Arizona Cardinals' 2011 Roster V. 2.0

[Mitch]

First of all...as more and more time passes without any CBA progress...if and when free agency begins it looks very likely that the 2010 rules will apply, which means players like Deuce Lutui who head into their 6th year in the NFL will still be restricted and thus team tenders will apply.

The good news for the Cardinals in this scenario is that the following RFAs will likely be retained:

G Deuce Lutui
C Lyle Sendelin
WR Steve Breaston
NT Gabe Watson
DE Alan Branch

The not so good news is that the Cardinals would have to give up high draft picks to sign tendered players such as DE Ray Edwards, OLB/DE Charles Johnson, OLB/DE Mathias Kiwanuka, TE Zach Miller, TE Kevin Boss, etc.

Having done very little in the draft to upgrade the edge pass rush, if the 2010 rules apply, the Cardinals will not have very many reasonable choices or oppotunities to upgrade the edge rush in free agency.

Consider for a minute what current players the Cardinals could use in a 4 man rush---and when you do---the options are difficult to fathom. Ideally one would hope for a quartet of Acho, Dockett, Campbell and Schofield---however...having watched more and more tape of Sam Acho, it seems very clear to me that he is going to have a very difficult time providing pressure off the edge as a rookie.

At the Senior Bowl, for example, Acho made one great play on his first snap---upon the snap, LT Nate Solder expected Acho to rush the edge, so Solder fannned out. Instead, Acho made no first step and stayed stationary---and when he saw it was a pass, because Solder had fanned out he saw he could take an inside route to the QB Jake Locker. Acho fired the inside gap and stripped Locker of the football. It was a great play---but it would be the one and only great play he would make all day---in fact, he never got decent pressure on the QB the rest of the game.

Why?

Solder and then Anthony Castonzo played Acho inside out from that point forward, thus taking away the inside route to the QB and thereby forcing Acho to rush to the outside---and that's where he got stood up, stopped half way into his rush and stonewalled repeatedly. The thing is---Acho lacks the quick first step off the edge that the very good edge rushers need and rely on. Acho is a hard worker and is a determine athlete---so he will work hard to improve his skills---but it is going to take some time.

As for O'Brien Schofield...the question will be, can he be an effective edge rusher at RDE in the 4 man rush. We don't know the answer to this yet. However, the natural concern here is whether Schofield will get engulfed by the LTs in that role. In the 5 man front, Schofield, because of his quickness off the edge and because the angle to the QB is better, should be able to get consistent pressure...but from the standard RDE in a 4 man rush, the task will be much more challenging as he wil be facing long-armed LTs who are taller and 40-50 pounds heavier.

This leads us to Joey Porter. At this point, even though he is being over-paid, the Cardinals really have no choice but to retain him in the hope that he can be an effective edge rusher at RDE in the 4 man rush. I don't think it will be wise for them to demand a salary reduction because they will run the risk of losing him---and the remaining free agent options are sparse to say the least.

Clark Haggans will most likely remain the starter at SOLB, although it may be time for Will Davis to beat him out as the two down starter---but the Cardinals have to find a better option at LDE in the 4 man rush, as edge rushing is not one of Haggans' or Davis' strength.

Acho, as I avowed, will be diligent...but may not be able to be effective in the role this soon. When he builds up his overall strength, I believe he will be able to become an effective bull rusher---but this is not going to happen overnight.

Brandon Sharpe is the wild card. He is a natural pass rusher with a nice symmetry of upper and lower body strength---and when I watch him on tape he reminds me quite a bit of Jabaal Sheard the edge SOLB/DE who was picked at #37 by the Browns. I believe Sheard is NFL ready...so it is my greatest hope that Sharpe can fill that role.

Otherwise---the lack of pure talent on the edge will force new DC Ray Horton to rush five and sometimes six players from a variety of positions and angles.

The point is---the Cardinals still do not have a formidible 4 man rush.

In studying the small list of pass rushers who have more than 6 years of NFL experience, and thus cannot be tendered, only one player stands out to me and that is Shaun Ellis (6-5, 290, 33, 12, Tennessee) of the Jets. Ellis would be a good fit in the 34DE rotation and could be one answer at DE on the 4 man rush.

I also wonder if Darnell Dockett can manifest John Randle type versatility this year and side over to LDE in the 4 man rush. That would be a great option if Dockett can embrace the role.

Obviously the other most pressing need is at QB---and we have discussed all the options at length.

