I think the toughest roster decisions that Whiz and his staff will have to make are:
1. Whether to keep all 4 QBs. Whiz does not take the #3 QB job lightly, especially after he had to use his #3 in his first year in Arizona. This is why he paid Brian St. Pierre $1M per the last two years to be the #3.
If Max Hall wins the #3 job, Whiz knows that if he waives 5th round pick, John Skelton, a player he traded up to get, Skelton will be claimed by another team. Skelton's size and big arm are much to impressive for teams to pass, especially teams that are willing to be patient with him.
If Hall and Skelton are neck and neck for the #3 job, Whiz may hope to squeeze Hall by waivers. But, Hall has been getting some very good press for a UCFA, and teams may be aware of this. Because Hall lacks ideal size, he might be able to clear waivers...the question is, would Whiz be willing to risk it, especially if his gut tells him that Hall is a better fit than Skelton.
What will complicate the 4 QB decision are decisions that might have to be made about injured players. Take LB Gerald Hayes, for example. Will the staff be willing to keep a roster spot for Hayes in the event that he could return to good health and playing shape at some point in the season, maybe after the bye week?
Whiz doesn't like to gamble on roster spots that way.
While it may seem superfluous to keep 4 QBs...I maintain that with so much uncertainty about the QB position, present and future, there will be much consideration about keeping both Hall and Skelton...and it would seem thoroughly unlikely that the staff would be willing to waive one of the veterans.
2. Whether to keep 4 RBs. Most teams keep 3. Last year, Jason Wright was kept because of his STs prowess...and Whiz created a small role for him as a situational RB. This year, does Whiz have the luxury of keeping 4 RBs?
3. Whether to keep C Ben Claxton as the backup center or use Rex Hadnot there in order to keep T Herman Johnson. While Whiz has called Johnson out, as Joe informed us, there's no need for Johnson to be an active player this year, not with Bridges on the roster. But, there's no way Whiz is going to cut a talent like Johnson. Whiz LOVES his depth and Johnson offers great potential and depth.
4. The TE situation. Ben Patrick is supposed be ready for game one. He's in. Stephen Spach is a Whiz favorite, so he's in. But what happens if Anthony Becht remains on the sidelines? Does Whiz keep a roster s[pot for him and go with two TEs the first couple of games? Does this open the door for Dominique Byrd or Jim Dray (if he returns to health)?
Don't be surprised if at some point the Cardinals add a new TE to the mix.
5. The ILB spots. Lenon and Washington are in. Beyond that, who knows? Reggie Walker will earn one of the spots, IMO. The question then becomes, do they keep a spot for Hayes? The other is, they would need another ILB for depth until Hayes comes back. Beisel? Togafau? The UCFA Chris Johnson? Will they look at Mark Washington inside? That would be a bonus if Mark Washington was versatile enough to be a backup inside and outside.
6. The #5 CB. The Cardinals will most likely keep 5 CBs and 4 Ss. The 4 safeties are set. DRC, Toler, McBride and Adams (STs ace) are set. The #5 spot is not. Justin Miller adds avalue on STs...so he has the inside track...but can he be a factor as a backup CB and nickel man?
A CB off the waiver wire...or a trade...may bring the answer here.
So where are the vulnerable spots on this roster?
1. QB. I like what Wolf had to say about Leinart and the QBs in general...he said that "I don't want a QB to merely manage a game, QBs in this league have to make big plays in big games."
2. FB. No proven guy there.
3. TE. A lot of mediocrity and health issues.
4. G. Faneca has to play up to his usual standards and Lutui has to pick up where he left off next year, if the Cardinals have any serious hope of running the ball with consistent success. And, when it comes time to pass protect, Faneca and Lutui have to be better than advertised.
5. NT. As long as Bryan Robinson remains the starter, there's still an issue here. Not that BR stinks...he's just not a dynamic physical presence in the middle.
6. SILB. Thus far the coaches have been raving about Paris Lenon. Will he produce in games?
7. WILB. Washington will have to start right away and he is going to have to learn quickly.
8. RCB. Toler had a good scrimmage, now let's see what he looks like covering the likes of Andre Johnson this week. The depth behind Toler is very questionable.
9. Nickel. Who plays the nickel?
