2008 Cardinals NFL Draft/Offseason...

[AsUdUdE]

Its that time of year Fellas..while the good teams are fighting it out, we get to prepare for the off-season (which has sadly become the times I look forward to most...) but I have been researching for the past few weeks, and studied individual film on my own, and have come up with the perfect off-season for the Cards...

Obviously we all know it probably won't work out like this for them, but if it is anywhere near this, I will be thrilled, let me know what ya'll think, and let us know your early predictions for the coming months...

First and Foremost....I think Suggs would be a very good fit here... however he would undoubtedly cost us Berry (cut)...

I would like to see us cut berry, Okefor and Edge (Berry is ALWAYS hurt and Edge/Okeafor doesn't deserve his HUGE cap number), that’s about 17 million EXTRA in cap room, sign Fanaca (8 million a year), Suggs (8-9 Million a year), then have the draft go as follows

#1- Mike Jenkins/ Aquib Talib, CB- Both Blazing speed and potential Shut Down Corners, hopefully one will be there at #16, moving Rolle to FS..
#2- Ray Rice/Kevin Smith/Jamal Charles RB-test them out, Go with the one with the most upside (I think its Rice, but either of them could turn out great)
#3- Barry Richardson, OT, Clemson- huge (6'7 338), 4 year Starter, All-ACC team, and pre-season All American Candidate, he’s a Mauler, and has been the anchor of that line the past two years...
#4- Jordan Dizon, OLB, Colorado- Big-12 Defensive player of the Year, unanimous first team all Big-12, lead the nation in Solo Tackles (121), a little under sized, but can fly to the ball and make the tackle, definite upgrade to Blackstock..
#5-Jacob Hester, LSU, FB- Heart and Sole of the defending National Champs, the perfect H-back/Short yardage/Goal line back and a perfect compliment to a Jamal Charles/Ray Rice type, listed as a FB, can play RB and can catch.
#6 Wallace Gilberry, Alabama, DE- Played the 3-4 in College as and End, finished with 20 Career Sacks, was a leader on defense, could be a solid add and compete for PT Year 1.
#7- Durant Brooks, GT, P- All Time ACC punter Yards per punt, two time Ray Guy finalist, one time winner, nearly HALF (30 out of 61) his punt were downed inside the 20 and only 19 were even returned at all...

Key cuts before the season
M. Shipp, T. Holt, O. Ross, M. Barr

Next year our depth Chart on Defense could look

D-Line
Suggs
A. Smith
Dockett
Branch
Watson
Gilberry


CB/S
Jenkins/Talib
Hood
Green
Wilson
Rolle (FS)
Francisco
R. Brown

LB
Hayes
Dansby
Dizon
Pace
Blackstock
B. Johnson

Our Offense Depth Chart would look like

OL
Brown (RT)
Lutui (RG)
Johnson (C)
Fanaca (LG)
Mike Gandy(LT)
Barry Richardson
Elton Brown
Reggie Wells
F.A.

RB/FB
Rice/Charles/Smith
Hester
T. Smith
JJ Arrington

WR/TE
Boldin
Fitz
Breaston (WR3)
Urban
Pope
Patrick

QB
MATT LEINART (no QB controversy)

 

[Gee!]

CASON!!!!

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[AsUdUdE]

CASON!!!!

Yeah.. Cason could be a VERY good add as well.. I would include him as well with the other two....

 

[joeshmo]

I would like to see us cut berry and Edge (Berry is ALWAYS hurt and Edge doesn't deserve his HUGE cap number), that’s about 15 million EXTRA in cap room, sign Fanaca (8 million a year), Suggs (8-9 Million a year), then have the draft go as follows

You are about 9 Mill to high on your estimated cap savings for Edge and Berry. We still have to pay their remaining bonuses. Or you can june 1st cut them and get closer to 10 Mill in total savings but have a ton of dead cap space in 2009 in doing so.

