As a former offensive lineman, it frustrates General Manager Steve Keim to no end when the offensive line struggles. You could hear that Tuesday during his appearance on the "Doug and Wolf" show on Arizona Sports 98.7. Keim at one point was asked specifically about the struggles of right tackle Jared Veldheer, and Veldheer's move there.

"I don't think it has anything to do with right tackle," Keim said. "The fact of the matter is he has to get better. He's got to improve all the little things ... his footwork, his technique, his hand placement and get back to basics. Again, 64,000 people saw it last night. Jared is a prideful guy, and I expect nothing less than for him to be in here this week and make some improvements."

Keim called the O-line play "unacceptable." He said reinforcements should be coming, with left tackle D.J. Humphries having a good chance to return after his knee injury and the possibility guard Mike Iupati (triceps) could return as well. The latter may be important, since guard Alex Boone strained a pectoral muscle late in the game and will have to undergo an MRI today. Keim sounded optimistic Boone's injury wouldn't be serious, but we will see on that.

-- Keim lauded both Larry Fitzgerald and Carson Palmer. Palmer got much of the praise, given the circumstances in which he played behind the struggling offensive line.

"Ball placement, accuracy, decision-making, I just think in every way I thought (Palmer) played exceptional," Keim said. "Under the circumstances, down a couple of playmakers injury-wise, not having David Johnson, not having John Brown, J.J. (Nelson) had some hamstring issues, and to do what he did under pressure and to create with his feet and his arm at the same time ... some of the balls he fit into tight windows, he gave our receivers a chance, again I thought it was exceptional. There is no doubt in my mind he played as well as he could possibly play, under the circumstances."

-- The poor offensive line play didn't help the special teams/field position, Keim said, with the punts out of the Cards' own end zone. As for Phil Dawson's missed field goal, "when you don't produce there is always concern," Keim said. "The thing that gives me confidence is Phil's body of work. At the same time, it doesn't minimize fact we need to be concerned with those types of kicks."

-- Keim said the defense played "lights out" for the most part. He was disappointed with the two chunk plays when Dak Prescott escaped the pocket, and also because defensive backs Justin Bethel and Tyrann Matheiu "did not turn and find the football."