Christmas Shopping for 2008
December 24, 2007 by Walter Mitchell
Yesterday’s dramatic 30-27 OT win for the Cardinals over the Falcons has given the franchise, with a win versus the Rams next week, an opportunity to post its second non-losing season since its move to Arizona. Despite another 4th quarter defensive meltdown yesterday (save the nice three stops they made inside the 10 on the Falcons’ last drive), the Cardinal offense and Neil Rackers saved the day, providing a series of clutch plays in the waning seconds of regulation and the first possession of overtime. Kurt Warner passed well, throwing regulary to an unstoppable Anquan Boldin (13/162/2TDs). Yet most importantly, Warner did not turn the ball over. In the process, Boldin set an NFL record as the fastest WR to snag 400 passes. Boldin has done so in 67 games, eclipsing Kellen Winslow’s mark of 72. In addition, the Cardinals committed a season-low 4 penalties yesterday…and remained highly efficient in the red zone…more signs of the tangible progress the team has manifested under Ken Whisenhunt in his first year as head coach. With the off-season fast approaching and Santa Claus traveling the friendly skies on this glorious eve, it’s time for sending out some Cardinal wishes…
Quarterback: It would appear that Kurt Warner and Matt Leinart will be battling it out next summer for the starting job. Warner has been putting up impressive yards and TD numbers…he’s been especially good in the red zone, which, up until this year, has been a problem for him in Arizona. Yet, Warner remains turnover prone, and seems to have a penchant for turning the ball over at some of the worst imaginable times. Leinart is blessed with a high football IQ and smooth delivery, but he’s been erratic and injury prone his first two years.
My 2008 wish: Outstanding precision
and moxie from Leinart and a continued hot hand from Warner, minus the turnovers.
Running Back: Edgerrin James has been a warrior this year. He’s run hard…been extremely durable and consistent. J.J. Arrington keeps improving and is a nice change of pace back. FB Terrelle Smith has been solid.
My wish: See offensive line wish!
Offensive Line: LT Mike Gandy, C Al Johnson and RG Deuce Lutui have been solid and dependable. RT Levi Brown should be much improved as a pass protector next year and could start dominanting in the running game. LG Reggie Wells played better than he ever has at guard, although he still is better suited to play tackle. C Lyle Sendlein, G/T Elton Brown and G/T Keydrick Vincent offer valuable depth.
My wish: Signing LG Alan Faneca (UFA-Steelers), and in doing so, forming one of the most formidible interior in the NFC with Johnson and Lutui.
Tight End: The young trio of Leonard Pope, Ben Patrick and Troy Bienemann has been making notable progress, particularly in the passing game. Added improvement in the running game is needed.
My wish: Ben Patrick emerges as a young, budding star in this offense. He looks the part, doesn’t he?
Wide Receiver: Boldin and Fitzgerald remain one of the most productive tandems in the NFL. Bryant Johnson has shown flashes, but still seems a little too inconsistent to be a bona fide #2 WR in the NFL. Jerheme Urban has good ability…but, like Johnson, drops very catchable balls. Steve Breaston’s role in the offense should expand next year as the coaches find ways to capitalize on Breaston’s open field running abilities. Sean Morey did more than enough on special teams to warrant his return.
My wish: I actually want BJ back and believe he won’t overprice himself. If not…I guy I really like in the draft is Harry Douglass of Louisville.
Defensive Line: The NT tandem of Gabe Watson and Alan Branch could get scary good next year after another off-season with John Lott. The DE tandem of Darnell Dockett and Antonio Smith has star potential…but each has faded somewhat down the stretch. DE Rodney Bailey is a decent plugger and DE Chris Cooper was a star in pre-season and a no-show during the season.
My wish: John Lott transforms this unit into a juggernaut.
