Where, Oh Where Has Rich Bartel Gone?

You may or may not have noticed, but quarterback Richard Bartel has sort of disappeared. He has not seen a single snap in the last two preseason games for the Arizona Cardinals. He is in a battle with rookie Ryan Lindley to make the roster as the team's third quarterback.

It seems, though, that his time is soon to be over.

I found it interesting that Bartel was not among the team's first cuts, being he has not played. We know that the coaching staff really likes him because of his preparation in the meeting room. We know that Bartel likes it here. We have to figure that he still wants a shot to play in the NFL.

When the team drafted Ryan Lindley, most fans knew that Bartel's days were numbered here as a player. But there is something to be said about Bartel. He seems to be at every single offseason workout that Larry Fitzgerald puts together. He is bright and he has helped both Kevin Kolb and John Skelton.

He is also funny. After the game at home against the Raiders, while he was getting dressed and the media was waiting for Kevin Kolb, Bartel told us that we had to wait to talk to him. He wasn't finished getting dressed...or something to that effect.

I expect Bartel to be cut after this week's game. But I expect him back at some point on Ken Whishenhunt's staff someday or back on the roster if there is some injury among the other QBs.

But, for now, we probably need to say goodbye to the guy that seems to work harder than anyone else.