2007 Offseason: Offense

OldDirtMcGirt

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The Cardinal's offensive problems can basically be summed up with two words: offensive line. Sure we might have minor needs such as more speed at running back and wide receiver, as well as a blocking tight end, but those are more luxury picks. Even without those small pieces, the Cards offense has the talent and capability to be a top five squad with the right players on the offensive line. We already made the first step in hiring great coach and seasoned vet Russ Grimm, now we just need to give him the guys to work with.

Leonard Davis is gone. Sure there are some grumblings about him returning for a lower price in free agency, but I think that Whiz and the boys are doing some housecleaning by getting rid of his "paycheck personality". That said, although I think that this was the right decision, it does leave us with an even larger hole at offensive tackle. We could hope and pray for Joe Thomas to fall to us with the fifth pick (highly unlikely), wait around for Joe Staley to fall to us with the thirty-seventh pick (also highly unlikely), or reach for Levi Brown (highly stupid). None of those options sound very appealing to me.

The final option is to trade up with Detroit so that we can guarantee Joe Thomas wearing Cardinal red (this we cost our first and second round picks). However, judging by our defensive strategy (outlined in another post), we need all the picks we can get to facilitate our transition to a 3-4. So scrap trading up. We need to address OT in free agency, and we can do that by making our number one priority Tony Pashos out of Baltimore.

Pashos is still young at only 26, and has had two years experience starting on the Raven's line, next to the likes of Jonathan Ogden. He had a breakout year last season, displaying his prowess in both run and pass blocking, and actually outplaying Big Jon. Although the management will probably be reluctant to sign Pashos with RT Reggie Wells earning his spot on the line last year, I think that Pashos could probably resume his role as non-blindside tackle in Arizona with help from Russ Grimm.

Even with Wells and Pashos as our starting tackles, we need to look for a little more depth, as other than Oliver Ross and Brandon Gorin we don't have many true tackles on the roster. We should look for Damon McIntosh out of Miami or Todd Steussie out of St. Louis to come in and bring some veteran savvy to the line. Both can play guard and tackle in a pinch and should give us a little room for injuries on the line.

Deuce Lutui was one of the few bright spots on the line last year, and he's a lock to start at right guard next year. Milford Brown showed a little improvement, but we could definitely upgrade the LG position, and the guy to do it is already on our roster. Oliver Ross has been much maligned (and rightfully so) at his old position of right tackle, but I think that he might be able to rejuvinate his career under his old coach and at least challenge Brown for the starting guard spot. Another guy to keep an eye out for is Elton Brown, who has a ton of talent and potential, and could make a splash if Grimm can get his attitude in check.

Nick Leckey took over for the abysmal Alex Stepanovich (who needs to be on the first plane out of Arizona once free agency starts), and despite some early trips ups (literally), Leckey ended up playing decently at the end of the year. However, although Leckey showed alot of heart, I think that this team could use a veteran center to come in and help be the de facto leader of the line. Both Shaun O'Hara out of New York and Hank Fraley out of Cleveland fit that bill and one of them should end up in red after free agency ends.
 

Heucrazy

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You forgot IMO one thing that the Cards really need and Denny was to stupid to admit.

A BLOCKING fullback.
 

cardsfanmd

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Pashos could probably resume his role as non-blindside tackle in Arizona with help from Russ Grimm. .

There is no "non-blindside" when your qb is a southpaw. Your LT must be as good as you would want him to be if you QB was right-handed. This is because the LT will still be facing opposing team's best end. I live in MD and have season tickets to the Ravens, and Pashos didn't overwhelm me at all. In fact, this was the worst the Raven's line has looked in years. They hid the fact a little because McNair is great at getting out of the way and getting rid of the ball. Had Kyle Boller been the starter, that line would have gotten a lot of grief. Look at it this way, maybe Pashos did look good paired up w/ Odgen, but would you trust him blocking against some of the premier pass rushers in the league. Odgen gave up three sacks to Freeney this year, just imagine what would have happened to Pashos. We essentially need two starting LT-quality guys on the line. I just put a thread up about this in particular. Check it out

LT vs. RT
 
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OldDirtMcGirt

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There is no "non-blindside" when your qb is a southpaw. Your LT must be as good as you would want him to be if you QB was right-handed. This is because the LT will still be facing opposing team's best end. I live in MD and have season tickets to the Ravens, and Pashos didn't overwhelm me at all. In fact, this was the worst the Raven's line has looked in years. They hid the fact a little because McNair is great at getting out of the way and getting rid of the ball. Had Kyle Boller been the starter, that line would have gotten a lot of grief. Look at it this way, maybe Pashos did look good paired up w/ Odgen, but would you trust him blocking against some of the premier pass rushers in the league. Odgen gave up three sacks to Freeney this year, just imagine what would have happened to Pashos. We essentially need two starting LT-quality guys on the line. I just put a thread up about this in particular. Check it out

LT vs. RT

I watched alot of the Raven's games this year, and from what I could see, the interior linemen were pretty crappy. Lewis was getting 4 yards a carry running off of the right tackle, so Pashos's run blocking wasn't too shabby. Don't forget that he's relatively young too, and has shown alot of room for improvement and alot of potential (just as much as a guy like Joe Staley or Tony Ugoh would). And the best pass rusher doesn't always line-up against the LT, in fact they end up rotating alot. RT is still more important, because at least the quarterback can see the protection break down from his left side if he's left-handed. Pashos is the best tackle available in free agency, and he's better than anybody in the draft not named Joe Thomas (who we're not getting anyways).
 

Zeno

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Milford Brown outplayed Lutui last season. Milford Brown ended the season as our best OLineman...talk of replacing him is crazy. Lutui has a bigger upside for sure being that he was just a rookie but Milford Brown will continue to start for the Cards this year and will play very well.

No chance that Oliver Ross or even Elton Brown beats out Milford Brown.

That is the very reason i do not see the Cardinals signing any interior OLineman this season with the possible exception of a Center for anything more than quality depth. I am totally speculating of course but I don't think the Cardinals will look for starters in the interior of the OLine this offseason, we are set there.
 
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OldDirtMcGirt

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Milford Brown outplayed Lutui last season. Milford Brown ended the season as our best OLineman...talk of replacing him is crazy. Lutui has a bigger upside for sure being that he was just a rookie but Milford Brown will continue to start for the Cards this year and will play very well.

No chance that Oliver Ross or even Elton Brown beats out Milford Brown.

That is the very reason i do not see the Cardinals signing any interior OLineman this season with the possible exception of a Center for anything more than quality depth. I am totally speculating of course but I don't think the Cardinals will look for starters in the interior of the OLine this offseason, we are set there.

I disagree on Brown being our best O-lineman, but I do think that he'll keep his job at LG next season (barring injury). I just think that moving Oliver Ross inside would help to foster the competition that Whiz wants (instead of Chris Lewinski).
 

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I would love to have Pashos at the RT spot and move Wells, the more finesse and quicker of the 2 to LT. I remember him starting the final games for LD in 04 and 05 and he gave it to Simeon Rice and did a good job with the speed rushers.
 

Goodyear Card

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Wells is OK at RT but I doubt he could play LT. I would like to see him at center instead of playing tackle. The new coaching staff has given Ross another chance to win a starting job but I don't think he will be successful. Of course what position Wells plays and whether Ross will be starting this years depends on free agent signings and who we draft. Rookies rarely are successful in the NFL but are options are limited so we might be starting a rookie at one of the tackle positions.
 
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OldDirtMcGirt

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Wells is OK at RT but I doubt he could play LT. I would like to see him at center instead of playing tackle. The new coaching staff has given Ross another chance to win a starting job but I don't think he will be successful. Of course what position Wells plays and whether Ross will be starting this years depends on free agent signings and who we draft. Rookies rarely are successful in the NFL but are options are limited so we might be starting a rookie at one of the tackle positions.

