Can't the FO Ever Finish The Job?

[Mitch]

This is what drives me crazy about the Cardinals' front office. They still haven't addressed some of the more conspicuous vulnerabilities on their roster. STILL.

Sure---the Cardinals were aggressive in acquiring QB Kevin Kolb and TE Todd Heap---and I believe they did well in signing a cadre of solid B level UFAs. That's all well and good.

However---why can't they just once finish the job?

Points in Case:

1. Offensive Tackle.

Everyone in the NFL knows the Cardinals are weak at the tackles and especially at left tackle. Everyone except the Bidwills, Rod Graves and Ken Whisenhunt. It makes no sense not to have an insurance policy to protect the new franchise QB.

2. Outside Linebacker.

Aside from acquiring a QB, it was clear to the NFL world that the Cardinals need edge rushers (almost every draft pundit had the Cardinals taking a QB or OLB/DE---for a reason). Year after year the Cardinals do not---for whatever the reasons---do all they can to bring one or two legitimate edge threats in. The hope is they will get lucky with 4th round draft picks O'Brien Schofield and Sam Acho. Both are young, inexperienced and unproven. Both have upside. But, both may not even start because the Cardinals are still holding onto two ex-Steelers who are years past their primes.

Note: their lack of good edge rushers is one of the reasons why the Cardinals' offensive tackles struggle. The tackles can't practice against the real thing---so any time they see a very good edge rusher, the Cardinal tackles are unprepared and understandably unconfident. In essence they become overwhelmed.

3. Nose Tackle.

Sorry---but you cannot trust in the decision that the Cardinals' backup DEs are capable of jumping into the NT rotation---just as the Cardinals asked Bryan Robinson to do, only as a token starter. Plus, Dan Williams has stamina issues which makes it all the more key to have a good backup who is actually a NT and not a DE fill-in.

This just in: the Cardinals are a 34 defense. 34 defense all start with the NT. How many years has it been?

4. Running Back.

With the recent trading of Tim Hightower and the release of William Powell, the Cardinals are facing the exact same absence of RB depth/options they faced last year in pre-season---which caused the coaches to play a hobbling Beanie Wells deep into the second halfs. It got so bad last pre-season the Cardinals made a boneheaded trade with the Eagles to bring in RB Charles Scott, just so they could pound him into the line for the 4th pre-season game and then cut him.

There are currently 4 RBs on the roster: Beanie Wells, Ryan Williams, LaRod Stephens-Howling and Alfonso Smith. Imo, Wells, Williams nor LSH should play in the second halfs of pre-season games 1,2 & 4. So what are the coaches going to do? Pound the ball with the slight but speedy Alfonso Smith for entire halfs? There is no reason whatsoever to give LSH more than 3 carries a pre-season game. And this year they had better keep Beanie injury-free and fresh.

The Plan:

The Cardinals talk about a plan. We have seen parts of a plan come to fruition. But if the plan includes---once again---ignoring key areas of need---then the plan is once again unacceptable...and the sign once again of a losing organization.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Totally agree with items 1-3, I'm ok with Brandon Keith, but there is no possible explanation as to why they didn't bring in competition for Brown. By all standards he's one of the worst tackles in football. Just stunning nothing has been done/will be done.

While our secondary was pretty awful last year, it's hard to envision any secondary being successful with the amount of time they were required to cover. Our pass rush was abysmal last year, and the prospect of solving it with completely unproven players is scary.

Further, not acquiring one of the many available NT this offseason is just as puzzling. Perhaps the FO has forgotten why Dan Williams wasn't on the field much last year? Seems like having another legit DT would be an obvious acquisition, if only to give Dumpster Dan a break.

I'm pretty happy with our offseason thus far, but if we fail to make the playoffs, these are going to be the obvious reasons why.

 

[Bert]

Still 1 month 7 days left before the start of the season.

Just sayin...

 

[Pariah]

I agree with everything...except for the RB position. We have a deep RB corps. That's better than having a shallow one that is disposable. It's a good problem to have.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

1. They made an offer to Jammal Brown, so they did not completely neglect OT possibilities.
2. 3-4 rush linebackers are not a dime a dozen, and there is obviously some reservation on Matt Roth.
3. There are a few NT's out there, so let's wait and see.

