10 Things I Wonder (on the eve of training camp)

[Mitch]

1. Whether DE/OLB Dwight Freeney has out-priced himself on the FA market. Teams like the Redskins and Saints who have recently lost one of their top pass rushers for the season have said they have no intention of trying to sign Freeney at this time. Only the Falcons have brought him in---and even they haven't been able to reach an agreement. Anyone who watched "All or Nothing" could see how valuable Freeney was to the Cardinals. He is still one of the top 25 pass rushers in the NFL. Why is he still unsigned?

2. Why to this day DE Calais Campbell's $15.25M cap hit has not been addressed? First it was because Campbell was in the process of changing agents---which seemed to take far more time than necessary. Second because one would think that Calais would want to do all he can to help the team create the deepest, most talented roster imaginable. Third because isn't Calais a core player they want to keep in Cardinals' red (at a mutually agreeable salary)?

3. Whether it would be wise to create a package of plays for the #2 QB in order to try to keep Carson Palmer healthy and fresh. At his age there have to be concerns about his ability to hold up physically for 16 games and then be strong for the post-season.

4. In light of trying to lighten Palmer's role during the regular season, would it be a good idea to bring in a QB like Nick Foles to challenge Drew Stanton as the #2 and perhaps to groom Palmer's successor, sooner rather than later?

5. The coaches are playing Earl Watford at center, guard and tackle---but, having not signed a veteran RT to be a fall-back plan should D.J. Humphries falter, wouldn't it be prudent to have Watford spend the majority of his time at right tackle?

6. Now that the Cardinals are younger and more athletic on the defensive line, will they finally be able to generate consistent pressures and sacks with a 4 man rush? In the 34, will there be more emphasis on shooting the gaps and getting more penetration?

7. Will James Bettcher's blitz schemes be more effective and less predictable this season? What kind of growth will we see from Bettcher in his second year?

8. Will the defense try to feature length and athleticism on the edge this year? It feels like Steve Keim's vision of the team's defense is evolving and he has become more committed to adding longer, more athletic edge rushers and longer, more athletic CBs.

9. Is Tyrann Mathieu ready and able to become the "face of the franchise"? Clearly, without the Honey Badger, the defense lost some of its mojo. Steve Keim has made a conscious effort to upgrade the physical talent on the defense and to add more willing and eager tacklers. Thinking back to the Vikings' game---had Tyrann Mathieu not made a number of tackles on Adrian Peterson (for which AP has since been giving HB props), AP would have run all over the Cardinals that night. Despite his two knee injuries, will Mathieu still be the best tackler on the team? Will the defense have to depend on him as much as they have for the past few years? Will Mathieu be a legitimate MVP candidate?

10. The most important question of all is how much have the Cardinals narrowed the gap between them and the toughest, most physical teams in the NFC?...which at the end of last year I would rank as: (1) Panthers; (2) Seahawks; (3) Vikings; (4) Cardinals. Keim has been pecking away at this---it showed up in trading for OLB/DE Chandler Jones and by adding RG Evan Mathis to the offensive line and bringing back some of its toughest players in RB Chris Johnson, TE Germaine Gresham, WR Jaron Brown, DE Josh Mauro, DT Red Bryant, S Tony Jefferson. S D.J. Swearinger. Then, adding all-purpose defensive back Tyvon Branch in FA and drafting physical players in Nkemdiche, Williams, Boehm, Christian, Toner and Miller. The Cardinals peaked physically in Week 15 last year after they were better and stronger than ever for a 9 game stretch (6-0 in Prime Time), but due, in part, to injuries (C. Johnson, Mathieu, Palmer in particular) they wilted physically in Week 16 and in the playoffs. This time, can they match the toughest teams and get over the hump?

 

[cardncubfan]

Good write up Mitch. I think they want Watford to be able to play any position on the line in case of injury. I think if DJ can't cut it they will bring in someone from the street. I do believe they have faith in DJ & that he will be the tackle they think he is. His biggest issue last year was maturity & imo is why he wasn't suiting up.

