Cardinals sign Veldheer

Former Raiders tackle Jared Veldheer agrees to terms with Arizona Cardinals. (USATSI)

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The good news: The Cardinals' offensive line improved from 2012 to 2013. The bad news: The 2012 cast of characters was among the worst collective of wannabe pass-blockers you'll ever see. The Cardinals hired a new coach and general manager last offseason, and they used the team's first-round pick on left guard guard Jonathan Cooper. Unfortunately, Cooper suffered a broken leg in August and was lost for the season.

But he'll return in 2014 and be joined by left tackle Jared Veldheer, the former Raider who agreed to terms with the Cardinals in the first few minutes of free agency Tuesday, according to CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora.

Like Cooper, Veldheer missed the 2013 season with an injury. He tore his triceps tendon during the preseason and spent the ensuing months recovering. And now, the former third-round pick out of Hillside College (Mich.) will line up next to Cooper in what has suddenly become an above-average o-line.

As for why the Raiders, who have some $65 million in cap space, didn't want Veldheer, here's one theory:

Mary Veldheer went on to say that Reggie McKenzie is “cleaning house” … also heard from that camp that McKenzie doesn't want “Al Davis guys”

— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) March 11, 2014

In related news, the Raiders signed former Rams offensive lineman Roger Saffold to a five-year, $42 million deal. The more things change, indeed.

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Devin Hester: I'm the best all-around player in the NFL



Devin Hester won't be returning to the Chicago Bears after a memorable eight-year run. He knows that he must now market himself to other teams, and his strategy is an extremely confident one.During an interview with NBC 5 in West Palm Beach, Fla., Hester was asked who he thinks is the NFL best all-around player right now. His answer?"Me. ... I can go and play corner, I can go and play receiver, I can play running back, and I can play a little bit of safety, as well as kickoff and punt returner."Hester also said his preferred team is the one that wants him and fits him the most.



Hester has played defense sparingly since 2008; he has three total tackles since then. The Bears tried to work him in more as a wide receiver as the years went by, but he was just OK at that task. Everything Hester is in the league up to this point is due to his spectacular ability as a returner. That's why the Bears smartly used Hester as a punt and kick returner exclusively last season, and he responded by leading the NFL in return yardage by 400 yards. That should be his job with his new team. But there's no harm in believing you can do anything, especially if a team willing to pay you believes it, too.