Cardinals make lots of moves

The Cardinals have been quite busy this past week, signing and re-signing players they believe can sure them up for what’s sure to be an exciting 2012-2013 season, especially if it starts off the way last season ended.

It all started on Tuesday with the re-signing of wide receiver Early Doucet. The club signed Doucet to a two-year contract.

Doucet has spent his entire four-year career in Arizona, and has steadily increased his numbers and output for the organization.

In 2011, Doucet had a career high 54 catches for 689 yards and five touchdowns. He played in all 16 games for the Cardinals, starting six games. Doucet also got his first 100-yard receiving game last season against the Carolina Panthers in the season opener.

If Doucet can continue to raise his game and become a solid No. 2 to Larry Fitzgerald’s No. 1, then that can only benefit the Cardinals and their offense.

On Friday, the team addressed their special teams and offensive line by bringing back kicker Jay Feely and guard/tackle D’Anthony Batiste.

Feely signed a two-year deal, Batiste signed a one-year contract.

Feely is entering his third season with the Cardinals, after spending time with the Falcons, Giants, Dolphins and Jets.

In Feely’s two seasons in Arizona, he’s converted 43 of 51 field goal opportunities (84%), and all 106 of his PAT’s for 197 points.

Batiste, mainly used as a reserve on the offensive line and on special teams, returns to the Cardinals after signing with them back in November 2010.

Batiste began his career as a Dallas Cowboy back in 2006. He moved onto Carolina, Atlanta, Washington and Denver before joining the Cardinals in 2010.

Batiste saw action in eight games last season – four preseason and four regular season.

At 6-4 and 314 pounds, Batiste no doubt will provide some beef up front for quarterback Kevin Kolb and company this coming season, which is something they can never have enough of.

You thought the team was done there? Nope…

…with the recent departure of Richard Marshall to Miami, the Cardinals needed to fill that hole, and on Sunday they did just that by bringing in free-agent cornerback William Gay, formerly of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Defensive coordinator Ray Horton should be quite familiar with Gay, being that he was his position coach in Pittsburgh prior to taking his current position with the Cardinals.

Gay and Deshea Townsend are reunited as well. Townsend is currently a defensive backs coach for the Cardinals, and was partnered up with Gay in the Steel City for Townsend’s final two seasons before he left for the Colts.

Gay started 15 games for the Steelers last season, and had 61 tackles, 13 passes defensed and two interceptions.

Gay will most likely will replace Marshall in the nickel slot. Gay could also see time at safety, especially if cornerback Greg Toler can bounce back from his ACL injury and perform up to his abilities.