Are the Cardinals ‘close’ to turning a corner?

[Chopper0080]

How many do you think we'll take to camp? Victor Dimukeje was getting snaps ahead of Luketa the past couple weeks. Julian Okwara was also getting snaps ahead of Luketa.

You'd love to have an option to push that guy off the roster. Or a pass rush specialist.

This is probably a room where the Cardinals take a lot of players to camp so they can evaluate hem side by side. I have no idea how to separate Dimu, Okwara and Luketa. Also could see them bringing Gardeck back for teams.

 

[kerouac9]

This is probably a room where the Cardinals take a lot of players to camp so they can evaluate hem side by side. I have no idea how to separate Dimu, Okwara and Luketa. Also could see them bringing Gardeck back for teams.

They should make the whole defense out of edge players who can't pressure the passer.

 

[FB94]

This is probably a room where the Cardinals take a lot of players to camp so they can evaluate hem side by side. I have no idea how to separate Dimu, Okwara and Luketa. Also could see them bringing Gardeck back for teams.

Okwara is still looking for his jock from the Rams game

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Sign two mid-level FAs

I really really really hope the plan isn't another Jones/Nichols redux. Those guys were no better than Roy Lopez.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

They should make the whole defense out of edge players who can't pressure the passer.

Again?

 

[Stout]

I think it depends on what you are looking for with that first round edge. Mykel Williams could come in and start for AZ because of his physicality but I am not sold on him being a difference maker rushing the passer. Pearce on the other hand may take a little why to build up the strength to handle the run, but he would easily be the most athletic pass rusher on the team.

In terms of the plan, I feel it will mirror the DL plan. Sign two mid-level FAs and then draft a top 50 guy to develop.

In terms of EDGE vs DL in round 1, it is likely going to come down to who is on the board and the preference of Monti/Gannon because the board should be close.

If that's the plan, welcome to more of the same next year. If that plan is going to work, it won't come good year 1. We need an impact edge, now. Not a developmental edge prospect "for the future." Not a Jones or Nichols level FA (which is about all Monti would spend for). We need instant QB pass rush. If that's Pearce, and he can bring the heat onto the QB, draft him and damn the run defense from him.

I have no info on any prospects, so this is just me replying to the post.

 

[Chopper0080]

I really really really hope the plan isn't another Jones/Nichols redux. Those guys were no better than Roy Lopez.

I don't know why you think that wouldn't be the plan. lol

 

[dreamcastrocks]

I don't know why you think that wouldn't be the plan. lol

Right? I'm not sure they bring in another DT free agent. Either they draft one or we will probably roll with what we have there.

To be fair the interior of the line probably overperformed.

 

[Chopper0080]

If that's the plan, welcome to more of the same next year. If that plan is going to work, it won't come good year 1. We need an impact edge, now. Not a developmental edge prospect "for the future." Not a Jones or Nichols level FA (which is about all Monti would spend for). We need instant QB pass rush. If that's Pearce, and he can bring the heat onto the QB, draft him and damn the run defense from him.

I have no info on any prospects, so this is just me replying to the post.

I think Monti will for an EDGE early, but I am not sure what he will be looking for. My hope is that he finds a way to land Carter, Green, Pearce or Princely...one of those guys whose main skill is getting after the QB. What you should worried about is him grabbing a guy like Mykel Williams who is more of a project as a pass rusher. That is fine in round 2, but something I worry about in round 1.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

I don't know why you think that wouldn't be the plan. lol

That's why I said hope. You think they'd learn...oh wait.

 

[Chopper0080]

Right? I'm not sure they bring in another DT free agent. Either they draft one or we will probably roll with what we have there.

To be fair the interior of the line probably overperformed.

What will likely drive this board crazy is I expect the Cardinals "free agent signings" to be re-signings of Collier and Browning. I think they probably add one more EDGE and then target OL and WR (depending on how the White extension talks go).

 

[DVontel]

I think Monti will for an EDGE early, but I am not sure what he will be looking for. My hope is that he finds a way to land Carter, Green, Pearce or Princely...one of those guys whose main skill is getting after the QB. What you should worried about is him grabbing a guy like Mykel Williams who is more of a project as a pass rusher. That is fine in round 2, but something I worry about in round 1.

