Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
What the Cardinals have accomplished thus far:
FA Additions:
* LG Mike Iupati (6-5, 331, 27, 6, Idaho) is the Ndamukong Suh of run blockers in the NFL---a 3 time Pro Bowler. Is consider one of the top ten FAs. Some pundits question Iupati's fit in AZ because he has struggled at times in pass protection and BA's offense is typically pass oriented.
However, Iupati's pass protection efficiency was greater when he was blocking for a more traditional pocket passer, and there is no reason why he can't improve his technique and overall effectiveness under the tutelage of Harold Goodwin.
What the addition if Iupati means is that BA is very adamant about improving the Cardinals' running game. He loves, in particular, to be able to close out games on the ground and with a mauler like Iupati those chance just got a heckuva lot greater.
I love this signing because the Cardinals have to play more physical across the board to be able to vie for the NFC West Championship.
* ILB/OLB Sean Weatherspoon (6-2, 224, 27, 6, Missouri) is a gifted playmaker when healthy. The Cardinals are rolling the dice on his talent and leadership with the hope that he puts up big production numbers.
What I love about this signing is how the Cardinals were able to acquire Weatherspoon in light of the fact that new Falcons' head coach Dan Quinn stated publicly that he wanted to build his defense around Weatherspoon, and yet Weatherspoon elected to sign with the Cardinals instead.
The Cardinals need a real leader on defense. Two years ago it was Dansby. Last year it was Larry Foote. Now that Foote has signed as a coach, the intention is to pass the baton to Spoon. And if this relay is successful, hopefully this time around the Cardinals will be able to re-sign one of their one-year wonders to a multi-year deal.
* DT/DE Corey Peters (6-3, 305, 26, 6, Kentucky) is a thick DT with fluid hips who can plug the run and get after the QB. Like Weatherspoon, Peters suffered a torn Achilles. However, his strong play down the stretch last year is an indication that he has already returned to form.
What I love about this signing is Peter's versatility, which allows James Bettcher to use him in a variety of roles with the Cardinals' multiple fronts. Peters can anchor at NT, he can play Dockett's DT position and he can rush the passer from the inside in the specialty packages.
What also is so compelling about Peter's signing is how praising he was of how well the Cardinals recruited him. he fell in love with the Cardinals' administrators and coaches and even took less money to sign here. It is a nice bonus that he and Sean Weatherspoon are very close. They are very aggressive players cut from a very similar cloth.
* OLB LaMarr Woodley (6-2, 265, 30, 9, Michigan) is coming off his worst season as a pro which was ended prematurely by a torn bicep. As a result of the poor season, the injury and questions about his age, the Cardinals were able to acquire Woodley for less than $1M.
What I love about this signing is that the Cardinals have established a precedent for signing veteran players in their 30s to prove it deals and have gotten premium value and comeback of the year type performances. Woodley must be licking his chops because he know that if he can put up good sack and pressure numbers, he can parlay that success into a more lucrative contract.
What is also so compelling about this signing is how instrumental Larry Foote was in recruiting Woodley to AZ. Some people complain about the Cardinals' propensity to sign ex-Steelers, but one of the best signings of all was Larry Foote, who saved the day for the Cardinals at ILB after Dansby departed---and who set the tone for a ferocious defense until he and they wore down late in the season. Best of all, one of things that is regretful about losing Darnell Dockett is that Dock was one of the very few Cardinals who possessed the "beast mode." We saw this past season that Larry Foote has a beast mode switch. And anyone who has followed Woodley's career knows that he has that switch in spades.
* DE Cory Redding (6-4, 318, 34, 13, Texas) is a highly combative and successful defender who can apply good pressure on the QB. He was one of the few Colts who played well on their defense in the playoffs last year, and he is a very good leader of men.
What I love about this signing is that Redding gives Bettcher another versatile piece within the Cardinals' multiple looks and fronts. Redding can rush from the edge in a 4 man rush as well as from the interior. At Redding's age and with the Cardinals' depth at the position, he can be a valuable rotation player and spot starter if need be.
What is also compelling about this signing is BA&SK's commitment to building the leadership of the defense on the field and in the locker room.
* C A.Q. Shipley (6-1, 307, 28, 4, Penn. St.) is a young center who has garnered positive grades as a run blocker during his first few years in the NFL. He was playing well at C for the Colts last year, but was benched after 5 games and apparently demoted to third string. Now, we might not know the reasons why this happened, but you can be sure that BA&SK do. Clearly, whatever happened in Indy last year did not deter BA&SK from recruiting him to AZ.
What I love about this signing is how badly BA and Harold Goodwin have wanted to acquire Shipley since they arrived in AZ. They are very high on him---so high that they elected to release stalwart veteran C Lyle Sendlein in order to free up the staring job and to save cap space. BA&SK have a very high regard for Sendelin and letting Sendlein go was just as hard as letting Darnell Dockett go, maybe even harder because of Sendlein's integrity.
What is also compelling about this signing is how it relates to improving the running game. While I think BA&HG have a high regard for C/G Ted Larsen, especially because he can swing between the positions, I think Shipley is BA&HG's starter at C and Larsen will be given an opportunity to challenge Jonathan Cooper for the RG position, that is, unless Anthony Steen or Earl Watford make a serious charge.
