Oct 5, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos defensive end Quanterus Smith (93) rushes against Arizona Cardinals tackle Jared Veldheer (68) during the game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
For several years, the left side of the offensive line has been a trouble spot for the Arizona Cardinals. With the addition ofJared Veldheerduring the offseason, it certainly hasn’t been in 2014.
On Thursday, Veldheer was named the Cardinals MVP of the 2014 season,accordingtoMike JureckiofFox Sports 910. The honor is named afterLloyd Herberg, who was a beat writer for the Cardinals at the Arizona Republic for several years.
If you look at the Cardinals roster as a whole, they really had no sure fire option this season, thanks in large part because of injuries to several key players.
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Through the first half of the season,Carson Palmerwas probably the MVP of this team because of his stellar play, but his season came to end in a game against the St. Louis Rams in Week 10 actiion.Larry Fitzgerald,Michael FloydandAndre Ellington, when he was healthy, haven’t put up great numbers themselves.
On the defensive side of the ball, no one in particular sticks out either.Patrick Petersonhas had a disappointing year andAntonio Cromartiehas been great pretty much all season long, but had a couple of rough games against Denver and Seattle which would take him out of the running.Calais Campbellis heading to the Pro Bowl, but he sat out a few games himself because of a knee injury.
Selecting Veldheer is the most logical choice. He’s been the one constant on the o-line this season, with the Cardinals playing three different guys at the two guard positions andBobbie Massiecontinuing to be up and down.
Veldheer has received plenty of attention from the national media for his great play on the left side.
Mike SandoofESPNrankedthe former Oakland Raider as the best veteran acquisition of the offseason, a list that Cromartie was on as well. Pro Football Talk rated Veldheer as the sixth best tackle in their grading system. Last year’s left tackleBradley Sowellwas ranked 76th out of 76th in qualifying tackles.
When building a championship caliber roster in the NFL, left tackle is one of the first positions that you want to address. Luckily for the Cardinals, they have found their franchise left tackle for the next several seasons in Veldheer.
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