Quick Thoughts

[Harry]

Quarterback: I put the over/under at 2 games regarding how long it will take for the O-line to get Bulger erased. Palmer would be a better choice, but I don’t think the Cards will give up the picks. Cincy ownership does not want to move him. Kolb won’t be traded. His contract is priced right. The Cards will sign a vet.

First Pick: If the Cards can’t trade down, they will take the best defensive player on the board. They will not take a QB.

DC: I like Horton but he wasn’t the best DC out there and diversity of opinion, not just the Pittsburgh line, would be nice.

Money: This year will be the real test. If the Cards don’t spend serious dollars in free agency, they never will. This rummage sale philosophy has to end if they hope to contend.

Last Thought: Why is Warner not part of this organization?

 

[joeshmo]

Money: This year will be the real test. If the Cards don’t spend serious dollars in free agency, they never will. This rummage sale philosophy has to end if they hope to contend.

Last Thought: Why is Warner not part of this organization?

Wiz first three years here they were in the top 7 NFL teams in total player salary spent. You may not like what they spent it on but they without a doubt spent money and a lot of it. Last year was the first year out of 4 that was a blip on the screen. Once the CBA is done they will start spending again, may not be on who you want but they will spend.

Warner is not part of the organization because it isn't what he wants to do with his life. He has already stated he has no aspirations to be a coach, which also means any FO or scouting spots as well. The guy is making a ton of money working half the time these days, he is happy where he is at. They guy is one year removed from being retired and we are already wondering why he isn't part of the organization? Not everyone is Deshea Townsend who gets a coaching job before he even files his retirement papers.

 

[TJ]

Last Thought: Why is Warner not part of this organization?

Why should he be? Just because the guy retires does not obligate him to pursue future endeavors with the team. The term "retirement" is to leave for other chapters in life. Some wish to pursue other careers, some decide to just fade into the sunset. In his case, he did DWTS, Fox broadcasting, became more devoted to religion and to his family. Nothing wrong with that.

There should be zero ill will towards Warner. He did what he had to do for his own well being and quality of life. Any of us would probably do the same in his situation

 

[Cards Czar]

Wiz first three years here they were in the top 7 NFL teams in total player salary spent. You may not like what they spent it on but they without a doubt spent money and a lot of it. Last year was the first year out of 4 that was a blip on the screen. Once the CBA is done they will start spending again, may not be on who you want but they will spend.

Warner is not part of the organization because it isn't what he wants to do with his life. He has already stated he has no aspirations to be a coach, which also means any FO or scouting spots as well. The guy is making a ton of money working half the time these days, he is happy where he is at. They guy is one year removed from being retired and we are already wondering why he isn't part of the organization? Not everyone is Deshea Townsend who gets a coaching job before he even files his retirement papers.

I think maybe Harry is talking about Warner being in the PR dept. He could do wonders promoting the Cardinals.

 

[Chopper0080]

Quarterback: I put the over/under at 2 games regarding how long it will take for the O-line to get Bulger erased. Palmer would be a better choice, but I don’t think the Cards will give up the picks. Cincy ownership does not want to move him. Kolb won’t be traded. His contract is priced right. The Cards will sign a vet.

First Pick: If the Cards can’t trade down, they will take the best defensive player on the board. They will not take a QB.

DC: I like Horton but he wasn’t the best DC out there and diversity of opinion, not just the Pittsburgh line, would be nice.

Money: This year will be the real test. If the Cards don’t spend serious dollars in free agency, they never will. This rummage sale philosophy has to end if they hope to contend.

Last Thought: Why is Warner not part of this organization?

The better question is why isn't Aeneas Williams? I would argue that he is the greatest Cardinal of all time, and I hope the reason that he isn't is because he doesn't want to be.

 

[Duckjake]

Wiz first three years here they were in the top 7 NFL teams in total player salary spent. You may not like what they spent it on but they without a doubt spent money and a lot of it. Last year was the first year out of 4 that was a blip on the screen. Once the CBA is done they will start spending again, may not be on who you want but they will spend.

Warner is not part of the organization because it isn't what he wants to do with his life. He has already stated he has no aspirations to be a coach, which also means any FO or scouting spots as well. The guy is making a ton of money working half the time these days, he is happy where he is at. They guy is one year removed from being retired and we are already wondering why he isn't part of the organization? Not everyone is Deshea Townsend who gets a coaching job before he even files his retirement papers.

According to a USA Today salary database the Cards were 14th in 2009. 8th in 2008. 20th in 2007. But then I guess it all depends on what each site is counting as payroll.

In 2008 and 2009 there were the big hits from Fitz and then Warner and the two franchise tags on Dansby. Over $25 million in '08 and $28 million in 2009 spent on just two players Fitz/Dansby and then Warner/Dansby.

Free Agents:

2009 McFadden $5 million
2008 Laboy $6.5 million Haggans $1.3
2007 Al Johnson 7 million, Hood $3.5 Gandy $3.0 and Morey $950k

http://content.usatoday.com/sportsdata/football/nfl/salaries/team

 

[jefftheshark]

I'm a hundred and eighty degrees away from you on this post, Harry, so you're probably right - but:

1) I think we do take a QB with the first pick and go after McNabb in FA. IMO the FO will try to catch lighting in the bottle a second time, and look for Donovan to play the Warner role - with the new kid being a Leinart who actually wants to play.
I think they'll do this because then it will be all on Whiz to make this work - fixing this within the timeframe he has remaining on his contract, or he's gone. Plus they have no desire, reading between the lines in the Owner's letter to the fans, to be perceived as ignoring the QB issue - as they've basically pinned the entire disaster of last season on that mistake.

