RugbyMuffin
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Since I had a week long vacation, one of the things I wanted to do with my week off is to do a run down of the current roster, with a preview of the offseason.
Introduction:
This was a weird season for me personally. I really was angry and disgusted with the lockout, and then with the Cardinals and their inability to spend money to the cap and complete a team personnel wise. Not to mention personal stuff outside of football that effected my involvement in football, yada, yada, yada. But, I will give it to the Cardinals, ala John Skelton when I was ready to be done with the whole situation, they came together and made one heck of an exciting, competitive team that you wanted to root for. Players stepped up, and showed they can be exciting, and give hope. Two very valuable things to a football franchise. Entertainment (excitement), and suspense (hope).
The end of this season gave most of us, some hope, and some excitement going into this offseason. Furthermore, it has been almost 2 years since the NFL, and its fans have had a normal offseason. So, thus why I am WAY, WAY ahead of myself and the league with looking to the offseason. But, I digress…….
Coaching:
Whiz, Grimm, and Miller will all be back. While I commend these three for sticking with their team, making some small needed changes, and toughing through a very discouraging season offensively, they all need to do better. I was not one to praise Whiz a couple of weeks ago, and I am not about to do so here. Personally, as a fan, I am tired of having a poor offensive line with Russ Grimm, and I am tired of having under developed, and under achieving QB’s with Whiz. I truly think Whiz is oblivious to how breakdown and find a NFL QB for his system, let alone develop one. The track record has proven this. Whiz has yet to bring in a QB, that he chose, that has consistently shown he can get the job done in all phases. To say I am concerned is to go back a year, because at this point I am just fed up. Grimm? LOL. The offensive line is a joke, but I will say this. There is an opportunity to get this unit to where it can be at least stable. The concern is if this organization believes in Grimm so much, why I would not understand, that they will believe that the line is good with what we have. :shudder: At this point, I will take ½ of the offense, meaning, I will take a good pass blocking or good run blocking line. But, it needs to do one phase well, so the offense has something, anything, to lean on. Miller ? He is a joke. The Cardinals need a better O.C.
Ray Horton. The obvious thing about Horton is that he coaches and uses players for who they are. He fits his system to what he has personnel wise. That is not even mentioning his ability to generate some sort of pass rush, or his development of our younger players like Acho, Schofield, Peterson, and Washington. The job he has done with our secondary has been phenomenal. Did he really have a secondary of Patrick Peterson, Richard Marshall, Adrian Wilson, and Rashad Johnson, and shut down offenses with it ? Did he really ? “He coached the Cardinal out of them”. Yes, yes he did. No more arms flailing while facing the WR, and hoping the ball hits the defender in the back of the head. These players have been using good technique, and making plays on the ball. In my opinion, our team is currently “more complete” defensively, and I think the focus of the offseason is to try and complete the defense. No problems with what Ray Horton is doing, and that shouldn’t be too hard for the front office to do, since there is not much missing from the defense in the first place.
On a final note, as stated above, there was an issue of giving Whiz some praise recently. There is no doubt, that the way the Cardinals finished the season was impressive. If praise should be given to Whiz for this season, it is that he has developed a heck of a defense here in the desert. Whomever is, and however they are analyzing talent for the defense, it is working very well. I praise Whiz for how he has built this current defense. The starters (if they re-sign Campbell) on this defense are pretty talented, and the defense is good. The defense is so good, it can carry an offense.
Quarterback:
I think this team is built to play and be competitive without having to rely solely on the QB. In other words the team surrounding our QB position is much better than it was in years past. The QB just has to be a solid game manager, ala Alex Smith, for the Cardinals to be competitive, and challenge for the playoffs.
We have months to debate, John Skelton, and Kevin Kolb. Of course the biggest story right now is Kevin Kolb’s concussion symptoms and problems. He has not played for over a month. There is no certainty when he will come back, and how long he can stay active when he does. [Take it from a Pittsburgh Penguins hockey fan on this, you NEVER know.] Obviously, if Kolb is done for good we are in a bad place. John Skelton has promise, but he is just starting out, and is a question mark.