 

[Buckybird]

This is what drives me crazy about the Cardinals' front office. They still haven't addressed some of the more conspicuous vulnerabilities on their roster. STILL.

Sure---the Cardinals were aggressive in acquiring QB Kevin Kolb and TE Todd Heap---and I believe they did well in signing a cadre of solid B level UFAs. That's all well and good.

However---why can't they just once finish the job?

Points in Case:

1. Offensive Tackle.

Everyone in the NFL knows the Cardinals are weak at the tackles and especially at left tackle. Everyone except the Bidwills, Rod Graves and Ken Whisenhunt. It makes no sense not to have an insurance policy to protect the new franchise QB.

2. Outside Linebacker.

Aside from acquiring a QB, it was clear to the NFL world that the Cardinals need edge rushers (almost every draft pundit had the Cardinals taking a QB or OLB/DE---for a reason). Year after year the Cardinals do not---for whatever the reasons---do all they can to bring one or two legitimate edge threats in. The hope is they will get lucky with 4th round draft picks O'Brien Schofield and Sam Acho. Both are young, inexperienced and unproven. Both have upside. But, both may not even start because the Cardinals are still holding onto two ex-Steelers who are years past their primes.

Note: their lack of good edge rushers is one of the reasons why the Cardinals' offensive tackles struggle. ZThey can't practice against the real thing---so any time they see a very good edge rusher, the Cardinal tackles are unprepared and understandably unconfident.

Amen Mitch!!!

I know you, me & a few others have been wondering why the Cards continue to neglect both these positions for at least 3 years now...it's like a broken record

Hey we've semi addressed the issue with Acho & Schofield who have potential. To think they will be all-world this year is naive, especially Acho as a rook.

We better be keeping our TE in on the left side every play helping Brown because if not our high paid QB will be seeing stars. Why this team didn't take a flier on Gaither or another veteran is mind boggling!!! I'm really excited about the probability Levi will be gone after this year.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

1. They made an offer to Jammal Brown, so they did not completely neglect OT possibilities.

Effort is nice, but results are better. For all the offers they may have made, we still have Levi and Brandon Keith as our starting tackles with precious little depth. That equals a gigantic question mark.

2. 3-4 rush linebackers are not a dime a dozen, and there is obviously some reservation on Matt Roth.

Manny Lawson signed a 1 year deal with the Bengals for 3 million. Surely we could have done better, for a player that is a significant upgrade to whoever we'll have playing.

 

[Mitch]

Let me add this:

1. We are now officially $14,600,000 under the cap according to NBC Sports---go check their figures on Football Talk.

The money is there---no excuses.

As Joe said---even if they re-sign Fitz, his cap figure is large this year anyway.

2. All the talk about adding another WR---but, at this point that's a luxury, compared to addressing the other needs.

 

[Mitch]

Effort is nice, but results are better. For all the offers they may have made, we still have Levi and Brandon Keith as our starting tackles with precious little depth. That equals a gigantic question mark.




Manny Lawson signed a 1 year deal with the Bengals for 3 million. Surely we could have done better, for a player that is a significant upgrade to whoever we'll have playing.

Great points, Chris.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Effort is nice, but results are better. For all the offers they may have made, we still have Levi and Brandon Keith as our starting tackles with precious little depth. That equals a gigantic question mark.




Manny Lawson signed a 1 year deal with the Bengals for 3 million. Surely we could have done better, for a player that is a significant upgrade to whoever we'll have playing.

Well, obviously they prefer what they have at OT to what's available, and that Lawson had to settle for a 1-year deal in Cinci, of all places, should give one an idea on how he's considered around the league.

 

[Goldfield]

As much as they have done this offseason. I have to agree. They flat out did not finish the job. They NEVER go above and beyond. EVER...

If they were truely trying to be the best they could they would of added at the very least a LT to this team.

Not to mention another starting quality OLB, NT.

 

[joeshmo]

Manny Lawson signed a 1 year deal with the Bengals for 3 million. Surely we could have done better, for a player that is a significant upgrade to whoever we'll have playing.

