Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
I have some revised predictions and they will follow. I will be very interested to read yours. These are very interesting times for the Cardinals and what they need to do to maintain their perch atop the NFC West.
The Arizona Cardinals: the defending NFC West Champions
1. Kurt Warner will be back as the team's #1 QB.
2. Beanie Wells will be the #1 RB, Tim Hightower the #2 and LaRod Stephens-Howling the #3.
3. There will be a change on the offensive line, as Levi Brown will be switched over to LT with Herman Johnson or Brandon Keith taking over at RT. The hope is that Herman Johnson is next year's Calais Campbell. The interior will remain the trio of LG Reggie Wells, C Lyle Sendelin and RG Duece Lutui.
4. Jeremy Bridges will be re-signed as the Mr. Versatile OL backup.
5. The TE situation will remain the same: Ben Patrick, Anthony Becht (re-signed) and Stephen Spach.
6. Anquan Boldin will be traded for a 2nd round draft pick and a player, most likely to Miami, Oakland, Buffalo or Jacksonville.
7. The team will offer DE Darnell Dockett an extension, but, like Boldin, he won't accept it.
8. The team won't even think about ponying up $15M to retain LB Karlos Dansby as the franchise player. Dansby walks and will be playing OLB for some other team in 2010. My guess is for the Redskins.
9. The Cardinals are going to draft Dansby's replacement in the first or second round. Seeing as I believe the Cardinals will get a second rounder for Boldin, the first three picks, not necessarily in this order will be: ILB, OLB/DE, QB. Yes, a QB early. Whiz needs depth and talent at the position as he is likely one year away from the post-Warner era.
10. Reggie Walker will give Gerald Hayes a run for his money for the starting MILB spot. Hayes hasn't had a very good year and there are concerns about his consistency and his durability.
11. The Cardinals will agree to a long-term extension for FS Antrel Rolle. They will also do so for K Neil Rackers and P Ben Graham.
12. Greg Toler will challenge RCB Bryant McFadden for playing time and by mid-season will be starting.
NFC West Challengers
The 49ers remain the most immediate threat to overtake the Cardinals. I think they believe they found the answer to their QB situation in Alex Smith. Because they already have a very good defense and kicking game, I look for them to focus on adding upgrades on their offensive line, another WR (to replace Isaac Bruce at the #3 with), and a speed RB to use in passing situations. They are becoming enamored with spreading the field because they love what they have in the trio of TE Vernon Davis, WR Josh Morgan and WR Michael Crabtree. They also like their 2 TE sets with Delanie Walker. As for their defense they need a little more girth in the middle, otherwise this team is fast and tenacious. The talent and depth at LB is prolific: Patrick Willis, Takeo Spikes, Manny Lawson, Parys Haralson, Ahmad Brooks and Scott McKillop. And their secondary, especially now that CB Shawntae Spencer has developed very nicely to compliment CB Nate Clements and S Dashon Goldson has become a big-time hitter, is looking pretty solid, to say the least. Furthermore, DE Justin Smith's been a terrific leader up front.
The Seahawks are next in line. They have some big decisions to make this off-season, and it all starts with what their plan at QB will be, not only for next year, but for years to come. My prediction is that they spend the off-season and draft trying to improve their strength at the point of attack on both sides of the ball and hope that Matt Hasselbeck can give them one more good year. The main reason is they would love to find a way to draft local Washington phenom QB Jake Locker in 2011. In fact, look for the Seahawks to make draft day trades to acquire picks for 2011, and thus give themselves more ammo to try to move up if need be to take Locker. The Seahawks' defense has talent, but has rarely been able to keep their best players on the field due to injuries. For example, their LB trio of Aaron Curry, Lofa Tatupu and Leroy Hill is one of the most talented units in the NFL, and Patrick Kerney and Darryl Trapp are solid threats off the edge. I like the talent in their secondary too, especially at CB with messers Marcus Trufant, Ken Lucas and the swiftly improving Josh Wilson.
