The starters on the Arizona Cardinals offensive line are fairly well set but with the NFL roster cut deadline approaching, there are several of the big boys who won't find themselves on the 53-man roster. The O-line, like many other areas, was a point of concern last season. Headed into the 2011 NFL Draft and the subsequent free agency period the Cardinals were expected to be active in this area.
However, the only newcomers to the O-line turned out to be starting left guard Daryn Colledge who comes over from the NFL Champion Green Bay Packers and his back-up on the depth chart, Floyd Womack from the non-champion Cleveland Browns. Both Colledge and Womack came as unrestricted free agents.
At left tackle, the often criticized Levi Brown (2007 first-round pick) returns to the starting position. Behind Brown on the depth chart is D'Anthony Batiste who was acquired by the Cardinals during the 2010 season and played in one game.
The center position was solidified this offseason with the resigning of starter Lyle Sendlein who was a free agent. Behind Sendlein returns Ben Claxton.
On the right side Rex Hadnot (guard) and Brandon Keith (tackle) both return to the team. Behind them are two more familiar Cardinals names, Duece Lutui (guard) and Jeremy Bridges (tackle).
Behind these ten are a number of guys who didn't seem to distinguish themselves enough in camp to earn a spot.
The real decisions will likely come down to Batiste and Womack who would seem to be on the outside looking in if the team keeps eight at this position as expected. That would leave your starting five as Brown (LT), College (LG), Sendlein (C), Hadnot (RG), Keith (RT). Reserves would be Claxton, Lutui and Bridges.
Lutui, once again, is another question mark on the O-line. Some think he's more talented at right guard than Hadnot but on the flip side, if he's not done enough to improve his conditioning and weight problem he could end up getting cut. Right now, based on what we've seen in camp and preseason, we expect him to make the team and likely move into the starting lineup at some point this year.