Wells was getting owned when he was on the inside. I actually think that our line next year will look something like this: Wells-Brown-O'Hara-Lutui-Pashos.
 

BullheadCardFan

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Pashos is still young at only 26, and has had two years experience starting on the Raven's line, next to the likes of Jonathan Ogden. He had a breakout year last season, displaying his prowess in both run and pass blocking, and actually outplaying Big Jon. Although the management will probably be reluctant to sign Pashos with RT Reggie Wells earning his spot on the line last year, I think that Pashos could probably resume his role as non-blindside tackle in Arizona with help from Russ Grimm.

Nick Leckey took over for the abysmal Alex Stepanovich (who needs to be on the first plane out of Arizona once free agency starts), and despite some early trips ups (literally), Leckey ended up playing decently at the end of the year. However, although Leckey showed alot of heart, I think that this team could use a veteran center to come in and help be the de facto leader of the line. Both Shaun O'Hara out of New York and Hank Fraley out of Cleveland fit that bill and one of them should end up in red after free agency ends.
I am all for bringing in Pashos and getting rid of Step .. I can see Wells moving to LT and Pashos taking over RT ..

Center is and area of concern and I am not totally impressed with Leckey .. he still gets no push on run plays and big DTs have their way with him on passing downs ... so your suggestion of bringing a vet for depth and to battle for the starting job is a good idea ...
 

PJ1

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I am all for bringing in Pashos and getting rid of Step .. I can see Wells moving to LT and Pashos taking over RT ..

Center is and area of concern and I am not totally impressed with Leckey .. he still gets no push on run plays and big DTs have their way with him on passing downs ... so your suggestion of bringing a vet for depth and to battle for the starting job is a good idea ...

Disagree on Lecky. Thought he had an excellent season. Every bit as good a season as Brown, Latui and Wells.
 

Goldfield

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I disagree on Brown being our best O-lineman, but I do think that he'll keep his job at LG next season (barring injury). I just think that moving Oliver Ross inside would help to foster the competition that Whiz wants (instead of Chris Lewinski).
I have to agree with Zeno... Brown was our best linemen followed closely by C- Nick Leck who is VERY underrated as our starting center(I LOVE how he plays).


We need 2 OT's to compete with what we have now.

Ross might be a better OG but is he worth 2.8 mill to be a backup?
 

Goldfield

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Wells is OK at RT but I doubt he could play LT. I would like to see him at center instead of playing tackle. The new coaching staff has given Ross another chance to win a starting job but I don't think he will be successful. Of course what position Wells plays and whether Ross will be starting this years depends on free agent signings and who we draft. Rookies rarely are successful in the NFL but are options are limited so we might be starting a rookie at one of the tackle positions.
Moving Wells to Center would just create another hole at OT. Also think Lecky would beat out Well anyway...
 

Skkorpion

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Milford Brown outplayed Lutui last season. Milford Brown ended the season as our best OLineman...talk of replacing him is crazy. Lutui has a bigger upside for sure being that he was just a rookie but Milford Brown will continue to start for the Cards this year and will play very well.

No chance that Oliver Ross or even Elton Brown beats out Milford Brown.

That is the very reason i do not see the Cardinals signing any interior OLineman this season with the possible exception of a Center for anything more than quality depth. I am totally speculating of course but I don't think the Cardinals will look for starters in the interior of the OLine this offseason, we are set there.

Absolutely 100% correct.
 
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OldDirtMcGirt

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I have to agree with Zeno... Brown was our best linemen followed closely by C- Nick Leck who is VERY underrated as our starting center(I LOVE how he plays).


We need 2 OT's to compete with what we have now.

Ross might be a better OG but is he worth 2.8 mill to be a backup?

