Just 4 days after signing him to compete with Jay Feely for their place-kicking job, the Arizona Cardinals announced on Sunday that they have parted ways with former Miami Dolphins kicker Dan Carpenter.
Carpenter was cut by the Dolphins (where he spent the last 5 seasons) in favor of youngster Caleb Sturgis, and it looked as if he had a legitimate shot with Arizona. However, he only saw the field once in a Cardinals’ uniform, and on Saturday, his only field goal attempt was blocked.
In his career, Carpenter has been generally regarded in a positive light. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2009, and made 81.9 percent of his kicks while with the Dolphins. In his absence, the Cardinals have only one legitimate option, and it appears as if Jay Feely has a safe job for the 2013 season.
Feely, the former University of Michigan product, is a 13-year veteran who has competed with 5 different NFL teams. Last season in Arizona, he converted 25 of 28 attempts, but there was buzz that the team wanted to push him a bit and Carpenter was the perfect asset to use in that fashion.
With Arizona fighting and clawing to improve, the Cardinals may not have a ton of crucial kicks this season, but they are now clearly banking on the right foot of Jay Feely.