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.
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.