I'm not sold on Leckey. He has alot of heart, but he gets pushed around sometimes, and I think that we need a vet at the center position who can be the leader of the line.

I agree about the 2 OTs, I like Tony Pashos and Damon McIntosh in free agency.

As of now I think that we might as well, it's not like we're hurting for money.
 

Chris_Sanders

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It's either 2007 or 1986. Which means my stone-washed ultra tight jeans are back in style!!!


oh who am I kidding, I'll wear 'em anyhow.

Well hopefully someone will start a thread with the year in the title just in case I forget. Maybe Mitch can do it for me.
 

Mitch

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2007 Cardinals: Offensive Line Needs (especially for you, SuperSpck and Chris!)

This offensive line needs a veteran leader, which is why Eric Steinbach is, IMO, the #1 priority in free agency.

I think many of you are exaggerating how well Brown and Lutui played last year. Yes, they both showed improvement and helped to improve the overall performance of the offensive line, but neither one of them was dominating...not even close.

I also think it is a mistake to think that because the line showed some improvement last year that the Cardinals are now set for this year...

Give me Steinbach, Pashos (or Stinchcomb) and Ryan Kalil in round two...and then find the best starting combination...Whiz wants competition for all the starting jobs, which is exactly what needs to happen...
 

BACH

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2007 Cardinals: Offensive Line Needs (especially for you, SuperSpck and Chris!)

This offensive line needs a veteran leader, which is why Eric Steinbach is, IMO, the #1 priority in free agency.

I think many of you are exaggerating how well Brown and Lutui played last year. Yes, they both showed improvement and helped to improve the overall performance of the offensive line, but neither one of them was dominating...not even close.

I also think it is a mistake to think that because the line showed some improvement last year that the Cardinals are now set for this year...

Give me Steinbach, Pashos (or Stinchcomb) and Ryan Kalil in round two...and then find the best starting combination...Whiz wants competition for all the starting jobs, which is exactly what needs to happen...

Where would you play Steinbach? Lutui has talent. Milford did really well.

I like you plan, but I think we have different idea. I would love to have Steinbach, but at C. He a fierce competitor and could be a leader of the line from the center position. Add Pashos and a first day OT like Ugoh in the 2nd or Martens in the 3rd, and the OL would look really solid.

LT - Pashos (Gorin, Ross)
LG - Milford (Ross, Elton)
C - Steinbach (Leckey)
RG - Lutui (Elton, Ross)
RT - Wells (Rookie, Gorin)
 

BACH

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BTW...

Isn't it ironic that we are pimping Steinbach for his leadership, intelligence, fierce competitiveness and ability to play all three interior positions.

cough, cough... Kendall
 

Gandhi

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Where would you play Steinbach? Lutui has talent. Milford did really well.

I like you plan, but I think we have different idea. I would love to have Steinbach, but at C. He a fierce competitor and could be a leader of the line from the center position. Add Pashos and a first day OT like Ugoh in the 2nd or Martens in the 3rd, and the OL would look really solid.

LT - Pashos (Gorin, Ross)
LG - Milford (Ross, Elton)
C - Steinbach (Leckey)
RG - Lutui (Elton, Ross)
RT - Wells (Rookie, Gorin)

I like your draftpick, but I do not feel comfortable playing either Wells or a rookie on Leinarts blindside.

Not that I do not like Wells, or even that I do not think we cannot find a great rookie tackle, but I just think that a guy like Damion McIntosh would be a more safe solution.

Besides that I think we need to work hard at free agency. Not many stars left but there are still some very good players, of who we by the way will face stiff competition, such as McIntosh, Hamlin, Grant, Fletcher and, as you mentions, Steinbach and Pashos.
 

Duckjake

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I think you guys are putting way too much emphasis on the makeup of the offensive line.

The Cardinals biggest offensive output of 2005 was against the 49ers with Fred Wakefield playing Right Tackle.

:D
 

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