Sean Kugler – Page 2 – Syndication Server

The Arizona Cardinals enter the 2020 with the starting offensive line fairly set. It would appear their backups are mostly set, too.

Offensive line coach Sean Kugler is comfortable with his second unit. Speaking to reporters this week, he said he was “very pleased thus far” with his presumed backups.

“I think we’re definitely in better shape than we were last year,” he said. ‘Depth-wise, there are probably four or five guys that are working with the ‘twos’ that I have zero problems putting in a game as a starter or a rotator if somebody had to go down and we had to replace somebody.”

Three of the four or five must be Justin Murray, Max Garcia, Lamont Gaillard. Murray started 12 games last year. Garcia was a starter for the Denver Broncos. Gaillard is slated to be the backup center.

The others might be second-year tackle Joshua Miles and recently-acquired Koda Martin. Based on what Kugler has said about rookie Josh Jones, he might not quite be there yet.

Ideally, the Cardinals will not have to test their depth. If they do, they are in a better spot than a year ago.

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When the Arizona Cardinals selected offensive lineman Josh Jones in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft, many believed he couple potentially be their Week 1 starter at right tackle even though he played only left tackle in college at Houston.

That will not be the case and appears it was never the case for his rookie season.

The team re-signed Marcus Gilbert, who would have been the starter if he had not opted out of the 2020 season.

While that could have potentially opened the door for Jones, he is not in the mix for the starting job. Two others are — veteran Kelvin Beachum and Justin Murray, last year’s starter for most of the season.

Offensive line coach Sean Kugler spoke to reporters after Monday’s practice and said Beachum, who has played left tackle for most of his career, “has responded very well and he’s been competing with Justin Murray at that position and the competition has brought out the best in both of them.”

Based on comments by Kugler, head coach Kliff Kingsbury and general manager Steve Keim, it would appear that Murray is likely going to be coming off the bench, as they have talked about his versatility to play both tackle and guard. Beachum appears to be the leader to start at right tackle.

What about Jones?

“Josh Jones has really done a nice job for us,” Kugler said. “I think this kid is going to have an outstanding future for the Arizona Cardinals.”

Kugler didn’t mention how he would make an impact now. The team is pleased with what he has done.

“He’s very athletic,” Kugler added. “He’s a profession already. He’s very mature for a rookie as rfa as work ethic and retaining information, and putting in the work and studying. He has some things to work on in his game like everyone does, but he’s taken the right step as a rookie. I’ve been very pleased with him.”

Jones probably won’t see much action as a rookie unless there are injuries.

It might be disappointing to some that he isn’t slated to start as a rookie, but it sounds like he is right where the team would like him to be.