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Arizona Cardinals Free Agency: Should The Team Re-Sign Mike Leach?

TEMPE, AZ - JULY 28:  Long snapper Mike Leach of the Arizona Cardinals reports to the team's training center facility on July 28, 2011 in Tempe, Arizona.  (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TEMPE, AZ - JULY 28: Long snapper Mike Leach of the Arizona Cardinals reports to the team's training center facility on July 28, 2011 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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On the day of the Super Bowl, I asked the community whether or not the Arizona Cardinals should re-sign one of their most versatile defensive backs, Richard Marshall. This was the biggest landslide we have had thus far, as Marshall received 96% of the vote in favor of him getting a new contract with the team. I am certain that the Cardinals feel the exact same way and they hopefully can strike a deal with him.

Today, we shift our focus to a player that many of you may not even have heard of. Mike Leach has been the Cardinals' long snapper since 2009 and is set to become an unrestricted free agent next month. So I ask you, the fans, again: should the Cardinals look to retain him?

Leach has never started a game for the Cardinals at an alternate position, but he has been a very effective player as a long snapper and I fail to recount a moment where he has slipped up. He has played in all 48 games during his past three seasons in Arizona as part of the special teams unit.

Leach was only able to put points up on the stat sheet twice this season: once because of a penalty and another time because of his only tackle on the season. His penalty in week 11 against the San Francisco 49ers was only the second penalty attributed to him in Arizona.

So Leach is now 35 years of age and without a contract. He is a good long snapper and plays well on special teams, but my only fear is that due to his age and possible cost, the team may look for alternate options. A good long snapper is important, yes, but it's typically not too difficult to find replacements for the position. If the Cards can get a young guy that costs way less, that might be the route they choose to go. I like Leach and hope he stays, but his return is definitely questionable at this point.

What do you think? Should the Cardinals re-sign Mike Leach? Submit your vote and make sure to comment why you voted the way you did.

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