An “off-topic” sidenote, I want to make about the QB situation is that I feel this team is “good enough” right now outside of the QB position, that the Cardinals could go all in on a QB. It is not exactly what I would personally do, but I could get behind selling the farm to get Andrew Luck or even Peyton Manning. With Andrew Luck, you are giving up a lot of draft picks this year, and the next. With Peyton Manning you are giving up any thought of signing any other free agent this year, or for a few years that is not a UDFA. Luck is of course a bigger risk but for a franchise QB for the next 15 years, it could be worth it. Manning = Playoffs for 3 yrs. And with Larry Fitzgerald, Beanie Wells, and a good defense ? You never know.
Coming back to earth and reality, Kolb will probably be around next year, and will be penciled in as the starter. Personally, I don’t agree, because I think the money could be better spent elsewhere, but Kolb will be back in my opinion. Kevin Kolb has a massive amount of questions. Kolb had a short offseason, played poorly while in as the starter, was hurt, and then concussed. Kolb is currently concussed, and went into the offseason in this condition. Yet, Kolb has the work ethic, the drive, and the ability to be a QB. He must fix his footwork, his poise, and his accuracy. I have no problem what so ever if the Cardinals bring Kolb back, even if I don’t agree with it. It makes sense, and I would be happy if Kolb became a solid starter (ala Matt Schaub) in the NFL.
John Skelton (aka Double Deuce), LOL, I think it is obvious that I like John Skelton. You have to admit he makes the game interesting. I like his size, I like his poise, and I like his potential. While Skelton has had some of the more horrific, and awful starts I have ever seen in my life. “That’s my teammate……that’s my QB” :sniffle: What I like about Skelton is that he can make big time, big pressure, NFL throws. He has had some of the prettiest passes I have seen in the NFL. He works a vertical passing game, and has the confidence to make any throw asked of him. Still, he shows he is a “5th round pick from Fordham” and that he is very raw. At age 23 and with 2 years left on his contract, the question for the Cardinals is, are they going to develop Skelton or not?
For me, this team is too close to being a playoff team to fool around at QB. Kolb has ability, but health questions. Skelton has questions about whether he can fulfill his potential, and whether his ability to close games will be consistent or a flash in the pan. I personally would bring in a re-tread QB to Arizona. I don’t think the Cardinals will be thinking the same way, and that is scary. What if Kolb can’t come back, or is hit the first game and is done? What Skelton then comes in, and is horrific, and I mean 18 QB rating for 4 quarters horrific? Rich Bartell? Please, please no. My retread QB, is Byron Leftwich. I think Leftwich has enough in the tank to give a year or two of stable QB play to a team. Furthermore, for the role, and the price that the Cardinals are looking for, it would be a nice fit, in my opinion.
Action: Sign Byron Leftwich to a 2 yr deal.
2012 QB Core:
1- Kevin Kolb – (5)
2- Byron Leftwich – (2)*
3- John Skelton – (2)
Runningback:
All and all, I am fine with our running back core. With a healthy Ryan Williams, I believe the Cardinals have what they need to run the ball. Beanie Wells can obviously carry the load, and make things happen. Williams will hopefully provide a little rest for Beanie, and LSH can keep playing his role.
A thousand yards rushing, is not what it used to be, but in the modern day NFL is it back to being a significant number, but for different reasons than in the past. The NFL is a “pass happy” league, and for Beanie Wells to obtain 1,000 yards rushing in a season where he has been hurt, where the team has been playing behind, and while running behind a very sub-average offensive line, it is quite an accomplishment.
The biggest question this offseason will be if Ryan Williams can come back from his horrible injury. We need a #2 back, and with Williams coming back from a bad injury, a #2 position will suit him well next season. I personally think he will come back, and be a solid #2 for the Cardinals.
LaRod Stephens-Howling is one of those role players that can be more valuable to a team then what the numbers, and the amount of touches he gets indicates. LSH is a big play type of player, and has shown the ability to take it to the house on special teams, or out of the backfield as a running back. Being a restricted free agent makes re-signing him for next year a cinch. A 3rd round tender should do it, but using an even higher one wouldn’t bother me in the least. The new kickoff rule lessened his kickoff return value, but he showed in the season finale that he can handle the load need be. He fits the role of a “chang of pace back” extremely well for this team.
Finally, Alfonso Smith, in my opinion, is a perfect 4th running back. He is adequate in running the ball, and pass blocking. He has great speed, and plays special teams. When people say “he’s a north-south” runner, they mean a player runs like Smith. Smith hits the hole, and goes straight up field. I don’t think I have ever seen him even try to make a move. Fine with me.
