Arizona Cardinals’ Ryan Lindley battling to keep his quarterback spot
Aug 5, 2014, 12:34 AM | Updated: 12:48 am
It doesn’t seem that long ago that Ryan Lindley started six straight games for the Arizona Cardinals.
At the end of the 2012 season, he went 1-5 after replacing John Skelton under center.
Now Lindley’s job security is in question after the Cardinals picked Logan Thomas out of Virginia Tech in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft.
Lindley is currently listed third on the depth chart with Thomas fourth, but there is still a chance the San Diego State product could be the odd man out at the end of preseason.
Right now, Lindley said he’s doing everything he can to stay sharp, because he could be asked to step up at any time.
“At the end of the day, you’re just out there putting your best foot forward. It’s just something you get to add to your resume, whether it’s here or somewhere else,” Lindley said. “You take mental reps every time, the ones through threes, and you just take your shot when you get it.”
Even though Lindley is competing with Thomas for the last spot on the QB depth chart, he has still taken the young quarterback under his wing to show him the value of learning under Cardinals offensive coordinator Harold Goodwin and head coach Bruce Arians.
“I’ve told Logan, ‘You’ve got an awesome opportunity here with two guys that are extremely knowledgeable,'” Lindley said. “Not everyone is this lucky. I took advantage of it last year and hopefully he sees that. Hopefully he realizes what a great spot he’s in, and I think he does, so it will be great for his progression and growth as a player.”
Lindley is still taking time out to prove his worth to the team too.
“You try and get your time in with them (the backup wide receivers),” Lindley said. “Whether it’s after practice and they need extra reps, you’ve just got to be that guy who steps up for them and do it.”
Even though the San Diego native is putting in extra work, if his stay in the Valley comes to an end, he understands that it’s nothing personal against him.
“I’ve loved my time here in Arizona and hopefully that continues. But if not, that’s the business and the game of football,” Lindley said.
