On Friday the Arizona Cardinals officially signed a number of players other than their draft picks. There were some re-signings, some new signees and some restricted free agents who signed their tenders to return to the team. There are also a couple of absences.
Take a look at the list and where they will likely fit in with the team.
Re-signings:
Lyle Sendlein, C: Sendlein will return and start again, but will snap the ball to his new quarterback in Kevin Kolb.
Hamza Abdullah, S: Abdullah will be the team's fourth safety and will likely not see much playing time on defense, but will get time on special teams. His role has not changed.
Michael Adams, CB: Adams will once again be a very important special teams player. Depending on what happens in the next few days and whether or not the Cardinals sign a free agent corner that would be in front of "Money Mike" on the depth chart, he may be the the nickel corner or strictly on special teams.
D'Anthony Batiste, OL: He got in on one game last season. he will be a backup lineman, but may not always be active on gamedays.
Ben Claxton, C: He will once again be Sendlein's backup.
Ben Graham, P: Since he is the only punter they will keep on the roster, I think we know what his role will be. Hopefully he will never have to do it because the Cards score on every possession.
Reagan Maui'a, FB: He will be a fringe player on the roster, and if the team only carries one fullback, he will be the odd man out. Anthony Sherman, drafted in the fifth round of this year's draft, will be that number one.
Stephen Spach, TE: The team already has a blocking TE in Jeff King (newly signed) and a pass catching TE in Robert Housler. They also have Jim Dray, last year's seventh round pick. Spach is in camp to likely battle Dray for the last tight end spot, barring injury. His spot will become even more tenuous if the Cardinals bring in another guy, say Todd Heap.
Brandon Keith, OT: Keith signed his one-year RFA tender. He will return to the starting right tackle position.
Early Doucet, WR: He also signed his tender. He will battle Andre Roberts, Stephen Williams and Chansi Stuckey for the second starting receiver position. The team hopes he can stay healthy this season.
Stewart Bradley, LB: He likely will start at ILB alongside Daryl Washington. He will have to battle Paris Lenon for the job.
Nick Eason, DE: He will not start, but will likely fill the role that Alan Branch (who recently signed with the Seattle Seahawks) had while he was here.
Jeff King, TE: He will see a lot of time on the field because of his blocking skills. I project he will be the starting TE, which will keep Robert Housler waiting. Housler, though will get playing time as he learns the offense.
Chansi Stuckey, WR: He was brought in as a speed guy to replace Steve Breaston. He likely will be a third or fourth receiver.
Daryn Colledge, OL: The former Green Bay Packers starter joins the team to take over for Alan Faneca at left guard. He will probably be the starter all year.
Notable non-signings:
Matt Ware, S: He will likely not be back. He was the team's primary nickel safety when last season started, but lost that job not too far in to the season, when Rashad Johnson started getting the snaps in nickel situations.
Trumaine McBride, CB: The veteran cornerback has been told by the team he is wanted, but he needs to be patient. His rolw will probably be exclusively on special teams.
Tim Hightower, RB: He is a restricted free agent and has not yet signed his tender. He is waiting for an offer from another team. Even if he were to have re-signed, because the CBA has not technically taken effect, he cannot practice until next Thursday. I expect him back and he will share carries on offense, perhaps even starting.