Action: Re-sign LaRod Stephens-Howling to a RFA tender, re-sign Alfonso Smith to a 1yr deal.
2012 RB Core:
1- Chris “Beanie” Wells – (2)
2- Ryan Williams – (3)
3- LaRod Stephens-Howling – (1)*
4 – Alfonso Smith – (1)*
Wide Reciever:
This organization better start running the ball more effectively next year. When you look at where the talent is, it is at running back. Long gone are the days of the high flying aerial attack in Arizona. The receiver cupboard is a bare. Sorry it is. We have Larry Fitzgerald, and ____? Andre Roberts, Early Doucet, Chansi Stuckey, DeMarco Sampson, and Stephen Williams are dime a dozen wide receivers in my opinion. Furthermore, out of who we have at WR, they are all slot type receivers (except for Williams who is just not good enough), and when any of them are put on the outside they all seem to have problems getting off the line. While Roberts, and Doucet show glimpses of being a #2 it is never consistent, and always seem to do something in a clutch situation to make you wish for another wide receiver.
Looking back it was a very poor decision to not go out and get a solid #2 NFL WR this previous offseason, especially, when there was a good choice of players to choose from. Hopefully the Cardinals learn from this mistake and bring in someone that can play on the other side of the field.
Larry Fitzgerald needs no breakdown, the man IS our passing game. I agree with the few statements I have read that this was his best year. Throw the numbers out the window, he single handedly won us a good number of games this year, with catches only he could make. Fitz is worth every penny we pay him.
I would be fine with Andre Roberts as our #3 slot WR. Roberts has the ability to make a play here and there, and will block. I would be fine with Chansi Stuckey and DeMarco Sampson as our #4 and #5 wide receivers as well. Of course if we pick up some receivers that beat Stuckey and Sampson out for their spots I will not complain. They both have not shown much, but what do you really need from your 4th and 5th WR when you have TE’s that can play better and do more? With hope, maybe the Cardinals can find a late round pick with some serious speed, that is very raw.
I don’t think this team needs the type of receivers it once had (i.e. Boldin & Breaston), but it is missing a big piece to the offense. The Cardinals need another big body receiver out there, or as the media labels them “possession receiver”. A receiver that uses his body to “box out” defenders and make catches in coverage. There is a chance that when the Cardinals pick in the first round that a receiver will be the BPA, but there should be an interesting prospect available with the Cardinals 3rd round pick in Tommy Streeter. The kid has very good size, and could develop into the #2 or outside receiver that the Cardinals are lacking right now. On a side note: Expect Limas Sweed in camp next offseason. If the Cardinals add that big body to the offensive I can see that being a enough to improve this offense just enough to have more extended drives (ala more 3rd down conversions).
Action: Draft Tommy Streeter in 3rd round.
2012 WR Core:
1- Larry Fitzgerald – (7)
2- Tommy Streeter – (4)
3- Andre Roberts – (2)
4- Chansi Stuckey – (1)
5- DeMarco Sampson – (3)
Fullback & Tight Ends:
The positions of fullback and tight end have been vastly improved over the last year. It seems it has been a long time since the Cardinals have had any threat, or skill at fullback, or tight end. This last season we seemed to have one of the better collections of talent at these positions.
Anthony Sherman is a homer run draft pick. As a rookie he showed good blocking skill, he showed he can catch the ball out of the backfield, that plays well in special teams, and he is a good, all-around football player with a great mentality towards the game. He is all you really need at the fullback position.
Then there is one of my favorite players in the league, Jeff King. I have wanted the Cardinals to sign this guy for years, and was extremely excited when they signed him last offseason. There was no surprise for me when King excelled at the position this year. Todd Heap is always going to be an injury concern. He is near the end of his career and he is so beat up, it is tough for him to stay on the field, but I will take every last game Heap has. In his very few appearances this year, he shows he can still catch the ball and be a threat in the passing game.
Rob Housler, and Jim Dray need each other, and are very good for as depth for this squad of players. Housler has potential, but had a very uneventful rookie season, where the catches he didn’t make or connect on are more vivid in my mind then the passes he caught. Jim Dray is a great in-game, back up fullback, and good 4th string blocking TE. Dray’s ability to play back up fullback, special teams, and be your average TE gives value to keeping him on the roster.