Where The 53 Man Roster Stands at This Point:
QB (3): Palmer, Stanton, Thomas
RB (4): Ellington, Taylor, Williams, Grice/Hughes
TE (4): Carlson, Niklas, Fells, Bolser
OL (9): Veldheer, Iupati, Shipley, Cooper, Massie, Sowell/Bradfield, Larsen, Steen/Watford
WR (5): Fitzgerald, Floyd, John Brown, Jaron Brown, Golden
DT (2): Peters, Ta'amu
DE (5): Campbell, Rucker, Redding, Stinson, Mauro
ILB (4): Weatherspoon, Minter, Carson, Demens (Washington)
OLB (4): Shaughnessy, Okafor, Martin, Woodley
CB (5): Peterson, Powers, Bethel, Carmichael/Whitley, Weaver/Legree
S (5): Johnson, Mathieu, Bucannon, Jefferson, Clemons
ST (3) Zastdul, Leach, Catanzaro
Week 2 FAs Who Could Be Good Fits:
RB Stevan Ridley--- power RB coming off an ACL, but has been very productive and had a 1,200 yard season in 2013.
RB Pierre Thomas---productive as a Saint. All-purpose type.
WR Cecil Shorts---nifty in the slot and as a return man.
WR Donnie Avery---speed WR who had a good year with BA in Indy.
TE James Casey---versatile and talented. Good blocker and receiver.
TE Jermaine Gresham---big blocker, inconsistent receiver.
T Anthony Collins---how about a one year prove it deal with him?
G Justin Blalock---want another mauler at a bargain price?
OLB Osi Umenyiora---situational DE a la John Abraham?
OLB Mathias Kiwanuka---lots of length and athletic ability.
ILB Mason Foster---has speed and decent instincts.
ILB Brandon Spikes---run game stuffer.
CB Perrish Cox---played well in SF last year.
CB Patrick Robinson---has versatility, quick feet.
S Dashon Goldson---has the beast mode switch.
CB/S Bradley Fletcher---can cover TEs! Can play press CB.
Please mention other FAs I haven't mentioned!
What Hasn't Been Accomplished Yet:
* Edge speed---SK still can't seem to draft or sign a speed rusher---
* Physical workhorse type RB---
* More depth at ILB---perhaps Nate Irving will sign?
* CB depth---would seem a FA and a draft pick are needed here
* KO/PR---who will take Ted Ginn Jr.'s place?
Your thoughts?
FA Additions:
* LG Mike Iupati (6-5, 331, 27, 6, Idaho) is the Ndamukong Suh of run blockers in the NFL---a 3 time Pro Bowler. Is consider one of the top ten FAs. Some pundits question Iupati's fit in AZ because he has struggled at times in pass protection and BA's offense is typically pass oriented.
However, Iupati's pass protection efficiency was greater when he was blocking for a more traditional pocket passer, and there is no reason why he can't improve his technique and overall effectiveness under the tutelage of Harold Goodwin.
What the addition if Iupati means is that BA is very adamant about improving the Cardinals' running game. He loves, in particular, to be able to close out games on the ground and with a mauler like Iupati those chance just got a heckuva lot greater.
I love this signing because the Cardinals have to play more physical across the board to be able to vie for the NFC West Championship.
* ILB/OLB Sean Weatherspoon (6-2, 224, 27, 6, Missouri) is a gifted playmaker when healthy. The Cardinals are rolling the dice on his talent and leadership with the hope that he puts up big production numbers.
What I love about this signing is how the Cardinals were able to acquire Weatherspoon in light of the fact that new Falcons' head coach Dan Quinn stated publicly that he wanted to build his defense around Weatherspoon, and yet Weatherspoon elected to sign with the Cardinals instead.
The Cardinals need a real leader on defense. Two years ago it was Dansby. Last year it was Larry Foote. Now that Foote has signed as a coach, the intention is to pass the baton to Spoon. And if this relay is successful, hopefully this time around the Cardinals will be able to re-sign one of their one-year wonders to a multi-year deal.
* DT/DE Corey Peters (6-3, 305, 26, 6, Kentucky) is a thick DT with fluid hips who can plug the run and get after the QB. Like Weatherspoon, Peters suffered a torn Achilles. However, his strong play down the stretch last year is an indication that he has already returned to form.
What I love about this signing is Peter's versatility, which allows James Bettcher to use him in a variety of roles with the Cardinals' multiple fronts. Peters can anchor at NT, he can play Dockett's DT position and he can rush the passer from the inside in the specialty packages.
What also is so compelling about Peter's signing is how praising he was of how well the Cardinals recruited him. he fell in love with the Cardinals' administrators and coaches and even took less money to sign here. It is a nice bonus that he and Sean Weatherspoon are very close. They are very aggressive players cut from a very similar cloth.
* OLB LaMarr Woodley (6-2, 265, 30, 9, Michigan) is coming off his worst season as a pro which was ended prematurely by a torn bicep. As a result of the poor season, the injury and questions about his age, the Cardinals were able to acquire Woodley for less than $1M.
