The Arizona Cardinals decided in the offseason that they were ready to move on from center A.Q. Shipley and allow Mason Cole to take over. Is he ready?
He started every game and played every snap of the 2018 season as a rookie when Shipley was out with a knee injury all season, but was a reserve in 2019.
Is he ready for the job?
Offensive line Sean Kugler believes he is because of the specific improvements he has made.
“He needed to get stronger,” Kugler told reporters this week. “He’s gotten a lot stronger. His body has changed.”
Cole is ready to handle the mental side of the game and be a leader.
“Mason’s very intelligent,” Kugler added. “He’s a good communicator. He’s taken the reins in that aspect and led the line. He makes all the communication calls and has done a very nice job this camp.”
Cole is more athletic than Shipley. He is longer and is built for the position. If he is stronger and knows the offense, it should be an upgrade over the reliaable Shipley.
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