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As the countdown to the Arizona Cardinals first training camp crawls along the questions begin to form.
While the David Johnson holdout is without a doubt the biggest storyline to watch, not because there is any concern of Johnson missing time but whether or the Cardinals extend him for a good length of time, there are other serious concerns.
Over the next four weeks will ask some of the biggest questions heading into training camp.
First up, what are the Arizona Cardinals doing at safety?
While the starters are known, Antoine Bethea and Budda Baker, the question becomes who takes the Baker role when he moves into the slot?
Bene Benwikere has been getting work at the safety spot, but that’s not exactly ideal.
The Cardinals and Tre Boston are apparently on opposite sides of the planet when it comes to a contract.
That leaves still recovering Tyvon Branch.
There are continued whispers that the Cardinals would like to have Branch back. My question is… why?
First off, Tyvon Branch is a very good NFL player. However, he’s the Sam Bradford of safeties in the NFL.
Branch has finished every season since 2012 on IR (save for 2015 when he was a part time player in KC). Yet, he was on IR twice in 2016, so technically he’s been on IR six times the last six seasons.
Now, I want to reiterate that Branch is a very good player when on the field, but isn’t bringing him back, again, sort of asking for a midseason turnover at the safety position?
The problem is, this late in the process, Branch is one of the better and cheaper options left on the market.
So, do the Cardinals up their offer to a Tre Boston? Do they sign another player coming off an injury in Kenny Vacarro?
Is Branch the safest play because the Cardinals brass, not the coaches, know him?
What happens at safety and who assumes the role is one of the key offseason decisions to watch unfold.