The OTHER trade the Cardinals should make...

[Chopper0080]

We all acknowledge that the Cardinals should probably be trading for a QB this off season, but there is another trade that I think the the Cardinals should make in order to take the team to the next level.

Arizona Cardinals trade their 2012 3rd round pick to the Carolina Panthers for WR Steve Smith.

The Carolina Panthers find themselves in a very similar situation to one that led to the Cardinals trading Anquan Boldin. Steve Smith, like Boldin, is one of the teams better players but has voiced his displeasure over the past few seasons and wants to be traded. Nothing highlights his displeasure more than his 2010 production on the field where he generated 46 catches for 554 yards and 2 TDs. 2010 was the first season in the past 6 seasons that Steve Smith caught less than 60 passes, had less than 950 yards, and caught less than 6 TDS. It was also on the 2nd season over the past 6 that he has had less than 14 yards per catch. Carolina seems like they will shop Steve Smith this off season while he still has some value, and the Cardinals should be the first to snatch him up. Smith brings an intensity to the offense that is very similar to what Boldin brought. He publicly stated in 2010 that he wanted the Panthers to bring in a top WR, and that he would be ok being the number 2 WR. He offers explosion that the Cardinals lack at WR right now, and complements Larry Fitzgerald’s game very well. He can both make plays deep down the field, as well as turn quick plays into big gains. I am sure that the Panthers will want more than a 3rd, but in the end they will take what they can get for Steve Smith and I think that a 2012 3rd would get it done. Remember Boldin was had for a 3rd & 4th, but we also had to give a 5th and Boldin had a 1,000 yard season the previous season before he was traded. Not to mention that this is the type of complementary WR that will encourage Fitzgerald to stay in Arizona.

A WR corp of Larry Fitzgerald, Steve Smith, Andre Roberts, Stephen Williams and Early Doucet would be pretty formidable especially when you add the speedy Housler at TE.

 

[ARZCardinals]

That's a tough one for me
He can play, but he isn't going across the middle...never has never will.
He is not Q
He is a fine player...and I could live with the trade as our 3rd round picks haven't been much to brag about.

 

[kerouac9]

According to Rotoworld, Smith is making $7 million in 2011 and $7.75 million in 2012. For that money we could've just extended Boldin. We could probably re-sign Breaston for three or four years for that $14.75 you'd like to spend on a 32-year old player.

 

[Matt L]

I think we have enough guys who can go over the middle on a slant. We don't seem to have anyone who can stretch the defense.

 

[sportznutt]

I love it.

 

[thephoenixson28]

I would do it.

 

[Chopper0080]

Steve Smith also has the ability to stretch the field which is part of his appeal. He is a very similar to what DeSean Jackson has developed into except without the off the field baggage.

Concerning his contract, yes it is 7 million per year for only two more years. Also consider that his game is different from Boldin's and should lead to him playing longer. He isn't looking to be the top player and get paid the most, he is looking to win. He is a passionate offensive presence that would really benefit the Cardinals, similar to Boldin but without the bitterness that Boldin had in the end. Also, we would be only committed to Smith for a couple years which would give us productive years, but not a long term contract for an older player. He would make our offense more dynamic that it has ever been in recent memory.

 

[Chopper0080]

That's a tough one for me
He can play, but he isn't going across the middle...never has never will.
He is not Q
He is a fine player...and I could live with the trade as our 3rd round picks haven't been much to brag about.

Not across the middle, but he runs quick screens and slants still very well, while also being able to stretch the field vertically. He is a big play waiting to happen when he is paired with a player that prevents teams from stacking coverage over the top while beating him up at the line. 80 catches and 1200 yards would not be far fetched if the Cardinals acquired a competent QB.

 

[Chopper0080]

According to Rotoworld, Smith is making $7 million in 2011 and $7.75 million in 2012. For that money we could've just extended Boldin. We could probably re-sign Breaston for three or four years for that $14.75 you'd like to spend on a 32-year old player.

Boldin is breaking down which is evident and due to his style of play.

Breaston is not even close to being in Steve Smith's league and has never been close to being the big play threat that Smith is. I like Breaston, but he is a great number 3 wide receiver that can fill in as a number 2, not a great number 2. Steve Smith is a declining number 1 that when paired with an elite talent like Fitzgerald could be an elite number 2.

 

[Dayman]

I'd do that trade, but I doubt Smith would want to play here. This team isn't a Steve Smith away from being a Super Bowl contender. We also currently have a worse QB situation than the team he wants to leave. The Patriots, Bears and possibly even the Colts make much more sense.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

I would love Smith in a Cards uni but why not wait until they release him? I wouldn''t pay him 7+ mill/year and a draft pick. Maybe a trade would work if they'd get him to re-structure. The guy who is flying under the radar and is UFA, is Santana Moss. He's the same type of WR and could be had for a lot less. He had 92 catches last year.

 

[sportznutt]

If relesaed or bought out, sign him!

 

[sportznutt]

I'd do that trade, but I doubt Smith would want to play here. This team isn't a Steve Smith away from being a Super Bowl contender. We also currently have a worse QB situation than the team he wants to leave. The Patriots, Bears and possibly even the Colts make much more sense.