2) Horton will provide the FO the rational to not pick "D" with the first pick, since he's being brought in to coach up the players we've got. Similar to when Whiz replaced Green, when we had a lot of talent on the "O" side of the ball, but we just didn't have a coaching staff that knew what to do with it.

3) Ever since the new stadium was opened, the money issues have basically faded. If anything, it is Graves who is the limiting factor, since I am of the opinion that he doesn't spend the owner's money wisely.

4) I believe that Warner sees himself more as person who wants to follow the Troy Aikman path into the future. He didn't do half-bad when he did the color on the Saints-Cards game and if he hadn't been such a good dancer he would have been eliminated earlier during the DWTS season and probably done more work with Fox. I wouldn't be surprised to see him doing a lot more broadcasting next year, and if this is so, he's going to want to distance himself from the Cards, not be highly involved with them.

Just my .02, Harry, it's always nice to see you here.

JTS

 

[WildBB]

First Pick: If the Cards can’t trade down, they will take the best defensive player on the board. They will not take a QB.

Many here are already guaranteeing a 1st round QB selection by the FO. The other half are picking a rush OLB.

I guess it depends if they feel they can get the later in the 2nd round and not lose much.

DC: I like Horton but he wasn’t the best DC out there and diversity of opinion, not just the Pittsburgh line, would be nice.

The secondary was in shambles. Anything will be an improvement. Especially since they won't have the luxury mtl of adding an early round CB. Seriously, anything would have been an improvement almost.

Money: This year will be the real test. If the Cards don’t spend serious dollars in free agency, they never will. This rummage sale philosophy has to end if they hope to contend.

We can only hope. There has been speculation that there won't be FA's this season. But I agree, especially on the OL, they need an influx of talent there to establish a better run game. Also, Like you said the over/under for keeping Bulger upright is 2 games.

 

[Duckjake]

We can only hope. There has been speculation that there won't be FA's this season. But I agree, especially on the OL, they need an influx of talent there to establish a better run game.

If there is no free agency this season 2011 is over for Arizona, unless they can somehow vastly improve the defense.

I just don't see the Cards being able to compete even if they draft a QB at #5.
Skelton,Rookie,Hall and we'll be looking forward to 2010 by the end of September I'm afraid.

 

[Buckybird]

If there is no free agency this season 2011 is over for Arizona, unless they can somehow vastly improve the defense.

I just don't see the Cards being able to compete even if they draft a QB at #5.
Skelton,Rookie,Hall and we'll be looking forward to 2010 by the end of September I'm afraid.

Absolutely agree Duck...and you know we wont be bad enough to have the #1 pick to draft Andrew Luck.

 

[RonF]

I agree with Harry. We only pick a QB as first pick if he is the best athlete available. In fact, I would only pick defensive players for a year or two so that a field goal will do it for us to win a game. IMO, most of the games we have lost in the past was due to lack of defense, NOT offense.

 

[DeAnna]

First Pick: If the Cards can’t trade down, they will take the best defensive player on the board. They will not take a QB.

I agree - I don't see them taking a QB, but the best defensive player.

 

[john h]

Quarterback: I put the over/under at 2 games regarding how long it will take for the O-line to get Bulger erased. Palmer would be a better choice, but I don’t think the Cards will give up the picks. Cincy ownership does not want to move him. Kolb won’t be traded. His contract is priced right. The Cards will sign a vet.

First Pick: If the Cards can’t trade down, they will take the best defensive player on the board. They will not take a QB.

DC: I like Horton but he wasn’t the best DC out there and diversity of opinion, not just the Pittsburgh line, would be nice.

Money: This year will be the real test. If the Cards don’t spend serious dollars in free agency, they never will. This rummage sale philosophy has to end if they hope to contend.

Last Thought: Why is Warner not part of this organization?

Harry: Warner left a winner. Why spoil it?

 

[john h]

I agree - I don't see them taking a QB, but the best defensive player.

I say it depends on how they view the available QBs. There is no doubt our greatest need is a QB. I would argue that with anyone. If they do not think what ever QB is available to them can be a good NFL QB then I agree they go DE or LB or even DB.

 

[Chopper0080]

I say it depends on how they view the available QBs. There is no doubt our greatest need is a QB. I would argue that with anyone. If they do not think what ever QB is available to them can be a good NFL QB then I agree they go DE or LB or even DB.

Yes, but not a need that we can afford to address through the draft this offseason. I would not be surprised to see rookie QB's devalued through the draft this year because of the strike shortened off season. Without mini camps or rookie camps or even having the playbook, drafted QB's will be essentially throwing away a season. It's hard to draft a player in the first round who won't make any impact the following season for most teams, especially those who have head coaches on the bubble.

 

[Harry]

Zombie is on the money about quarterbacks. I am a fan of Newton as an athlete, but he is not the ball control QB that fits Whisenhunt's system. No other QB, including Mr. Mizzou, is worth the 5 pick. Green is worth the pick, but they won't likely go that way unless they see Fitz as a lost cause to stay. Besides, it's hard to believe they would write off Skelton this quickly. Surely they knew he was 2 years away when they took him. Can you really develop 2 QBs simultaneously?

As to Warner, I don't want to unretire him. PR or training camp work with the young QBs would be beneficial. I agree completely on Williams. This team has no sense of tradition. The only Ring of Honer here seems to be in a Bidwill bath tub.

 

[LarryStalling]

Harry, I am certain that you know more about this than I do. How many rookie quarterbacks take the helm of a BAD team like the Cards were last year and win half of the games they start? I can certainly think of some exceptional qb's that had horrendous rookie season and progressed to the exceptional ranking in following parts of their career.