What I love about this signing is that the Cardinals have established a precedent for signing veteran players in their 30s to prove it deals and have gotten premium value and comeback of the year type performances. Woodley must be licking his chops because he know that if he can put up good sack and pressure numbers, he can parlay that success into a more lucrative contract.
What is also so compelling about this signing is how instrumental Larry Foote was in recruiting Woodley to AZ. Some people complain about the Cardinals' propensity to sign ex-Steelers, but one of the best signings of all was Larry Foote, who saved the day for the Cardinals at ILB after Dansby departed---and who set the tone for a ferocious defense until he and they wore down late in the season. Best of all, one of things that is regretful about losing Darnell Dockett is that Dock was one of the very few Cardinals who possessed the "beast mode." We saw this past season that Larry Foote has a beast mode switch. And anyone who has followed Woodley's career knows that he has that switch in spades.
* DE Cory Redding (6-4, 318, 34, 13, Texas) is a highly combative and successful defender who can apply good pressure on the QB. He was one of the few Colts who played well on their defense in the playoffs last year, and he is a very good leader of men.
What I love about this signing is that Redding gives Bettcher another versatile piece within the Cardinals' multiple looks and fronts. Redding can rush from the edge in a 4 man rush as well as from the interior. At Redding's age and with the Cardinals' depth at the position, he can be a valuable rotation player and spot starter if need be.
What is also compelling about this signing is BA&SK's commitment to building the leadership of the defense on the field and in the locker room.
* C A.Q. Shipley (6-1, 307, 28, 4, Penn. St.) is a young center who has garnered positive grades as a run blocker during his first few years in the NFL. He was playing well at C for the Colts last year, but was benched after 5 games and apparently demoted to third string. Now, we might not know the reasons why this happened, but you can be sure that BA&SK do. Clearly, whatever happened in Indy last year did not deter BA&SK from recruiting him to AZ.
What I love about this signing is how badly BA and Harold Goodwin have wanted to acquire Shipley since they arrived in AZ. They are very high on him---so high that they elected to release stalwart veteran C Lyle Sendlein in order to free up the staring job and to save cap space. BA&SK have a very high regard for Sendelin and letting Sendlein go was just as hard as letting Darnell Dockett go, maybe even harder because of Sendlein's integrity.
What is also compelling about this signing is how it relates to improving the running game. While I think BA&HG have a high regard for C/G Ted Larsen, especially because he can swing between the positions, I think Shipley is BA&HG's starter at C and Larsen will be given an opportunity to challenge Jonathan Cooper for the RG position, that is, unless Anthony Steen or Earl Watford make a serious charge.
Where The 53 Man Roster Stands at This Point:
QB (3): Palmer, Stanton, Thomas
RB (4): Ellington, Taylor, Williams, Grice/Hughes
TE (4): Carlson, Niklas, Fells, Bolser
OL (9): Veldheer, Iupati, Shipley, Cooper, Massie, Sowell/Bradfield, Larsen, Steen/Watford
WR (5): Fitzgerald, Floyd, John Brown, Jaron Brown, Golden
DT (2): Peters, Ta'amu
DE (5): Campbell, Rucker, Redding, Stinson, Mauro
ILB (4): Weatherspoon, Minter, Carson, Demens (Washington)
OLB (4): Shaughnessy, Okafor, Martin, Woodley
CB (5): Peterson, Powers, Bethel, Carmichael/Whitley, Weaver/Legree
S (5): Johnson, Mathieu, Bucannon, Jefferson, Clemons
ST (3) Zastdul, Leach, Catanzaro
Week 2 FAs Who Could Be Good Fits:
RB Stevan Ridley--- power RB coming off an ACL, but has been very productive and had a 1,200 yard season in 2013.
RB Pierre Thomas---productive as a Saint. All-purpose type.
WR Cecil Shorts---nifty in the slot and as a return man.
WR Donnie Avery---speed WR who had a good year with BA in Indy.
TE James Casey---versatile and talented. Good blocker and receiver.
TE Jermaine Gresham---big blocker, inconsistent receiver.
T Anthony Collins---how about a one year prove it deal with him?
G Justin Blalock---want another mauler at a bargain price?
OLB Osi Umenyiora---situational DE a la John Abraham?
OLB Mathias Kiwanuka---lots of length and athletic ability.
ILB Mason Foster---has speed and decent instincts.
ILB Brandon Spikes---run game stuffer.
CB Perrish Cox---played well in SF last year.
CB Patrick Robinson---has versatility, quick feet.
S Dashon Goldson---has the beast mode switch.
CB/S Bradley Fletcher---can cover TEs! Can play press CB.
Please mention other FAs I haven't mentioned!
What Hasn't Been Accomplished Yet:
* Edge speed---SK still can't seem to draft or sign a speed rusher---
* Physical workhorse type RB---
* More depth at ILB---perhaps Nate Irving will sign?
* CB depth---would seem a FA and a draft pick are needed here
* KO/PR---who will take Ted Ginn Jr.'s place?
Your thoughts?
Last edited:
.Speaking of Michael Bennett do you feel he can fill a rotational passrusher from offtackle? 