 

[oaken1]

1. Whether DE/OLB Dwight Freeney has out-priced himself on the FA market. Teams like the Redskins and Saints who have recently lost one of their top pass rushers for the season have said they have no intention of trying to sign Freeney at this time. Only the Falcons have brought him in---and even they haven't been able to reach an agreement. Anyone who watched "All or Nothing" could see how valuable Freeney was to the Cardinals. He is still one of the top 25 pass rushers in the NFL. Why is he still unsigned?
I think it is a combination of issues with freeney...dude has passed the point where most rushers are ineffective...he may still have it but the odds are against it...why use a roster spot on him when we have young guys with promise? freeney helps us this year but the young guys can help us for the next few years
2. Why to this day DE Calais Campbell's $15.25M cap hit has not been addressed? First it was because Campbell was in the process of changing agents---which seemed to take far more time than necessary. Second because one would think that Calais would want to do all he can to help the team create the deepest, most talented roster imaginable. Third because isn't Calais a core player they want to keep in Cardinals' red (at a mutually agreeable salary)?
IMO this is a BA move....he was all over CC last season to be more dominant, play to his size and ability, split the double teams, etc...the common excuse was that there was nobody inside to take pressure away from CC..which to some extent was true... but perhaps BA and SK are content with letting CC feel that the team is willing to let him play out his contract and hit the market if they do not see greater effort from him on the field.....in which case we could expect to see an extension done during the season after CC has shown better production with more defensive help....CC is 30,..this will likely be his last nfl contract
3. Whether it would be wise to create a package of plays for the #2 QB in order to try to keep Carson Palmer healthy and fresh. At his age there have to be concerns about his ability to hold up physically for 16 games and then be strong for the post-season. I have considered this myself...but IMO BA is all about the rhythm and will not want to change the flow of the game.....but I would at least like to see some backup QB if we ever hit true garbage time

4. In light of trying to lighten Palmer's role during the regular season, would it be a good idea to bring in a QB like Nick Foles to challenge Drew Stanton as the #2 and perhaps to groom Palmer's successor, sooner rather than later?
I think BA really likes the QB's he has...and honestly, Barkley has just as much potential as foles...just smaller.
5. The coaches are playing Earl Watford at center, guard and tackle---but, having not signed a veteran RT to be a fall-back plan should D.J. Humphries falter, wouldn't it be prudent to have Watford spend the majority of his time at right tackle?
Earl spent a lot of time working at RT last season due to DJ not being ready....IMO working him more inside is just to keep his flexibility going, gather him more experience at each position so he maintains his value as a swing man on the line
6. Now that the Cardinals are younger and more athletic on the defensive line, will they finally be able to generate consistent pressures and sacks with a 4 man rush? In the 34, will there be more emphasis on shooting the gaps and getting more penetration?
a guy like nkemdiche is designed to create chaos...when he is on the field you can bet the defensive front will be on full attack mode....would be nice to see pressure with just the linemen wouldn't it?
7. Will James Bettcher's blitz schemes be more effective and less predictable this season? What kind of growth will we see from Bettcher in his second year? pretty sure they will be more effective while being predictable...we upgraded some weapons but I do not see this coaching staff calling a more conservative game plan...we will still blitz more than any other team in the NFL....the mindset being,...you know what we are gonna do, but can you stop us?

8. Will the defense try to feature length and athleticism on the edge this year? It feels like Steve Keim's vision of the team's defense is evolving and he has become more committed to adding longer, more athletic edge rushers and longer, more athletic CBs. "feels like"?? SK has been SAYING exactly that for the past couple years....unfortunately length just is not always available...but now we have some

9. Is Tyrann Mathieu ready and able to become the "face of the franchise"? Clearly, without the Honey Badger, the defense lost some of its mojo. Steve Keim has made a conscious effort to upgrade the physical talent on the defense and to add more willing and eager tacklers. Thinking back to the Vikings' game---had Tyrann Mathieu not made a number of tackles on Adrian Peterson (for which AP has since been giving HB props), AP would have run all over the Cardinals that night. Despite his two knee injuries, will Mathieu still be the best tackler on the team? Will the defense have to depend on him as much as they have for the past few years? Will Mathieu be a legitimate MVP candidate?
man I hope so...would love to see this kid get a few full seasons to showcase what he can do.
10. The most important question of all is how much have the Cardinals narrowed the gap between them and the toughest, most physical teams in the NFC?...which at the end of last year I would rank as: (1) Panthers; (2) Seahawks; (3) Vikings; (4) Cardinals. Keim has been pecking away at this---it showed up in trading for OLB/DE Chandler Jones and by adding RG Evan Mathis to the offensive line and bringing back some of its toughest players in RB Chris Johnson, TE Germaine Gresham, WR Jaron Brown, DE Josh Mauro, DT Red Bryant, S Tony Jefferson. S D.J. Swearinger. Then, adding all-purpose defensive back Tyvon Branch in FA and drafting physical players in Nkemdiche, Williams, Boehm, Christian, Toner and Miller. The Cardinals peaked physically in Week 15 last year after they were better and stronger than ever for a 9 game stretch (6-0 in Prime Time), but due, in part, to injuries (C. Johnson, Mathieu, Palmer in particular) they wilted physically in Week 16 and in the playoffs. This time, can they match the toughest teams and get over the hump?

