2009 Crystal Ball: Leinart Traded to Big Apple and Dansby Walks

[JeffGollin]

I'm glad others are putting their reputations on the line and making "fearless forecasts" because I ain't gonna do it.

There are two many "ifs" at this point in the post season. What we do or do not do will depend on such factors as:

1. Attitudes toward our own players - by coaches, ownership, opposing scouts, fans, media and the players about themselves. These attitudes, no doubt, will change, depending on how far we get into the playoffs. (For example, KW's destiny should we go "one & done" might be totally different than it would be if we won the Super Bowl) Unfair, but it's human nature).

2. Cap situation.

3. Free agent availability

4. The level of prioirities the coaches place on "individual growth" and "team growth" vs. the need for more talent at key positions - if we're to progress to the next level.

5. "Guys you never heard of" who emerge out of nowhere at the Combine &/or Pro Days.

6. Roster depth and need (i.e. I could see us either without KW or Leinart next year, but only if we could replace either one of them with a new QBOF or a backup capable of winning football games. Getting rid of both (without adding QB's of comparable talent) would put the destiny of the team at the mercy of St. Pierre. Getting rid of one of them (without adding a QB of comparable talent) would leave us vulnerable as well.

The only thing I'd be willing to go out on a limb to speculate would be that the coaches and front office would like to add size, toughness and smarts to the over all roster (but especially, the O and D lines).

And I'd be on the prowl to acquire the next DRC, the next Adrian Peterson, an Urlacher-caliber ILB and/or a Ware-caliber OLB.

 

[CaptTurbo]

And I'd be on the prowl to acquire the next DRC, the next Adrian Peterson, an Urlacher-caliber ILB and/or a Ware-caliber OLB.

Oh man imagine a Ware type DE, a Pat Williams or bulked up Sapp type at NT and 1 or 2 good road grading OL.

Thats all I would want to be happy next year. Is that too much to ask

 

[spanky1]

One scenario that I've been contemplating is the following:

a) While to some this is sacrelegious, but I would trade Boldin to Jacksonville for their first round (#8 overall pick). They are one team that could use him in a big way and he'd likely like the idea of being back in Florida.

b) Sit on the eight pick to see if one of the marquee QB's falls here and if one does, wait for Philadelphia to call and offer their two first rounders for it.

And Mitch, I really respect your football knowledge but trading Leinart dosen't make sense to me. Brian St. Pierre might be a solid #3 but he is really quite unproven. IMO.

 

[PACardsFan]

Appreciate the effort Mitch was an entertaining read.

One question though. Whats the point of taking 2 LB's in the draft when our DT's arent good enought o keep the lineman off of them?

IMO a defense is built around the nT is a 3-4 and we dont have a legitimate one. Dockett is a DE but he gets slammed because it seems everyone thinks he is a DT. We badly need a real NT.

I agree wholeheartedly. DT is probably our most glaring weakness. Perhaps Watson wasn't 100%, but we can't take that chance. Also, I wish we had drafted Landry a couple years back.

 

[lobo]

One scenario that I've been contemplating is the

And Mitch, I really respect your football knowledge but trading Leinart dosen't make sense to me. Brian St. Pierre might be a solid #3 but he is really quite unproven. IMO.

Never happen.

 

[CardLogic]

The only certainty in this entire thread is Mitch's unwavering affinity for the #3 QB as team savior...

I do enjoy reading your posts, Mitch. But I agree with JeffGollin's approach to it more.

 

[az1965]

And Mitch, I really respect your football knowledge but trading Leinart dosen't make sense to me. Brian St. Pierre might be a solid #3 but he is really quite unproven. IMO.

I believe that's all he really is... a solid #3.

 

[conraddobler]

Matt may or may not be our QB of the future but you don't draft a guy where we did and then never even give him a full season to prove himself and trade him.

He's not bad enough to give up on him ala Ryan Leaf unless you have incredible precognition about his future performance because if you do trade him and if he goes to like 8 straight pro bowls you'll be watching those on TV during your shift at Kmart instead of being an NFL GM.

 

[Mitch]

Matt may or may not be our QB of the future but you don't draft a guy where we did and then never even give him a full season to prove himself and trade him.

He's not bad enough to give up on him ala Ryan Leaf unless you have incredible precognition about his future performance because if you do trade him and if he goes to like 8 straight pro bowls you'll be watching those on TV during your shift at Kmart instead of being an NFL GM.

I agree, Conrad. It's the $15M bonus that kicks in after next year that's the issue. Were it not for that, the Cardinalls could just sit tight and play Matt when the time is right.

The problem is...what if Warner does return and plays well again next year...do the Cardinals fork over the $15M to Matt, when they still don't know for sure whether he's worthy of it?

Or do they trade Leinart when they can still get good value in return? And then draft another QB this year to groom behind Warner and St. Pierre for the next 2-3 seasons.