Action: None.
2012 FB Core:
1- Anthony Sherman – (3)
2- Jim Dray – (2)
2012 TE Core:
1- Jeff King – (2)
2- Todd Heap – (1)
3- Rob Housler – (3)
Offensive Line:
I don’t know what to say about this organization and the offensive line. What more is there to say, then what has been talked about for years on this message board. Getting a stable, and successful offensive line is the number one priority for this team after re-signing Calais Campbell to a contract. As stated at the beginning, Grimm has shown to be an awful judgment of talent at all positions on the offensive line. The nice thing about this offseason, is that there is not a single player on this line that deserves a big money, long term contract. If the Cardinals retain any player on the current roster it better be for a cheap, short term contract.
At tackle it is a disaster. I dunno. Maybe keep Levi Brown as RT, and play Jeremy Bridges at LT until we find something better. Brandon Keith? Keith is worth bringing into camp, but he is not worth a long term extension by any means. The thought of keeping things as is, would be in my opinion, being OK with going .500 every year. The combination of Levi Brown, and Brandon Keith as the Cardinal bookends is not working. Not one bit. It has to change. Levi Brown is going to be a situation where if he thinks he is getting a long term top left tackle NFL salary he is crazy, and the same goes for Keith at RT. As stated, maybe Levi Brown at right tackle. I have no problem with bringing D.J. Young back, along with D’Anthony Batiste into camp, but the Cardinals should invest a lot of time and money (after re-signing Campbell of course) to their offensive tackles.
The Cardinals have to take good long looks at Demetrius Bell, Kareem McKenzie, Jonathan Martin (Stanford), and Riley Reiff (Iowa). The reality is the Cardinals need to invest, either big free agent money, or high draft picks to fix the offensive tackle position. I don’t care what Whiz said in his last press conference, or what the official website is posting on its webpage. The offensive tackle position is in dire straits.
The guard position, is at a decent point, to sugar coat the situation. The Cardinals have a lot of average guards, but guys like Colledge, Hadnot, and Lutui are just that, very average. Colledge is the “Paris Lenon” of the offense. He does his job, and does it at a consistently adequate level. Hadnot has been so-so this season, and Lutui looks rusty, and poor in pass protection. Both guard positions should be wide open going into camp. With more important things like offensive tackle, and other positions, I would not be surprised, or concerned if the Cardinals tried to find value in free agency and in the draft. I like Art Forst, and Brian Schwab in the later round of the draft, and wonder why the Cardinals would not try and sign Vince Manuwai to a weight based contract. He is better than either of the guards we have on the roster and if he keeps his weight under control he is a very good NFL guard. It would be a “bring him in, wouldn’t hurt” situation.
At center I have a little crow to eat. I have been complaining about there being no competition at center for the Cardinals. Well, I am wrong. Ryan Bartholomew is on the practice squad and has been so all year long. If the Cardinals keep him around, and he grows, then they may have something there. I have not really noticed he was on our practice squad for the entire year, but he is an absolutely bull, strength wise. If they keep him around with Sendlein then I am fine with our center position. Sendlein had a very solid season for the Cardinals. He is earning his keep.
The problems with this offensive line are not going to be fixed in one year. I don’t think the talent will be available to fix the entire line, and that the Cardinals front office has the ability to do it, even if the opportunity was available to them. Yet, the organization should be able to improve the line this year, and set it up for bigger and better things in the future.
Action: Re-sign Brandon Keith, Draft Jonathan Martin in the 1st Round, Sign Vince Manuwai to a “Lutui Contract”, Draft Art Forst in the 6th round of the draft, Draft Brian Schwab in the 7th round of the draft, re-sign D’Anthony Batiste, re-sign D.J. Young, and re-sign Ryan Bartholomew.
2012 Offensive Line:
LT:
1- Jeremy Bridges – (1)
2- Jonathan Martin – (5)*
LG:
1- Daryn Colledge – (4)
[Vince Manuwai]
OC:
1- Lyle Sendlein – (4)
2- Ryan Bartholomew – (2)*
RG:
1- Rex Hadnot – (1)
2- Vince Manuwai – (1)*
RT:
1- Brandon Keith – (1)
[Jonathan Martin]
52nd Roster spot: D’Anthony Batiste or better.
