Tag: Mason Cole

4 players on Cardinals’ roster who could be ready to replace a free agent

These players potentially could jump into the role that one of the Cardinals’ many free agents had last season.

The Arizona Cardinals have a large group of free agents entering the offseason. For some of them, the Cardinals don’t really have a replacement for them already on the roster. For some, there are players who could potentially slide into the role.

Who are those who could fill the role of potential departed free agents?

OL Mason Cole

Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

All signs point toward A.Q. Shipley returning in 2020. However, if he and the Cardinals can’t come to terms, they do have Cole. Head coach Kliff Kingsbury considers Cole a starting-caliber offensive lineman and gave him offensive snaps at all three interior positions in the season’s final games just to get him on the field.

Cole battled Shipley for the starting center job right up to the end of the preseason. Having drafted Lamont Gaillard, Cole could slide into the starting role and Gaillard could be the versatile interior backup.

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Kliff Kingsbury managing to get Mason Cole reps despite healthy O-line

“Mason’s very versatile for us, very valuable and can play anything. It gives him some reps and keeps those guys fresh.”

Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Mason Cole has been praised by head coach Kliff Kingsbury all season. He has been called the most valuable lineman they have because of his versatility and play.

However, he just hasn’t been able to play much because of a pretty healthy starting lineup. Of the five starters, only right tackle has had any missed games. They lost Marcus Gilbert and then Jordan Mills to injured reserve and Justin Murray missed a couple of games with a knee injury. When Murray was out, Justin Pugh moved to right tackle and Cole played left guard.

But playing time has been sporadic.

Kingsbury used Cole on Sunday against the Rams to give three players a few snaps off. Cole played 21 snaps, getting seven at right guard, two at center and 11 at left guard. He was an eligible receiver on one play.

Kingsbury told reporters Cole has earned those snaps.

“He’s definitely done enough,” he said on Monday. “Both those guys, (J.R.) Sweezy and (Justin) Pugh, have been banged up and nicked up, and this late in the year, we want to make sure they’re at their best when they’re in. That’s allowed us to do that. Mason’s – I’ve said it all year – very versatile for us, very valuable and can play anything. It gives him some reps and keeps those guys fresh.”

Both Pugh and Sweezy had missed practice time in the week leading up to the game.

They didn’t miss a beat with Cole in the game. Looking ahead to 2020, Pugh and Sweezy are still under contract. Shipley is a free agent but could return. Cole might be in the same position next year.

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Ep. 251:

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Ep. 250:

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