Daryn

Colledge

Colledge is best suited for a reserve role at this point in his career, but would certainly be in the mix to start in Oakland. The Raiders had some of the league’s worst guard play last season.

We’re a long way from the Marco Rivera-Mike Wahl team a few years ago. It’s no surprise that lightweight rookie second-rounder Daryn Colledge and third-rounder Jason Spitz are what the new coaching staff is looking for as they implement a zone blocking scheme. Their pass protection could be a problem for Brett Favre though.

D’Anthony Batiste has come on, a concern for the Cardinals’ run-blocking going forward.

Colledge didn’t take a pay cut. He decreased his $3.8 million salary to $700K and received a $3.1 million “signing” bonus to compensate. The bonus is prorated, dropping College’s 2012 cap number from $5.5 million to $3.175 million. His future cap numbers are all higher now, however. Colledge graded out as a top-eight run blocking guard by Pro Football Focus during his first season with Arizona. He struggled mightily as a pass protector.

It sounds like a cleanup procedure. Colledge’s OTA and training camp work in 2012 should be in no way affected. Signed to a five-year, $27.5 million deal last July, Colledge graded out as Pro Football Focus’ 41st guard in the NFL, among 76. PFF was particularly critical of Colledge’s pass blocking.

Colledge knew the procedure was coming for a couple of weeks. It’s not believed to be more than a cleanup procedure. Signed away from the Packers last season, Colledge is one of the few long-term building blocks up front for Arizona.

The Cards appear set on moving Daryn Colledge to right guard, allowing Cooper to stick at his college position. If Colledge can settle in, the Cardinals’ offensive line has a very real shot to improve on last year’s league-worst performance. Mediocrity should be their goal.

It’s an indication the Cardinals plan to keep first-round pick Jonathan Cooper at his college position of left guard, even though Cooper was running with the second-team offense Tuesday. Colledge has been a left guard throughout his career, but the Cardinals must trust he can make the transition. They could just be experimenting, of course. We might not get a clear idea of how things will shake out along the Birds’ line before training camp.

Coach Bruce Arians wants Colledge to know all three interior positions. The 31-year-old has never played center in seven NFL seasons, but becoming more versatile could extend Colledge’s career and keep him his job in the desert. Veteran Lyle Sendlein is currently penciled in as the starting center.

A 60-game starter through four seasons, Colledge was clearly over matched when asked to fill in for Chad Clifton at left tackle last year. The former Boise State Bronco is regarded as an adequate left guard, however, and will get a chance to keep that job entering a training camp battle with Jason Spitz.