Linebackers: Calvin Pace was excellent again yesterday—10 tackles and 1 sack. Pace has had a very good year and should be offered a nice new contract. Karlos Dansby has been thriving in his role as WILB and must be re-signed, hopefully without being tagged. Gerald Hayes is a stalwart. Monty Beisel is a good backup at either inside position. Darryl Blackstock has been making a stronger contribution in recent weeks. Joe Tafoya plays hard and physical, but lacks edge quickness. Bert Berry’s injuries are a concern.
My wish: Re-signing Dansby and Pace. Getting OLB Chike Okeafor ready for a stellar return. Adding another pass rusher either through free agency or the draft. The Cardinals need to focus on rebuilding their pass rush this off-season. Terrell Suggs (Ravens) or Quentin Groves of Auburn would look awfully good in Cardinal red.
Secondary: Rod Hood has had a pretty good year, all in all. Lately he’s faltered and looks mentally tired. Eric Green was making strides…and needs to return on a mission next year. Antrel Rolle found a niche as a nickel back, but needs to be tried at safety. Adrian Wilson’ extraordinary impact on the defense has never been more evident now that he’s been on the sidelines. FS Terrence Holt has been a liability in coverage and run support. Aaron Francisco is one of the best tacklers on the team, but has been hampered all year by injuries. CB Ralph Brown has been adequate in a supporting role. CB Michael Adams is a feisty special teamer.
My wish: The addition of a playmaking FS (Eugene Wilson, Patriots) and ballhawking CB (Antoine Cason, Arizona–rd-1, or DeJuan Tribble, Boston College–rd-2), via free agency or the draft.
Specialists: It was good to see Neil Rackers come through in the clutch. He does look far more comfortable with Mitch Berger holding. Berger has been very inconsistent, particlarly on pooch punts. LS Nathan Hodel remains outstanding.
My wish: The Cardinals find a way to get Rackers straightened out. He’s one of the very best kickers in the league on kickoffs and on-side kicks. Adding a punter who can get the distance and hang-time the team needs.
Free Agents:
My wish: G Alan Faneca, OLB/DE Terrell Suggs, FS Eugene Wilson
The 2008 Draft:
My wish: (Rd-1) CB Antoine Cason, Arizona; (Rd-2) OLB/DE Shawn Crable, Michigan; (Rd-3) T Kirk Barton, Ohio St.; (Rd-4) CB Charles Godfrey, Iowa; (Rd-5) P Durant Brooks, Georgia Tech.; (Rd-6) RB Andre Callendar, Boston College; (Rd-7) TE Dustin Keller, Purdue;
Biggest Wish: Happy, healthy and safe holidays for all of you and your families. Thank you, Skkorp, for giving us this great board. Merry Christmas, all!
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Thanks for all the articles all year, Mitch.
I see more changes than do you. Coaches in their second year usually purge the players that don’t seem to fit their systems.
I would be very surprised if Edge, Bryant Johnson, Blackstock and Bert Berry make our opening day roster next year.
You’re right on Holt. He gets pummeled by Cards fans yet leads the team with 6 picks.
Merry Christmas
Skorp…Holt has zero picks, not sure if he has even forced a turn-over all season. I agree with you that Berry and Johnson likely won’t be back, I’d be shocked if James wasn’t here.
Also Mitch, if we finish 8-8 it will be our 3rd non-losing season (which is sad really)–Buddy’s first year we were 8-8 and then of course the lone playoff year.
Francisco may be able to tackle but he’s either been out of position or a step slow in coverage all season long. He does not make the defense any better when he is on the field….he is terrible and we need to find a better back-up.
Re-signing Dansby has to be the absolute top priority, over signing any new players even. Pace has played well but I’m not sure he is irreplaceable.
Great article, as always, Mitch.
Yes to Faneca. And yes to Suggs.
Next season the floodgates will open of the THE FLASHFLOOD DEFENSE!
I meant…
The floodgates will open for THE FLASHFLOOD DEFENSE!
Little heads up.. If we beat StL this weekend it will be the 3rd non-losing season since moving to AZ, not the 2nd.. I know I know, wow lol..
And I hope Cason is our 1st round pick too..
Couldn’t agree more with a lot of the assessments. Faneca should be our #1 priority and with Whis and Grimm already here, I’d be shocked if Faneca doesn’t come. Suggs is a long shot. I think he might want too much money for our pocket books. I’d love to see Cason be drafted by this team. I think a shutdown CB will be their #1 pick.
I’m surprised that you think Edge will be gone. I’d agree with you only if Shipp were getting more carries, but he’s not. Edge will be here.
I say good riddance to the reincarnation of Michael Carbajal Jr., Bryant “Hands of Stone” Johnson. I hope we utilize the speed of Breaston as the third WR. He should be our deep threat guy. It’s only natural that he should be that guy.
Holt needs to go and put Francisco in there unless we can miraculously convince Wilson to leave a superbowl team for us. Don’t think we’ll have the ability to throw too much money at him if we get Faneca and Suggs. (We did it with Edge, why not Wilson?)
I know everyone is disappointed in a non-playoff team but I have to harp back at this one fact.
Last year we lost bad on the road, we never had a chance in Seattle, Atlanta, Oakland, Green Bay, Minnesota and San Diego. We weren’t really in those last two games. This year I can only point to one game, Seattle. The rest we were close on and very dumb mistakes cost us those games. Also, we improved by three games and were in the playoff race through week 14. That’s about as good as most of us had realistically hoped for. Combine it with the slew of injuries to starters and this season is way more impressive than people give credit for.
Next year, it’s 10-6 or die! I won’t be happy with anything less.
Mitch - I pretty much agree with everything you’ve said, but would couch it the following general terms.
Our offseason training and conditioning program (i.e. improving the players we’ve already got) is equally as important as players we acquire in free agency or the draft.
Faneca would be a terrific pickup; however, he may be too rich for our blood; cap-wise - especially when you factor in his age. The tough question Rod G and Wiz will have to ask is: “If we sign Faneca, who will we have to give up in order to hit our cap number? Even if we added Faneca, I’d feel more comfortable with a little bit more stability depthwise at OT as well. Maybe Wells (who has quick feet) could move over to LT - either as a starter or as backup to Gandy.
Our problem in the secondary is lack of speed and athleticism, once you get past Wilson, Green and Rolle (not that Antrel is all that speedy). We need an infusion of safeties and CB’s who are big enough to deal with tall wideouts, fast enough to run with the burners and “get it” when it comes to coverage techniques.
Although we can probably get by at LB (assuming everyone returns to health) I’m nervous about the natural talent and knowledge of position by our transition DE’s who are now LB’s. We could use one or two athletic guys who’ve been trained at the position in HS and college.
Althought our young TE’s showed improvement, if there’s a compleat Gonzalez or Gaines type available in free agency or the draft, it sure would be nice to have one of those as a big, talll security blanket for our QB’s to go to when everyone else is covered.
While I believe we can get by for another year with Edge, Marcel and JJ, this may be the right time to load the cannon with a young heir apparent RB if one is available when we pick.
If either Rattay or Hasselbeck can prove they belong as our #3 (i.e. either they’re good enough to step in and win from Day One or have so much potential that they’re worth keeping) we’d be OK depthwise. But I’m not sold on either yet. If the right young guy is available either in free agency or the right spot in the draft, we should think opportunistically and be ready to grab him.
But coming around full circle - our problems this past season has had more to do with lack of mental discipline than it did lack of physical talent. Our off-season pgm must be a top priority.
Oh yeah, one more thing too, we are #3 in the league in red zone touchdown conversions at 68.3%. If that’s not progress, I don’t know what is.
Really????? Cason over Aqib Talib or Malcolm Jenkins??? Are you on crack????? Jenkins will be gone before our pick so I see Talib as our #1 pick. It’s gonna happen. I see it.