Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
If the Cardinals are going to be one of the winners in free agency---they are going to have to amend their anachronistic, passive aggressive ways.
Right from the start, being winners in free agency may be a moot point, because, as we have heard, the Cardinals fashion themselves in the Steeler "Build Through the Draft" mold.
However---seeing as the tenders on 5th and 6th year free agents will be lifted---and the Cardinals have some important starting positions to fill---being a winner in free agency would seem imperative if the Cardinals are planning to wrest the NFC West title back from the Seahawks.
So what needs to change? And why?
1. Re-signing their own.
The Cardinals' passive aggressive policy of letting the market determine what their own free agents are worth has backfired on them in recent years---and this time they will have 72 hours to try to make the type of offers to the likes of WR Steve Breaston, C Lyle Sendlein, G Deuce Lutui, DE Alan Branch, NT Gabe Watson and CB Michael Adams that would satisfy them enough to eschew testing the market.
Now---understandably---first time unrestricted free agents such as the 6 Cardinals mentioned above---are very curious as to what their own market value is. And as Karlos Dansby showed us, some players just want to "feel the love" from someone.
I would say that of the 6 UFA's mentioned---the two that I would expect the Cardinals have the best chance to re-sign within the 72 hour window are C Lyle Sendlein and CB Michael Adams. Here are two players who seem to bleed Cardinal red---and are players who remain thankful to the Cardinals for signing them as undrafted college free agents, and then, for giving them the chance to become major contributors.
Of the bunch, Steve Breaston may get the most interest. Breaston strikes me as a loyal player---and if the Cardinals make him a good offer, he will re-sign. If they low ball him---he will run as fast as his feet will carry him into the arms of Todd Haley in Kansas City.
Deuce Lutui will likely be the second most highly coveted player on this list---and if he remains upset with the Cardinals for not working out an extension for him last year---then he will bolt, most likely to the Seahawks. Yet---Deuce is a local product---and so, if the Cardinals match any offer he receives, Deuce may opt to stay.
As for Branch and Watson---Branch was comfortable being a backup and was finally showing his promise last season. The question now is, is he still fine with being a backup? He's not going to get starter's money from the Cardinals---but, I think the Cardinals will offer him a lucrative backup's salary, to the tune of $2-3 M a year. The depth at DE is paper thin---and Branch is now a good rotation player. If he elects to leave, i could see him signing an incentive laden deal with the Washington Redskins.
If Watson has made the most of the layoff and is in good shape and his knee is solid as ever---re-signing him would make a lot sense, unless the team once again feels that Bryan Robinson is an NFL caliber NT.
I am going to take a hunch here but for some reason I think the Cardinals will make TE Ben Patrick an offer to return. Patrick has the talent---albeit still unrealized, but, the TE depth is weak and the free agent market for TEs isn't that deep.
Matt Ware anyone? What a strange year he had last year---he seemed to be ready to sign elsewhere last off-season, decided at the last minute not to, re-signed with Cardinals, got dinged up, and watched most of the games from the sidelines.
2. Signing Unrestricted Free Agents.
The Cardinals in this area of football operations have been like Motel 6---if you are an UFA, they will "leave the light on for you"---have you check in, come for a set of customary interviews, and then have you leave in plenty of time to check out.
What typically ensues is a 3-4 day discussion/evaluation period by the Cardinal braintrust---and if the UFA is still on the market, an offer could be faxed to an agent.
If the Cardinals think they can conduct business as usual this way this year---they will get shut out of the market.
We will know very readily if the Cardinals spent the time during the layoff wisely, as in finally doing the free agent preparation and evaluations before a scheduled visit.
While the Packers and other aggressive organizations have been working surreptitiously to secure some handshake deals---one would not expect the Cardinals to be aggressive or organized enough to have done the same.
