Much like the offense, there is no large number of players who dominate at their position. The Cards, especially last season, tried to solve many key defensive slots by signing free agents. Overall this strategy failed. So here we go again.
The most contentious positions will be found within the secondary. It starts with Patrick Peterson. Once perhaps the dominant corner in the league, Peterson has clearly lost a step. He’s still a decent corner but his self-perception has never been real world. He still believes he is a shut down corner. He isn’t. He was often beaten on speed routes and coming out of breaks. Teams constantly ran receivers across the field, but separation almost always occurred when they cut. Occasionally there seemed to be confusion about what defense the secondary was playing. Peterson often appeared to be looking for help that wasn’t there. He seemed to be playing zone while others were in man. Much of this falls to coaching. However Peterson should be one of the guys responsible for cleaning this up but it persisted through out the season.
IMO I could see offering Peterson a reduced contract. I just don’t seeing him accepting it. I often see players wanting to be paid as legacy players. The cap has ended that option in most cases. Peterson is a decent CB and he should be paid like one. However, he should not be paid like a top 5 corner. I see him leaving.
Almost as controversial is what to do with Murphy. He was finally able to play as a slot corner. However he was certainly not consistently successful in that role. He appears to have stiff hips. As such, like Peterson, he allows separation to fluid receivers. Some have suggested moving him to safety. He’d have to bulk up. Currently he’s not strong enough to handle that role. He’s not going to start ahead of Baker. His ball skills would seem to disqualify him from the other slot. Though clearly Thompson lacks them as well. Combined with Baker seldom playing the ball this tells you why the safeties intercept so few passes. It’s not even worth discussing Fitzpatrick. This guy gives more cushion than La-Z-Boy. It was frustrating to watch team after team target whatever receiver he was covering. The best backup was likely Kevin Peterson. Joseph showed a little skill but appears too fragile. Neither of these guys is a starter. No one else in this group should be on the roster.
Looking at the ILBs, it’s another blood bath. Of course Simmons stays and hopefully starts. While Hicks played well, especially against the run, his first years he’s deteriorated significantly. His pass coverage is terrible still and his run stopping now leaves much to be desired. I warn you the Cards like him much better than me, so maybe he stays. On the theory you can’t replace everyone, I’d keep Campbell. He had a strange collection of good games & weak games. His price is right. He did handle some of the TEs effectively, which freed up Baker to be more disruptive. The backups were all forgettable. Just changing names might help since they might get lucky.
OLBs begin with another concern. Jones has been great but seemed to regress before he was injured. Next year with an expiring contract, if he’s got anything left, he should be a force. If he starts hot the Cards will surely try to extend him. They will try to re-sign Reddick, who like Campbell ran hot & cold. If Jones has a big year, Reddick could be in for a banner year. He figures to get better in any case. Golden played well and unless he believes he has to start, he should be affordable giving the Cards one position of excellent depth. Gardeck emerge as a situational pass rusher and remains a special teams force. Dump the rest, including Kennard who looks through.
The line is another mess. I’m lumping them together because several could play inside or out. Peters will be given a chance to return. His contract says Phillips stays, but he had an invisible year. Peko arrived motivated and showed he has some run stopping ability left. I’d keep him if only for situational options. He wants to live on the west coast, so he should fit the budget. Fotu had some moments but is crude technique wise. Lawrence also flashed a little but lacked power. Blackson & Allen rotated in. Blackson made more plays but Allen was steadier. Neither one was outstanding. Mauro will be dumped. This is a ragtag group of mercenaries that is difficult to sort. Peters provided critical leadership. Phillips has to stay. Fotu, Peko & Lawrence are cheap. I’m guessing Allen is in the most jeopardy. This is a lousy draft for defensive linemen. Free agency will have some opportunities but I don’t like the Cards chance of success, as they’ve mostly done better grabbing near retirement players, not long term solutions.
Like the offense some will tout Joseph for staying due to this personnel weakness. I say lack of consistent game planning necessitates a change. Between question marks and no consistency this might be the weakest defensive personnel group in many years. This will certainly be hard to fix in one offseason, but that’s a story for another day.
