Jurecki On OTA's and Looking Ahead
by: Mike Jurecki
As a local radio personality, the opinions expressed in Mike Jurecki’s columns are not necessarily those shared by the Arizona Cardinals.
As the organized team activity wrap up on Thursday, I will tell you that these players better get used to this new conditioning program. Denny Green and Co. are slowly molding this Cardinals team and the country club atmosphere is over. I think he’s gotten that message through to his players.
I have pondered some thoughts regarding some of the bigger questions going into the 2004 season, which will likely be answered in training camp. If this football team is going to get this ship sailing in the right direction, they still have some hurdles to face.
Here are a few random thoughts about the upcoming season and the way I see it.
Denny Green Factor
It’s obvious that in a short period, Green has become the face of the franchise. His stern approach may have rubbed some players the wrong way, however it’s apparent that because of his proven track record that if one doesn’t buy into it, they won’t be here.
Early on, my impression of Green is that he hasn’t wavered when it comes to his starting quarterback. He has given Josh McCown the confidence he’s needed to be successful at this level and McCown has earned the respect of his teammates in just a couple of months. It should be interesting to see just how well the offense will be able to move the chains, but there are still bigger concerns on the other side of the ball.
The defense seems faster and more aggressive but we really won’t know until the Redbirds get into a game situation. Overall, I like what Green’s done so far by changing the perception and attitude around the facility. The Cardinals will be better than they were last year but I am still hesitant about whether or not they can make the postseason in his first year.
Josh McCown
He’s spent the entire off-season around the complex and has become a gym rat. McCown wants to be good, and he’s put the time into what it takes to be a professional. A mature father of three and a family man, McCown realizes what’s at stake if he plays well this year including the fact that a new contract could be looming depending on his performance.
Green’s system is known to be quarterback friendly. If the team is going to rely solely on McCown, it will be difficult. Ideally, the o-line and the running game are going to need to be more consistent and dominate so McCown can guide the ship.
Defense
The biggest question here is the unknown defense because they really don’t know what they have. Defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast’s job is to be aggressive and to scheme in order to compensate for their lack of talent.
The free agent pick up of defensive end Bertrand Berry was definitely an upgrade. He comes in with the ability to put heat on the quarterback from the edge, something this team has been lacking since Simeon Rice left.
Competition should be hot and heavy on a couple of different positions during training camp. Some positions left up for battle are left defensive end, defensive tackle, strong side linebacker and the top three corners. It’s imperative that this group stays healthy and they can’t afford any injuries to their starters like what happened last year with Duane Starks and Kyle Vanden Bosch. Scheme wise, I like the fact that they are going to play with an "under" defense.
Offensive Line
It's been brought up before, the talent is there but the question
remains whether they can come together and be productive. If not, most
likely changes are on the horizon.
For the time being, players on the current roster are the ones they will go into the season with in 2004. During some of the camps, the coaching staff has experimented by moving guys around. This is the time to try this, however, the most important factor is getting the five best offensive linemen on the field, even if it means moving a player to another position. Will this be the year that the Cardinals will have a thousand yard rusher? Where will L.J. Shelton and Leonard Davis lineup when September rolls around?
How many first round picks does agent Eugene Parker represent from the 2004 draft? Four.
Arizona Cardinals- Larry Fitzgerald- 3rd overall
Chicago Bears- Tommie Harris- 14th overall
Green Bay Packers- Ahmad Carroll- 25th overall
Cincinnati Bengals- Chris Perry- 26th overall
Why can’t this year’s surprise team be the Arizona Cardinals?
by: Mike Jurecki
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As a local radio personality, the opinions expressed in Mike Jurecki’s columns are not necessarily those shared by the Arizona Cardinals.
As the organized team activity wrap up on Thursday, I will tell you that these players better get used to this new conditioning program. Denny Green and Co. are slowly molding this Cardinals team and the country club atmosphere is over. I think he’s gotten that message through to his players.
I have pondered some thoughts regarding some of the bigger questions going into the 2004 season, which will likely be answered in training camp. If this football team is going to get this ship sailing in the right direction, they still have some hurdles to face.
Here are a few random thoughts about the upcoming season and the way I see it.
Denny Green Factor
It’s obvious that in a short period, Green has become the face of the franchise. His stern approach may have rubbed some players the wrong way, however it’s apparent that because of his proven track record that if one doesn’t buy into it, they won’t be here.
Early on, my impression of Green is that he hasn’t wavered when it comes to his starting quarterback. He has given Josh McCown the confidence he’s needed to be successful at this level and McCown has earned the respect of his teammates in just a couple of months. It should be interesting to see just how well the offense will be able to move the chains, but there are still bigger concerns on the other side of the ball.
The defense seems faster and more aggressive but we really won’t know until the Redbirds get into a game situation. Overall, I like what Green’s done so far by changing the perception and attitude around the facility. The Cardinals will be better than they were last year but I am still hesitant about whether or not they can make the postseason in his first year.
Josh McCown
He’s spent the entire off-season around the complex and has become a gym rat. McCown wants to be good, and he’s put the time into what it takes to be a professional. A mature father of three and a family man, McCown realizes what’s at stake if he plays well this year including the fact that a new contract could be looming depending on his performance.
Green’s system is known to be quarterback friendly. If the team is going to rely solely on McCown, it will be difficult. Ideally, the o-line and the running game are going to need to be more consistent and dominate so McCown can guide the ship.
Defense
The biggest question here is the unknown defense because they really don’t know what they have. Defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast’s job is to be aggressive and to scheme in order to compensate for their lack of talent.
The free agent pick up of defensive end Bertrand Berry was definitely an upgrade. He comes in with the ability to put heat on the quarterback from the edge, something this team has been lacking since Simeon Rice left.
Competition should be hot and heavy on a couple of different positions during training camp. Some positions left up for battle are left defensive end, defensive tackle, strong side linebacker and the top three corners. It’s imperative that this group stays healthy and they can’t afford any injuries to their starters like what happened last year with Duane Starks and Kyle Vanden Bosch. Scheme wise, I like the fact that they are going to play with an "under" defense.
Offensive Line
It's been brought up before, the talent is there but the question
remains whether they can come together and be productive. If not, most
likely changes are on the horizon.
For the time being, players on the current roster are the ones they will go into the season with in 2004. During some of the camps, the coaching staff has experimented by moving guys around. This is the time to try this, however, the most important factor is getting the five best offensive linemen on the field, even if it means moving a player to another position. Will this be the year that the Cardinals will have a thousand yard rusher? Where will L.J. Shelton and Leonard Davis lineup when September rolls around?
How many first round picks does agent Eugene Parker represent from the 2004 draft? Four.
Arizona Cardinals- Larry Fitzgerald- 3rd overall
Chicago Bears- Tommie Harris- 14th overall
Green Bay Packers- Ahmad Carroll- 25th overall
Cincinnati Bengals- Chris Perry- 26th overall
Why can’t this year’s surprise team be the Arizona Cardinals?
