kerouac9
Klowned by Keim
This is a little bit of a combination of a prediction and a prescription. I try and weed out players that don’t fit the Cards’ system or I don’t think they’d like—that’s why you won’t see Jared Gaither in this plan. I’m also going to give an option for free agency; if one player is signed or goes off the market, then go to the next one.
When it comes to the draft or free agency, I don’t predict trades. They’re inherently unpredictable and generally lead to more wish fulfillment than I like to do here.
Finally, for the draft I use The Huddle Report’s Value Chart. I only consider players ranked at or lower than where the Cards are choosing in that particular round. The Huddle Report is an accurate and entertaining draft site and well worth the $9.95/mo.
Pre-free agency roster movement:
Cut OT Levi Brown – Results in $18.225 million in salary cap savings (!)
Convert Larry Fitzgerald’s roster bonus to signing bonus – Results in $12 million in cap savings this year, adds $0 to 2012 payroll, but adds $2.2 million to Fitz’s cap number from 2013 – 2018
Release TE Todd Heap - $3.375 million in salary cap savings plus payroll savings.
Release WR Chansi Stuckey - $2.45 million in salary cap savings plus payroll savings.
Total 2012 Salary cap savings: $36.05 million
Pre-movement salary cap room (EST): $3.00 million
Total salary cap space: $39.05 million (Including Calais Campbell’s Franchise Tender)
Free Agency Signings:
WR2: Robert Meachem (NO), Braylon Edwards (SF), Greg Camarillo (MIA) – I’ve been worn down on Meachem, but I think that Edwards and Camarillo are more interesting targets. The market is absolutely glutted with free agent WRs and this is a strong draft class. We should be able to get one of these guys for three years, $6 million, $2 million guaranteed.
WR4: Early Doucet (ARI), Chaz Schilens (OAK), Josh Morgan (SF), Devin Thomas (NYG), Anthony Gonzalez (IND). Injury cases and engigmas all, but would you rather have one of these guys in training camp, or an undrafted free agent? They’ll all come for minimum veteran salaries, $500,000 signing bonus
OT: Dennis Roland (CIN), Ryan O’Callahan (KC), Stacey Andrews (NYG), Artis Hicks (CLE), Kirk Chambers (HOU), Anthony Collins (CIN), Max Starks (PIT) – Probably choose two from this liast. Roland has good size and has started 27 games over the last three seasons. Andrews, Hicks, and Starks are veterans nearing the ends of their careers. You should be able to get any two of them for three years, $9 million, $4 million guaranteed.
OLB: Jarrett Johnson (BAL), Clark Haggans (ARI), Manny Lawson (CIN), Marvin Mitchell (MIA), Quentin Groves (OAK). Pickings at this need position are mighty slim even if Kamerion Wimbley (OAK) is released as expected in the coming week. Johnson may get overpaid by someone because of his pedigree. I’d prefer bringing Haggans back for two years, $4 million, $1.5 million guaranteed.
DB: Richard Marshall (ARI), William Gay (PIT), Marcus Trufant (SEA), Eric Wright (DET), Tracy Porter (NO), Kelvin Hayden (ATL). Prefer to get Marshall back, but you have to wonder how much you can pay a guy who’s never going to be more than your 2nd cornerback. Gay is an intriguing option because of his familiarity with the system, although he’s a whipping boy in Pittsburgh. Trufant could be an excellent mentor and thrive in a #2 role.
TE: John Carlson (SEA), Bo Scaife (CIN), Todd Heap (ARI). I’m actually fine with going into the draft with a depth chart of King/Housler/Dray. I’m also fine with Heap coming back at a reduced salary. If Carlson is willing to sign for Heap’s numbers—he’ll be the top free agent target—then he’d be an upgrade over Heap in every way.
That’s what I have time for right now. I’ll come back later with a first-round projection to #13 overall and a Cards mock draft.
When it comes to the draft or free agency, I don’t predict trades. They’re inherently unpredictable and generally lead to more wish fulfillment than I like to do here.
Finally, for the draft I use The Huddle Report’s Value Chart. I only consider players ranked at or lower than where the Cards are choosing in that particular round. The Huddle Report is an accurate and entertaining draft site and well worth the $9.95/mo.
Pre-free agency roster movement:
Cut OT Levi Brown – Results in $18.225 million in salary cap savings (!)
Convert Larry Fitzgerald’s roster bonus to signing bonus – Results in $12 million in cap savings this year, adds $0 to 2012 payroll, but adds $2.2 million to Fitz’s cap number from 2013 – 2018
Release TE Todd Heap - $3.375 million in salary cap savings plus payroll savings.
Release WR Chansi Stuckey - $2.45 million in salary cap savings plus payroll savings.
Total 2012 Salary cap savings: $36.05 million
Pre-movement salary cap room (EST): $3.00 million
Total salary cap space: $39.05 million (Including Calais Campbell’s Franchise Tender)
Free Agency Signings:
WR2: Robert Meachem (NO), Braylon Edwards (SF), Greg Camarillo (MIA) – I’ve been worn down on Meachem, but I think that Edwards and Camarillo are more interesting targets. The market is absolutely glutted with free agent WRs and this is a strong draft class. We should be able to get one of these guys for three years, $6 million, $2 million guaranteed.
WR4: Early Doucet (ARI), Chaz Schilens (OAK), Josh Morgan (SF), Devin Thomas (NYG), Anthony Gonzalez (IND). Injury cases and engigmas all, but would you rather have one of these guys in training camp, or an undrafted free agent? They’ll all come for minimum veteran salaries, $500,000 signing bonus
OT: Dennis Roland (CIN), Ryan O’Callahan (KC), Stacey Andrews (NYG), Artis Hicks (CLE), Kirk Chambers (HOU), Anthony Collins (CIN), Max Starks (PIT) – Probably choose two from this liast. Roland has good size and has started 27 games over the last three seasons. Andrews, Hicks, and Starks are veterans nearing the ends of their careers. You should be able to get any two of them for three years, $9 million, $4 million guaranteed.
OLB: Jarrett Johnson (BAL), Clark Haggans (ARI), Manny Lawson (CIN), Marvin Mitchell (MIA), Quentin Groves (OAK). Pickings at this need position are mighty slim even if Kamerion Wimbley (OAK) is released as expected in the coming week. Johnson may get overpaid by someone because of his pedigree. I’d prefer bringing Haggans back for two years, $4 million, $1.5 million guaranteed.
DB: Richard Marshall (ARI), William Gay (PIT), Marcus Trufant (SEA), Eric Wright (DET), Tracy Porter (NO), Kelvin Hayden (ATL). Prefer to get Marshall back, but you have to wonder how much you can pay a guy who’s never going to be more than your 2nd cornerback. Gay is an intriguing option because of his familiarity with the system, although he’s a whipping boy in Pittsburgh. Trufant could be an excellent mentor and thrive in a #2 role.
TE: John Carlson (SEA), Bo Scaife (CIN), Todd Heap (ARI). I’m actually fine with going into the draft with a depth chart of King/Housler/Dray. I’m also fine with Heap coming back at a reduced salary. If Carlson is willing to sign for Heap’s numbers—he’ll be the top free agent target—then he’d be an upgrade over Heap in every way.
That’s what I have time for right now. I’ll come back later with a first-round projection to #13 overall and a Cards mock draft.