With the regular season kicking off in a week, most teams have settled on their starters at both quarterback and left tackle.
The Cardinals have done neither. The quarterback battle between Kevin Kolb and John Skelton continues, even though neither player is expected to play in the team’s preseason finale because seeing more of them isn’t likely to make the choice any easier than it was after four games of underwhelming performances from both men.
There’s no competition at left tackle, just a scramble to find someone capable of filling Levi Brown’s shoes now that the presumptive starter is done for the season. D.J. Young swung and missed with the first shot at the position and now D’Anthony Batiste is stepping into the role with rookie Bobby Massie taking his spot at right tackle. The pass blocking was better last week after Batiste replaced Young and both men will play a bit in the preseason finale, according to coach Ken Whisenhunt.
“We felt very strongly about D’Anthony because of his work in the offseason and what he did last year,” Whisenhunt said, via Darren Urban of the team’s website. “Our hopes were he was going to take the right tackle position … and be a backup for left tackle. We just want to see him do it again this week.”
Urban speculates about the possibility that the Cardinals could look for outside help if Batiste doesn’t get the job done to their satisfaction against the Broncos, but a limited appearance against backups will only provide a chance to get worst fears realized. Keeping Ryan Lindley clean on Thursday won’t mean nearly as much, but the Cardinals won’t have much else to go off of at this point so there’s a good chance that they’ll be casting their lot with Batiste come Week One.
