Background: 11/21/2021; Seattle, Washington, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Colt McCoy (12) stands on the touchline before kickoff against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson
The Cardinals released a depth chart for their first preseason game against the Bengals on Friday night.
The Cardinals did something this week I’ve never seen them do before: They released their first official depth chart based solely on expected attendance in the team’s first preseason game Friday night against the Bengals.
Different but good. We will survive.
— Bob McManaman (@azbobbymac) August 9, 2022
Different, but commendably well planned, imho!
As expected, the vast majority of the Cardinals’ predicted starters will be cheering for their teammates from the sidelines. There are a few notable exceptions, however, such as RG Will Hernandez, NT Rashard Lawrence, OLB Dennis Gardeck, ILB Zaven Collins, CB Antonio Hamilton, WR Marco Wilson, K Matt Prater, P Andy Lee, and LS Aaron Brewer (emphasized in BOLD).
Offense:
- QB: McCoy, McSorely, Guarantano
- RB: Benjamin, D Williams, Ward, Ingram, Pledger, Rivers
- TE: Anderson, Seikovitz, Yelder
- WR: Isabella, Bolden, Jr.
- LT: Miles, Ndubuisi
- LG: Isadora, Hayes
- C: Harlow, L.Smith, Long
- RG: Hernandez, Martin
- RT: Jones, coward
- WR: Dortch, Kirklin, Payton
- WR: Baccellia, Ateman
Defense:
- EN: Dogbe, Ledbetter, M. Jones
- NT: Lawrence, Forest, Ringo
- DT: Fotu, Keke
- OLB: garden deckDmukeje, C. Thomas, Lemonier
- ILB: Turner, Niemann
- ILB: Collins, Walker, Wooton
- OLB: Kennard, Sanders, Luketa
- CB: HamiltonJackson, Brooks
- CB: Wilson, Whitaker, Borders, Baker Jr., Matthew
- SS: D. Thompson, Daley
- FS:Washington, Wiggins
Special teams:
- K: Prater
- P: Lee, cooney
- LS: brewer
- H: Lee Cooney
- KR: Dortch, Bolden, Jr.
- PR: Dortch, Bolden, Jr.
Comments/Questions:
- I would envision Colt McCoy playing a 2-3 series, then Trace McSorely will play until the end of the 3rd quarter while Jarrett Guarantano plays the 4th.
- The regular season three game day swing orienteers most likely right now are T Josh Jones, C/G Sean Harlow and G Danny Isadora (or G/T Justin Murray if he recovers). But knocking on that door are T Joshua Miles, C/G Lecitus Smith, G Marquis Hayes and G/T Koda Martin. That makes it very interesting to see the OL play this preseason.
- Places RB2-4 and WR 3-5 are up for grabs.
- The defensive coaches want to see which inside defensive players (other than JJ Watt and Zach Allen) can take their games to a higher level this season.
- The coaches obviously feel Zaven Collins needs the reps. You seem to be getting along with Nick Vigil quite well, which is kind of surprising, imo. Maybe they plan to take a close look at Vigil in Game 2 of preseason?
- Coaches seem content with Tanner Vallejo as a key support ILB and mainstay at ILB in goal-line defence.
- Byron Murphy is the only CB sitting outside. The CBs’ game is likely to be a focus of all three pre-season games.
- With the coaches protecting SS Jalen Thompson, one might wonder which defenders will wear the green dots during this week’s game. Deionte Thompson maybe?
- The kickoff and punt returner contest between Greg Dortch and Victor Boldin, Jr. should be fascinating to watch.
What are some of the battles for players and key positions that you will play in this game?
Which players do you think will cause a stir on Friday night?