The Rams will be facing a major dilemma come draft day. They will most likely have the #1 pick and while the player that would make most sense talent-wise is DT Ndamukong Suh of Nebraska. But, at #1 they are in a premier position to finally draft their QBOF, that is, if they aren't sold on this year's 6th round pick, Keith Null. Don't be surprised if the Rams trade down a few spots and take QB Jimmy Clausen. But, then again, Steve Spagnuolo, a defensive coach by trade, might already have Suh's name written on his card. The reason why trading down and adding more quality picks might be smart is, not only to land their QBOF, but to bolster their talent in the offensive line, an area that has been the main cause for their subpar play the last few years. They also need to add a reliable play-making possession WR to line up opposite of speedster Donnie Avery. And they still lack talent at TE. But, with a good QB in place, an improved offensive line and Steven Jackson at RB, the Rams could be a team to watch. Spagnuolo has this defense playing hard and with a slight influx of new talent he could have his defense playing at a very high level next year. There are some high caliber players in this defense: DT Adam Carriker, DEs Chris Long, Leonard Little and Victor Adeyanju, LB James Laurinaitis, CB Ron Bartell and stud S Oshiomogho Atogwe.
What are your personnel predictions and what are your thoughts about the NFC West in 2010?
The Arizona Cardinals: the defending NFC West Champions
1. Kurt Warner will be back as the team's #1 QB.
2. Beanie Wells will be the #1 RB, Tim Hightower the #2 and LaRod Stephens-Howling the #3.
3. There will be a change on the offensive line, as Levi Brown will be switched over to LT with Herman Johnson or Brandon Keith taking over at RT. The hope is that Herman Johnson is next year's Calais Campbell. The interior will remain the trio of LG Reggie Wells, C Lyle Sendelin and RG Duece Lutui.
4. Jeremy Bridges will be re-signed as the Mr. Versatile OL backup.
5. The TE situation will remain the same: Ben Patrick, Anthony Becht (re-signed) and Stephen Spach.
6. Anquan Boldin will be traded for a 2nd round draft pick and a player, most likely to Miami, Oakland, Buffalo or Jacksonville.
7. The team will offer DE Darnell Dockett an extension, but, like Boldin, he won't accept it.
8. The team won't even think about ponying up $15M to retain LB Karlos Dansby as the franchise player. Dansby walks and will be playing OLB for some other team in 2010. My guess is for the Redskins.
9. The Cardinals are going to draft Dansby's replacement in the first or second round. Seeing as I believe the Cardinals will get a second rounder for Boldin, the first three picks, not necessarily in this order will be: ILB, OLB/DE, QB. Yes, a QB early. Whiz needs depth and talent at the position as he is likely one year away from the post-Warner era.
10. Reggie Walker will give Gerald Hayes a run for his money for the starting MILB spot. Hayes hasn't had a very good year and there are concerns about his consistency and his durability.
11. The Cardinals will agree to a long-term extension for FS Antrel Rolle. They will also do so for K Neil Rackers and P Ben Graham.
12. Greg Toler will challenge RCB Bryant McFadden for playing time and by mid-season will be starting.
NFC West Challengers
The 49ers remain the most immediate threat to overtake the Cardinals. I think they believe they found the answer to their QB situation in Alex Smith. Because they already have a very good defense and kicking game, I look for them to focus on adding upgrades on their offensive line, another WR (to replace Isaac Bruce at the #3 with), and a speed RB to use in passing situations. They are becoming enamored with spreading the field because they love what they have in the trio of TE Vernon Davis, WR Josh Morgan and WR Michael Crabtree. They also like their 2 TE sets with Delanie Walker. As for their defense they need a little more girth in the middle, otherwise this team is fast and tenacious. The talent and depth at LB is prolific: Patrick Willis, Takeo Spikes, Manny Lawson, Parys Haralson, Ahmad Brooks and Scott McKillop. And their secondary, especially now that CB Shawntae Spencer has developed very nicely to compliment CB Nate Clements and S Dashon Goldson has become a big-time hitter, is looking pretty solid, to say the least. Furthermore, DE Justin Smith's been a terrific leader up front.
