NFL Cuts 2010: Arizona Cardinals

It's the time of year that fans love. 

After all, football is about to finally start. 

It's also the time of the year many pro football players dread: cuts. 

But, it is rather amazing how many players that get cut end up being special isn't it?

Just ask Kurt Warner.

Still, those Cardinals fans out there want to know who was cut from the team, and what it means for the organization as a whole.

And believe it or not, more players were cut rather than Matt Leinart, as you will see.  

1. The Significant Cuts

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GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 01: Tight end Anthony Becht #84 of the Arizona Cardinals makes a reception during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on November 1, 2009 in Glendale, Arizona. The Panthers defeated the

There were other significant players that were cut aside from a certain quarterback, as I've mentioned. 

Most notable among these in my mind were three names: Anthony Becht, Herman Johnson, and Cody Brown. 

Becht was a bit surprising because he could have  been a starter, and in my mind is a better receiver than Stephen Spach. 

And he was a good blocker. But his cut clears the way for someone else (more on that later). 

Johnson was surprising because, even though he was a later draft pick last year for the Cards, he definitely had the size and tools to play in this league, and I believed that he was a project for Russ Grimm. 

I was wrong. 

And finally, I was probably most surprised at the dismissal of Cody Brown, last season's second round pick. 

Brown was injured at the beginning of last season, and never really had a chance to get going. 

But apparently his preseason wasn't good enough to fight off guys like Will Davis. 

Brown had serious upside, but I'm going to defer to the staff on this. After all, they are paid to make decisions like this. 

2. The Rest Of The Cuts

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GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 02: Wide receiver Onrea Jones #17 of the Arizona Cardinals is tackled by H.B. Blades #54, Anderson Russell #32 and Byron Westbrook #34 of the Washington Redskins after a 16 yard reception during the second quarter of the preseas

Here's a list of the other Cardinals cuts, courtesy of azcardinals.com:

LB Stevie Baggs

LB Monty Beisel

T Tom Pestock

DE Jeremy Clark

DE John Fletcher

CB Trevor Ford

WR Ed Gant

WR Mike Jones

WR Onrea Jones

CB Justin Miller

G Jonathan Palmer

FB Charles Scott

WR Isaiah Williams

FB Reagan Maui'a

CB Marshay Green

LB Pago Togafau

As well, LB Mark Washington, RB Alfonso Smith and LB Chris Johnson were placed on IR. 

3. The Additions

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KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 20: Brandon McDonald #22 of the Cleveland Browns looks on during their NFL game against the Kansas City Chiefs on December 20, 2009 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. The Browns defeated the Chiefs 41-34. (Photo by

This week, the Cardinals did make three moves that should interest fans: they signed (off waivers) LB Cyril Obiozor from Green Bay, DB Brandon McDonald from Cleveland, and FB Jerome Johnson from the Giants. 

Obiozor appears to be for depth after they let Cody Brown go. He is a second year man from Texas A&M. 

McDonald is definitely a good pickup for the Cardinals secondary. He provides better depth than either Justin Miller or Marshay Green would've provided. 

And what many don't know about McDonald is that two seasons ago, he had five interceptions. There's a good chance he'll see playing time for Arizona this year. 

Perhaps the most interesting pickup is Johnson, a second year fullback (and linebacker) from Nevada. 

He is now the only fullback on the roster. 

4. What This Means For The Offense

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GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 02: Quarterback Max Hall #6 of the Arizona Cardinals drops back to pass during preseason NFL game against the Washington Redskins at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 2, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defea

Well, let's start with the obvious: Max Hall is the new backup, with John Skelton the third stringer. 

This had been speculated for days, but now is confirmed. 

This means that the Cardinals will indeed start Derek Anderson. 

But as for the other moves, they are intriguing in terms of the offense. 

Probably the most intriguing is the signing of Johnson, as he is now the lone fullback with the Cardinals cutting Maui'a. 

Will they use Johnson as the fullback to start the season? Or will they use the Pittsburgh style of 2-TE offense?

I imagine they'll go with the latter, with Stephen Spach and Ben Patrick playing big parts in the offense. 

I'm a bit surprised they didn't keep Maui'a, considering they knew the offense, and Johnson does not. 

I imagine they will use Spach as an H-Back at times though, along with Jim Dray. 

Speaking of Dray, I'm glad the team kept him. He looked good in the preseason, and I really think he could succeed Spach as an H-Back with his blocking skills. 

5. What It Means For The Defense

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MADISON, WI - SEPTEMBER 26: O'Brien Schofield #50 of the Wisconsin Badgers gets a facemask from D.J. Young #59 of the Michigan State Spartans on September 26, 2009 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin defeated Michigan State 38-30. (Ph

For starters, with the surprising cut of Cody Brown, that means the Cardinals must be grooming O'Brien Schofield as a future starter. 

And as I mentioned before, I really like the addition of McDonald for the secondary. He's a guy who's been around and had success. 

The team, however, did release two possible punt returners in Justin Miller and Marshay Green. 

But they did not provide the secondary depth McDonald can. 

I'm a bit surprised they let go of both Beisel and Togafau, given the lack of depth at LB, but again, I'm going to defer to the coaching staff. 

6. Surprise Keepers

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GLENDALE, AZ - AUGUST 14: Wide receiver Stephen Williams #14 of the Arizona Cardinals during preseason NFL game against the Houston Texans at the University of Phoenix Stadium on August 14, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Texans 19

If you had told me before the season started that the Cardinals would keep two undrafted receivers, I wouldn't have thought it possible. 

But hey, I can't complain now. 

Stephen Williams looks like the steal of the undrafted class, and Max Komar should fulfill a big need on special teams, especially if he becomes the full-time punt returner. 

No other keeps really surprised me, other than perhaps Alfonso Smith, who they placed on IR, and may keep on the practice squad.