#1- Mike Jenkins/ Aquib Talib, CB- Both Blazing speed and potential Shut Down Corners, hopefully one will be there at #16, moving Rolle to FS..
#2- Ray Rice/Kevin Smith/Jamal Charles RB-test them out, Go with the one with the most upside (I think its Rice, but either of them could turn out great)
#3- Barry Richardson, OT, Clemson- huge (6'7 338), 4 year Starter, All-ACC team, and pre-season All American Candidate, he’s a Mauler, and has been the anchor of that line the past two years...
#4- Jordan Dizon, OLB, Colorado- Big-12 Defensive player of the Year, unanimous first team all Big-12, lead the nation in Solo Tackles (121), a little under sized, but can fly to the ball and make the tackle, definite upgrade to Blackstock..
#5-Jacob Hester, LSU, FB- Heart and Sole of the defending National Champs, the perfect H-back/Short yardage/Goal line back and a perfect compliment to a Jamal Charles/Ray Rice type, listed as a FB, can play RB and can catch.
#6 Wallace Gilberry, Alabama, DE- Played the 3-4 in College as and End, finished with 20 Career Sacks, was a leader on defense, could be a solid add and compete for PT Year 1.
#7- Durant Brooks, GT, P- All Time ACC punter Yards per punt, two time Ray Guy finalist, one time winner, nearly HALF (30 out of 61) his punt were downed inside the 20 and only 19 were even returned at all...

With Kevin Smith we would be in the same boat as we were with Edge. Kevin Smith is a patient runner meaning he would probably do best in a zone blocking scheme. But overall I like the draft and would be happy with it minus the 6-0, 230 pound Jordan Dizon who I dont see how he fits in a 3-4 scheme.

Key cuts before the season
M. Shipp, T. Holt, O. Ross, M. Barr

Barr hasnt been on the team since Week 14.

Overall not a bad plan minus the Edge cut and the Dizon pick.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

I don't think we could justify cutting both Okeafor and Berry. Once Berry went down this year the Tafoya/Blackstock duo was awful. (Sidenote: Blackstock HAS to be cut, he sux)


Edge is not going anywhere.
Regardless of his lack of speed he is still had the 7th most rushing yards this season and played all 16 games. Two things you just can't ignore. I don't think a rookie RB would be able to pull this off behind our line.

 

[AsUdUdE]

You are about 9 Mill to high on your estimated cap savings for Edge and Berry. We still have to pay their remaining bonuses. Or you can june 1st cut them and get closer to 10 Mill in total savings but have a ton of dead cap space in 2009 in doing so.



With Kevin Smith we would be in the same boat as we were with Edge. Kevin Smith is a patient runner meaning he would probably do best in a zone blocking scheme. But overall I like the draft and would be happy with it minus the 6-0, 230 pound Jordan Dizon who I dont see how he fits in a 3-4 scheme.



Barr hasnt been on the team since Week 14.

Overall not a bad plan minus the Edge cut and the Dizon pick.

I ment whatever punter we had signed (if they were still on the team)

And I corrected the Cap amount, cutting Okeafor, should get us closer to 15-17 Millon, and please ocrrect me if I am wrong, but I thought that the Cards wrapped the bonuses up with the yearly saleries to avoid paying them down the road (if we were to cut them, the bonuses had already been paid)....

I also agree with you on Smith... I only put it because I think he could be special, but I would personally much rather have Rice, or Charles....

On the Dizon pick... I was under the thought that we were running a Hybrid of the 3/4 4/3, and Dizon would be a very good OLB in the 4/3.. plus I think he oculd be a VERY good player, he fast and can wrap up like no ones business.... And if he is good, you find a way to get him on the field.... But if we definently switch full time to the 3/4 then I agree.. he could be useless....

 

[General Chaos]

CASON!!!!

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It looks like Cason will be in the senior bowl. This will be his chance to solidify himself as a 1st rounder.

Cats in All-Star Games
January 11, 2008

TUCSON--Six University of Arizona senior football players have been selected to play in all-star games, with this weekend's Hula Bowl opening the action. All are defensive players.

A trio of defenders -- cornerback Wilrey Fontenot, safety Dominic Patrick and defensive end Louis Holmes -- are in Honolulu for the Hula Bowl to be played Jan. 12.

Linebacker Spencer Larsen and defensive tackle Lionel Dotson have been selected to the East-West Shrine Game in Houston on Jan. 19.

