Here is what my plan would be if there is a free agency, or 2011 season for that matter, both IMO will not happen this year, but I digress. I do not have the players that the Cardinals “tendered” because without a CBA, and since the current CBA runs out June 3rd, these tenders really don’t mean anything, and these players are more free agents than Cardinal players.
Also, obviously I am not saying we will sign all these players, or even some of them. Just giving options, and players whom I think will fit into the system, and/or improve the team.
QB:
Starting QB:
Obviously the biggest hole, and biggest need for this franchise. These would be my options in order of preference if I was running the show.
1. Trade for Carson Palmer
At 31 he has at least 5 good years left in him, and has been able to get a
dreadful football team to the playoffs when given the chance. I can see him fitting in well with the Cardinals’ system, and players.
2. Sign Marc Bulger
He is old (34), and has never been durable. I doubt he would last behind the Cardinals line, but I said the same thing about Warner at one point. Bulger can play in the system, and is a very solid start when healthy and feeling safe in the pocket. I think he has a better arm, and his style fits in the Cardinals’ system better than #3.
3. Sign Matt Hasselbeck
See above. He is even older than Bulger (35) and at this point has the same durability issues. He is a west coast style QB so there will be a bit of a learning curve. Great leader tho.
4. Trade for Kyle Orton
See Trent Dilfer……if we are lucky. I don’t know about this guy. He is a step above a Derek Anderson in my book. Is he an upgrade ? Yes. Yet, an upgrade at the Cardinals current QB position is not saying much. Throw a 3rd round pick at him if the Cardinals fail to bring in better options.
Back-up QB:
The Cardinals still have Derek Anderson, Max Hall, and Richard Bartel on the roser. Unless Rich Bartel has some promise, I would like to see all these players let go.
Sign:
1. Tyler Thigpen:
The guy is still young (27), and a gamer. He has won games in the NFL, and has shown some success at the position. Good arm, mobile, and has decent size 6’1”, 224 lbs. If he is still waiting for a job come “camp time” then he would be a great option as the #3 QB, competing with Jon Skelton.
RB:
My first option would be to re-sign/tender Tim Hightower. If we cannot re-sign Tim Hightower……
Sign:
1. Mewelde Moore
–Good special teams players, decent and hard nosed runner, and has played some fullback.
WR:
My first option is to re-sign/tender Steve Breaston. If we cannot re-sign Steve Breaston……
Sign:
1. Brad Smith
–With Andre Roberts showing promise at the #2 WR position, I could see Smith being successful either pushing Roberts into the slot on 3-WR sets, playing or playing out of the slot himself. Smith is a bit like a Randel El was as a player. Smith has some QB skill, return ability, receiving ability, and is a good all around athelete.
2. Michael Sims-Walker
–Was banged up a bit last year. But is a solid #2 WR that could be had for a good price. Playing him across from Fitzgerald, and pushing Roberts into the slot would be a well balanced receiving corps, IMO.
TE:
The Cardinals need a blocking TE, what's new.
Sign:
1. Jeff King
–Another offseason, and another statement made by me, to sign Jeff King. He is like Steven Spach if Spach had NFL talent. King is a great run blocker, and can catch pass when called upon. King would compliment Rob Housler very well, and probably start while Housler gets acclimated to the NFL.
2. Daniel Graham
–Graham is getting up there in age, but can still block with the best of them in this league, and can catch a pass when called upon.
OT:
My first option is to re-sign/tender Brandon Keith for the RT position. I do not think the Cardinals are looking to push Levi Brown inside to guard either, but it is a possibility. If either Levi Brown gets moved to guard, or Keith is not re-signed I doubt the Cardinals will settle with Bridges at OT. That being said if Keith is re-signed and Levi Brown stays at LT then I don’t see the Cardinals bringing in any free agents other than UDFA, and camp fodder.
But, if Keith is not re-signed or Levi Brown is moved to guard then……..
Sign:
1.Jamal Brown
–Good tackle, especially for the RT position, but if needed at LT the situation is what it is. Brown has good size, good feet, is still only 30 years old, and has the potential to be a very good OT.
2.Jerrod Bushrod
–Has shown promise with the Saints as a depth guy at OT, and could come in and play LT for us. Is he a better option than Jeremy Bidges ? I don’t know, but Bushrod is younger, and could be a Rex Hadnot type pick up for the Cardinals
3.Matt Light
–Light’s better years are behind him. Yet, he is better than anything we have here in ARZ, and could be a stop gap at LT for us. He would be a good pick for the Cardinals if they wanted to move Levi Brown inside. Probably would not be too big of a price tag either.