Introduction:
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This was a weird season for me personally. I really was angry and disgusted with the lockout, and then with the Cardinals and their inability to spend money to the cap and complete a team personnel wise. Not to mention personal stuff outside of football that effected my involvement in football, yada, yada, yada. But, I will give it to the Cardinals, ala John Skelton when I was ready to be done with the whole situation, they came together and made one heck of an exciting, competitive team that you wanted to root for. Players stepped up, and showed they can be exciting, and give hope. Two very valuable things to a football franchise. Entertainment (excitement), and suspense (hope).
The end of this season gave most of us, some hope, and some excitement going into this offseason. Furthermore, it has been almost 2 years since the NFL, and its fans have had a normal offseason. So, thus why I am WAY, WAY ahead of myself and the league with looking to the offseason. But, I digress…….
Coaching:
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Whiz, Grimm, and Miller will all be back. While I commend these three for sticking with their team, making some small needed changes, and toughing through a very discouraging season offensively, they all need to do better. I was not one to praise Whiz a couple of weeks ago, and I am not about to do so here. Personally, as a fan, I am tired of having a poor offensive line with Russ Grimm, and I am tired of having under developed, and under achieving QB’s with Whiz. I truly think Whiz is oblivious to how breakdown and find a NFL QB for his system, let alone develop one. The track record has proven this. Whiz has yet to bring in a QB, that he chose, that has consistently shown he can get the job done in all phases. To say I am concerned is to go back a year, because at this point I am just fed up. Grimm? LOL. The offensive line is a joke, but I will say this. There is an opportunity to get this unit to where it can be at least stable. The concern is if this organization believes in Grimm so much, why I would not understand, that they will believe that the line is good with what we have. :shudder: At this point, I will take ½ of the offense, meaning, I will take a good pass blocking or good run blocking line. But, it needs to do one phase well, so the offense has something, anything, to lean on. Miller ? He is a joke. The Cardinals need a better O.C.
Ray Horton. The obvious thing about Horton is that he coaches and uses players for who they are. He fits his system to what he has personnel wise. That is not even mentioning his ability to generate some sort of pass rush, or his development of our younger players like Acho, Schofield, Peterson, and Washington. The job he has done with our secondary has been phenomenal. Did he really have a secondary of Patrick Peterson, Richard Marshall, Adrian Wilson, and Rashad Johnson, and shut down offenses with it ? Did he really ? “He coached the Cardinal out of them”. Yes, yes he did. No more arms flailing while facing the WR, and hoping the ball hits the defender in the back of the head. These players have been using good technique, and making plays on the ball. In my opinion, our team is currently “more complete” defensively, and I think the focus of the offseason is to try and complete the defense. No problems with what Ray Horton is doing, and that shouldn’t be too hard for the front office to do, since there is not much missing from the defense in the first place.
On a final note, as stated above, there was an issue of giving Whiz some praise recently. There is no doubt, that the way the Cardinals finished the season was impressive. If praise should be given to Whiz for this season, it is that he has developed a heck of a defense here in the desert. Whomever is, and however they are analyzing talent for the defense, it is working very well. I praise Whiz for how he has built this current defense. The starters (if they re-sign Campbell) on this defense are pretty talented, and the defense is good. The defense is so good, it can carry an offense.
Quarterback:
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I think this team is built to play and be competitive without having to rely solely on the QB. In other words the team surrounding our QB position is much better than it was in years past. The QB just has to be a solid game manager, ala Alex Smith, for the Cardinals to be competitive, and challenge for the playoffs.
We have months to debate, John Skelton, and Kevin Kolb. Of course the biggest story right now is Kevin Kolb’s concussion symptoms and problems. He has not played for over a month. There is no certainty when he will come back, and how long he can stay active when he does. [Take it from a Pittsburgh Penguins hockey fan on this, you NEVER know.] Obviously, if Kolb is done for good we are in a bad place. John Skelton has promise, but he is just starting out, and is a question mark.