Jim Thorpe Award winner Antoine Cason, cornerback, has been selected for the Jan. 26 Senior Bowl in Mobile,, Ala.

A year ago the Cats had safety Michael Johnson in the Shrine Game, kicker Nick Folk in the Senior Bowl and receiver Syndric Steptoe in the Hula Bowl. All subsequently were chosen in the NFL draft. Considerable focus by professional scouts is a part of all all-star bowl games, along with support for community service projects in each locale.

 

[AsUdUdE]

I don't think we could justify cutting both Okeafor and Berry. Once Berry went down this year the Tafoya/Blackstock duo was awful. (Sidenote: Blackstock HAS to be cut, he sux)


Edge is not going anywhere.
Regardless of his lack of speed he is still had the 7th most rushing yards this season and played all 16 games. Two things you just can't ignore. I don't think a rookie RB would be able to pull this off behind our line.

true....but he was 37th in the NFL (min of 100 Attempts) in YPC.....

That should NOT justify a 7 million Dollar Cap Hit... IMO... I know he probably wont get cut... but he deserves to...

 

[cardsfanmd]

I dont like the idea of two rookie RBs (neither as good as Edge is now) or having JJ as the vet. Suugs sucks IMO and Okeafor has more value for his price. I think Berry will accept the minimum if he doesn't retire. There cannot be too much of a market for an old DE who only plays 8 games a year.

 

[AsUdUdE]

I dont like the idea of two rookie RBs (neither as good as Edge is now) or having JJ as the vet. Suugs sucks IMO and Okeafor has more value for his price. I think Berry will accept the minimum if he doesn't retire. There cannot be too much of a market for an old DE who only plays 8 games a year.

I just worry how a 31 year old coming off of a season-ending (before it started) is going to be next year.... Add that to the combined 10-12 Million these two 31 year olds are making against our cap (2 of the 7 highest paid players on our roster) and I think T. Suggs would make us younger and better and if we can get him for 7-8 million a year, not that much more....

I agree having two rookie backs may not be the best option.. but if it came down to which would you rather have Alan Fanaca and (Rice, Charles, Hester, or change things up and draft Menenhall in the 1st, and someone like Terrell Thomas, CB, USC, or Chevis Jackson, CB, LSU in the 2nd round could work as well) or keep Edge and forget Faneca.....

All I'm saying is we need to get younger and better at the RB position, and with how deep this RB class is, we need to capitolize on it now, itstead of reaching for one next year when we are REALLY going to need one....IMO

 

[slanidrac16]

Its that time of year Fellas..while the good teams are fighting it out, we get to prepare for the off-season (which has sadly become the times I look forward to most...) but I have been researching for the past few weeks, and studied individual film on my own, and have come up with the perfect off-season for the Cards...

Obviously we all know it probably won't work out like this for them, but if it is anywhere near this, I will be thrilled, let me know what ya'll think, and let us know your early predictions for the coming months...

First and Foremost....I think Suggs would be a very good fit here... however he would undoubtedly cost us Berry (cut)...

I would like to see us cut berry, Okefor and Edge (Berry is ALWAYS hurt and Edge/Okeafor doesn't deserve his HUGE cap number), that’s about 17 million EXTRA in cap room, sign Fanaca (8 million a year), Suggs (8-9 Million a year), then have the draft go as follows

#1- Mike Jenkins/ Aquib Talib, CB- Both Blazing speed and potential Shut Down Corners, hopefully one will be there at #16, moving Rolle to FS..
#2- Ray Rice/Kevin Smith/Jamal Charles RB-test them out, Go with the one with the most upside (I think its Rice, but either of them could turn out great)
#3- Barry Richardson, OT, Clemson- huge (6'7 338), 4 year Starter, All-ACC team, and pre-season All American Candidate, he’s a Mauler, and has been the anchor of that line the past two years...
#4- Jordan Dizon, OLB, Colorado- Big-12 Defensive player of the Year, unanimous first team all Big-12, lead the nation in Solo Tackles (121), a little under sized, but can fly to the ball and make the tackle, definite upgrade to Blackstock..
#5-Jacob Hester, LSU, FB- Heart and Sole of the defending National Champs, the perfect H-back/Short yardage/Goal line back and a perfect compliment to a Jamal Charles/Ray Rice type, listed as a FB, can play RB and can catch.
#6 Wallace Gilberry, Alabama, DE- Played the 3-4 in College as and End, finished with 20 Career Sacks, was a leader on defense, could be a solid add and compete for PT Year 1.
#7- Durant Brooks, GT, P- All Time ACC punter Yards per punt, two time Ray Guy finalist, one time winner, nearly HALF (30 out of 61) his punt were downed inside the 20 and only 19 were even returned at all...