What we likely can expect is a handful of signings that basically fall into the Cardinals' laps---and yes---that means an other potential trio of ex-Steelers---this time in CB Ike Taylor (whether the team trades DRC or not---Taylor is Horton's and Townsend's boy and he is coming with the package), T Willie Colon (who will say he loves Russ Grimm) and DT/DE Nick Eason (who will be paid more than his market value---but will bring much needed DT/DE depth).
The other fall into the lap signing will be G Reggie Wells. The Cardinals will laugh that they rented him out for a year while they played Alan Faneca---and that they got a 6th rounder in DE David Carter in return. Wells will be happy to be back in the saddle as the starting LG---that is, if he doesn't get beat out by Rex Hadnot.
The Cardinals say that they will be going hot and heavy after some guards---but it would be surprising if they are even in the conversation about the real good ones in Carl Nicks (Saints), Davin Joseph (Bucs), Marshal Yanda (Ravens) or Harvey Dahl (Falcons). But--hey---you never know---especially if the Cardinals start throwing some major green at a guy like Joseph or Dahl.
One would think that the top priority other than QB is adding an edge pass rusher---but for some reason the Cardinals---even though they might release Joey Porter, the only proven edge rusher on the roster---won't bust a move on a good one like Mathias Kiwanuka (Giants), Ray Edwards (Vikings) or Charles Johnson (Panthers). That is---unless Ray Horton has been making a passionate plea that is actually being listened to.
My one wild card? If the team has decided to let Steve Breaston hit the market---keep an eye on Steve Smith (Giants), one of the best possession WRs in the NFL---a guy who is capable of catching over 100 passes a season with relative ease.
If it's one thing the Cardinals know---it's the WRs.
And I think they may very well surprise us once again by making one of their few major moves in that area.
An inside LB would make a great deal of sense---but---I don't sense the Cardinals see any urgency there as they seem to be happy with the tandem of Daryl Washington and Paris Lenon. There's much to happy about in terms of Washington's talent---but the question is, wouldn't it make better sense to play Washington at WILB and sign a real hit-the snot-out of-you SILB?
I have privately be hoping for Takeo Spikes (49ers)---sure he's 34---but he played like his pants were on fire the last two years---and there appears to be plenty of gas left in his tank.
Stephen Tulloch (Ttians) or Nick Barnett (Packers) would be instant upgrades over Lenon (who works hard---but is not a take you head on type LB).
Another versatile LB I would love to see the Cardinals go after is Ben Leber (Vikings)---this guy is super smart and productive.
3. Undrafted College Free Agents.
Man---the Cardinals have been excellent in this area under normal circumstances. there probably has been a lot of sneaky jockeying amongst teams and agents for the best undrafted players.
My Wish List:
S Joe Lefeged, Rutgers
WR Darvin Adams, Auburn
NT Ian Williams, Notre Dame
OLB Mark Herzlich, BC
ILB Nick Bellore, Central Michigan
ILB Mario Harvey, Marshall
G Zach Hurd, Connecticut
T Willie Smith, East Carolina
C Alex Linnenkohl, Oregon St
G Ricky Henry, Nebraska
T Ray Dominguez, Arkansas
TE Joe Torchia, Virginia
TE Steven Skelton, Fordham
RB Derrick Locke, Kentucky
Hopefully the Cardinals have indicated to certain players that they will up the ante on them during signing period---this has worked on draft days. The Cardinal'' college scouting staff and the FO deserve much credit for this aspect of their business.
4. Trades.
This factors in because with everything else happening all at once the Cardinals will have to be prepared to move quickly if their trade offers for a starting QB are rejected.
5. Re-signing WR Larry Fitzgerald.
Can the Cardinals afford to work on this while they have to manage the furious aspects of trades and free agency?
If the Cardinals get out-hustled and out-worked by the other teams---to placate the fans---they will say they were focussing on re-signing Larry Fitzgerald.
The point is this: get the other ducks in a row first---then turn the attention to Fitz...because the ducks...well, let's just say they will be flying fast and furiously all over the USA in what is bound to be the most super charged free agency period in the history of the NFL.