14 sacks in 56 career stats.

I know people know his name and all, but name regognition does not equal production and this guy has little to no production as a pass rusher. Schofield in maybe 20% of the amount of snaps coming off of knee injury was just as productive as Lawson as a pass rusher last year.

In a league frothing at the mouth for pass rushers in a passing league, all this guy could find was 1 year deal with the Bengals?

Roth continues to be and was the only legit OLB on the market this offseason. And not becuase he is a dominate pass rusher but because he is a jack of all trades OLB who is a decent pass rusher and a decent run stuffer. But why cant he find a job either?

Maybe we could have gone after Derrick Harvey who has proven just as much as Schofield in this league.

I udnerstand wanting to fix the position but at least have some legit options to fix it with.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Let me add this:

1. We are now officially $14,600,000 under the cap according to NBC Sports---go check their figures on Football Talk.

The money is there---no excuses.

As Joe said---even if they re-sign Fitz, his cap figure is large this year anyway.

2. All the talk about adding another WR---but, at this point that's a luxury, compared to addressing the other needs.

Here's what been done so far this offseason....

And I, for one, have little to complain about given that there is time to meet a few additional needs.

The Bidwill / Graves / Whiz Plan

The draft:
Peterson CB
Williams RB
Housler TE
Acho OLB
Sherman FB
Sturdivant ILB
DeMarco Sampson W/O
David Carter DE

Peterson, Williams, Acho, Sturdivant all rated in top 75 prospects according to Scout Inc.

Trade for Kolb (QBOF)
* Draft of Peterson made DRC trade possible.

Free Agency (new additions)
Jeff King TE
Daryn Colledge LG
Nick Eason DE/DT
Stewart Bradley ILB
Chansi Stuckey W/O
Richard Marshall CB
Pork Chop Womack OL
Todd Heap TE
Vonnie Holiday DE (trade)

Re-signs:
Ben Graham Punter
Lyle Sendlein Centre
Mike Adams CB
Hamza Abdullah Safety
D'Athony Batiste OT
Ben Claxton Centre
Reagan Maui'a FB
Stephen Spach TE
Deuce Lutui OG

Relevant loses: DRC, Breaston, Branch, Hightower, Watson

Possible additions; no. 2 w/o - NT

 

[RON_IN_OC]

Mitch, why do you think the FO is done? Last I saw there were still over 200 available free agents...Sounds like 32 FO's aren't finished.

 

[LVCARDFREAK]

Well, obviously they prefer what they have at OT to what's available, and that Lawson had to settle for a 1-year deal in Cinci, of all places, should give one an idea on how he's considered around the league.

Thats just not true. Many FA have been getting/asked for 1 year deals so they can hit FA next year. And due to the CBA and teams being a little timid on what it will mean to sign players to long term deals, Front offices are signing players to smaller term contracts.

Manny Lawson is a good player, so is Richard Marshall. Both got 1 year deals. (among many others)

 

[Mitch]

As much as they have done this offseason. I have to agree. They flat out did not finish the job. They NEVER go above and beyond. EVER...

If they were truely trying to be the best they could they would of added at the very least a LT to this team.

Not to mention another starting quality OLB, NT.

Agreed, BEERZ.

How many times are we going to hear from a Cardinal player, "we are a couple of missing pieces away" from being real good.

And the thing is---

If any GAME exposed the Cardinals' greatest weaknesses it was the SUPER BOWL. No pass rush from the edges. Conversely, little pass protection for Kurt Warner. Has anything changed in three years?

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Thats just not true. Many FA have been getting/asked for 1 year deals so they can hit FA next year. And due to the CBA and teams being a little timid on what it will mean to sign players to long term deals, Front offices are signing players to smaller term contracts.

Manny Lawson is a good player, so is Richard Marshall. Both got 1 year deals. (among many others)

Re: Manny Lawson - read Joe's response.

 

[joeshmo]

Manny Lawson is a good player, so is Richard Marshall.

14 sacks in 5 years.

Why do people like this guy so much?

 

[Goldfield]

Here's what been done so far this offseason....

And I, for one, have little to complain about given that there is time to meet a few additional needs.

The Bidwill / