How does the Arizona Cardinals center battle unfold?

One position often discussed on the Arizona Cardinals is that of center.

Despite being the only player to make it through the 2016 and 2017 season healthy on the offensive line, A.Q. Shipley is one of those always looking to upgrade types.

Enter the contenders of Evan Boehm and Mason Cole.

Boehm looked like, coming out of Mizzou, the answer to the center question.

He would be groomed as at guard and center, with the thought to eventually takeover the position.

Except, he couldn’t. Not that he ever really had a chance at center with Shipley in tow, but when the Cardinals turned to Boehm to take over their guard duties in 2017, things did not go well.

In fact, by the end of the season, the Cardinals were trying to avoid playing Boehm, despite the cavalcade of injuries.

Now, the Cardinals have rookie Mason Cole out of Michigan, coming from Jim Harbaugh’s smashmouth offense, looking like a perfect fit with offensive line coach Ray Brown.

However, where does Cole fit? He wasn’t exactly a center in college, spending most of his time at left tackle.

He worked at center for one year, and this offseason, but how much time and seasoning does he need to make it work?

It becomes a question that may have a familiar answer... A.Q. Shipley starts again at the center position for the Arizona Cardinals.

Shipley is not the prototype of the position, but few players work harder and smarter than Shipley. There are just physical limitations that restrict him from reach the next level as a starter.

However, the mental aspect of the game is key for the center position, which makes it feel like it will be Shipley until one of the young guys can match him from a mental standpoint.

Who do you think starts at center for the Arizona Cardinals in 2018?