Bulger, La Confora

[perivolaki]

Did anyone here Jason La Confora of NFL.com on Bickley and MJ today?

When Bickley asked him who he thought the Cardinals should go after Orton or Kolb, La Confora said neither. He thought the best fit for the Cardinals was Marc Bulger.

He went on to say that he has talked to several coaches on the Ravens and has heard nothing but rave reviews about him.

They say he is healthy and his knowledge of the offense and the game in general is extremely impressive.

They say that his accuracy is amazing and he hits his receivers in stride and that passes never hit the ground when he is throwing.

He also felt that Bulger fits the Cardinals offense better than either Orton or Kolb.

He also felt because of his knowledge and willingness to teach he would be a good bridge for the Cardinals to a young Quarterback.

He almost implied that Bulger has been more impressive in practices than Flacco and some coaches on the staff feel he might be Flaccos equal.

On the negative side they say that Bulger has several options and that the Cardinals are not first on his list. He has seen what a strong defense and running game can do to help a quarterback and would like to go to a team that is strong in those areas.

It was an interesting interview and he had heard from Ravens coaches that Bulger is very immpressive, especially in his knowledge and accuracy and the fact that he is now truely healthy.

 

[SuperSpck]

Nice.
I'd take Warner light at this point.
I'd take fat free Warner.
hell.. I'd take soy Warner and that stuff sucks.

 

[perivolaki]

Nice.
I'd take Warner light at this point.
I'd take fat free Warner.
hell.. I'd take soy Warner and that stuff sucks.

Me too.....with the other obvious strong point is that he is a free agent and we wouldn't have to give up anything to get him.

 

[SuperSpck]

Me too.....with the other obvious strong point is that he is a free agent and we wouldn't have to give up anything to get him.

I'd actually forgotten about that.
As much infusion of talent as this team needs I'd prefer to keep all the draft picks.

 

[Hypothesis]

Great read!

I could definitely go for Bulger for a season or two. Full year to get healthy. He's certainly not the long term answer, but should be a fine mentor to our young guys. Just hope he can stay healthy.

 

[seesred]

Just say no to Bulger..To brittle..To old..IMO he wouldn't play many games as he will get hurt..last winning season years ago..hasn't played in over a year.
Just say no!!!! I'd rather see Orton or Kolb at their age make Fitz and all the others on the offensive side happy. Defense needs a break as well, they can't play 35-40 minutes in a game and win many times. It alll starts with the QB.

GBR
40

 

[joeshmo]

I would take him in a heart beat for the sole purpose he is 25% better the QB then what we put on the field last year. But he is also not my first choice. Don't think he deals well with adversity. Sure he did great in Baltimore where he had zero pressure on his shoulders. Still do not like one of the reasons why we told Wiz no he cannot sign the guy last year. Apparently he is good friends with someone on the staff and they play golf, he was asked if he still wanted to pay football and he said "I don't know". It is a big reason why it took him so long to finally decide to sign with a team. I think he lost his passion and will loss it again once he faces any sort of adversity.

 

[IQFBdotcom]

I would agree that Bulger wouldn't be my first choice, but bringing in a former Rams starter has worked before in the short term.

 

[WarnerHOF]

Bulger>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Leinart/DA/Hall/Skelton

 

[perivolaki]

Don't think he deals well with adversity. Sure he did great in Baltimore where he had zero pressure on his shoulders. Still do not like one of the reasons why we told Wiz no he cannot sign the guy last year. Apparently he is good friends with someone on the staff and they play golf, he was asked if he still wanted to pay football and he said "I don't know". It is a big reason why it took him so long to finally decide to sign with a team. I think he lost his passion and will loss it again once he faces any sort of adversity.

La Confora kind of addressed this by saying that Bulger was so beat up and hurt and was on such a bad team for so long with no margin for error that it did start to affect his attitude.

Thats why he wants to go to a team that can run the ball and play some defense.

It seems he understands what happened at the Rams and he doesn't want a repeat of that situation.

But I agree it is a concern and if the Cardinals want him they may have to make the case that they will have a solid running game and defense in 2011.

 

[stewdog1]

La Confora kind of addressed this by saying that Bulger was so beat up and hurt and was on such a bad team for so long with no margin for error that it did start to affect his attitude.

That's exactly what I said last year. Let the guy heal up and get his confidence back and you will see him get back into his old form.

He's a free agent, is probably more accurate than any of the guys we could trade for. Bring him in on a 2 year deal while grooming Skelton or another draft pick.

Fitz would put up 1500 yards with Bulger easily. Signing him is a no-brainer.