Yea, Mykel is the best EDGE at run-defending in this class. Pass-rushing? Still raw there.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

What will likely drive this board crazy is I expect the Cardinals "free agent signings" to be re-signings of Collier and Browning. I think they probably add one more EDGE and then target OL and WR (depending on how the White extension talks go).

I actually think that is an okay plan. I like both Collier and Browning. We obviously need not only an edge signing, but another one drafted in R1/R2.

In fact, I'm okay with them drafting 3 edges all competing.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

I actually think that is an okay plan. I like both Collier and Browning. We obviously need not only an edge signing, but another one drafted in R1/R2.

In fact, I'm okay with them drafting 3 edges all competing.

This is your idea of a ok plan? How do you strategize acquiring an above average starter for a whole defensive line group that lacks even an average starter?

 

[Chopper0080]

Yea, Mykel is the best EDGE at run-defending in this class. Pass-rushing? Still raw there.

I was watching one of his games the other day and the dude is stiff. Very little bend.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

This is your idea of a good plan for acquiring above average starters for a whole defensive line group that lacks even an average starter?

I specifically said okay plan. Would I want them to do more? Sure. I'd like them to spend over the cap in some years, especially this one when they have so much cap space. (as it possibly be in a cap deficit in future years)

Would I expect them to do more? Probably not. Patterns and history tell us otherwise.

 

[Chopper0080]

This is your idea of a good plan for acquiring above average starters for a whole defensive line group that lacks even an average starter?

TBF, some of it has to do with the available FA players. It's not a great FA class for top end edge guys. That is one reason this past offseason was so frustrating for me. Significantly better rush options last year than this upcoming one.

 

[Chopper0080]

That said, is there a chance the Cardinals prefer Milton Williams over Collier? Sure.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

I specifically said okay plan. Would I want them to do more? Sure. I'd like them to spend over the cap in some years, especially this one when they have so much cap space.

Would I expect them to do more? Probably not. Patterns and history tell us otherwise.

Yes, I edited my post. I don't understand how a team expects to get better when we're so lacking in top end talent (that all the best teams have!) and when we have so far made no significant FA/trade acquisitions. On top of that, Monti hasn't drafted anywhere near a star/above average starter other than PJJ.

Where exactly will our transcendent talent be coming from?

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Yes, I edited my post. I don't understand how a team expects to get better when we're so lacking in top end talent (that all the best teams have!) and when we have so far made no significant FA/trade acquisitions. On top of that, Monti hasn't drafted anywhere near a star/above average starter other than PJJ.

Where exactly will our transcendent talent be coming from?

It was supposed to be Marvin.

Now we are drafting in the middle of the round where very few transcendent players are drafted from...

 

[ASUCHRIS]

It was supposed to be Marvin.

Now we are drafting in the middle of the round where very few transcendent players are drafted from...

We're in desperate need of top end talent (probably McBride/Budda are the only Cards that fit that category, and of course at non-premium positions) but we're still lacking above average starters all over the field. Who at this point would even qualify?

Offense:
Conner (maybe)
McBride
PJJ

Defense:
Budda
???

If this is the fruit of the rebuild, the fruit has gone bad! On the most basic of levels, we ditched all of our talent, and we haven't done much of anything to replace it, other than to put all our eggs into the "draft well" basket. That's certainly had mixed results at best.

The "plan" at this point still seems murky at best, and now we have to deal with the fact that our "franchise" qb continues to wilt whenever it matters. Not good times!

 

[oaken1]

It was supposed to be Marvin.

Now we are drafting in the middle of the round where very few transcendent players are drafted from...

JJ Watt was drafted right in the middle of the round....well, 11...but 14 ain't far from 11...
Keep in mind Maxx Crosby was a day 3 pick.
Talent evaluation is important. But some guys just turn it on when they get to the league...hard to predict that.

 

[DVontel]

I was watching one of his games the other day and the dude is stiff. Very little bend.

He did have an ankle injury to start the season. Wondered if it lingered the rest of the season.

 

[602 Native]

Let’s see where we are next season before this is answered.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

We're in desperate need of top end talent (probably McBride/Budda are the only Cards that fit that category, and of course at non-premium positions) but we're still lacking above average starters all over the field. Who at this point would even qualify?

Offense:
Conner (maybe)
McBride
PJJ

Defense:
Budda
???

I agree with your list but add that Conner is above average and not in the maybe category IMO.