Arizona Cardinals News: Boldin Hurt, Vallejo Cut and David Holloway Returns

by Hawkwind on Aug 27, 2009 7:53 AM MDT in 2009 Camp & Preseason Comment 6 comments

The Arizona Cardinals had a busy day for a Wednesday towards the end of August. With their third preseason game on the horizon and starters expected to play most of, if not all of, the first half, the Cardinals face the daunting task of trying to play key players without getting them injured. One guy that they won't have to worry about this Friday is Anquan Boldin, who tweaked a hamstring in practice on Tuesday. Despite a late night MRI that revealed the injury wasn't serious, Boldin will not suit up against the Packers. With another couple of weeks before the games really start counting, the Cardinals will be cautious with Boldin and allow him to be 100% when the Niners come to town on September 13th. That wasn't the team's only news yesterday though...

After working out a DE/OLB a couple of days ago the Cardinals decided to bring back a familar face, David Holloway. Holloway was an undrafted free agent out of Maryland in 2007 and spent nearly the entire season of his rookie year on the practice squad (activated for last game but didn't play). He was cut by the Cardinals last August when they signed another linebacker, Brandon Moore. He's undersized (6'2 230) but athletic (4.72 forty, 32 bench reps) and, despite the change to a 3-4 defense, he still will have some familiarity with the system so his learning curve won't be as drastic as a complete outsider. He should get considerable playing time in the final preseason game.
To make room for Holloway the team cut ROTB-favorite Elliot Vallejo. Vallejo dislocated his knee cap a couple of weeks ago and was going to have a hard time being ready by the season opener. Vallejo, a promising young player, was slated to be the primary backup at left tackle this season and a future starter. It's very likely that he'll be signed by another team even before he's fully recovered (keep an eye on the Chiefs), but I'm sure that the Cardinals would resign him if he's still on the market.
The final note to this roster move leaves the team with 79 players, one under the minimum and Cody Brown has not been placed on injured reserve yet. Once that move is made, the team will only have to cut three players before the September 1st deadline.

Brian St. Pierredid return to practice yesterday, on a limited basis, but Whisenhunt said that he'd be reevaluated before Friday nights game.
One final note about Friday's game centers around the wide receiver spot. With Boldin and Breaston already ruled out, this game could be a huge chance for guys like Early Doucet, Lance Long Sean Morey and even Orea Jones. With eleven wide receivers on the roster right now, there have to be a handful of guys who already know that their best case scenario is to showcase themselves for other teams and with Q, Breaston and Garvin on the shelf, it is very likely a now or never scenario for some of the youngsters. This might also be our only chance to see Doucet or Long get extended play time against a starting defense.

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Good call by the Cards

Holloway probably has a better chance of making a impact than a rookie and at least he’s somewhat familiar with the system. I thought he had a decent shot of making the squad last year so maybe they’ll keep him around on the practice squad in case one of our old vets goes down.

Sucks for Vallejo but he’ll land on his feet somewhere.

Be careful....to a hammer, everything looks like a nail.

by Bezekira on Aug 27, 2009 9:22 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Vallejo gone for good?

I read about the Cards cutting him yesterday on azcardinals.com. Darren Urban mentioned something about the Cards would have to reach some kind of settlement to get him back onto their practice squad this year (which I believe he still is eligible for). Does anyone know what that entails? Or how likely he stays in Arizona vs. going to sign with another team? Just curious.

"There are preachermen on TV in a suit and a tie, they tell you to send your money to the Lord, but they give you their address" Hank Williams Jr.

by StuckinColorado on Aug 27, 2009 9:26 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

The team/Vallejo/agent will probably make some sort of injury settlement this week. Vallejo is probably about four to six weeks out or so, this type of injury should not be rushed. Six weeks from the date of the settlement, the Cards can bring him back if he passes a physical—on practice squad or roster. Another team can also pick him up anytime. He still has a year of ps eligibility. How likely is it he stays in Arizona is anyone’s guess. By going to another team, he may have a greater chance of playing.

by cardfanez on Aug 27, 2009 2:39 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Vallejo Waived for a Reason

The Cardinals, IMO, waived Elliot Vallejo because:

1. His prognosis for recovery from his kneecap dislocation is looking more like another 4-6 weeks.

2. As we all know, the roster decisions are going to be tremendously difficult this year and the Cardinals would be loath to keep any of the current non-starters if they are facing a month and a half rehab.

3. By waiving Vallejo now…it would seem a virtual guarantee that he won’t be claimed by any other team (he won’t be able to pass a physical)…thus, if the Cardinals had any hope of him contributing this year…they can re-sign him when he’s back to 100%…which six to seven weeks from now could be great timing if there is an injury or two in the offensive line….or shabby tackle play in general.

4. The Cardinals are willing to be patient with him and didn’t want to lose him for the entire year, by placing him on the IR. Those on the IR cannot practice with the team…they can rehab in the team facilities, but other than that, they are truly out for the year.

NFC Champs

by Mitch09 on Aug 27, 2009 2:47 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

good point on #3

Makes sense that another team wouldn’t claim him and then shelve him for six weeks. At least this way the Cards have a chance of getting him once he’s healthy.

Thinking of a possible loophole in the PUP list, does it matter that if signed with say the Chiefs that he could be put on their PUP list b/c he hadn’t stepped on the practice field for them?

Be careful....to a hammer, everything looks like a nail.

by Bezekira on Aug 27, 2009 2:57 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs