Off to the Off-Season

January 13, 2008 by Harry Greene

Another non-playoff year has come to an end.  Cards’ fans will be entering a period of greater than usual uncertainty this off-season, as Rod Graves has already announced that the team will not be a player for major free agents despite a number of glaring holes on both sides of the ball.

I will endeavor to take a look at each position and try to assess where the Cards could go from here.  The absence of free agents dollars is a bad sign, as the Cards limited success this year will mean a much tougher schedule next season.  A team moving up always is confronted with this challenge of trying to upgrade personnel faster than the opposition upgrades.  If Graves is correct in his assessment, there would seem little hope of a dramatically successful off-season, as successfully filling most of the holes would seem to take at least a few free agents.  Anyway, here’s my view of what he is up against.

Quarterback

Overview

It always makes for a tricky off-season when there are a number of questions about this position.  First is Leinart really Whisenhunt’s guy?  You have to wonder about the quick decision to put Leinart on IR.  As it turned out they rehabbed him slowly, so perhaps doubters are reading too much into this decision.  This is a big issue because if Leinart’s not the Cards’ QB of the future, the Cards are the ones who are in a world of hurt.  Drafting yet another QB would not seem a good option and surely would be viewed as a vote of non-confidence in Mr. Leinart.  There may be some impact free agents, but apparently there will be no dollars to get one of them.  Then there’s Mr. Warner.  Can he return to the mentor’s role gracefully or will his presence divide the team if Leinart gets off to a rough start?  In my mind Whisenhunt found the perfect role for Warner.  He can still be a force in a hurry up offense and used with proper timing that strategy can turn around an entire game.  It was the best call Whisenhunt made this season.  Will Warner accept that role?  Will Leinart feel too threatened if Warner is looking over his shoulder?   Can the Cards’ afford an experienced backup QB with so many holes to be filled?  Finally, if the Cards keep both can they afford not to keep an experienced backup in view of the fragility of the two primary players at the position?   

IMO

It’s way too early to give up on Leinart.  He’s more of a celebrity-type than Whisenhunt would prefer, but the string must be played out with Leinart.  The investment is too great and the options not attractive enough to accept.  Warner has undoubtedly hurt his market value in any role other than the one Whisenhunt has cast him.  He clearly did not play his best in big games, though his warrior’s heart cannot be questioned.  Despite his high price, his impact potential is too great to ignore against the upcoming schedule.  I’d bite the bullet and keep him.  Finally, despite budget limitations the Cards must keep an emergency 3^rd QB on the roster who knows the system.  They cannot afford to give away a game like they did this season when they lost to Carolina.  I keep hearing how Rackers ruined the season.  Nothing hurt more than this needless loss due to a lack of foresight.   

Potential Help

I can’t see the Cards paying the price, but McNabb would be interesting if they are truly ready to give up on Leinart or Warner.  I think this would be a major mistake.  On the draft scene, Woodson from Kentucky likely lasts until round 2 and he is capable of playing soon due the nature of the Kentucky offense.  The Cards don’t throw deep often, so Kentucky’s focus on the short passing game would make him a decent fit. 

Overall

Sitting and learning can be a good way to take the next step in the NFL.  Hopefully Leinart will benefit from the experience.  If so, this will be a Cardinal area of strength, particularly if they can hold on to either Hasselbeck or Rattay (my preference if affordable).

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