If the Cardinals decide to commit to Matt this off-season and not re-sign Warner, what happens a year from now if Leinart struggles? Do the Cardinals still fork over the $15M to retain him for the following season and beyond?

The Cardinals know what they have in Kurt Warner. He had the highest passer rating in the NFC this year. It makes total sense to keep the hot hand---imagine the confidence the team will feel heading into next year---they have their Pro Bowl QB returning and the WR talent will be deeper than ever, especially if Early Doucet has an off-season like Steve Breaston's. Add in a new explosive RB to the mix to go with JJ and TH and this offense becomes virtually unstoppable.

 

[Stout]

I agree, Conrad. It's the $15M bonus that kicks in after next year that's the issue. Were it not for that, the Cardinalls could just sit tight and play Matt when the time is right.

The problem is...what if Warner does return and plays well again next year...do the Cardinals fork over the $15M to Matt, when they still don't know for sure whether he's worthy of it?

Or do they trade Leinart when they can still get good value in return? And then draft another QB this year to groom behind Warner and St. Pierre for the next 2-3 seasons.

If the Cardinals decide to commit to Matt this off-season and not re-sign Warner, what happens a year from now if Leinart struggles? Do the Cardinals still fork over the $15M to retain him for the following season and beyond?

The Cardinals know what they have in Kurt Warner. He had the highest passer rating in the NFC this year. It makes total sense to keep the hot hand---imagine the confidence the team will feel heading into next year---they have their Pro Bowl QB returning and the WR talent will be deeper than ever, especially if Early Doucet has an off-season like Steve Breaston's. Add in a new explosive RB to the mix to go with JJ and TH and this offense becomes virtually unstoppable.

I will disagree and write why...but not today. I am sworn to be positive, and though this wouldn't be a dark-sider post, I won't even argue against keeping Warner today. Later

 

[conraddobler]

I agree, Conrad. It's the $15M bonus that kicks in after next year that's the issue. Were it not for that, the Cardinalls could just sit tight and play Matt when the time is right.

The problem is...what if Warner does return and plays well again next year...do the Cardinals fork over the $15M to Matt, when they still don't know for sure whether he's worthy of it?

Or do they trade Leinart when they can still get good value in return? And then draft another QB this year to groom behind Warner and St. Pierre for the next 2-3 seasons.

If the Cardinals decide to commit to Matt this off-season and not re-sign Warner, what happens a year from now if Leinart struggles? Do the Cardinals still fork over the $15M to retain him for the following season and beyond?

The Cardinals know what they have in Kurt Warner. He had the highest passer rating in the NFC this year. It makes total sense to keep the hot hand---imagine the confidence the team will feel heading into next year---they have their Pro Bowl QB returning and the WR talent will be deeper than ever, especially if Early Doucet has an off-season like Steve Breaston's. Add in a new explosive RB to the mix to go with JJ and TH and this offense becomes virtually unstoppable.

The greater sucker theory?

I don't think it makes any sense to believe a team would step up and volunteer to pay us great value for an unproven QB.

Trades in the NFL are rare because of that very reason, if we're giving up on the guy wouldn't that be a huge red flag to the next team?

Oh I know, it was only driven by a little old lady and she moved so that's why it's now available at this astonishingly reasonable price blah blah blah.

I will seriously disown this team if the pull that crap and he stars in the NFL, I will disown them until the person responsible for that tragedy is fired.

What happens if Kurt Warner does a veteran swan dive next year? Know what they have?

They have a soon to be 38 year old QB that gets hit a lot, if they're that stupid they deserve everything that's comming their way.

 

[DoTheDew]

I agree, Conrad. It's the $15M bonus that kicks in after next year that's the issue. Were it not for that, the Cardinalls could just sit tight and play Matt when the time is right.

The problem is...what if Warner does return and plays well again next year...do the Cardinals fork over the $15M to Matt, when they still don't know for sure whether he's worthy of it?

Or do they trade Leinart when they can still get good value in return? And then draft another QB this year to groom behind Warner and St. Pierre for the next 2-3 seasons.

If the Cardinals decide to commit to Matt this off-season and not re-sign Warner, what happens a year from now if Leinart struggles? Do the Cardinals still fork over the $15M to retain him for the following season and beyond?

The Cardinals know what they have in Kurt Warner. He had the highest passer rating in the NFC this year. It makes total sense to keep the hot hand---imagine the confidence the team will feel heading into next year---they have their Pro Bowl QB returning and the WR talent will be deeper than ever, especially if Early Doucet has an off-season like Steve Breaston's. Add in a new explosive RB to the mix to go with JJ and TH and this offense becomes virtually unstoppable.

The whole thing is, if Warner does come back for a 2 year deal, the Cardinals still will keep Leinart for next year. If they have a problem with his 15M escalator they will get rid of him the following year. It is easier to keep him one more year. Also, there is no reason to believe the Jets would give up a first round pick for him given his injury troubles, that very same escalator, and the fact that he hasn't even started 16 games yet, when there may very well be a solid QB prospect availible for them this year.