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Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians had a bit of a surprise for reporters in his media session Monday morning. After general manager Steve Keim praised the play of Ted Larsen on the radio, Arians said that veteran offensive lineman Ted Larsen could be a starter, only it was not being in place of Lyle Sendlein at center.
"When Lyle comes back, there's a real good chance he's going to be our starting left guard," Arians said.
Wait...starting left guard? That's where Jonathan Cooper plays.
If we are to believe Arians, the veteran free agent pickup could end up starting instead of last year's number seven pick overall.
Cooper, who has returned from his broken leg, is now suffering from turf toe after he had his leg rolled up on during the team's preseason opener. When asked about how Cooper is doing, Arians was quick to answer. "He's in the training room," he said. "He's not doing anything."
This is the second time that Arians has said a player could replace a healthy Cooper, although this most recent revelation was much stronger.
Previously, Arians said Earl Watford could "push Cooper" and he was even given first team snaps. But Watford struggled some at left guard against Minnesota. Arian said Watford "was up and down" on Saturday, mixing some "really, really good things" with "some rookie things" in his play.
Is Arians just trying to get into Cooper's head and get him on the field? Is he disappointed in his highly drafted second year player? Or is he just pleased with Larsen?
Who do you think will be the Week 1 starter? Will it end up being Larsen, or will Cooper end up where he should and playing between Jared Veldheer and Lyle Sendlein?