 

[Duckjake]

La Confora kind of addressed this by saying that Bulger was so beat up and hurt and was on such a bad team for so long with no margin for error that it did start to affect his attitude.

Thats why he wants to go to a team that can run the ball and play some defense.

It seems he understands what happened at the Rams and he doesn't want a repeat of that situation.

But I agree it is a concern and if the Cardinals want him they may have to make the case that they will have a solid running game and defense in 2011.

The most telling part of the entire interview. It's been 4 years now. CKW HAS to find a way to put a good, consistent defense on the field and run the ball more efficiently or no QB will either want to play for Arizona or be successful if they do.

The Cards have allowed almost 400 points a season 2007-10 (1,584) or 25 points a game! Almost as many points as the horrendous teams (19-45) from 2000-03 allowed.(1655)

You are not going to find that magic combination of CKW, Warner, Fitz and Boldin that can overcome that very often.

 

[Zeno]

I am so tired of all this talk of bringing in a guy who hasn't been a good QB in 5 years...if he is being counted on to be our starting Qb we are back to the days when we would sign Dave Krieg, Boomer Esiason etc based on previous success and I am guessing we will get the same results.

Bulger's QB rating was a whole 6 points higher than DA's last year the past 5 seasons. So we "upgrade" by going from a 65 QB rating to a 71 Qb rating...YAY!

The Cardinals either need to make a big move by bringing in a QB who can make a difference OR they need to draft one early and develop him. Bulger would be no more than a band aid on a sucking chest wound.

 

[Cardiac]

I am so tired of all this talk of bringing in a guy who hasn't been a good QB in 5 years...if he is being counted on to be our starting Qb we are back to the days when we would sign Dave Krieg, Boomer Esiason etc based on previous success and I am guessing we will get the same results.

Bulger's QB rating was a whole 6 points higher than DA's last year the past 5 seasons. So we "upgrade" by going from a 65 QB rating to a 71 Qb rating...YAY!

The Cardinals either need to make a big move by bringing in a QB who can make a difference OR they need to draft one early and develop him. Bulger would be no more than a band aid on a sucking chest wound.

I want Bulger because he is incredibly accurate and sees the field well. DA had one goodish year and Bulger has had at least 4. He isn't the long term solution but he is vastly better then what we currently have.

Pick up Bulger as a FA, draft Newton or Gabbert at 5 and then we are set at QB for the foreseeable future.

 

[AsUdUdE]

It would be funny (and incredibly sad) if at the end of the day Bulger spurned the Cards and a chance to start, for another team to be a back-up or have just a chance to compete...

If we sign him, I really hope we draft Newton as well, and be set at QB, and then turn our focs to other areas...

If we sign him and go "well o we are set at QB with him and Skelton" I'm going to throw up..

 

[Zeno]

I want Bulger because he is incredibly accurate and sees the field well. DA had one goodish year and Bulger has had at least 4. He isn't the long term solution but he is vastly better then what we currently have.

Pick up Bulger as a FA, draft Newton or Gabbert at 5 and then we are set at QB for the foreseeable future.

He hasn't had a 60% completion since 2006. His last 3 seasons as a starter 56, 57 & 58...thats hardly "incredibly accurate". He's had 2 seasons I'd consider "incredibly accurate" 2004 & 2005 when he completed 66%...his other seasons he has been average for a NFL QB (or worse).

 

[Cardiac]

He hasn't had a 60% completion since 2006. His last 3 seasons as a starter 56, 57 & 58...thats hardly "incredibly accurate". He's had 2 seasons I'd consider "incredibly accurate" 2004 & 2005 when he completed 66%...his other seasons he has been average for a NFL QB (or worse).

You simply have to take into account how BAD the Rams were in those years. Let's put it this way, he has shown that he can complete 65% + of his passes for an entire season.

Bulger went to WVA university, my Dad was from WVA and loved all things WVA. He talked about Bulger so I made time to watch him play some in college. Dude dropped balls into buckets on a consistent basis.

Ravens coaches are raving about his accuracy. He's had a year to get over being shell shocked and should be ready to go again. I know some here think he will get killed behind our current O-line but I would argue that some of that falls to how bad our QB's were last year. DA and Hall take a lot of the blame for the sacks and hits because they couldn't burn the blitz or hit the hot read or......

Even if Bulger goes down for some games then we have Skelton to come in and get some experience and he did win 50% of his starts IIRC.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

He's had a year to get over being shell shocked

Did you see the brutal hits our QB's took all year? DA is an awful QB, but I was shocked and impressed every time he got up. His ability to take vicious hits and get up was Terminator-like. Bulger will be the fetal position after the first game.

 

[kerouac9]

I would take him in a heart beat for the sole purpose he is 25% better the QB then what we put on the field last year. But he is also not my first choice. Don't think he deals well with adversity. Sure he did great in Baltimore where he had zero pressure on his shoulders. Still do not like one of the reasons why we told Wiz no he cannot sign the guy last year. Apparently he is good friends with someone on the staff and they play golf, he was asked if he still wanted to pay football and he said "I don't know". It is a big reason why it took him so long to finally decide to sign with a team. I think he lost his passion and will loss it again once he faces any sort of adversity.

This. People who are advocating explicitly against anyone really don't have a solution to the problem. The problem is that we have the worst QB situation in the NFL by no small measure. Unless that problem gets fixed, then we're likely going to be worse in 2012, because Derek Anderson isn't coming back and John Skelton just isn't very good.

Those who are advocating trading for Kolb or Orton hopefully believe that this team is ready to win a division right now and that pretty much all the other pieces are in place. Not "We're going to plug holes in free agency with Marcedes Lewis and Nmandi Asomugha" in place, but with modest FA moves we're ready to win 9+ games in 2012.

IMO, this team is closer to winning 6 games than they are to winning 9 right now. That being the case, I don't know if you mortgage the future by trading picks. If it were up to me, the Cards would rank their QB preferences this way:

1) Signing Alex Smith to a contract of no more than 3 years, $21 million, $10 million guaranteed and drafting a quarterback Round 3 or later.
2) Signing Marc Bulger to a contract of no more than 4 years, $18 million, $8 million guaranteed and drafting a quarterback no later than Round 2.
3) Trading no more than a 3rd round pick for Kyle Orton and re-signing him to a four-year, $30 million contract with $12 million guaranteed and drafting a quarterback round 4 or later.
4) Trading no more than a 2nd round pick for Kevin Kolb and signing him to a four year, $45 million contract with $20 million guaranteed and locating a legit UDFA QB prospect.

If the Cardinals QB plan includes giving Max Hall a chance to make the 2012 53-man roster, it's DOA.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

This. People who are advocating explicitly against anyone really don't have a solution to the problem. The problem is that we have the worst QB situation in the NFL by no small measure. Unless that problem gets fixed, then we're likely going to be worse in 2012, because Derek Anderson isn't coming back and John Skelton just isn't very good.

Those who are advocating trading for Kolb or Orton hopefully believe that this team is ready to win a division right now and that pretty much all the other pieces are in place. Not "We're going to plug holes in free agency with Marcedes Lewis and Nmandi Asomugha" in place, but with modest FA moves we're ready to win 9+ games in 2012.

IMO, this team is closer to winning 6 games than they are to winning 9 right now. That being the case, I don't know if you mortgage the future by trading picks. If it were up to me, the Cards would rank their QB preferences this way:

1) Signing Alex Smith to a contract of no more than 3 years, $21 million, $10 million guaranteed and drafting a quarterback Round 3 or later.
2) Signing Marc Bulger to a contract of no more than 4 years, $18 million, $8 million guaranteed and drafting a quarterback no later than Round 2.
3) Trading no more than a 3rd round pick for Kyle Orton and re-signing him to a four-year, $30 million contract with $12 million guaranteed and drafting a quarterback round 4 or later.
4) Trading no more than a 2nd round pick for Kevin Kolb and signing him to a four year, $45 million contract with $20 million guaranteed and locating a legit UDFA QB prospect.

If the Cardinals QB plan includes giving Max Hall a chance to make the 2012 53-man roster, it's DOA.

Excellent breakdown. I'm not as high on Alex Smith as you are, but think he's a minimally better option than Bulger. Regardless, I wouldn't give up more than a 3rd for Orton or a 2nd for Kolb. Further, I agree with your plans regarding drafting as well. Well done.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

This. People who are advocating explicitly against anyone really don't have a solution to the problem. The problem is that we have the worst QB situation in the NFL by no small measure. Unless that problem gets fixed, then we're likely going to be worse in 2012, because Derek Anderson isn't coming back and John Skelton just isn't very good.

Those who are advocating trading for Kolb or Orton hopefully believe that this team is ready to win a division right now and that pretty much all the other pieces are in place. Not "We're going to plug holes in free agency with Marcedes Lewis and Nmandi Asomugha" in place, but with modest FA moves we're ready to win 9+ games in 2012.

IMO, this team is closer to winning 6 games than they are to winning 9 right now. That being the case, I don't know if you mortgage the future by trading picks. If it were up to me, the Cards would rank their QB preferences this way:

1) Signing Alex Smith to a contract of no more than 3 years, $21 million, $10 million guaranteed and drafting a quarterback Round 3 or later.
2) Signing Marc Bulger to a contract of no more than 4 years, $18 million, $8 million guaranteed and drafting a quarterback no later than Round 2.
3) Trading no more than a 3rd round pick for Kyle Orton and re-signing him to a four-year, $30 million contract with $12 million guaranteed and drafting a quarterback round 4 or later.
4) Trading no more than a 2nd round pick for Kevin Kolb and signing him to a four year, $45 million contract with $20 million guaranteed and locating a legit UDFA QB prospect.

If the Cardinals QB plan includes giving Max Hall a chance to make the 2012 53-man roster, it's DOA.

I'd be on board for options 2 or 4 but Smith and Orton have had plenty of time to show what they are in the league. I'd take Orton over Smith but I'd take about anyone not named Anderson over Smith.

 

[Cardiac]

Did you see the brutal hits our QB's took all year? DA is an awful QB, but I was shocked and impressed every time he got up. His ability to take vicious hits and get up was Terminator-like. Bulger will be the fetal position after the first game.

Yes and I explained part of the reason for that. Notice how Skelton didn't take nearly as many hits and or sacks? DA and Hall sucked at reading D's, finding the open receiver and then hitting that WR with a catchable pass.

Bulger will read a D, hit the hot read and not take the pounding that DA and Hall did.

 

[Zeno]

Yes and I explained part of the reason for that. Notice how Skelton didn't take nearly as many hits and or sacks? DA and Hall sucked at reading D's, finding the open receiver and then hitting that WR with a catchable pass.

Bulger will read a D, hit the hot read and not take the pounding that DA and Hall did.

Really? His multiple concussions, knee, hand and shoulder injuries show that the guy DOES take a pounding. Warner took a TON of shots behind this line(and you could argue the OL is actually worse now), Bulger has nowhere near Warners release or ability.

 

[Duckjake]

IMO, this team is closer to winning 6 games than they are to winning 9 right now. That being the case, I don't know if you mortgage the future by trading picks. If it were up to me, the Cards would rank their QB preferences this way:

Why? I still want to know where all these glaring holes are other than QB and a couple of linebackers which can be added in this draft.

What the Cardinals franchise needs is an attitude adjustment. As soon as a couple of games go awry they go in the tank. They have a troubling tendency to simply not show up for games. Get behind early and go home early.

2006 they lose heart-breakers to the Rams, Chiefs and Bears and promptly fold for the next 3 weeks (horrendous games against the Raiders, Packers and Cowboys) but then rebound to finish 4-3. In 2008 they get a big division lead, lose an emotionally charged game to the Giants and proceed to take 3 of the next 4 games off but rebound all the way to the SB.

2009 they play great, get out to big leads and then proceed to coast the rest of the games blowing or almost blowing those big leads.

Last season they lose two heart-breakers to Tampa and Minny and proceed to play like absolute morons for the next 4 weeks. (DA or no DA how different could the season have been if they had held both those leads? They should have been 5-3!!!) Then after showing some signs of life against Denver decide not to show up to play Carolina and after a nice win over Dallas decide the season is over and get killed by San Francisco.

The Cards are like the Knights from the Natural. They're so dysfunctional it's as if the only way they finally won was the Cards hired that guy who kept saying "losing is a disease" and then had Roy Hobbs (Kurt Warner) come off the bench and lead them to a Championship.

 

[Krangodnzr]

I'd be on board for options 2 or 4 but Smith and Orton have had plenty of time to show what they are in the league. I'd take Orton over Smith but I'd take about anyone not named Anderson over Smith.

I think Joe's point covers this; we don't have a ton of options on the roster, so bringing in nearly any of the decent options would be a very good upgrade.

IMO if we have Alex Smith on the roster, we likely win 2 more games last season, if not better.

Unfortunately, I am VERY scared that NONE of these guys will be an option and that we are looking at a QB corps of Skelton, Hall, and Bartel. Harbaugh is working to keep Smith, because he thinks Smith is a decent player that hasn't had the best tutelage over his career. Denver may look at their situation and decide to keep Orton. And the Eagles will likely want too much to break up what they have going on at the QB position.

That means we may be looking at QB options that are significantly worse than Orton and Smith. And none of the QBs in the draft are can't miss prospects...