OG:
Starting Guard:
My first option is to be-grudgingly re-sign Duece Lutui. I believe Lutui is looking for more money than his skills can produce, but I realize I may be wrong about the situation. I have no problem re-signing Faneca, but I believe he is going to retire. Thus putting Rex Hadnot at one of the starting guards, which again I am fine with.
But, if we cannot re-sign Duece Lutui then …….
Sign:
1.Robert Gallery
–He will be available. Gallery has been dinged up as of late, and could be available at a discounted price. Not the OT that the Raiders thought he would be, but a damn good guard with really good atheletisicm. If I am running the show ? I sign him regardless. I think he would thrive in our system. He could play left guard for the next 3 to 4 years, and has the ability to pull, and get on a man. Not to mention he has great size, and is 30 yrs old.
2.Justin Blalock
–Still young, and a all around solid guard. Has the atheleticism that our offense is looking for at the guard position. If the Cardinals don’t sign Lutui, they have the money to throw at Blalock
3.Harvey Dahl
–Good luck to the Falcons on signing both these guys. One of the two will be available. Dahl is only 29 years old, he is mean, nasty, plays with passion, is a leader, and a hell of a run blocker. If the Cardinals don’t sign Lutui, they have the money to throw at Dahl
4.Derrick Dockery
–Great size, 30 year old, plays well in a power running game system, has started for years in the NFL. I think Dockery would fit in great with the Cardinals. Has played a little bit of OT but way more effective at the guard position. I don’t think he could play left guard, and pull a lot, but he has good power for the RG position.
Depth Guard:
The Cardinals have another situation at guard, if Faneca retires, and that is depth.
Sign:
1.Tria Essex
–Knows Whiz’s and Grimm’s offensive line system, and has shown to be a solid guard while at Pittsburgh. Nothing but positives with this player, and would be had for a decent price.
2.David Baas
–Can play guard, and center. Solid but not great/good lineman. Good age at 29 years old and huge for a center at 6’4”, 330 lbs.
OC:
Starting Center:
My first option is to tender Lyle Sendlien, and if need be re-sign him. Next is bring in some (blankity, blank, blank) competition and make Sendlien earn his spot. The worse case scenario, though very unlikely, is the Cardinals aren’t able to sign Sendlien. There is not too much out there when it comes to centers right now, would either have to start a rookie, or overpay for an average vet.
If the Cardinals cannot sign a Lyle Sendlien then…….
Sign:
1. David Baas
–Yeah, the same guy I would bring in for depth at the guard position would be our best bet, IMO to play center if Sendlein is not retained. Solid player, good size, and only 29 years old
Depth Center:
As for depth at the position, maybe it is time to bring in someone that has actually seen the field. The Ben Claxton project is tiresome. Max Hall has a better chance of seeing time at center than Claxton ever did.
Sign:
1. Scott Mruczkowski
–Good size, only 29 year old, and has played center in the NFL before. Did a good job for the Chargers in 2009, and could be brought in to push Sendlien at the center position. The Cardinals would not have to break the bank on this guy either.
DE:
My first option is to re-sign Alan Branch to a rotational player’s contract. There are so many middle of the road, 3-4 DE’s available this offseason that it is ridiculous to pay Alan Branch a nickel more than he is worth. I can see David Carter being the replacement for Kenny Iwebema, so in reality we are looking for a 2nd string DE that can rotate in.
If the Cardinals cannot re-sign Branch then they have a lot of option but these are my top two.
Sign:
1. Kenyon Coleman
–Arizona would be the perfect place for Coleman. At 32 years old Coleman is getting up there in age, but a 1 or 2 year deal would be good for Coleman. The Cardinals have all the pass rush they need at DE, but losing Branch effects their run support, and Coleman is a monster against the run. A perfect fit IMO.
2. Tommie Harris
–Seriously, why not ? He is not what he used to be, but used as a rotational player, you never know. This would be a boom/bust signing, but I believe that even as a “bust” he could still produce. Of course, he would have to come here for the right price.
NT:
As we stand, the Cardinals have a single NT in Dan Williams. Gabe Watson is as good as gone, and Bryan Robinson should retire, or not be resigned. Thus we have a pretty big hole to fill at NT.
Sign:
1.Shaun Smith
–Best known for pressing his advantage by “ball grabbin” Smith is 30 years old, and has lots of experience at the position. He may cost a little more than what you would want to pay for a depth player, but pickings are slim at the position.
2. Junior Savaii
–Played in a 4-3 last year for Seattle, but has played NT in the past (Cowboys). Has the size, but a little old at 32 years of age. Strictly a depth guy.
3. Chris Hoke
–35 years old, injury prone, but a long time NT veteran, who would be used strictly as a back up. That is if he does not retire.
