You can almost say that the Max Hall experience is over. After winning over the hearts of fans all over Arizona a year ago with his spectacular camp and preseason play, quarterback Max Hall was waive-injured by the Arizona Cardinals. In other moves, Jake Vermiglio was cut and the team signed punter Dave Zastudil.
The move to let Hall go (sort of) is not surprising as he dislocated his left shoulder as he did last season. The move places him on waivers for other teams to claim if they want. If he clears waivers, the Cardinals can either place him on IR or reach an injury settlement.
What is likely to happen is that he will receive an injury settlement and that would allow him to return later this year if the need arises.
He will be remembered for beating the New Orleans Saints in a game in which he did very little. He will also be remembered as a fiery, undersized guy. He may stick in the league at some point, but he must get stronger, more durable and needs to find ways to counteract being undersized at a position that is challenging to do that.
The signing of Zastudil is a bit interesting. The team was not pleased with the play of Ben Graham in 2010, mainly because he was asked to hit more deep kicks a year ago, something he is not as good at as he is at placing the ball when kicking closer to midfield.
That does not mean that Graham is on his way out. He had a spectacular 2009. The signing of Zastudil is likely just a way to create competition and push Graham to be better. Of course, he will run the risk of losing the job if he plays poorly these last two preseason games and in practice.
There will be more roster moves forthcoming, as by Aug. 30 teams must cut their rosters down to 80 players and then down to the 53-man final roster on Sept 3.