunt proclaimed his trust in Sendlein shortly before April's draft and he backed up his word by not selecting a possible backup candidate until the 254th overall pick. With Sendlein in place as the present and future starter the center position looks solid at the top but who else will win a roster spot?
Locks
Lyle Sendlein
On the Bubble
Bubble Poppped
Our three 'bubble' candidates are basically fighting for one job on the 53 man roster and one might find his way onto the practice squad. This years seventh round pick, Trevor Canfield, could also get into the mix but he's got very little experience at the position given that he played guard in college. It might be a total shock to the see the Cardinals pick up a veteran backup center considering that Ross, Claxton, Railoa and Canfield have a combined two games of NFL experience.
Ben Claxton: Claxton spent most of last season on the Detriot Lions practice squad and was signed to the future's contract a couple of days after the Super Bowl. He (6'2 301) was originally drafted by the Broncos in the 5th round of the 2003 draft but he's since bounced all over the league, including Browns, Dolphins, Bucs, Steelers, Falcons, Raiders, Seahawks and Lions. He's played in just two NFL games back in 2005, with the Falcons. Just about the only bullet point on his pro resume is that he spent two seasons with the Berlin Thunder in 2004 & 2005 (NFL Europe) where he earned All-League honors both seasons. His biggest advantage would be actual game experience, if you count the NFL Europe, but his age (28) has to be a factor as well.
Donovan Raiola: Raiola was signed in March after finishing the season on the practice squad of the Seahawks, although he was also a Ram for part of the season. He was undrafted in 2006 and has never appeared in an NFL game. Railoa (6'2 293) was a three year starter at Wisconsin where scouts described him as nasty, mobile blocker who didn't play with the power that he displayed in the weight room. His biggest advantage would have to be that Ross and Claxton haven't done anything to seperate themselves from the pack.
Pat Ross: Ross would be the front runner to win the backup job considering that he won the job last year...except he isn't on the roster anymore! Doh! The 26 year old has never appeared in an NFL game since being undrafted in 2006 despite spending time with the Colts, Seahawks, Patriots and Panthers. He has decent size (6'3 305) and is considered a smart player but a marginal athlete. Ross' biggest advantage is that's he's the incumbent backup.
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The Arizona Cardinals' starting center spot is solidified but the battle for backup center could be an interesting competition that comes down to the final week of camp. One of the spots we'll have to keep an eye on during training camp and preseason is which center is running with the second team. Who should make the cut and would you keep another center on the practice squad? Would you be interested in a veteran backup if one is cut during camp?
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Lyle has improved a lot
I thought he stepped on Kurt’s feet too much last season. I went back and watched a few games (Tivo rules,) only to realize the guards were tripping Kurt as much or more than the center. Lyle has been huge for this team when they needed him most. He’s still very young and has gotten better and better since he came into the league. I think he could eventually reach pro bowl level if he stays healthy and continues to work with Russ Grimm for a few more years.
Depth is an issue, but considering how Lyle stepped up and made a name for himself I wouldn’t doubt that there is another “hidden treasure” somewhere on the roster.
by CardsDefense on Jul 13, 2009 12:20 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Ah-ha!
See, I’m not the only one :)
I was thinking, especially with Lyle, that having that injury could have contributed to him getting pushed back too quickly at the snap (leading to the foot-stompin’). But if it’s everybody, then it’s just embarrassing.
by tw3kr on Jul 13, 2009 4:20 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Worth watching
I can’t say that I see a clear cut favorite to win the backup position, so watching this play out in camp will be interesting. I don’t see us putting anyone other Canfield on the practice squad out of this group, and I doubt we’ll pick up a veteran. I’m guessing that we’ll go with one of the three as a backup, and in case of emergency move Wells to center until someone is healthy enough to play. Grimm, at least in the past, has always placed a lot of emphasis on his OL being very interchangable along the line. Fortunately, we didn’t have to deal with that last year but unless we’re injury free again this year I think we’ll see some of that in ’09.
by Long Beach on Jul 13, 2009 1:26 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
I think Raiola could make it, either on the practice squad or as the backup. I just don’t see them going to the trouble of claiming him away from the ‘hawks if they didn’t plan to use him somehow.
by tw3kr on Jul 13, 2009 4:17 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
I
think OC should be fine this year. There isn’t a viable backup to me other than Wells shifting over. If Canfield can move into OC then that will help also. Canfield is built like Sendlein so I can see the option of moving around on guard and center. I am more concerned about the guards and tackles stepping up to block for some running games this year.
by kj197728 on Jul 13, 2009 4:39 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Throw out everything I said about Pat Ross, my favourite DNP from last year...
…as he shows up on the SBNation Cardinals roster still yet isn’t on the official team roster on azcardinals. Mr. Invisible truly became invisible, apparently slipping away quietly in FA after the Combine…
In lieu of editing the article all to heck, who will be the back-up center for ‘09? Claxton, Raiola, or….Wells? Canfield? Dockett? Russ Grimm? I’m leaning towards Wells shifting over considering the better depth at guard (Elton et. al.).
We all leave footprints in the sands of time, just watch out for the discarded fish hooks!
by Hawkwind on Jul 14, 2009 6:42 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
good catch Hawk
NFL.com is lagging behind b/c he’s still listed on their roster over there. I’m even more concerned about the depth now. The staff either has a ton of confidence in Canfield or one of the two other guys or they’ve already got their eye on a veteran guy who they think will get cut in the next month and a half or so.
I've won the same lifetime achievement award twice....yes I'm the Most Interesting Man in the World
by Bezekira on Jul 14, 2009 8:21 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
"D" none of the above.
Several have suggested it but I think none of the “centers” on the current roster- Canfield included- will be playing center on the final 53. None are worth keeping on the team. In my mind the Cards will roll the dice this year and hope Sendlein doesn’t get seriously hurt and deal with the issue in the off season. For short term replacement I think we will see Wells and maybe Elton Brown there. If a long term injury comes up they will either keep Wells there and move someone else into guard or look to pull someone off the wire. Claxton and Raiola are training camp fodder to protect Sendlein from premature injury.
I think the Cards didn’t draft a center in 09 because they never found value at that position. Both Mack and Wood going in the first round threw the whole center position out of value for the rest of the draft.
MBN
by mbn on Jul 14, 2009 1:11 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
you could be right
With all of the G/T combo’s like Vallejo, Keith, Herman Johnson and E. Brown, they might roll the dice and keep Sendlein as the only true center. Keeping just those four would mean nine OL’s on the roster and that’s about the norm of team’s these days. They could roll with Wells or Brown as the backup.
I've won the same lifetime achievement award twice....yes I'm the Most Interesting Man in the World
by Bezekira on Jul 14, 2009 1:18 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
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