Larry Fitzgerald caught 91 passes with this QB situation.....add in a Steve Smith and a probable QB upgrade, and we're much better.

 

[kerouac9]

I would love Smith in a Cards uni but why not wait until they release him? I wouldn''t pay him 7+ mill/year and a draft pick. Maybe a trade would work if they'd get him to re-structure. The guy who is flying under the radar and is UFA, is Santana Moss. He's the same type of WR and could be had for a lot less. He had 92 catches last year.

Moss isn't anywhere as physical as Smith is, but I get what you're saying.

I'm surprised that so many people want to see the WR corps get much older. Moss is 32!

I guess you make either of these deals if you're set to be a passing team, and not run the ball much until the game is well in hand. If you trade for Steve Smith or sign Santana Moss and re-sign Fitz, you're essentially promising your top two wideouts 185 receptions between them. You're gonna try and get each of them the ball 6-10 times a game.

I really don't want to see the pass-first offense with a cast-off quarterback in 2011 or thereafter.

 

[JeffGollin]

What would we gain for what we'd have to pay?

Cap hit?

Where does he fit in our list of priorities (i.e. do we need yet another receiver more than we do a pass rusher at least one OL or a blocking TE)?

Is he that much better than Roberts or Doucet to replace either or both in 3WR or 4WR sets? (Better enough to be worth a 3rd round pick and having to drop Steve Williams or Komar to make room for him)?

Shelf life (compared to Roberts, Doucet or S Williams)?

Gas in the proverbial tank? Will he be our next Joey Porter? (i.e stellar track record, brought good enthusiasm/leadership & we all hoped he still "had it", but...mmm...eh....nah!).

To put it another way - considering all the things we need to be concerned about, if and when things return to normalcy, I wouldn't be spending much time thinking about Steve Smith..

 

[Duckjake]

Moss isn't anywhere as physical as Smith is, but I get what you're saying.

I'm surprised that so many people want to see the WR corps get much older. Moss is 32!

I guess you make either of these deals if you're set to be a passing team, and not run the ball much until the game is well in hand. If you trade for Steve Smith or sign Santana Moss and re-sign Fitz, you're essentially promising your top two wideouts 185 receptions between them. You're gonna try and get each of them the ball 6-10 times a game.

I really don't want to see the pass-first offense with a cast-off quarterback in 2011 or thereafter.

Well we could pick up the other Steve Smith (NYG) as a FA. He's only 26.

 

[kerouac9]

Well we could pick up the other Steve Smith (NYG) as a FA. He's only 26.

We could. He's probably just as good as Breaston and might cost less. I had him on my fantasy team last year and wasn't sure why he fell off the map.

Free agent WRs are always a big gamble, just because they're the most system-dependent and it's rare for a marquee FA signing to work out and for the FA to be as successful in his new home as he was in his old one.

 

[CardLogic]

To put it another way - considering all the things we need to be concerned about, if and when things return to normalcy, I wouldn't be spending much time thinking about Steve Smith..

And neither will "Slo-mo" Graves.

 

[AZCARDSFANATIC]

Steve Smith is legitimately irrate with the the organization, mainly because he had issues with Claussen and isn't a huge fan of Newton. Also the Panthers haven't done anyhting to address the issue that he is double covered every play, no other WR and haven't done much to get a decent TE(he does like Jeff King, but he is limited). Word had it he lobbied for AJ Green hard, but the powers that be brushed him off and now he wants out. As far as him coming here I don't mind it. I remember when they came here in 2007 and had their white uniforms on. I called them Birthday Cake(cause they looked like it). Well I remember Smith lined up vs Hood with no safety help. I told the Panther fans around me that they had a touchdown, and they looked at me baffled. Vinnie T hiked the ball, steve went right by Hood, and VT dropped one into his lap for a TD, that was the begining of the ass whooping we took. Conselation was we went to the superbowl. I don't think it's about whether he wants to come here, but who the panthers want to trade him too, others will want his services. Now do we bring him in? Yes, because he is feared, has great hands, still great speed, does whatever he has to to make the catch, and is also a fantastic run blocker. He immidiately makes any QB we have better and no secondary in the NFC west can handle our WR corp. This is a recepie for success, best WR's and best secondary means when we get the lead we keep it.

 

[Duckjake]

We could. He's probably just as good as Breaston and might cost less. I had him on my fantasy team last year and wasn't sure why he fell off the map.

Free agent WRs are always a big gamble, just because they're the most system-dependent and it's rare for a marquee FA signing to work out and for the FA to be as successful in his new home as he was in his old one.

Well, I just saw that Smith(NY) had microfracture surgery and is likely to start the season on PUP. So never mind.

 

[DoTheDew]

I'd wait until the FA dust settles before worrying about acquiring a highly paid WR. We have much more pressing needs to deal with before we open up our checkbooks to another star WR.

 

[Chopper0080]

What would we gain for what we'd have to pay?

Cap hit?

Where does he fit in our list of priorities (i.e. do we need yet another receiver more than we do a pass rusher at least one OL or a blocking TE)?

