Cardinals Sign ILB J.J. Russell

[PDXChris]

Backup and STs player.

Cardinals Sign J.J. Russell At Linebacker

But the Cardinals did add a veteran inside linebacker on Wednesday when they signed J.J. Russell to a one-year contract. To make room, they released linebacker Milo Eifler.

Russell spent the first three seasons of his career with Tampa Bay, playing in a career-high 16 games in 2024 with the Buccaneers. Russell also played 249 defensive snaps, not only his highest raw total but the 24 percent of snaps played was by far the most of his career.

Russell has also been a consistent special teamer, and played 73 percent of Tampa's special teams snaps last season.

 

[Mulli]

Dynamite!!

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Our special teams better be special this year.

 

[Goodyear Card]

i can't believe they released Milo Eifler, he was going to have a breakout year.

 

[Mulli]

i can't believe they released Milo Eifler, he was going to have a breakout year.

WHY DIDNT THEY TRADE HIM

 

[PDXChris]

WHY DIDNT THEY TRADE HIM

They had a trade worked out with the Calgary Stampeder. Unfortunately, Monti wanted Bug Light for him and the Stampeder only offered Molson.

 

[BACH]

Another primary special teamer that played really well as 1st back-up.

Pff graded him at 69, which is a solid to above average starter grade in his 271 defensive snaps. Closest comp in grading and playing time is Jesse Luketa.

If nothing else it shows Monti and Gannon’s stand on positional value of ILB. There are several veterans out there. I assume he’s brought in to compete for 4th ILB - maybe 3rd if Simon isn’t ready.

 

[oaken1]

Another primary special teamer that played really well as 1st back-up.

Pff graded him at 69, which is a solid to above average starter grade in his 271 defensive snaps. Closest comp in grading and playing time is Jesse Luketa.

If nothing else it shows Monti and Gannon’s stand on positional value of ILB. There are several veterans out there. I assume he’s brought in to compete for 4th ILB - maybe 3rd if Simon isn’t ready.

69 is an almost starter...
Actual starter is 70-79

 

[BACH]

69 is an almost starter...
Actual starter is 70-79

50s - Below average starter
60s - solid/average starter
70s - Good starter
Low 80s - Pro Bowl
High 80s & 90s - All pro

All on a spectrum of course

 

[oaken1]

50s - Below average starter
60s - solid/average starter
70s - Good starter
Low 80s - Pro Bowl
High 80s & 90s - All pro

All on a spectrum of course

50's is a below average backup

 

[BACH]

50's is a below average backup

In an ideal world yes. There are however several 50 graded starters on basicly every team. I agree that a 50 level player should be a back-up, but that is not always the reality.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Interesting that the solution at ILB seems to be overwhelm the position with special teams quality players and hope one of them pans out. Seems like simply adding White is an easier solution to get an NFL caliber starter, but here we are.

 

[Mulli]

Interesting that the solution at ILB seems to be overwhelm the position with special teams quality players and hope one of them pans out. Seems like simply adding White is an easier solution to get an NFL caliber starter, but here we are.

What is the difference?

 

[CardNots]

Interesting that the solution at ILB seems to be overwhelm the position with special teams quality players and hope one of them pans out. Seems like simply adding White is an easier solution to get an NFL caliber starter, but here we are.

White wasn’t a starter with the eagles when acquired either. I believe the only reason he was acquired was familiarity with Gannon’s system. Don’t believe he was more than a 1-2 year crutch at best.

 

[oaken1]

Interesting that the solution at ILB seems to be overwhelm the position with special teams quality players and hope one of them pans out. Seems like simply adding White is an easier solution to get an NFL caliber starter, but here we are.

adding a few players who are roughly at the same level does something better.
It adds competition. Because each guy looks at the roster and says,"I can beat those guys..Im better than they are,..I can earn the starting spot"...and they work harder to get it.
Kyzir is a decent player but he isnt exceptional in any way. I havent really watched these new guys. But if they have similar talent that just has not been tapped yet...its possible this approach gives us an upgrade...Though I do think the plan all along was to ultimately give the job to a mid round draft pick.
Enter: Cody Simon
I would bet a dollar to a donut he is starting sooner rather than later...and doing a decent job at it.
With all the connections this team now has to OSU they knew exactly who he was well before the draft.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

If none of the players acquired play better than White, (who had the most snaps of anyone on the D last year) there will be questions.

 

[Shane]

If none of the players acquired play better than White, (who had the most snaps of anyone on the D last year) there will be questions.

I’m pretty sure they drafted one too

 

[ASUCHRIS]

I’m pretty sure they drafted one too

The point still remains...if for whatever reason we don't make the playoffs next year, there are some clear and obvious areas ripe for improvement that have been ignored, and questions will justifiably be asked.

 

[Mulli]

The point still remains...if for whatever reason we don't make the playoffs next year, there are some clear and obvious areas ripe for improvement that have been ignored, and questions will justifiably be asked.

Will let you worry about it

 

[BirdGangThing]

The point still remains...if for whatever reason we don't make the playoffs next year, there are some clear and obvious areas ripe for improvement that have been ignored, and questions will justifiably be asked.

if we don't make the playoffs it wonbe because we didn't re-sign kyzir white

 

[ASUCHRIS]

if we don't make the playoffs it wonbe because we didn't re-sign kyzir white

Probably true - it'll likely be the o-line or lack of downfield threats.

 

[CardNots]

Probably true - it'll likely be the o-line or lack of downfield threats.

or anything else we see during the season.

It’s a season to season thing unless we win the super-bowl that year.

Then and only then maybe we might not find a weakness to exploit

 

[oaken1]

or anything else we see during the season.

It’s a season to season thing unless we win the super-bowl that year.

Then and only then maybe we might not find a weakness to exploit

"What the hell is Monti thinking making THAT move when we are trying to defend a Super Bowl title?"

 

[CardNots]

"What the hell is Monti thinking making THAT move when we are trying to defend a Super Bowl title?"

super funny Big Oak, well done

 

[BACH]

If none of the players acquired play better than White, (who had the most snaps of anyone on the D last year) there will be questions.

Why?
If they are the same, while being younger and much cheaper