The best option, imo, is trading for Carson Palmer---and I think the Cardinals have a very good chance of acquiring him provided Mike Brown decides to trade him. With much uncertainty with regard to the Bengals' re-signing of RB Cedric Benson, were the Cardinals to offer Beanie Wells as part of the trade packege, this may give the Cardinals the inside track.

However, Mike Brown is, well, Mike Brown. He's about as stubborn an owner as there is and he may decide to string Palmer out and force him into returning or retiring (as he has avowed to do should there be no trade).'

This is where I am starting to shift my focus toward a player we habven't talked as much about, but one who, imo, makes more sense than Kevin Kolb or Kyle Oton.

After watching several tapes of Matt Flynn (6-2, 225, 25, 4, LSU) of the Packers---I came away thinking he is a great fit in Whiz's dink and dunk. What convinced me was Flynn's performance versus the Patriots this past season where he was 24/37 @ 64.9% for 251 yards and 3 TDs versus 1 interception.

Flynn had a ringside seat for the epic playoff game---Warner versus Rodgers---two years ago---so he knows how efficent and productive the Cardinals' offense can be when the QB is hot---

Flynn also is very familiar with his old Tiger teammate WR Early Doucet---and it sure would be nice to finally get a good year from him.

What I am not so sure of is whether the Packers would trade him to the Cardinals, perhaps out of fear of meeting the Cardinals in the playoffs again at some point.

But, the Packers realize as the Eagles and Broncos do that with one year remaining in their young QBs' contracts (Kolb, Orton and Flynn), that now is the time to get good value in return.

Other Acquisitions:

LT Matt Light (6-4, 305, 11, Purdue/Patriots). Exactly the LT type we need. This will allow the Cardinals to shift Levi Brown down to LG, where he could be dynamic).

G Reggie Wells (6-4, 312, 9, Clarion/Eagles). Good insurance in case Levi Brown struggles at guard. Reggie remains a good fit in the dink and dunk.

NT Chris Hoke (6-2, 305, 11, BYU/Steelers). Ideal backup NT who knows the defense inside and out.

SILB Nick Barnett (6-2, 236, 29, 9, Oregon St./Packers). With the Packers' re-sigining of A.J. Hawk, Barnett becomes available. Has struggled with injuries---but is good to go and would provide the inside quickness, strength and pop the defense needs.

34DE/DE Shaun Ellis (6-5, 290, 33, 12, Tennessee/Jets). His versaility and pass rushing quickness would be a major asset.

CB Ike Taylor (6-2, 195, 9, La.-Lafeyette/Steelers). Will be the QB of the secondary and would pave the way for the Cardinals to trade DRC.

Trades:

1A-RB Beanie Wells & the 2012 5th round pick to the Bengals for QB Carson Palmer.

or---

1B-The 2012 2nd round and 2013 5th round pick (conditional---could be a 4th if Flynn achieves certain performance levels) to the Packers for QB Matt Flynn.

2- CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie to the Texans for OLB/DE Brooks Reed, TE/HB James Casey, S Troy Nolan and the Texans'2012 3rd round pick.

Roster:

QB (3): Palmer (or Flynn), Skelton, Bartel (or Hall)
RB (3): Hightower, Williams, Stephens-Howling
FB (1): Sherman
WR (6): Fitzgerald, Breaston, Doucet, Roberts, Williams, Komar
TE (3): Housler, Casey, Dray
OL(9): Light, Brown, Sendlein, Lutui, Keith, Bridges, Wells, Hadnot, Pestock
NT (2): Williams, Hoke
DE (4): Dockett, Campbell, Ellis, Branch (or Iwebema)
ILB (4): Barnett, Washington, Lenon, Sturdivant (or Walker)
OLB (6): Haggans, Schofield, Porter, Reed, Acho, Davis (or Sharpe)
CB (5): Taylor, Peterson, Toler, Jefferson, Adams
S (4): Wilson, Rhodes, Johnson, Nolan
ST (3): Feely, Graham, Leach

PS (8): RB Alfonso Smith, WR DeMarco Sampson, G Zach Hurd, NT Ian Williams, LB Nicolas Bellore, LB Mark Herzlich, CB Marshay Green, S Joe Legefed.

 

[BW52]

Why the fascination with signing older guys?How much luck have the Cards had doing that.Its time to develop from the draft.No more overpaying for reputation not production.If you are going to sign FAs then pay more to get players who are young enough to contribute for several years....no more stopgap overpaid over the hill veterans who used to be good.

 

[Mitch]

Why the fascination with signing older guys?How much luck have the Cards had doing that.Its time to develop from the draft.No more overpaying for reputation not production.If you are going to sign FAs then pay more to get players who are young enough to contribute for several years....no more stopgap overpaid over the hill veterans who used to be good.

BW---did you catch the context here?

The context is---if the FA rules remain the same as they were last year---and it looks more and more like they will---team tenders to players in their 4th, 5th and 6th years apply.

So---unless you are willing to use high draft picks to sign the younger players---you are looking at a paltry market of older players.

This is EXACTLY why I am still very disturbed about the Cardinals' draft. I knew that if they didn't address the OLB/DE position at the #5 or #38 spots, they were not going to be able to upgrade the edge pass rush.

This is why I had an edge rusher going at #5 or #38 in every one of my mock drafts. I think most of us did---because we knew the real good ones would get snatched up early.

Had the Cardinals taken Brooks Reed at #38, I would have been happy....because I was worried that he would be taken earlier---and he and Jaball Sheard, imo, were the last two good edge rushers in the draft. The player I was hoping for the most was Jabaal Sheard because he is made to order for the strong side---but he went the pick right before us (#37) to the Browns.

Instead we draft a RB at #38---after using a 1st round pick two years ago (#31) on a RB...when again our biggest need was a pass rusher.

This draft was more about adding depth to the offense than it was about addressing the most critical needs on defense. This draft had Whiz's stamp all over it.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

That team would win the NFC west without a doubt. I don't believe we have the acumen to pull it off though.

 

[Chopper0080]

Please stop the Matt Flynn train. He is as average as average can get. Has less potential than Kolb and has shown less on the field. He is another mediocre QB behind a great starter, in a good system ala Charlie Whitehurst, please move on.

DRC might be trade bait, but lets hold off on the trading for rookies train. How about you try and package him for a bit more veteran prospect like Dumervil, or Kiwanuka and additional picks or players. I might entertain Dumervil and Orton for DRC and a 2012 4th. Dumervil is coming off an injury and everyone knows the Broncos are looking to unload Orton. This would provide the Cards with a legit starting QB for Skelton to compete with as well as a vet 3-4 pass rusher, two years removed form a double digit sack season.

I am really in the wait and see mode for DRC. I'm not sure that I would trade him if it wasn't a solid deal as he is young and still could develop into the corner that we have seen him be in flashes.

 

[Mitch]

Please stop the Matt Flynn train. He is as average as average can get. Has less potential than Kolb and has shown less on the field. He is another mediocre QB behind a great starter, in a good system ala Charlie Whitehurst, please move on.

DRC might be trade bait, but lets hold off on the trading for rookies train. How about you try and package him for a bit more veteran prospect like Dumervil, or Kiwanuka and additional picks or players. I might entertain Dumervil and Orton for DRC and a 2012 4th. Dumervil is coming off an injury and everyone knows the Broncos are looking to unload Orton. This would provide the Cards with a legit starting QB for Skelton to compete with as well as a vet 3-4 pass rusher, two years removed form a double digit sack season.

I am really in the wait and see mode for DRC. I'm not sure that I would trade him if it wasn't a solid deal as he is young and still could develop into the corner that we have seen him be in flashes.

Flynn seems made to order for the dink and dunk, imo, Chopper. I think you are under-estimating his ability in that capacity....which is why I don't think they would want to trade him to the Cardinals.

Your DRC trade scenarios are excellent---but I don't see John Fox being that enamored with DRC---not his type of CB.

But, I think your wait and see approach to DRC is smart---although, it's hard to imagine DRC fitting into Horton's style of defense, whereas he would be a nifty fit in defenses where CBs are put in lockdown man-to-man mode of the top WRs.

 

[Mitch]

That team would win the NFC west without a doubt. I don't believe we have the acumen to pull it off though.

I know what you mean, Chris.

What are your predictions regarding free agency?

What are we more likely to see?

 

[BW52]

BW---did you catch the context here?

The context is---if the FA rules remain the same as they were last year---and it looks more and more like they will---team tenders to players in their 4th, 5th and 6th years apply.

So---unless you are willing to use high draft picks to sign the younger players---you are looking at a paltry market of older players.

This is EXACTLY why I am still very disturbed about the Cardinals' draft. I knew that if they didn't address the OLB/DE position at the #5 or #38 spots, they were not going to be able to upgrade the edge pass rush.

This is why I had an edge rusher going at #5 or #38 in every one of my mock drafts. I think most of us did---because we knew the real good ones would get snatched up early.

Had the Cardinals taken Brooks Reed at #38, I would have been happy....because I was worried that he would be taken earlier---and he and Jaball Sheard, imo, were the last two good edge rushers in the draft. The player I was hoping for the most was Jabaal Sheard because he is made to order for the strong side---but he went the pick right before us (#37) to the Browns.

Instead we draft a RB at #38---after using a 1st round pick two years ago (#31) on a RB...when again our biggest need was a pass rusher.

This draft was more about adding depth to the offense than it was about addressing the most critical needs on defense. This draft had Whiz's stamp all over it.

I just don`t see a 33 year Shaun Ellis being a solution.He had 4.5 sacks last year.Why overpay for that?
Chris Hoke NT is 35.He might know the syastem but is he better than Bryan Robinson was?
Nick Barnett has played 1 16 game season ouit of the last 3 years.If he can be had real cheap it could be worth a shot.

Ike Taylor CB 31 years old.Is he worth starting over DSRC and Petertson?

Matt Light T 33 years old.Would he come to AZ...........will he play at a level that will justify the cost.

 

[Catfish]

I know what you mean, Chris.

What are your predictions regarding free agency?

What are we more likely to see?

Mitch, I just see the Cards standing more pat with the players they have, plus the pick-up of some UDFA's, after doing whatever it is that they will do to solve the QB conundrum. I do feel that they fully intend to play large in this quest, as Whiz has a real mess to fix that he alone created at QB, if he is to keep his job beyond this next year. Beyond that, however, I don't see RG, (the human slug), suddenly gaining the speed and dexterity that it will take to become a real player in what will certainly be a lively, though short, free agency period. I believe we will move with all the speed he musters with his speech, and will be woefully left behind once again in the hunt for productive free agents.

As for QB, I believe that in the world of trading, RG will figure out the right package to put together to get Palmer, Kolb, or Orton, well after those transactions have already been made by more adept GM's. I believe we may end up acquiring Bulger in free agency, only because Warner was successful here, and Bulger may be as expectant for that slot as the Cards are. Anything more productive by our FO would be a shocker to me, and probably the rest of the football watching world as well.

 

[PoolBoy]

thats a lot in return for DRC

 

[Duckjake]

I know what you mean, Chris.

What are your predictions regarding free agency?

What are we more likely to see?

I know what I think we're most likely to see. No Free Agency at all. The labor problems won't be settled until August at the earliest and the two sides will agree that there will be no free agents for 2011 and we'll have twice as many FAs' in 2012.

Or it could be that the courts will say that there is no CBA and the lockout is in violation of Federal Labor law and any player without a contract is a FA. No franchise tag. No RFA tenders. Just every man for himself. With the decisions coming in late August. Now that would be fun to watch. How much would Daniel Snyder offer Peyton Manning? 10 years $250 million?

 

[Mitch]

I just don`t see a 33 year Shaun Ellis being a solution.He had 4.5 sacks last year.Why overpay for that?
Chris Hoke NT is 35.He might know the syastem but is he better than Bryan Robinson was?
Nick Barnett has played 1 16 game season ouit of the last 3 years.If he can be had real cheap it could be worth a shot.

Ike Taylor CB 31 years old.Is he worth starting over DSRC and Petertson?

Matt Light T 33 years old.Would he come to AZ...........will he play at a level that will justify the cost.

Do you want to win the NFC West?

The current roster won't do it.

Tell us the moves you would make...and if you are focused on players with less than 7 years experience please tell us what 1st, 2nd and 3rd round picks you would give up in next year's draft in order to acquire them, because that is what it is going to take in light of the players being tendered.

Matt Light would be a godsend to our offense. Adding him would change the whole dynamic.

 

[Chopper0080]

Do you want to win the NFC West?

The current roster won't do it.

Tell us the moves you would make...and if you are focused on players with less than 7 years experience please tell us what 1st, 2nd and 3rd round picks you would give up in next year's draft in order to acquire them, because that is what it is going to take in light of the players being tendered.

Matt Light would be a godsend to our offense. Adding him would change the whole dynamic.

You are correct in that there is a need for veteran players on our roster, especially on the defense, offensive line, and at QB. We need to bring some self starters and leaders from the outside to bring back the "we can win" mentality.

I like the work that you put into this, and agree that there is much still to be done if we really want to take an NFC West that is wide open.

Two things about your roster additions. One, be careful of Matt Light. At this point he may be closer to Alan Faneca's production last year than Mike Gandy's production when we signed him. I would honestly prefer spending some solid dollars on a better OG like Carl Nicks (would love to see him here) or Robert Gallery than a rapidly declining OT like Matt Light. Two, I would love to see Ike Taylor here. He would allow CB spots to truly be earned which is what needs to happen. Also Shaun Ellis would be a solid grab. Money would be better spent on him rather than on some under performing pass rusher.

 

[Duckjake]

You are correct in that there is a need for veteran players on our roster, especially on the defense, offensive line, and at QB. We need to bring some self starters and leaders from the outside to bring back the "we can win" mentality.

Sadly we had that roster in 2009. Retirements and money wrecked it. Now we have to look to the future with our young players. If we have to go 5-11 again then that's the price we will pay to build a veteran roster for 2012 and beyond. I'm really excited about our home grown talent. We just need to give it a chance to develop.

 

[Duckjake]

bring back the "we can win" mentality.

Response part two.

This is what really pissed me off about last season. Adrian Wilson and others talked about how we had brought in a "team" mentality. That we had rid ourselves of the "me first" guys. That it was going to translate into a we can win mentality. Then they went out and laid down and quit after the Vikings game.

The Defense needed to step up and cover for the horrendous QB play. They didn't. They played worse than ever.

Wilson either needs to retire or start putting his game day play where his mouth is.

 

[binkar]

Other Acquisitions:

LT Matt Light (6-4, 305, 11, Purdue/Patriots). Exactly the LT type we need. This will allow the Cardinals to shift Levi Brown down to LG, where he could be dynamic).

G Reggie Wells (6-4, 312, 9, Clarion/Eagles). Good insurance in case Levi Brown struggles at guard. Reggie remains a good fit in the dink and dunk.

NT Chris Hoke (6-2, 305, 11, BYU/Steelers). Ideal backup NT who knows the defense inside and out.

SILB Nick Barnett (6-2, 236, 29, 9, Oregon St./Packers). With the Packers' re-sigining of A.J. Hawk, Barnett becomes available. Has struggled with injuries---but is good to go and would provide the inside quickness, strength and pop the defense needs.

34DE/DE Shaun Ellis (6-5, 290, 33, 12, Tennessee/Jets). His versaility and pass rushing quickness would be a major asset.

CB Ike Taylor (6-2, 195, 9, La.-Lafeyette/Steelers). Will be the QB of the secondary and would pave the way for the Cardinals to trade DRC.

Trades:

1A-RB Beanie Wells & the 2012 5th round pick to the Bengals for QB Carson Palmer.

or---

1B-The 2012 2nd round and 2013 5th round pick (conditional---could be a 4th if Flynn achieves certain performance levels) to the Packers for QB Matt Flynn.

2- CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie to the Texans for OLB/DE Brooks Reed, TE/HB James Casey, S Troy Nolan and the Texans'2012 3rd round pick.

I like the majority of these moves, Mitch. Thanks for taking the time.

Couple thoughts:

-I am not ready to trade Beanie (though I do think that is a pretty good deal, and I like Palmer). I still have hope for the kid. I kind of wish they would let him put some of that weight back on, but what do I know. He went down WAY to easy last year. Maybe it was his knee, maybe it was that he lost weight, or maybe he just isn't that good.

-I think Kolb will be our QB next year. I bet we give up a 1 next year and a 2 the following year (or something along those lines). Whatever it is, I bet we pay a price hat most people here will be extremely upset about.

-I like your free agent signings with the exception of Ike Taylor. Not that I don't like Ike Taylor, but because I would rather have the young nucleus on DRC, PP, and Toler. I remember a comment Horton said about the poor coaching the defensive backs got at AZ and having to "knock the Arizona" out of Bryant McFadden when he got back to Pittsburgh. I hope with improved coaching, and the arrival of PP, DRC can finally reach his potential.

-That said, I really don't like the DRC trade mentioned above. A large part of that is because you and I value Brooks Read very differently. That and I don't the other 2 players as major needs (although I really like Casey as a player).

-I would like to see us bring Ian Williams and Mark Herzlich into camp.

 

[BW52]

Do you want to win the NFC West?