An “off-topic” sidenote, I want to make about the QB situation is that I feel this team is “good enough” right now outside of the QB position, that the Cardinals could go all in on a QB. It is not exactly what I would personally do, but I could get behind selling the farm to get Andrew Luck or even Peyton Manning. With Andrew Luck, you are giving up a lot of draft picks this year, and the next. With Peyton Manning you are giving up any thought of signing any other free agent this year, or for a few years that is not a UDFA. Luck is of course a bigger risk but for a franchise QB for the next 15 years, it could be worth it. Manning = Playoffs for 3 yrs. And with Larry Fitzgerald, Beanie Wells, and a good defense ? You never know.
Coming back to earth and reality, Kolb will probably be around next year, and will be penciled in as the starter. Personally, I don’t agree, because I think the money could be better spent elsewhere, but Kolb will be back in my opinion. Kevin Kolb has a massive amount of questions. Kolb had a short offseason, played poorly while in as the starter, was hurt, and then concussed. Kolb is currently concussed, and went into the offseason in this condition. Yet, Kolb has the work ethic, the drive, and the ability to be a QB. He must fix his footwork, his poise, and his accuracy. I have no problem what so ever if the Cardinals bring Kolb back, even if I don’t agree with it. It makes sense, and I would be happy if Kolb became a solid starter (ala Matt Schaub) in the NFL.
John Skelton (aka Double Deuce), LOL, I think it is obvious that I like John Skelton. You have to admit he makes the game interesting. I like his size, I like his poise, and I like his potential. While Skelton has had some of the more horrific, and awful starts I have ever seen in my life. “That’s my teammate……that’s my QB” :sniffle: What I like about Skelton is that he can make big time, big pressure, NFL throws. He has had some of the prettiest passes I have seen in the NFL. He works a vertical passing game, and has the confidence to make any throw asked of him. Still, he shows he is a “5th round pick from Fordham” and that he is very raw. At age 23 and with 2 years left on his contract, the question for the Cardinals is, are they going to develop Skelton or not?
For me, this team is too close to being a playoff team to fool around at QB. Kolb has ability, but health questions. Skelton has questions about whether he can fulfill his potential, and whether his ability to close games will be consistent or a flash in the pan. I personally would bring in a re-tread QB to Arizona. I don’t think the Cardinals will be thinking the same way, and that is scary. What if Kolb can’t come back, or is hit the first game and is done? What Skelton then comes in, and is horrific, and I mean 18 QB rating for 4 quarters horrific? Rich Bartell? Please, please no. My retread QB, is Byron Leftwich. I think Leftwich has enough in the tank to give a year or two of stable QB play to a team. Furthermore, for the role, and the price that the Cardinals are looking for, it would be a nice fit, in my opinion.
Action: Sign Byron Leftwich to a 2 yr deal.
2012 QB Core:
1- Kevin Kolb – (5)
2- Byron Leftwich – (2)*
3- John Skelton – (2)
Runningback:
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All and all, I am fine with our running back core. With a healthy Ryan Williams, I believe the Cardinals have what they need to run the ball. Beanie Wells can obviously carry the load, and make things happen. Williams will hopefully provide a little rest for Beanie, and LSH can keep playing his role.
A thousand yards rushing, is not what it used to be, but in the modern day NFL is it back to being a significant number, but for different reasons than in the past. The NFL is a “pass happy” league, and for Beanie Wells to obtain 1,000 yards rushing in a season where he has been hurt, where the team has been playing behind, and while running behind a very sub-average offensive line, it is quite an accomplishment.
The biggest question this offseason will be if Ryan Williams can come back from his horrible injury. We need a #2 back, and with Williams coming back from a bad injury, a #2 position will suit him well next season. I personally think he will come back, and be a solid #2 for the Cardinals.
LaRod Stephens-Howling is one of those role players that can be more valuable to a team then what the numbers, and the amount of touches he gets indicates. LSH is a big play type of player, and has shown the ability to take it to the house on special teams, or out of the backfield as a running back. Being a restricted free agent makes re-signing him for next year a cinch. A 3rd round tender should do it, but using an even higher one wouldn’t bother me in the least. The new kickoff rule lessened his kickoff return value, but he showed in the season finale that he can handle the load need be. He fits the role of a “chang of pace back” extremely well for this team.
Finally, Alfonso Smith, in my opinion, is a perfect 4th running back. He is adequate in running the ball, and pass blocking. He has great speed, and plays special teams. When people say “he’s a north-south” runner, they mean a player runs like Smith. Smith hits the hole, and goes straight up field. I don’t think I have ever seen him even try to make a move. Fine with me.