The Seahawks are next in line. They have some big decisions to make this off-season, and it all starts with what their plan at QB will be, not only for next year, but for years to come. My prediction is that they spend the off-season and draft trying to improve their strength at the point of attack on both sides of the ball and hope that Matt Hasselbeck can give them one more good year. The main reason is they would love to find a way to draft local Washington phenom QB Jake Locker in 2011. In fact, look for the Seahawks to make draft day trades to acquire picks for 2011, and thus give themselves more ammo to try to move up if need be to take Locker. The Seahawks' defense has talent, but has rarely been able to keep their best players on the field due to injuries. For example, their LB trio of Aaron Curry, Lofa Tatupu and Leroy Hill is one of the most talented units in the NFL, and Patrick Kerney and Darryl Trapp are solid threats off the edge. I like the talent in their secondary too, especially at CB with messers Marcus Trufant, Ken Lucas and the swiftly improving Josh Wilson.
The Rams will be facing a major dilemma come draft day. They will most likely have the #1 pick and while the player that would make most sense talent-wise is DT Ndamukong Suh of Nebraska. But, at #1 they are in a premier position to finally draft their QBOF, that is, if they aren't sold on this year's 6th round pick, Keith Null. Don't be surprised if the Rams trade down a few spots and take QB Jimmy Clausen. But, then again, Steve Spagnuolo, a defensive coach by trade, might already have Suh's name written on his card. The reason why trading down and adding more quality picks might be smart is, not only to land their QBOF, but to bolster their talent in the offensive line, an area that has been the main cause for their subpar play the last few years. They also need to add a reliable play-making possession WR to line up opposite of speedster Donnie Avery. And they still lack talent at TE. But, with a good QB in place, an improved offensive line and Steven Jackson at RB, the Rams could be a team to watch. Spagnuolo has this defense playing hard and with a slight influx of new talent he could have his defense playing at a very high level next year. There are some high caliber players in this defense: DT Adam Carriker, DEs Chris Long, Leonard Little and Victor Adeyanju, LB James Laurinaitis, CB Ron Bartell and stud S Oshiomogho Atogwe.
What are your personnel predictions and what are your thoughts about the NFC West in 2010?
) I'll be wrong again.
, that there was no mention of Brian St.Pierre. I think Dansby is gone,Hayes will be fine, Q possibly gets traded, and Levi stays at RT. I say Q may get traded because i think his future with the Cards is tied directly to Warner. If Warner retires, Boldin gets traded. If Warner returns, Boldin is brought bcak and the Cards continue to be a pass happy team and make another run at the title. If Leinart is in charge, the Cards become a more 50/50 run/pass team. I still think they challnege for the title that way as Beanie will explode next year. As for the draft, it's hard to know what the Cards are thinking along the OL because none of know what we have in Keith and Johnson. The coaches do and i think that will show come draft day.If an OL is taken early it will be to come in and play significant time early on. If Boldin gets traded, i agree the likley destination is Miami. My ideal trade would be for a 3rd round pick and Ted Ginn. Ginn gives a kick returner and a speed WR to occupy trhe #4 WR slot behind Fitz, Breaston, and Doucet. If the Dolphins balk at giving up Ginn, not sure why they would as they are said to not want him, i would hold out for a second round pick. With our picks, i'm holding out hope that Rolondo McClain drops to us. Everyone say he'll be gone but Rey Mauluga was supposed to be a top 20 pick last year and he fell into round 2. If McClain is gone, i would turn to another member of Tide defense and take Terence Cody. He's by far the best NT in the draft and NT is one of the most important positions in the 3-4. Look at what Casey Hampton, Jamal Williams, and Vince Wolfork have done for their teams 3-4 defense. With 2 second rounders, i say we take Brandon Spikes and Ciron Black. If we have two 3rds i say the we take Ciron Black in round 2 then the 2 best LB prospects in round 3, maybe Ricky Sapp and Sean Lee of PSU.