So, what are your hopes?...as what do you think we can expect?
Right from the start, being winners in free agency may be a moot point, because, as we have heard, the Cardinals fashion themselves in the Steeler "Build Through the Draft" mold.
However---seeing as the tenders on 5th and 6th year free agents will be lifted---and the Cardinals have some important starting positions to fill---being a winner in free agency would seem imperative if the Cardinals are planning to wrest the NFC West title back from the Seahawks.
So what needs to change? And why?
1. Re-signing their own.
The Cardinals' passive aggressive policy of letting the market determine what their own free agents are worth has backfired on them in recent years---and this time they will have 72 hours to try to make the type of offers to the likes of WR Steve Breaston, C Lyle Sendlein, G Deuce Lutui, DE Alan Branch, NT Gabe Watson and CB Michael Adams that would satisfy them enough to eschew testing the market.
Now---understandably---first time unrestricted free agents such as the 6 Cardinals mentioned above---are very curious as to what their own market value is. And as Karlos Dansby showed us, some players just want to "feel the love" from someone.
I would say that of the 6 UFA's mentioned---the two that I would expect the Cardinals have the best chance to re-sign within the 72 hour window are C Lyle Sendlein and CB Michael Adams. Here are two players who seem to bleed Cardinal red---and are players who remain thankful to the Cardinals for signing them as undrafted college free agents, and then, for giving them the chance to become major contributors.
Of the bunch, Steve Breaston may get the most interest. Breaston strikes me as a loyal player---and if the Cardinals make him a good offer, he will re-sign. If they low ball him---he will run as fast as his feet will carry him into the arms of Todd Haley in Kansas City.
Deuce Lutui will likely be the second most highly coveted player on this list---and if he remains upset with the Cardinals for not working out an extension for him last year---then he will bolt, most likely to the Seahawks. Yet---Deuce is a local product---and so, if the Cardinals match any offer he receives, Deuce may opt to stay.
As for Branch and Watson---Branch was comfortable being a backup and was finally showing his promise last season. The question now is, is he still fine with being a backup? He's not going to get starter's money from the Cardinals---but, I think the Cardinals will offer him a lucrative backup's salary, to the tune of $2-3 M a year. The depth at DE is paper thin---and Branch is now a good rotation player. If he elects to leave, i could see him signing an incentive laden deal with the Washington Redskins.
If Watson has made the most of the layoff and is in good shape and his knee is solid as ever---re-signing him would make a lot sense, unless the team once again feels that Bryan Robinson is an NFL caliber NT.
I am going to take a hunch here but for some reason I think the Cardinals will make TE Ben Patrick an offer to return. Patrick has the talent---albeit still unrealized, but, the TE depth is weak and the free agent market for TEs isn't that deep.
Matt Ware anyone? What a strange year he had last year---he seemed to be ready to sign elsewhere last off-season, decided at the last minute not to, re-signed with Cardinals, got dinged up, and watched most of the games from the sidelines.
2. Signing Unrestricted Free Agents.
The Cardinals in this area of football operations have been like Motel 6---if you are an UFA, they will "leave the light on for you"---have you check in, come for a set of customary interviews, and then have you leave in plenty of time to check out.
What typically ensues is a 3-4 day discussion/evaluation period by the Cardinal braintrust---and if the UFA is still on the market, an offer could be faxed to an agent.
If the Cardinals think they can conduct business as usual this way this year---they will get shut out of the market.
We will know very readily if the Cardinals spent the time during the layoff wisely, as in finally doing the free agent preparation and evaluations before a scheduled visit.
While the Packers and other aggressive organizations have been working surreptitiously to secure some handshake deals---one would not expect the Cardinals to be aggressive or organized enough to have done the same.
What we likely can expect is a handful of signings that basically fall into the Cardinals' laps---and yes---that means an other potential trio of ex-Steelers---this time in CB Ike Taylor (whether the team trades DRC or not---Taylor is Horton's and Townsend's boy and he is coming with the package), T Willie Colon (who will say he loves Russ Grimm) and DT/DE Nick Eason (who will be paid more than his market value---but will bring much needed DT/DE depth).
