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Arizona Cardinals Top Five Position Battles

By Dan Schmelzer

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Battle on Interior Offensive Line: Jonathan Cooper versus Ted Larsen versus A.Q. Shipley

Nov 30, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Arizona Cardinals guard Ted Larsen (62) blocks against the Atlanta Falcons in the second quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The Cardinals selected Jonathan Cooper with the seventh overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. Cooper entered the league with the talent to become one of the best offensive guards in the entire league. Two years later, Cooper has started two games in the NFL. Injuries have been the biggest issue for him, but even when on the field, his play has left plenty to be desired.

With the addition of Iupati, Cooper will now move over to right guard, and is the favorite to land the position entering the season. That being said, with his career issues to this point, expecting him to nail down the position would be un-wise. Obviously, the Cardinals would love to see him do so, but Cooper must prove that he deserves to be their starting right guard.

The Cardinals released Lyle Sendlein this off season, who had started 114 of the last 119 games at the center position for the franchise. Sendlein has not exactly been a force at the position in recent years, but his loss obviously leaves a hole at center.

Last year’s primary left guard Ted Larsen and free agent A.Q. Shipley will battle for the Cardinals’ opening at center this season. Both players are nice veterans who will help solidify the offensive line, but neither really brings much upside at the position. Shipley probably has the slight advantage, simply because he has played much more center in the NFL.

Larsen did play in the Cardinals’ system last season, but Shipley is also familiar with the offense. As a rookie in 2012, Shipley saw quite a bit of time at center with the Indianapolis Colts when Arians as the offensive coordinator/interim head coach.

The battle for center may be the toughest to predict at the point, but whoever does not end up winning will be nice insurance for the Cardinals in the case that Cooper continues to have injuries problems or struggles.

Next: What Does CB Alfonzo Dennard Bring to the Cardinals?

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