The most contentious positions will be found within the secondary. It starts with Patrick Peterson. Once perhaps the dominant corner in the league, Peterson has clearly lost a step. He’s still a decent corner but his self-perception has never been real world. He still believes he is a shut down corner. He isn’t. He was often beaten on speed routes and coming out of breaks. Teams constantly ran receivers across the field, but separation almost always occurred when they cut. Occasionally there seemed to be confusion about what defense the secondary was playing. Peterson often appeared to be looking for help that wasn’t there. He seemed to be playing zone while others were in man. Much of this falls to coaching. However Peterson should be one of the guys responsible for cleaning this up but it persisted through out the season.
IMO I could see offering Peterson a reduced contract. I just don’t seeing him accepting it. I often see players wanting to be paid as legacy players. The cap has ended that option in most cases. Peterson is a decent CB and he should be paid like one. However, he should not be paid like a top 5 corner. I see him leaving.
Almost as controversial is what to do with Murphy. He was finally able to play as a slot corner. However he was certainly not consistently successful in that role. He appears to have stiff hips. As such, like Peterson, he allows separation to fluid receivers. Some have suggested moving him to safety. He’d have to bulk up. Currently he’s not strong enough to handle that role. He’s not going to start ahead of Baker. His ball skills would seem to disqualify him from the other slot. Though clearly Thompson lacks them as well. Combined with Baker seldom playing the ball this tells you why the safeties intercept so few passes. It’s not even worth discussing Fitzpatrick. This guy gives more cushion than La-Z-Boy. It was frustrating to watch team after team target whatever receiver he was covering. The best backup was likely Kevin Peterson. Joseph showed a little skill but appears too fragile. Neither of these guys is a starter. No one else in this group should be on the roster.
Looking at the ILBs, it’s another blood bath. Of course Simmons stays and hopefully starts. While Hicks played well, especially against the run, his first years he’s deteriorated significantly. His pass coverage is terrible still and his run stopping now leaves much to be desired. I warn you the Cards like him much better than me, so maybe he stays. On the theory you can’t replace everyone, I’d keep Campbell. He had a strange collection of good games & weak games. His price is right. He did handle some of the TEs effectively, which freed up Baker to be more disruptive. The backups were all forgettable. Just changing names might help since they might get lucky.
OLBs begin with another concern. Jones has been great but seemed to regress before he was injured. Next year with an expiring contract, if he’s got anything left, he should be a force. If he starts hot the Cards will surely try to extend him. They will try to re-sign Reddick, who like Campbell ran hot & cold. If Jones has a big year, Reddick could be in for a banner year. He figures to get better in any case. Golden played well and unless he believes he has to start, he should be affordable giving the Cards one position of excellent depth. Gardeck emerge as a situational pass rusher and remains a special teams force. Dump the rest, including Kennard who looks through.
The line is another mess. I’m lumping them together because several could play inside or out. Peters will be given a chance to return. His contract says Phillips stays, but he had an invisible year. Peko arrived motivated and showed he has some run stopping ability left. I’d keep him if only for situational options. He wants to live on the west coast, so he should fit the budget. Fotu had some moments but is crude technique wise. Lawrence also flashed a little but lacked power. Blackson & Allen rotated in. Blackson made more plays but Allen was steadier. Neither one was outstanding. Mauro will be dumped. This is a ragtag group of mercenaries that is difficult to sort. Peters provided critical leadership. Phillips has to stay. Fotu, Peko & Lawrence are cheap. I’m guessing Allen is in the most jeopardy. This is a lousy draft for defensive linemen. Free agency will have some opportunities but I don’t like the Cards chance of success, as they’ve mostly done better grabbing near retirement players, not long term solutions.
Like the offense some will tout Joseph for staying due to this personnel weakness. I say lack of consistent game planning necessitates a change. Between question marks and no consistency this might be the weakest defensive personnel group in many years. This will certainly be hard to fix in one offseason, but that’s a story for another day.