The current roster won't do it.

Tell us the moves you would make...and if you are focused on players with less than 7 years experience please tell us what 1st, 2nd and 3rd round picks you would give up in next year's draft in order to acquire them, because that is what it is going to take in light of the players being tendered.

Matt Light would be a godsend to our offense. Adding him would change the whole dynamic.

IMO i wouldn`t spend big dollars in Free agency.Its time to let the kids play.Cards have 4 QBs with game experience,plenty of RBs,WRS,decent O-line,A fairly young DLine and a load of LBs,Solid younf CBs and good safeties.TE you have 2 kids and FB 2 kids.

Time to play the kids you have drafted.Skelton,Wells,Housler,Dray,Dan Williams,Peterson.



QB-Skelton Anderson Bartel
RB-Hightower Wells Ryan Williams Stephens-Howling
FB-Sherman
WR-Fitz Doucet
WR-Breaston Roberts S.Williams
TE- Housler Dray
T- .Brown Keith Bridges
G- Lutui Hadnot
c-Sendlein

DE-Dockett Campbell David Carter Navarre Talley
NT-DT-Dan Williams

LB-Haggans W.Davis Sam Acho David Washington Walker
Joey Porter Schofield Lenon Quan Sturdivant

CB-DRC Peterson Toler Green Jefferson
S-Wilson Rhodes Johnson

K-Feely
P-
LS-Leach


You would need another TE or 2 UDFA
OL depth from Claxton,Pestock.Louis and UDFA
DT-DE depth from UDFA
CB-S depth from UDFA

PS-Demarco Sampson WR
OL
OL
DL
DL
CB
TE
last 2 spots to be filled as needed

 

[PaulW]

Mitch, enjoy your posts and all the thoughts you interject into everyones minds. I would like to present a of my thoughts for off season moves.

Team signings:

Alan Branch
Gabe Watson
Steve Breaston
Tim Hightower
Early Doucet
Brandon Keith
Deuce Lutui

Free Agent Signings:

QB: Mark Bulger ( If Cards can not make a trade for Carson Palmer)

WR: Legedu Naanee ( Could become a #2 Receiver)

TE: John Gilmore ( Excellent blocking TE, a little older to go along with Housler and Dray

OT: Matt Light ( Perfect LT for a couple of years)

OG: Justin Blalock ( ATL. cannot sign both OGs, he's young and could be the LG for msny years. Levi Brown could move to RG if Lutui is not signed.)

OLB: Thomas Howard ( Extemely fast, 4 year starter, excellent coerage skills)

ILB: Brando Siler (Young MLB, relegated as the 3rd MLBer in SD, could be a starter)

UDFA:

Andre Smith, TE Big good blocking TE.
Zack Hurd, OG Cerebral OG, 4 year starter, very good run blocker, could move to OT in an emergency.
Ricky Henry, mauling type of guard
Craig Marshall, DE/OLB a little raw, but very quick off the edge, could be a surprise
Christian Anthony, DE/OLB A little raw also, needs to be coached up. PS material
Scott Lutrus, MLB good instincts and an excellent tackler, should have been drafted
Mark Herzlich, MLB/OLB enough has been said
Joe Lefeged, S very good ball skills and very fast, could surprise.

As someone mentioned, I want to develop players and not buy old used players.

Thank you for your time.

 

[LittleDavis]

Almost everyone has called for Porter to be cut...I have said all along that he won't...especially now that Horton is the DC. Good call Mitch.

Also, I have to believe that we will keep Hayes at SILB. He has had ample time to recover and if his back is now healed he could be better than Lennon. I doubt that he will be cut.

 

[ARodg]

-Flynn's good at everything except for his pedestrian arm strength. Because he struggles getting the ball downfield, he doesn't have a high ceiling. In an offense where he makes quick reads and gets the ball out quick he could be a very good starter. Not in the Rodgers/Brady/Manning tier but he could be in the Flacco/Sanchez tier.

That said, for a 2nd rounder, I would personally pack Flynn's bags, buy his plane ticket, drive him to the airport, pay for the rental car, and drive him to the Cards practice facility. He'll most likely walk in FA next year so anything we get out of him is a plus.

-Barnett will most likely get cut, so he should be available.

