Cardinals’ Paul Fanaika on RG competition: ‘I definitely have that attitude that it’s mine to lose’

At age 28, Paul Fanaika admits he’s a simple man.

“Work, family and football,” said Fanaika when asked Saturday what he enjoys doing.

Last season must have been a very fulfilling one for the former ASU standout then, as he started all 16 games at right guard for the Arizona Cardinals after spending parts of three seasons on the practice squads of the Cleveland Browns, Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks and Washington Redskins.

It’s a role he hopes to play again with Arizona in 2014.

Although the San Mateo, Calif. native is not the most boisterous of characters, he was candid in regards to the fact that he takes his right guard competition with second-year pro Earl Watford very seriously.

“I take a lot of pride in that,” said Fanaika. “It’s my job. I want to keep it. I want to be the best at my job. I definitely have that attitude that it’s mine to lose.”

In his eyes, his experience battling in the trenches during the Cardinals’ 10-6 campaign can’t hurt his case, either.

“It definitely feels good to have a year of experience in the system,” said Fanaika. “You start to understand it better. You see things develop a lot faster. It allows you to play faster and smarter.”