Adrian Wilson: "Dansby's gone"

[ajcardfan]

I heard an interview with Wilson by Jurecki and Bickley and AW dropped that little bombshell.

It was a response into a question from Bickley as to how he, as a captain with four years left on his deal, felt going into the offseason. Wilson said it reminded him of his first year in the league, 2001, with the questions that surrounded guys like Plummer, David Boston and (someone else - Rice?). He said there was a lot of uncertainity, with Warner of course, and it was even with the headcoach having only a year left on his deal and the assistants without extensions left. He then said, "Anquan has a situation that needs to be taken care of, Dansby is gone, Dockett has a situation, we have some free agents. I'm just a player, I can't tell the front office what to do, but we don't have any answers right now."

Fortunately, Bickley caught the reference to Dansby and pressed him on it. And, he said, "Yes, I think so. He's only 27 -28, and he's going to command big money. If we franchise him for 12 million dollars, it straps us financially when we have a lot of needs and that might hinder us competitively. I'm not sure we can pay him that much."


It was pretty incredible because I've NEVER heard a Cardinals player say anything but, "We need ____________________ back. I hope something gets worked out and he stays." in regards to a teammate going into free agency.

 

[WarnerHOF]

There's pretty much no chance he's coming back now after hearing this.

 

[ajcardfan]

There's pretty much no chance he's coming back now after hearing this.

It was obviously just his opinion and it's possible that Graves and Bidwill Jr. feel differently. But, if Dansby does return I can't imagine that he'd be real happy about Wilson's answer. He didn't exactly have his back.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

I get that we are used to our players speaking in cliché but I actually remember him making a reference about this a few weeks ago and I think everyone from FO, players and Dansby has known this was going to happen the minute he fired his previous agent once they were getting close. Not really news.

Welcome to the offseason I guess

 

[splitsecond]

I don't think Dansby is worth the money he thinks he is worth. Yes, losing him could be a huge problem but aside from the GB game, he did not perform like a franchise player this year.

 

[lobo]

I don't think Dansby is worth the money he thinks he is worth. Yes, losing him could be a huge problem but aside from the GB game, he did not perform like a franchise player this year.

\when he's on he is really on...my gut tells me that once he gets the big bucks he might not be as on as often as the big bucks dictate....that is not a "sour grapes" comment either it's just an observation of his play over the years....if he goes so be it...there is a certain guard on dallas who we had who displays the same profile

 

[WildBB]

I get that we are used to our players speaking in cliché but I actually remember him making a reference about this a few weeks ago and I think everyone from FO, players and Dansby has known this was going to happen the minute he fired his previous agent once they were getting close. Not really news.

Welcome to the offseason I guess

How close were the sides? I think not real close, I've heard he wanted Ware and Suggs type of bonus $$ - like 35M Guaranteed. I don't think the Cards considered anything near that last yr. They couldn't even if they wanted to.

 

[TJ]

How close were the sides? I think not real close, I've heard he wanted Ware and Suggs type of bonus $$ - like 35M Guaranteed. I don't think the Cards considered anything near that last yr. They couldn't even if they wanted to.

It was $24 mil guaranteed, which seemed weird because James Harrison, a pro bowler, got $20 mil guaranteed.

To everyone, except Dansby, it looked like a tremendous deal for him.

At any rate, I wish him luck wherever he goes.

 

[PoolBoy]

he thinks he's worth more than he is. He's a FANTASTIC player. but he's not Patrick Willis or anything.

 

[Shane]

At any rate, I wish him luck wherever he goes.

I say screw him if he goes. Yea he gave us a hard 6 years. But at the same token he has ZERO loyalty to an organization that made him what he is and offered him a MORE than fair market deal. Above actually!

 

[ajcardfan]

I don't think Dansby is worth the money he thinks he is worth. Yes, losing him could be a huge problem but aside from the GB game, he did not perform like a franchise player this year.

I was hoping we had entered an era when we were being proactive when it came to free agents rather than reactive.

When we tendered Antonio Smith at the high tender for one season and drafted Calais Campbell, you could see that we expected to lose Smith but we were anticipating it by drafting a replacement. We franchised Dansby twice but never made a move to groom a replacement. (Unless the coaches see a lot more in Highsmith than we do.) If Dansby leaves, LB becomes the weakest position on the team meaning either A) we have to draft one out of need on day 1 of the draft come hell or high water or B) overpay a free agent who is not going to be rated as highly as Dansby.


We'll see what happens.

 

[Unsterblich856]

All it takes to know that he wasn't coming back was reading his comments on being a 2010 free agent.

When we tendered Antonio Smith at the high tender for one season and drafted Calais Campbell, you could see that we expected to lose Smith but we were anticipating it by drafting a replacement. We franchised Dansby twice but never made a move to groom a replacement.

I think the biggest part is that CC fell to us. He was considered an upper-middle 1st round prospect that fell to #50. To my knowledge, we didn't have the same opportunity for a potential Dansby replacement. I think the best shot we had for a replacement was Rey Maualuga at #31 but we had Beanie slip to us.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

We'll see what happens.

It is surprising to hear. Even more surprising to hear an almost collective voice from the locker calling out the front office.

Very very strange.

Yet, I agree with what is above. We will see what happens. Last I heard, Wilson isn't the one writing the checks, or making the personel decisions. Many, including me, are wary of our front office and their willingness to put out money.

But again we will see. Let's see what is going to happen with the CBA before we decide on what can and can't be afforded.

It there is a cap next year...then yes, Dansby is as good as gone.

 

[SuperSpck]

Can't break the bank on an inside linebacker in a 3-4.
OLB?
Yeah.
S?
Yeah.
NT?
Yeah.

 

[DeAnna]

Nothing new, except for the fact that AW and Dansby are best friends. Apparently Dansby already knows he won't get that kind of money here.

IMO, he is not going to get what he thinks he'll get in the open market. Those other guys referenced are defensive ends and pass rushers; Dansby is a linebacker.

 

[bg7brd]

I'm probably one of the few who thinks he might sign. Karlos played it smart by making it known he wanted big money and getting himself franchised 2 years in a row, making 18 million(?) in the process. Now if he signs a deal similar to what the Cards offered last year he will be set. Do you think he will get offered that much more than 6 years/48 million with 20 guaranteed elsewhere? If so, would it be enough to up root his family and leave a legitimate contender with a D that's pretty much tailored to his skill set?
If Kurt comes back, and I think he will, we are set up for another run at the SB if we can strengthen our D. By letting Karlos go and using a draft pick to replace him, I think we stay the same at best. I say get him signed and tell Dockett he will get paid next year after Kurt retires.

 

[cardsfanmd]

Why do you guys need A-Dub to think for you?? If you didn't already know that Dansby was gone then I really feel sorry for you. As usual I appreciate Wilson being candid.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

It is surprising to hear. Even more surprising to hear an almost collective voice from the locker calling out the front office.

Very very strange.

Yet, I agree with what is above. We will see what happens. Last I heard, Wilson isn't the one writing the checks, or making the personel decisions. Many, including me, are wary of our front office and their willingness to put out money.

But again we will see. Let's see what is going to happen with the CBA before we decide on what can and can't be afforded.

It there is a cap next year...then yes, Dansby is as good as gone.

Huh? Are you guys actually reading what he is saying?

If we franchise him for 12 million dollars, it straps us financially when we have a lot of needs and that might hinder us competitively. I'm not sure we can pay him that much."

That sounds like a a guy on board with the big picture and who DOESN'T advocate paying up if you ask me. All the people who understand the situation get that What Dansby thinks he is worth (and may in fact be worth to another team) is not what the Cardinals think he is worth to the team. Like TJ said he wants Patrick Willis money, and Birdman sure as hell isn't Willis.

Dansby breaking up the negotiations last year were his way of saying - "Ummm I am going to break the bank." Hell he was one of the first to start raving about the uncapped year and how he was going to cash in.

I am not sure what the big deal is here. Like MD said if this is shocking you, even if it is coming from Wilson (and he is always candid), then you just haven't been paying attention.

 

[WildBB]

Huh? Are you guys actually reading what he is saying?

If we franchise him for 12 million dollars, it straps us financially when we have a lot of needs and that might hinder us competitively. I'm not sure we can pay him that much."

That sounds like a a guy on board with the big picture and who DOESN'T advocate paying up if you ask me. All the people who understand the situation get that What Dansby thinks he is worth (and may in fact be worth to another team) is not what the Cardinals think he is worth to the team. Like TJ said he wants Patrick Willis money, and Birdman sure as hell isn't Willis.

Dansby breaking up the negotiations last year were his way of saying - "Ummm I am going to break the bank." Hell he was one of the first to start raving about the uncapped year and how he was going to cash in.

I am not sure what the big deal is here. Like MD said if this is shocking you, even if it is coming from Wilson (and he is always candid), then you just haven't been paying attention.

I would rather get Dockett out of the way early. I've heard he's prepared to sit out all of training camp next season and possibly into the first games if his deal is not regegotiated.

I know it's against the orgs policy to rework the contracts before one year left, but at some point you have to single out special performances by individual players at positions of GREAT NEED and importance to the team. To me that screams out Dockett. He's well deserving, JMHO.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

I know it's against the orgs policy to rework the contracts before one year left, but at some point you have to single out special performances by individual players at positions of GREAT NEED and importance to the team. To me that screams out Dockett. He's well deserving, JMHO.

Thats a myth. That was talked about by us fans and some writers but they have never come out and said that was the case. The Steelers do that so everyone assumed we would.

And as for your first point, Yes. Pay Dockett. Don't let him get to next offseason, cuz if we do, he will wait it out and cash out.

 

[conraddobler]

I'm torn on this stuff, Wilson is a straight up guy so if he says he feels that way that's cause for concern.

Dansby being gone isn't a newsflash but the other stuff he said is worthy of taking a look at, simply because of the tone of what he said, it seems he's concerned and he hinted it was going something like he's seen before and that wasn't a good time.

The only thing I can say is that teams having multiyear success have to go through this, as more players get noticed they all start thinking they're the best and some maybe are and some probably aren't but they all feel they deserve to be paid that way.

The problem is other teams want them too and agents want paid and it degenerates into this.

I hate to break this to people but we have a ton of our team structure and management modeled after the Steelers and they have a ton of turnover in their roster, more so than many other teams and rarely pay players to stay, they do it's just pretty rare.

So hang on I got a feeling this is going to get rough.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Huh? Are you guys actually reading what he is saying?

If we franchise him for 12 million dollars, it straps us financially when we have a lot of needs and that might hinder us competitively. I'm not sure we can pay him that much."

That sounds like a a guy on board with the big picture and who DOESN'T advocate paying up if you ask me.

??????????????????????????? Uh, yeah I read it, so I don't know what you are getting at.

Maybe I should have been more clear about the fact I am surprised that Wilson was talking about another person's contract. I am not surprise with Dansby's situation at all.

Again, I will state. The chances of a new CBA being made up is about 10%. All signs point to there being no cap. No cap means no spending limit. No spending limit means we will not be "hindered competitively" because we can still sign who we want.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

for one, i don't know how it would hinder them financially.Especially if KW retires.The Cards FO can't use the cap as an excuse. Is Dansby worth 12 mill per? I guess he is,if that's what someone is going to pay him. The only way i'll bE ok with letting KD walk is if they bring Vince Wilfork and re-do Rolle and DD. Otherwise, it will be nothing more than the Cards again not wanting to paty market value to keep their best players. We'll see what they do with the money. I think KD will end up in Miami or NE.

 

[az jam]

No surprise on Dansby. He said he wanted to test the market and get big bucks when he fired his agent when a good deal was on the table.

 

[SuperSpck]

The chances of a new CBA being made up is about 10%. All signs point to there being no cap. No cap means no spending limit. No spending limit means we will not be "hindered competitively" because we can still sign who we want.

The cap will be back. If not this year, then next.
I'm not sure what "rules" teams will be able to create at that point as far as contracts.
If it's possible, front loading some of the larger contracts may be beneficial to the team, but caplessness doesn't mean lawlessness, so I doubt that's an option.
More money in an uncapped year could mean you sign a guy like Dansby to a super high first year and a more manageable overall lifetime.
But if that's not an option, it's probably not worth it.