Key cuts before the season
M. Shipp, T. Holt, O. Ross, M. Barr

Next year our depth Chart on Defense could look

D-Line
Suggs
A. Smith
Dockett
Branch
Watson
Gilberry


CB/S
Jenkins/Talib
Hood
Green
Wilson
Rolle (FS)
Francisco
R. Brown

LB
Hayes
Dansby
Dizon
Pace
Blackstock
B. Johnson

Our Offense Depth Chart would look like

OL
Brown (RT)
Lutui (RG)
Johnson (C)
Fanaca (LG)
Mike Gandy(LT)
Barry Richardson
Elton Brown
Reggie Wells
F.A.

RB/FB
Rice/Charles/Smith
Hester
T. Smith
JJ Arrington

WR/TE
Boldin
Fitz
Breaston (WR3)
Urban
Pope
Patrick

QB
MATT LEINART (no QB controversy)

Nice write up. Heres a few things I disagree with.
1. We can't cut players without a proven replacement. For instance cutting Edge because we drafted a RB with our 2nd pick. Edge is very good at what he does and has a role on this team even if a guy like Rice or Charles did pan out. If thet happened then 2009 would be a whole different story.

2.I don't see us drafting a FB. Use that pick for a punter or place kicker.

3.I don't know what Okeafor will cost us but I think he could play a BIG role in this hybrid 3-4. I always thought he was a little small for DE .

4.I am not in favor of paying Suggs 8m a year. I'd say lets keep Pace for a much smaller price and a guy who has finally found his niche on this team.

5. Instead of Suggs throw that money at Drayton Florence. That would free us up to go FS with our first pick. There may be a FA free safety available we could go after and therefore use our first pick for a CB.

Everything else sounds like a solid plan.

 

[Skkorpion]

Help. I need a Cards board Gee "Cason!" spasm filter for the next three months. Anybody know how to implement that?

 

[CardLogic]

true....but he was 37th in the NFL (min of 100 Attempts) in YPC.....

Yet he was 2nd in the NFL in attempts at 325 and ranks 7th in ypc among backs with 275 or more carries (there are only 10). There are only 17 RB's in all the NFL that are within 100 carries of James total of 325.

He is worth his contract. He will be the starter next year. But I do agree with you to draft a back this year for Edge's eventual replacement.

 

[AsUdUdE]

.

3.I don't know what Okeafor will cost us but I think he could play a BIG role in this hybrid 3-4. I always thought he was a little small for DE .

4.I am not in favor of paying Suggs 8m a year. I'd say lets keep Pace for a much smaller price and a guy who has finally found his niche on this team.

5. Instead of Suggs throw that money at Drayton Florence. That would free us up to go FS with our first pick. There may be a FA free safety available we could go after and therefore use our first pick for a CB.

Everything else sounds like a solid plan.

I think Okeafor will cost us around 6 million next year... knowing this would you rather have Okeafor for 6 or Suggs for 8....

The more I think about it, I agree with ya, I don;t think you can cut Edge... so Fanaca may be out... but I definently think we need to draft one of the 7 top backs

Mendenhall
Rice
Charles
Smith (although I am not as high on him as some)
Stewart (assuming he declares)
Felix Jones
Chris Johnson

And to a lesser extent as late round RBs

Mike Hart
Yvenson Bernard
Ryan Torain

Even if we keep Edge, we need to grab one of these RBs perferably onw of the top 7... IMO

 

[CardLogic]

The more I think about it, I agree with ya, I don;t think you can cut Edge... so Fanaca may be out... but I definently think we need to draft one of the 7 top backs

Mendenhall
Rice
Charles
Smith (although I am not as high on him as some)
Stewart (assuming he declares)
Felix Jones
Chris Johnson

And to a lesser extent as late round RBs

Mike Hart
Yvenson Bernard
Ryan Torain

Even if we keep Edge, we need to grab one of these RBs perferably onw of the top 7... IMO

I think that you will get no arguments against that!

