Arizona Cardinals release Andre Smith, Bene Benwikere

In what will likely be the first of a flurry of moves, the Arizona Cardinals have released right tackle Andre Smith per Arizona Sports John Gambadoro.

Smith was one of several key veterans brought in to help with the transition from the Bruce Arians offense to the Mike McCoy offense.

Now, the three biggest hires for that offense, McCoy himself, Smith and quarterback Sam Bradford, are no longer with the team.

It comes at a quite interesting time, since D.J. Humphries has not played the last two games and the Cardinals depth at offensive line is full of... guys who you probably have never heard of.

However, Smith has been abysmal as a pass blocker this season and his work the last three weeks has been especially putrid.

Smith’s strength has always been as a run blocker, but because the Cardinals have been consistently playing from behind this season, he has been at a disadvantage.

The team has since announced a bevy of moves.

The Cardinals have also announced that they have released veteran cornerback Bene Benwikere.

Benwikere had played well according to Pro Football Focus in the beginning of the season, but has since fallen off pretty drastically.

It culminated in Benwikere being benched in yesterday’s blowout.

Good luck to Smith and Benwikere in their next endeavors.