expand for responses...





we peaked a bit early last season emotionally...our guys were drained before they ever set foot on the field against Carolina.....would love to see a more balanced team this year...more methodical.

 

[crisper57]

Darren Urban ‏@Cardschatter 3m3 minutes ago
DL Robert Nkemdiche day to day with ankle injury.

I don't wanna create a new thread, so I will leave this here.

So it begins.

 

[CardLogic]

4. In light of trying to lighten Palmer's role during the regular season, would it be a good idea to bring in a QB like Nick Foles to challenge Drew Stanton as the #2 and perhaps to groom Palmer's successor, sooner rather than later?

Foles is a less than mediocre QB with an attitude problem. Why in the world would they want to inject that into the locker room? The fact that the Rams couldn't garner any trade interest from QB needy teams says something. . . On top of that, the Rams cut a guy that they paid $6 million in March. That tells me they didn't want his poor additude impacting the rest of the team.

 

[Proximo]

1. Whether DE/OLB Dwight Freeney has out-priced himself on the FA market. Teams like the Redskins and Saints who have recently lost one of their top pass rushers for the season have said they have no intention of trying to sign Freeney at this time. Only the Falcons have brought him in---and even they haven't been able to reach an agreement. Anyone who watched "All or Nothing" could see how valuable Freeney was to the Cardinals. He is still one of the top 25 pass rushers in the NFL. Why is he still unsigned?
He probably has priced himself out of signing, nobody is going to pay a 35 year old much above the min, so he will settle for near that or retire in my opinion

2. Why to this day DE Calais Campbell's $15.25M cap hit has not been addressed? First it was because Campbell was in the process of changing agents---which seemed to take far more time than necessary. Second because one would think that Calais would want to do all he can to help the team create the deepest, most talented roster imaginable. Third because isn't Calais a core player they want to keep in Cardinals' red (at a mutually agreeable salary)?
Well I think this is because the cardinals want to drop his cap number, but don't want to extend him more than a year or two. Actually if I was them I would just leave his contract alone and say goodbye to him at the end of the year. He is still a good player, but our money would better be spent on the likes of Michael Floyd and chandler jones than Campbell in my opinion.

3. Whether it would be wise to create a package of plays for the #2 QB in order to try to keep Carson Palmer healthy and fresh. At his age there have to be concerns about his ability to hold up physically for 16 games and then be strong for the post-season.
Yes, for games we have a 20 point lead in I agree, but we need home field advantage and I am not sure how many of those games there will actually be.

4. In light of trying to lighten Palmer's role during the regular season, would it be a good idea to bring in a QB like Nick Foles to challenge Drew Stanton as the #2 and perhaps to groom Palmer's successor, sooner rather than later?
I personally like the idea, except for one problem I am not sure we can spend 3 roster spots on Qb. At one point foles did play very well, and he is still pretty young. He is strictly a backup, but for the minimum yeah it might not be a bad idea

5. The coaches are playing Earl Watford at center, guard and tackle---but, having not signed a veteran RT to be a fall-back plan should D.J. Humphries falter, wouldn't it be prudent to have Watford spend the majority of his time at right tackle?
I don't think so - I was not impressed at all with him at tackle, I just don't think he has the speed to be good at that position. I think he is a very good guard/center however.