Action: Re-sign LaRod Stephens-Howling to a RFA tender, re-sign Alfonso Smith to a 1yr deal.
2012 RB Core:
1- Chris “Beanie” Wells – (2)
2- Ryan Williams – (3)
3- LaRod Stephens-Howling – (1)*
4 – Alfonso Smith – (1)*
Wide Reciever:
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This organization better start running the ball more effectively next year. When you look at where the talent is, it is at running back. Long gone are the days of the high flying aerial attack in Arizona. The receiver cupboard is a bare. Sorry it is. We have Larry Fitzgerald, and ____? Andre Roberts, Early Doucet, Chansi Stuckey, DeMarco Sampson, and Stephen Williams are dime a dozen wide receivers in my opinion. Furthermore, out of who we have at WR, they are all slot type receivers (except for Williams who is just not good enough), and when any of them are put on the outside they all seem to have problems getting off the line. While Roberts, and Doucet show glimpses of being a #2 it is never consistent, and always seem to do something in a clutch situation to make you wish for another wide receiver.
Looking back it was a very poor decision to not go out and get a solid #2 NFL WR this previous offseason, especially, when there was a good choice of players to choose from. Hopefully the Cardinals learn from this mistake and bring in someone that can play on the other side of the field.
Larry Fitzgerald needs no breakdown, the man IS our passing game. I agree with the few statements I have read that this was his best year. Throw the numbers out the window, he single handedly won us a good number of games this year, with catches only he could make. Fitz is worth every penny we pay him.
I would be fine with Andre Roberts as our #3 slot WR. Roberts has the ability to make a play here and there, and will block. I would be fine with Chansi Stuckey and DeMarco Sampson as our #4 and #5 wide receivers as well. Of course if we pick up some receivers that beat Stuckey and Sampson out for their spots I will not complain. They both have not shown much, but what do you really need from your 4th and 5th WR when you have TE’s that can play better and do more? With hope, maybe the Cardinals can find a late round pick with some serious speed, that is very raw.
I don’t think this team needs the type of receivers it once had (i.e. Boldin & Breaston), but it is missing a big piece to the offense. The Cardinals need another big body receiver out there, or as the media labels them “possession receiver”. A receiver that uses his body to “box out” defenders and make catches in coverage. There is a chance that when the Cardinals pick in the first round that a receiver will be the BPA, but there should be an interesting prospect available with the Cardinals 3rd round pick in Tommy Streeter. The kid has very good size, and could develop into the #2 or outside receiver that the Cardinals are lacking right now. On a side note: Expect Limas Sweed in camp next offseason. If the Cardinals add that big body to the offensive I can see that being a enough to improve this offense just enough to have more extended drives (ala more 3rd down conversions).
Action: Draft Tommy Streeter in 3rd round.
2012 WR Core:
1- Larry Fitzgerald – (7)
2- Tommy Streeter – (4)
3- Andre Roberts – (2)
4- Chansi Stuckey – (1)
5- DeMarco Sampson – (3)
Fullback & Tight Ends:
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The positions of fullback and tight end have been vastly improved over the last year. It seems it has been a long time since the Cardinals have had any threat, or skill at fullback, or tight end. This last season we seemed to have one of the better collections of talent at these positions.
Anthony Sherman is a homer run draft pick. As a rookie he showed good blocking skill, he showed he can catch the ball out of the backfield, that plays well in special teams, and he is a good, all-around football player with a great mentality towards the game. He is all you really need at the fullback position.
Then there is one of my favorite players in the league, Jeff King. I have wanted the Cardinals to sign this guy for years, and was extremely excited when they signed him last offseason. There was no surprise for me when King excelled at the position this year. Todd Heap is always going to be an injury concern. He is near the end of his career and he is so beat up, it is tough for him to stay on the field, but I will take every last game Heap has. In his very few appearances this year, he shows he can still catch the ball and be a threat in the passing game.
Rob Housler, and Jim Dray need each other, and are very good for as depth for this squad of players. Housler has potential, but had a very uneventful rookie season, where the catches he didn’t make or connect on are more vivid in my mind then the passes he caught. Jim Dray is a great in-game, back up fullback, and good 4th string blocking TE. Dray’s ability to play back up fullback, special teams, and be your average TE gives value to keeping him on the roster.
