The Arizona Cardinals are looking during this offseason to improve the offensive line. It has been a talking point of general managaer Steve Keim since he was hired a little over a year ago. He wants to develop a very physical offensive line.
Head coach Bruce Arians, who was on the Doug and Wolf Show on Arizona Sports 98.7, indicated that it is one of the team's biggest needs and priorities.
He said that the team needs more depth and physicality on both the offensive and defensive lines. Specifically, he pointed to the need of the offensive line, both praising the guys they already have and stating that they don't want simply rely on those guys.
"We've got some good young players on the offensive line," he said. "We need to add a few new pieces to the puzzle and add some good competition."
They have young players in Bradley Sowell, Bobby Massie, Nate Potter, Jonathan Cooper, Earl Watford and, to a lesser extent, Paul Fanaika.
All rumors point towards to the Cards targeting a tackle. The team has been connected to Branden Albert. There is reported interest in Roger Saffold, a versatile guard/tackle. Adding even one piece -- especially a left tackle that is clearly the starter -- will strengthen other areas.
Assume the Cards sign a left tackle. That means there is competition between Massie, Sowell and Potter at right tackle. There is already going to be competition at right guard between Paul Fanaika and Earl Watford, assuming that Daryn Colledge gets cut for salary cap purposes. If Colledge stays, that even improves the competition. Cooper returns to take over at left guard. Lyle Sendlein looks like he will still be the man at center.
Everyone knows that the Cardinals need help on the offensive line. They managed to win 10 games behind a line that was barely passable. Imagine if they could be even average.