 

[cardsfanmd]

I just worry how a 31 year old coming off of a season-ending (before it started) is going to be next year.... Add that to the combined 10-12 Million these two 31 year olds are making against our cap (2 of the 7 highest paid players on our roster) and I think T. Suggs would make us younger and better and if we can get him for 7-8 million a year, not that much more....

I agree having two rookie backs may not be the best option.. but if it came down to which would you rather have Alan Fanaca and (Rice, Charles, Hester, or change things up and draft Menenhall in the 1st, and someone like Terrell Thomas, CB, USC, or Chevis Jackson, CB, LSU in the 2nd round could work as well) or keep Edge and forget Faneca.....

All I'm saying is we need to get younger and better at the RB position, and with how deep this RB class is, we need to capitolize on it now, itstead of reaching for one next year when we are REALLY going to need one....IMO

I dont worry about Okeafor because he has always taken great care of his body and this is his first real injury. Edge is better than any of the guys you named at this time, so I dont understand why you would want to regress at any position by choice. James' status with the team has zero effect on what happens w/ Faneca because we have plenty of money to get him reguardless. We aren't picking in the top 5 like usual so we don't have to worry about a huge rookie contract and restructuring Fitz will give us a bunch of cash.

I agree that we should take advantage of the depth in this years draft. I just dont think we need to cut Edge in order to do so. In today's game, when you find a guy with his talent and durability you dont cut them to save money IMO.

 

[joeshmo]

And I corrected the Cap amount, cutting Okeafor, should get us closer to 15-17 Millon, and please ocrrect me if I am wrong, but I thought that the Cards wrapped the bonuses up with the yearly saleries to avoid paying them down the road (if we were to cut them, the bonuses had already been paid)....

That was only this past season crops of free agents. Berry and Okeafer all got signing bonuses, Edge got 75% signing bonus and 25% roster bonus(only thing already paid for).

On the Dizon pick... I was under the thought that we were running a Hybrid of the 3/4 4/3, and Dizon would be a very good OLB in the 4/3.. plus I think he oculd be a VERY good player, he fast and can wrap up like no ones business.... And if he is good, you find a way to get him on the field.... But if we definently switch full time to the 3/4 then I agree.. he could be useless....

But then who are you going to take out (assuming Suggs moves to the other 4-3 DE spot). Dansby and Hayes stay in the 4-3 D, so who is leaving the field, Pace? Dansby will most likely stay on his weakside leaving only the strong side open. Dizon doesnt strike me as a strong side type LB. I just doubt that we are going to pay Pace the amount of money we will pay him to be only part time player that comes off of the field when we do run a 4-3 look from time to time.

Dizon would have to become what Buster Davis was supposed to be, a backup ILB, where he would best take advantage of his speed in covering in pass pro and cover up his weekness of taking on blockers with having Watson, Hayes, and Smith taking on blockers before he does. And special teams.

 

[joeshmo]

I think Okeafor will cost us around 6 million next year... knowing this would you rather have Okeafor for 6 or Suggs for 8....

Okeafer for 5.5 Mill. and the 2.5 Mill savings on something else.

 

[Goodyear Card]

If we are going to sign a player for 8-9M a year I would like to see us sign a CB. I am a lot more comfortable with Pace and Okeafer at OLB than I am with Green and Hood at CB.

I like drafting a CB and OT in the first three rounds but I don't see us going RB in the second round. Our greatness needs are CB, OL and OLB. I would like to see us address these positions with our first three picks if we can find a player with good value when we pick. However, our needs may change if we sign some free agents at these positions.

 

[Gee!]

Help. I need a Cards board Gee "Cason!" spasm filter for the next three months. Anybody know how to implement that?

Oh you know its gonna happen.. Im only getting warmed up..