Action: None.
2012 FB Core:
1- Anthony Sherman – (3)
2- Jim Dray – (2)
2012 TE Core:
1- Jeff King – (2)
2- Todd Heap – (1)
3- Rob Housler – (3)
Offensive Line:
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I don’t know what to say about this organization and the offensive line. What more is there to say, then what has been talked about for years on this message board. Getting a stable, and successful offensive line is the number one priority for this team after re-signing Calais Campbell to a contract. As stated at the beginning, Grimm has shown to be an awful judgment of talent at all positions on the offensive line. The nice thing about this offseason, is that there is not a single player on this line that deserves a big money, long term contract. If the Cardinals retain any player on the current roster it better be for a cheap, short term contract.
At tackle it is a disaster. I dunno. Maybe keep Levi Brown as RT, and play Jeremy Bridges at LT until we find something better. Brandon Keith? Keith is worth bringing into camp, but he is not worth a long term extension by any means. The thought of keeping things as is, would be in my opinion, being OK with going .500 every year. The combination of Levi Brown, and Brandon Keith as the Cardinal bookends is not working. Not one bit. It has to change. Levi Brown is going to be a situation where if he thinks he is getting a long term top left tackle NFL salary he is crazy, and the same goes for Keith at RT. As stated, maybe Levi Brown at right tackle. I have no problem with bringing D.J. Young back, along with D’Anthony Batiste into camp, but the Cardinals should invest a lot of time and money (after re-signing Campbell of course) to their offensive tackles.
The Cardinals have to take good long looks at Demetrius Bell, Kareem McKenzie, Jonathan Martin (Stanford), and Riley Reiff (Iowa). The reality is the Cardinals need to invest, either big free agent money, or high draft picks to fix the offensive tackle position. I don’t care what Whiz said in his last press conference, or what the official website is posting on its webpage. The offensive tackle position is in dire straits.
The guard position, is at a decent point, to sugar coat the situation. The Cardinals have a lot of average guards, but guys like Colledge, Hadnot, and Lutui are just that, very average. Colledge is the “Paris Lenon” of the offense. He does his job, and does it at a consistently adequate level. Hadnot has been so-so this season, and Lutui looks rusty, and poor in pass protection. Both guard positions should be wide open going into camp. With more important things like offensive tackle, and other positions, I would not be surprised, or concerned if the Cardinals tried to find value in free agency and in the draft. I like Art Forst, and Brian Schwab in the later round of the draft, and wonder why the Cardinals would not try and sign Vince Manuwai to a weight based contract. He is better than either of the guards we have on the roster and if he keeps his weight under control he is a very good NFL guard. It would be a “bring him in, wouldn’t hurt” situation.
At center I have a little crow to eat. I have been complaining about there being no competition at center for the Cardinals. Well, I am wrong. Ryan Bartholomew is on the practice squad and has been so all year long. If the Cardinals keep him around, and he grows, then they may have something there. I have not really noticed he was on our practice squad for the entire year, but he is an absolutely bull, strength wise. If they keep him around with Sendlein then I am fine with our center position. Sendlein had a very solid season for the Cardinals. He is earning his keep.
The problems with this offensive line are not going to be fixed in one year. I don’t think the talent will be available to fix the entire line, and that the Cardinals front office has the ability to do it, even if the opportunity was available to them. Yet, the organization should be able to improve the line this year, and set it up for bigger and better things in the future.
Action: Re-sign Brandon Keith, Draft Jonathan Martin in the 1st Round, Sign Vince Manuwai to a “Lutui Contract”, Draft Art Forst in the 6th round of the draft, Draft Brian Schwab in the 7th round of the draft, re-sign D’Anthony Batiste, re-sign D.J. Young, and re-sign Ryan Bartholomew.
2012 Offensive Line:
LT:
1- Jeremy Bridges – (1)
2- Jonathan Martin – (5)*
LG:
1- Daryn Colledge – (4)
[Vince Manuwai]
OC:
1- Lyle Sendlein – (4)
2- Ryan Bartholomew – (2)*
RG:
1- Rex Hadnot – (1)
2- Vince Manuwai – (1)*
RT:
1- Brandon Keith – (1)
[Jonathan Martin]
52nd Roster spot: D’Anthony Batiste or better.
