Cardinals grant head-scratching request ahead of Steelers game
The Arizona Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers are at two very different points in their seasons. A Steelers team that is 7-4 and atop the wildcard race in the AFC, anything short of a double-digit winning season would be a disappointment at this point. The same can't be said for the Cardinals, who sit at 2-10 […]
The Arizona Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers are at two very different points in their seasons.
A Steelers team that is 7-4 and atop the wildcard race in the AFC, anything short of a double-digit winning season would be a disappointment at this point.
The same can't be said for the Cardinals, who sit at 2-10 and hold one of the worst overall records in the league. Even still, the move they just made is pretty surprising:
Cardinals Release TE Zach Ertz
Outside of the humorous tweet from J.J. Watt, this is no laughing matter. Ertz may be on the back nine of his career, but the Cardinals aren't in a position to be releasing players, much less tight ends when you consider their current starter Trey McBride has yet to practice this week with a groin injury.
Now, I'm all for doing right by players, especially veteran ones like Ertz, who have been stand-up players both on and off the field. But while Steelers fans may view this as a win in the interim, it may come back to hurt Pittsburgh in the long run:
Teams in the NFL don't tank when it comes to their on-field product. Playing football at half speed is a recipe to never get a shot anywhere else, and even worse, get injured.
But contrary to what many may believe, front offices aren't afraid to mail it in this time of year, especially when their team is in situations like Arizona.
And I'm not accusing the Cardinals of doing so, but releasing solid starters when you're injured in that same position group isn't exactly a recipe for success or one that makes any sense.
Steelers’ Diontae Johnson gives questionable apology for effort at Bengals
Here is what Johnson had to say following Sunday’s game.
