That is what the Arizona Cardinals. A club that is teetering on losing double-digit games this season. There are five games left on the calendar. Two are home games. The Cardinals have already been stricken from the playoff invitation list. No, sir, no custom-printed invites will be sent to 8701 S Hardy Dr, Tempe, AZ 85284-2800.

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Despite not getting into the postseason, there is plenty to play for. For one, finish the season strong and build on that momentum for next year. Secondly, the squad plays the Los Angeles Rams in two of the final five contests. Be a spoiler with a division foe. Lastly, play for your job.

NFL players can get paid bank. They are young and can set up their children’s children if they are a superstar, or be compensated like a royal if they make a roster at all.

Yes, it’s a sport. Play for the money. Get paid handsomely.

Does anyone realize how many pro football players are out there that would love to become the 53rd man on any NFL roster? The United Football League is eight teams’ worth of guys as a perfect example. Athletes who end up in the Canadian Football League are there, taking a huge pay cut. Then there are the indoor leagues, such as Arena Football One, where guys get paid $600 a game plus apartment rent.

And how does a guy go from being in an NFL training camp to working for rent money? Being cut over and over. Not doing their job. Sleeping in meetings. Being over the 30-year-old threshold. Lack of effort. Lack of production.

That last one hits home. Instead of making progress, they regress. One year is tolerable, but after that, a player’s measuring stick gets shorter. Then, the label “journeyman” gets applied, followed by “free agent.”

The entire Cardinals’ roster will be going through auditions for the final five games. Guys will be evaluated by the entire season, but now that they know they will be watching the playoffs from their big screen TVs at home, these five games will be a test. A test to see what each player is made of. A test to measure their intensity levels and competitive nature. A test to see who is still playing to win, and who has cashed out.

Here are three players that the Cardinals should take a good, long look at to determine if they will return or find gainful employment elsewhere next season.

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In last year’s NFL draft, the Cardinals thought they hit the lottery by improving both sides of the ball. They selected WR Marv Harrison out of Ohio State with the fourth overall pick in Round 1, and then could not believe that DE Robinson was still on the board later in the same round with the #27 pick, who was a powerful rusher who had a standout Senior Bowl. One blue-chip stud for both position coaches. Every GM’s dream to begin a draft.

But Robinson’s production isn’t the dominating force they once envisioned.

His rookie season was marred by a calf injury at the end of training camp. He was finally cleared to participate in late October and only played in 10 games with 20 total tackles and a single sack.

This year, he suffered a pec injury in Week 4 and later dealt with a groin issue, limiting his playing time.

Robinson has struggled to show any consistency with a pass rush or stop the run, for that matter. His overall Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade this season is a paltry 32.8 with just 14 total tackles, 8 pressures, and a single sack.

He is signed through the 2027 season, and the Cardinals just might decide to bring in another young buck to compete for the starting position opposite Josh Sweat and finally get some pressure going from both sides.

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Depending on who you talk to, this Cardinals’ offense appears to be just a player or two away from being a highly productive group.

If they can get their quarterback situation right, they possess one of the best receiving tight ends in the league, have productive offensive tackles, a very good center, good receivers, and, if James Conner returns, production at running back.

But Lord, the offensive guards are in shambles. One player who really stands out is Brown.

In April’s NFL draft, expect Arizona to select an offensive tackle and an offensive guard pretty high. Nobody would be upset if these new guys came via the first two rounds. Get them early and get them right.

Brown has the remainder of this season to prove he should be back in training camp. He is currently under a two-year contract with one season left.

His issues include inconsistencies in run blocking. He also has had a few injuries, namely neck, foot, and hamstring, which, of course, aren’t his fault. There are questions regarding his future roster depth.

Brown’s PFF grade is 49.0 for run blocking with four penalties, two sacks, and 35 pressures allowed.

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At the beginning of the free agency period in 2023, the signing of Tomlinson came as the off-season’s largest “splash” to improve the Cleveland Browns roster. He was tasked to stop the run, something that had plagued the Cleveland defense for the majority of the season before.

And Tomlinson does plug gaps. He does. The issue is, that is about all he offers.

He is not a playmaker. He is not a sack master. He does not generate a great deal of pass rush. He will have only a minimal effect on stopping the run.

What Tomlinson does well is that he is one of the most difficult players to move out of harm’s way.

As an offensive coordinator, all you have to do is run to other locations. That is how you make certain Tomlinson does not affect your game plan. You can’t move him, so run where he isn’t.

In his first season with the Browns, he netted just 12 solo tackles in 16 games. This meant he wasn’t getting to ball carriers. He did have 16 assists, but that is an indicator that he was not able to lose the engagement of his offensive lineman on time. Tomlinson does not possess a huge stable of moves, so his forte is that he stays right where he began.

Tomlinson does not use that extra inside space to his advantage, and yes, he does occasionally beat an offensive lineman, but it is rare.

The contract Tomlinson signed with the Browns was for four years. But after just two seasons and minimal production, Cleveland released him. Next, the Cardinals signed him to a two-year deal. What are they getting for their money? 18 total tackles in 12 games. Zero sacks. Two QB hits. One batted pass. Two knockdowns. One hurry. Three pressures.

A look at the depth chart has the rookie Walter Nolen already showing that he just might be a special player in this league.

Maybe Tomlinson will improve, but a look at his production suggests it will be more of the same.