How we are going to do this

[artp]

Without question, IMO the weakest area of the Cardinals going into this offseason was pass rushing. Sadly, we did not address this with FA. I'm not a stat freak so my numbers may be a little off but I think I'm close. The Cardinals were last in the NFL with 21 sacks. The league average was 36. I don't think its unreasonable to expect KVB, Bryant, R Thompson, and D Johnson to up their sack total by 3 a piece. That would give the Cardinals 33 sacks assuming the rest of the group got their usual 1 or 2. Obviously, we have to address DL in the draft. Last yrs rookies accounted for 2 sacks. This years rookies will have to do better, but they should given the strength of the DL prospects this year. I think I'm trying to put a silver lining on the fact that we didn't sign Colvin or Holliday, but I don't think we're that far away from being fair at sacking the QB. I have learned that you can't put all your hopes on a rookie. I think our biggest improvement will come from the guys we already have on the team.

 

[Cardiac]

The problem wasn't just a lack of sacks but a total lack of pressure. The Cards also had to be last in the league in QB pressures, hurries and hits.

I do agree that the players like KVB, Johnson and Bryant should improve this year but at the minimum the Cards need to select a situational pass rusher in this years draft. Someone who at least makes the opposing QB move his feet a little bit.

The other problem with the D-line was their run defense. There were too many drives that were extended because many teams faced a 3rd and 3 or less.

Having said all of this I still would take Leftwich if he is still available at six or trade down to get more picks.