Is he that much better than Roberts or Doucet to replace either or both in 3WR or 4WR sets? (Better enough to be worth a 3rd round pick and having to drop Steve Williams or Komar to make room for him)?

Shelf life (compared to Roberts, Doucet or S Williams)?

Gas in the proverbial tank? Will he be our next Joey Porter? (i.e stellar track record, brought good enthusiasm/leadership & we all hoped he still "had it", but...mmm...eh....nah!).

To put it another way - considering all the things we need to be concerned about, if and when things return to normalcy, I wouldn't be spending much time thinking about Steve Smith..

A post like this makes me wonder if you have seen Steve Smith play...

What do we gain? One of the top playmakers at wide receiver to complement one of the best wide receivers in the game.

Cap hit? He has a 2 year deal, 7 and 7.5 mil a year, and we have a ton of cap to spend.

Our list of priorities? What pass rusher will be available that trading for Steve Smith will keep us from? What run blocking TE is more valuable than a potential 60 catch, 900 yard playmaking WR? What offensive linemen is going to match that production? Moreover, if we can't make multiple deals than we are goingto be competitive anyway so what does it matter?

Early Doucet, Andre Roberts, Stephen Williams and Max Komar??? Steve Smith is in a entirely different league than all of these players. Early Doucet hasn't' proven to be a number 4 wide receiver yet in this league and you wonder if he is as good as as a guy who has had one season in the past 6 that he hasn't caught 60 balls, accrued 950 yards and grabbed 6 touchdowns? Andre Roberts? What has he done in this league to merit not going after a potential game changing player? It is the mindset of trying to hold onto player like Komar and Stephen Williams that keeps the Cardinals from being a top franchise. If Stephen Williams can't beat out Max Komar and Early Doucet, he doesn't belong on our roster. Put down the kool aide.

Shelf life? I want to win now, and you can't convince me that giving up a 3rd round pick and cutting Max Komar to acquire Steve Smith is going to mortgage our future.

To put it another way - considering all the things we need to be concerned about, if and when things return to normalcy, I wouldn't be spending much time thinking about Steve Smith.

What else do we need to be considering than improving the talent on our team? Steve Smith significantly upgrades our offense if we improve our quarterback situation in ways that very few free agents will be able to. And if we upgrade our offense, it improves our defense.

I apologize if this came off too aggressive, but in regards to the type of player that Steve Smith is and what his level of play is, you are terribly ignorant.

 

[Chopper0080]

I'd wait until the FA dust settles before worrying about acquiring a highly paid WR. We have much more pressing needs to deal with before we open up our checkbooks to another star WR.

What free agent dust are you referring to? Carl Nicks is the only player that we should put everything on hold to sign. As for the rest, we need to resign some of our players, and add a top OG, potentially take a flier on a tackle (Jammal Brown), Matt Roth, rotational DL, and sign some secondary depth. We really don't have a ton of moves to make.

Resign
Lyle Sendlein-C
Duece Lutui-RG
Alan Branch-DE

Sign
Carl Nicks-LG
Jammal Brown-RT
Matt Roth-OLB
Nick Eason-DE
S/CB

Trade for
QB
Steve Smith-WR

Extend
Larry Fitzgerald
Calais Campbell

That is our off season right there.

 

[Chopper0080]

Moss isn't anywhere as physical as Smith is, but I get what you're saying.

I'm surprised that so many people want to see the WR corps get much older. Moss is 32!

I guess you make either of these deals if you're set to be a passing team, and not run the ball much until the game is well in hand. If you trade for Steve Smith or sign Santana Moss and re-sign Fitz, you're essentially promising your top two wideouts 185 receptions between them. You're gonna try and get each of them the ball 6-10 times a game.

I really don't want to see the pass-first offense with a cast-off quarterback in 2011 or thereafter.

It is not about getting older at WR, it is about getting more talented. We don't have the luxury of waiting on players like Andre Roberts, Early Doucet, and Stephen Williams to ascend to the number 2 WR position. Let them compete for roster spots and playing time and let the best players play. It is never a bad thing to be so talented at WR that you have to let players like Max Komar hit the market...

 

[Cardiac]

What free agent dust are you referring to? Carl Nicks is the only player that we should put everything on hold to sign. As for the rest, we need to resign some of our players, and add a top OG, potentially take a flier on a tackle (Jammal Brown), Matt Roth, rotational DL, and sign some secondary depth. We really don't have a ton of moves to make.

Resign
Lyle Sendlein-C
Duece Lutui-RG
Alan Branch-DE

Sign
Carl Nicks-LG
Jammal Brown-RT
Matt Roth-OLB
Nick Eason-DE
S/CB

Trade for
QB
Steve Smith-WR

Extend
Larry Fitzgerald
Calais Campbell

That is our off season right there.

I worry about Smith's anger issues, how will he effect the locker room? Dude can play and would add a dimension to the team we haven't had for quite some time. If we trade for a QB and Smith our draft will be pretty weak in 2012.

I would add LT, ILB, NT and TE (in that order) to your shopping list. If we get a LT then OG is less of a need as Levi or BK can slide inside.