6. Now that the Cardinals are younger and more athletic on the defensive line, will they finally be able to generate consistent pressures and sacks with a 4 man rush? In the 34, will there be more emphasis on shooting the gaps and getting more penetration?
I doubt it. Golden is not much of a rusher, Jones is notorious for being great in some games and non existent in others. nkemdiche had like 4 sacks in a season in college - so we really shouldn't expect to much. Campbell may do better, just from better rushers being around him, but I still think 8-10 is the best he can give you. Then you subtract freeny - I am expecting a 5 - 8 sack improvement for the year. What I am hoping for is that okapluga or riddick turn into an 8-10 sack guy, that would be amazing and push our defense to a whole nother stratus - but I kind of doubt it will happen.

7. Will James Bettcher's blitz schemes be more effective and less predictable this season? What kind of growth will we see from Bettcher in his second year?
I hope we run less blitzes because we are generating more heat in the front seven. I'm sure he will improve since this is just his second season.

8. Will the defense try to feature length and athleticism on the edge this year? It feels like Steve Keim's vision of the team's defense is evolving and he has become more committed to adding longer, more athletic edge rushers and longer, more athletic CBs.
Well if they are going to continue to play the corners on an island they better be great athletes. He wants more athletic rushers because they are the ones who can consistently pressure the qb. Honestly I would have never drafted okafor or Golden, to me neither is a good enough athlete to ever be a good pass rusher. I know golden works his butt off, but physically he just cant get the job done to be better than average.

9. Is Tyrann Mathieu ready and able to become the "face of the franchise"? Clearly, without the Honey Badger, the defense lost some of its mojo. Steve Keim has made a conscious effort to upgrade the physical talent on the defense and to add more willing and eager tacklers. Thinking back to the Vikings' game---had Tyrann Mathieu not made a number of tackles on Adrian Peterson (for which AP has since been giving HB props), AP would have run all over the Cardinals that night. Despite his two knee injuries, will Mathieu still be the best tackler on the team? Will the defense have to depend on him as much as they have for the past few years? Will Mathieu be a legitimate MVP candidate?
I don't think he can ever be a defensive mvp, there just isn't enough plays where he is involved as a safety / slot corner. Really I am a bit surprised how much love he is getting, he was good last year, but this talk about defensive mvp just seems like to much to me. I am pretty sure he will still be our best tackler, that is the only way he knows how to play.

10. The most important question of all is how much have the Cardinals narrowed the gap between them and the toughest, most physical teams in the NFC?...which at the end of last year I would rank as: (1) Panthers; (2) Seahawks; (3) Vikings; (4) Cardinals. Keim has been pecking away at this---it showed up in trading for OLB/DE Chandler Jones and by adding RG Evan Mathis to the offensive line and bringing back some of its toughest players in RB Chris Johnson, TE Germaine Gresham, WR Jaron Brown, DE Josh Mauro, DT Red Bryant, S Tony Jefferson. S D.J. Swearinger. Then, adding all-purpose defensive back Tyvon Branch in FA and drafting physical players in Nkemdiche, Williams, Boehm, Christian, Toner and Miller. The Cardinals peaked physically in Week 15 last year after they were better and stronger than ever for a 9 game stretch (6-0 in Prime Time), but due, in part, to injuries (C. Johnson, Mathieu, Palmer in particular) they wilted physically in Week 16 and in the playoffs. This time, can they match the toughest teams and get over the hump?

I don't see how you can rank us behind the Vikings, bridgewater is not a good qb, and other than AP who is due to show is age very soon their offense is just not scary. I know they almost beat us, but that was really the cardinals beating themselves more than anything in my opinion. How far we go this year really depends on how much the defense and running game improve. I am lacking confidence in palmer in the playoffs, I really am beginning to believe he just is not right mentally when he puts pressure on himself to perform. I think we will win 12 or 13 games again this year, which hopefully is good enough for the 1 seed. If we get that I like our chances to get to the superbowl.

 

[jbeecham]

Freeney - I think we'd all like to have him back... even at the expense of younger guys like Riddick, K. Martin & Okpalaugo making the active roster. Most of Freeney's big plays seemed to come against the offense's LT (speed rush outside, spin back inside)... I don't remember many big plays coming from the opposite side of the O-line. I'm assuming Chandler Jones is going to spend the majority of his time playing that side & going against the LT so who would you rather have in there on 3rd & long? I expect Chandler Jones to play 85+% of the snaps, with Golden & Oakafor rotating at the other OLB spot. If that's the case, does Freeney want to be here on an incentive based contract where he plays 15-20% of the snaps? Maybe he'd do it just for the chance at a Superbowl...