 

[BW52]

Some undrafted FAs who could help or make the PS for development

Tim Barnes C Missouri 6`4 300
Jake Kirkpatrick C TCU 6`2 300
Zach Hurd OG UConn 6`7 316
John Bender G Nevada 6`8 325-
Erik Mensik T Oklahoma ST 6`6 300
Kyle Hix T Texas 6`7 320

Cameron Graham TE Louisville 6`4 245 -good pass catcher
Stephen Skelton TE Fordham 6`5 252

DT-NT
Anthony Gray Southern Miss 5`11 335-fireplug NT
Dexter Larimore Ohio State 6`3 319
Guy Miller Colorado State 6`3 302

DE
Brandon Bair Oregon 6`6 270
Zane Parr Virginia 6`4 281

S
Brian Lainhart Kent St

 

[ARodg]

The thing about the Cards though is that they've got plenty of capspace.

They're cap number is only at 83 million. The limit should be around 130 million. If the owner is willing to put the money in, the Cards could get some decent players.

 

[ARodg]

Some undrafted FAs who could help or make the PS for development

Tim Barnes C Missouri 6`4 300
Jake Kirkpatrick C TCU 6`2 300
Zach Hurd OG UConn 6`7 316
John Bender G Nevada 6`8 325-
Erik Mensik T Oklahoma ST 6`6 300
Kyle Hix T Texas 6`7 320

Cameron Graham TE Louisville 6`4 245 -good pass catcher
Stephen Skelton TE Fordham 6`5 252

DT-NT
Anthony Gray Southern Miss 5`11 335-fireplug NT
Dexter Larimore Ohio State 6`3 319
Guy Miller Colorado State 6`3 302

DE
Brandon Bair Oregon 6`6 270
Zane Parr Virginia 6`4 281

S
Brian Lainhart Kent St

I'll add:
Terrence Toliver (WR-LSU)
Ian Williams (NT-Notre Dame)

 

[BW52]

Do you want to win the NFC West?

The current roster won't do it.

Tell us the moves you would make...and if you are focused on players with less than 7 years experience please tell us what 1st, 2nd and 3rd round picks you would give up in next year's draft in order to acquire them, because that is what it is going to take in light of the players being tendered.

Matt Light would be a godsend to our offense. Adding him would change the whole dynamic.

You want Shaun Ellis-Who`s going to sit when Ellis plays DE? Campbell? unless you use a 4-3 Ellis is taking Dockett or Campbell spot.If you want a rotation is Ellis worth the big dollars ?
The current roster finished 2 games out of the lead.A hell of a lot of that was thanks to stupid QB play and DA inability to hit open WRs or RBs or anybody that was open.The Cards only averaged 20 rushing attempts a game last season.Why not try again for a ball control offense with the group of RBs on hand.Ball control might not be glamorous and fancy but it works.
Cards have several young LBS who have shown some pass rushing skills................why not keep developing them instead of getting another declining "name" to play in front of them.
As for Matt Light.your fantasy about Levi Brown moving to G is just that.Show me anything saying the coaches have spoken of this.

I appreciate the thought and effort you take Mitch on your posts.I just would rather have a team grow together using the vets on hand than spending money on stopgap solution.Not many Stopgap signing except Warner have worked out real well in AZ.

 

[ARodg]

You want Shaun Ellis-Who`s going to sit when Ellis plays DE? Campbell? unless you use a 4-3 Ellis is taking Dockett or Campbell spot.If you want a rotation is Ellis worth the big dollars ?
The current roster finished 2 games out of the lead.A hell of a lot of that was thanks to stupid QB play and DA inability to hit open WRs or RBs or anybody that was open.The Cards only averaged 20 rushing attempts a game last season.Why not try again for a ball control offense with the group of RBs on hand.Ball control might not be glamorous and fancy but it works.
Cards have several young LBS who have shown some pass rushing skills................why not keep developing them instead of getting another declining "name" to play in front of them.
As for Matt Light.your fantasy about Levi Brown moving to G is just that.Show me anything saying the coaches have spoken of this.

I appreciate the thought and effort you take Mitch on your posts.I just would rather have a team grow together using the vets on hand than spending money on stopgap solution.Not many Stopgap signing except Warner have worked out real well in AZ.

The coaches think that the O-Line is fine, and that Levi Brown is the permanent answer at Left Tackle.

That said, you're point is correct. Succesful teams build through the draft and then resign their own players.

There isn't a lot to work with on the roster though and if the Cards are (foolishly) in win now mode, then the holes need to be filled. There are a lot worse players than Matt Light that the Cards could spend money on.