The other fall into the lap signing will be G Reggie Wells. The Cardinals will laugh that they rented him out for a year while they played Alan Faneca---and that they got a 6th rounder in DE David Carter in return. Wells will be happy to be back in the saddle as the starting LG---that is, if he doesn't get beat out by Rex Hadnot.
The Cardinals say that they will be going hot and heavy after some guards---but it would be surprising if they are even in the conversation about the real good ones in Carl Nicks (Saints), Davin Joseph (Bucs), Marshal Yanda (Ravens) or Harvey Dahl (Falcons). But--hey---you never know---especially if the Cardinals start throwing some major green at a guy like Joseph or Dahl.
One would think that the top priority other than QB is adding an edge pass rusher---but for some reason the Cardinals---even though they might release Joey Porter, the only proven edge rusher on the roster---won't bust a move on a good one like Mathias Kiwanuka (Giants), Ray Edwards (Vikings) or Charles Johnson (Panthers). That is---unless Ray Horton has been making a passionate plea that is actually being listened to.
My one wild card? If the team has decided to let Steve Breaston hit the market---keep an eye on Steve Smith (Giants), one of the best possession WRs in the NFL---a guy who is capable of catching over 100 passes a season with relative ease.
If it's one thing the Cardinals know---it's the WRs.
And I think they may very well surprise us once again by making one of their few major moves in that area.
An inside LB would make a great deal of sense---but---I don't sense the Cardinals see any urgency there as they seem to be happy with the tandem of Daryl Washington and Paris Lenon. There's much to happy about in terms of Washington's talent---but the question is, wouldn't it make better sense to play Washington at WILB and sign a real hit-the snot-out of-you SILB?
I have privately be hoping for Takeo Spikes (49ers)---sure he's 34---but he played like his pants were on fire the last two years---and there appears to be plenty of gas left in his tank.
Stephen Tulloch (Ttians) or Nick Barnett (Packers) would be instant upgrades over Lenon (who works hard---but is not a take you head on type LB).
Another versatile LB I would love to see the Cardinals go after is Ben Leber (Vikings)---this guy is super smart and productive.
3. Undrafted College Free Agents.
Man---the Cardinals have been excellent in this area under normal circumstances. there probably has been a lot of sneaky jockeying amongst teams and agents for the best undrafted players.
My Wish List:
S Joe Lefeged, Rutgers
WR Darvin Adams, Auburn
NT Ian Williams, Notre Dame
OLB Mark Herzlich, BC
ILB Nick Bellore, Central Michigan
ILB Mario Harvey, Marshall
G Zach Hurd, Connecticut
T Willie Smith, East Carolina
C Alex Linnenkohl, Oregon St
G Ricky Henry, Nebraska
T Ray Dominguez, Arkansas
TE Joe Torchia, Virginia
TE Steven Skelton, Fordham
RB Derrick Locke, Kentucky
Hopefully the Cardinals have indicated to certain players that they will up the ante on them during signing period---this has worked on draft days. The Cardinal'' college scouting staff and the FO deserve much credit for this aspect of their business.
4. Trades.
This factors in because with everything else happening all at once the Cardinals will have to be prepared to move quickly if their trade offers for a starting QB are rejected.
5. Re-signing WR Larry Fitzgerald.
Can the Cardinals afford to work on this while they have to manage the furious aspects of trades and free agency?
If the Cardinals get out-hustled and out-worked by the other teams---to placate the fans---they will say they were focussing on re-signing Larry Fitzgerald.
The point is this: get the other ducks in a row first---then turn the attention to Fitz...because the ducks...well, let's just say they will be flying fast and furiously all over the USA in what is bound to be the most super charged free agency period in the history of the NFL.
So, what are your hopes?...as what do you think we can expect?
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