 

[Mitch]

I don't see how you can rank us behind the Vikings, bridgewater is not a good qb, and other than AP who is due to show is age very soon their offense is just not scary. I know they almost beat us, but that was really the cardinals beating themselves more than anything in my opinion. How far we go this year really depends on how much the defense and running game improve. I am lacking confidence in palmer in the playoffs, I really am beginning to believe he just is not right mentally when he puts pressure on himself to perform. I think we will win 12 or 13 games again this year, which hopefully is good enough for the 1 seed. If we get that I like our chances to get to the superbowl.

The Vikings under Mike Zimmer have become one of the most physical teams in the league. They show up every week. My ratings was for the toughest, most physical teams---I wasn't saying more talented.

There are some coaches who demand toughness and hire coaches who equally demand it---like Pete Carroll hiring Tom Cable who year after year makes the Seahawks' makeshift o-line into one of the toughest run blocking lines in the NFL. Like Ron Riviera and every which way he coaches a football team---he's not even afraid of having his franchise QB run the ball as much as it takes to win a game. Mike Zimmer is a no bs coach who will not tolerate missed blocks and tackles.

BA has been teaching the Cardinals how to win---but some of his players play scared and/or lazy and it is obvious. Like Ted Ginn Jr. when he was here---why does he play so much harder and tougher in Carolina? Like Andre Ellington...some of his flops are downright embarrassing and are folder for opponents to lick their chops. Like Michael Floyd on the rare occasions they throw to him over the middle---he starts running backwards. Like Pat P. on punt returns---half-hearted at best---and it is no wonder that the last two playoff losses to Carolina were due in part to Ginn fumbling the ball right to Carolina on a second half kickoff that blew open a tight game---and that Pat P. did the same in a first half crucial situation on a punt at the one time in the game the Cardinals had gathered serious momentum. Like Rashad Johnson the last two years versus Carolina---even when the coaches blitzed him right into the correct hole, he took a dive and whiffed, or that half-hearted effort he made on the pass to Chuckie Brown that was a backbreaker. These are the humps the Cardinals have to hurdle---tough players win Super Bowls.

 

[BigRedRage]

i dont see how you lighten a starting QBs load during the season unless we are up by 3 touchdowns in a game and you put the backups in.

 

[slanidrac16]

Here is my thoughts on Freeney and my prediction.

Freeney does not want to play for a team like the Skins or the Saints. I'm sure he is thinking Super Bowl.
I kinda think the Cards have an unwrittten agreement with Dwight. It is:
Hang loose. We are not going to put you through the riggers of training camp. After week two we will sign you to an incentive laden contract for the Super Bowl run.

Freeney made a lot of money playing a half a season. I think he would be perfectly happy returning here under the same conditions. Unless somebody blows him away with a huge offer I think he's going to sit back and wait for us to call.

 

[jbeecham]

Hang loose. We are not going to put you through the riggers of training camp. After week two we will sign you to an incentive laden contract for the Super Bowl run.

This is probably the case & it lets us look at our young OLBs through camp & pre-season to see if they've improved enough. Golden has been working on the Freeney spin & the radio guys all said he was one of the standouts yesterday.


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[oaken1]

Here is my thoughts on Freeney and my prediction.

Freeney does not want to play for a team like the Skins or the Saints. I'm sure he is thinking Super Bowl.
I kinda think the Cards have an unwrittten agreement with Dwight. It is:
Hang loose. We are not going to put you through the riggers of training camp. After week two we will sign you to an incentive laden contract for the Super Bowl run.

Freeney made a lot of money playing a half a season. I think he would be perfectly happy returning here under the same conditions. Unless somebody blows him away with a huge offer I think he's going to sit back and wait for us to call.

makes sense for him to look at other teams right now though. If he signs before the season he gets guaranteed money...if he waits and signs with us mid season there is no guaranteed money....pretty sure it aint all about the money for freeney at this point, but guarantees never hurt....based on what has come out of freeney's camp...seems he would rather be signed now, go through camp, and have some guaranteed money... dude cant just sit and wait...what if our young guys make a jump? then he ends up retired, or looking for a team in mid season.