4. Jamal Williams
–35 years old, injury prone, but a long time NT veteran, who would be used strictly as a back up. That is if he does not retire.
OLB:
The situation at OLB is what it is. Bad, with a potential to be average. Mike Davis, O’Brien Schofield, Sam Acho, and Clark Haggans are fine. They will be kept and I have no problem with that. The question is what to do about Joey Porter, and the reason for questioning Porter is because we need more of a pass rush out of this position and Porter hasn’t shown much. The question is if the Cardinals do bring in a free agent, then he would have to be straight up better than Joey Porter, and/or show more potential then O’Brien Schofield. I don’t know if there is any player like that available in free agency this offseason. Here are some possibilities.
Sign:
1.Mathias Kiwanuka
-He is the only pure pass rusher out there. He did play a little OLB for the Giants as one point, so there is some back ground when it comes to the switch over from DE to LB. Again, he can rush the passer, has great size, and is only 28 years old.
2. Matt Roth
–Good size, and is only 28 years old. He has some pass rush ability, but is he better than Mike Davis ? I dunno.
3. Jason Babin
–Babin had a person best year last season for the Titans. At 30 years old, and after a season like last, someone will overpay for him. He does have experience playing OLB in a 3-4, which he did while playing for the Texans. Can he duplicate last seasons success in rushing the passer ? Maybe, and if he could he would be well worth the money to sign him.
ILB:
Gerald Hayes is gone. Leaving the Cardinals with Daryl Washing, Paris Lennon, and Quan Sturdivant. The Cardinals need to sign a SILB to replace Gerald Hayes, so much so that I would call this a need for the Cardinals. There are a couple guys out there who the Cardinals could look at, but I am only listing one.
Sign:
1. Stewart Bradley
–Smart, 27 years old, 6’4”, 258 lbs. was the play caller for the Eagles defense for two year. The biggest problem with Bradley is he has been injured quite a bit the last year or so. There is no doubt in my mind this is the guy to sign long term to play SILB in the Cardinals 3-4. He has the smarts, and the size for exactly what the Cardinals are looking for. Plus I do not think the Cardinals would have to break the bank (not in the least) to sign him.
CB:
Starting CB:
This is an interesting position this offseason. As it stands the Cardinals look pretty good at CB. DRC, Patrick Peterson, Greg Toler, and AJ Jefferson (who I expect is a no brainer to be re-signed) is a good core. The one situation is DRC, and if he fits into what Horton wants out of a CB. There is no doubt DRC has regressed, and his play against the run is a liability, and hurts the team.
If the Cardinals move DRC, then….
Sign:
1. Ike Taylor
–Taylor is a free agent, and Horton & DeShea Townsend have a very good relationship with Taylor. Taylor could be signed for 2 year while Toler, and Peterson come along. Yet, while this seems like a decent situation, it would be, in theory, a regression from DRC.
Depth CB:
The Cardinals like to have 5 CB’s as well, so someone needs to be brought in for depth, and on the cheap.
Sign:
1. Marshay Green
–Love this kid. Hits hard, plays hard, good on special teams, can return punts need be. I would be happy to re-sign him. He is a Horton type player.
2. Eric Wright
–Far removed from his great rookie season, Wright is still young, and still has ability. If he is still looking for a job late in the offseason he could be a steal.
3. Fabian Washington
–We are talking about our 4th or 5th CB so Washington would be a good fit for the spot. Speed alone would help on special teams.
4. Ashton Youboty
–Great name, and just like Washington has great speed. Good fit for a 4th or 5th spot CB.
S:
The Cardinals will be looking for a backup SS. Rhodes, Johnson, and Wilson will all be back, and I think Johnson is going to show something this year as the 3rd safety. I don’t know if he will ever be a starter but teams use a 3rd safety more and more, and Johnson may be that guy for the Cardinals. I would also not be surprised in the least to see Peterson get a little work out at the 3rd safety spot as well. Getting back to the back up SS position.
Sign:
1. Chinedum Ndukwe
–At 6’2”, 224 lbs, and 26 years old I can see Ndukwe as Adrian Wilson light. The only problem with Ndukwe is he has been inconsistent. He had a good year in 2009 and then vanished in 2010. I would use Ndukwe just like Adrian Wilson, and keep him in the box. A good back up for the Cardinals if Wilson gets hurt, and need a player close to Wilson’s skill set to keep using certain game plans on defense.
P:
Yep, we need a punter. Graham is old, and had a poor year last year. The pickings are extremely slim at punter.
Sign:
1. Adam Podlesh
–Played well for the Jags last year, and is 27 years old. His number are solid, and if he works out, would take care of the position for a few years.
That is it. Tear into it.
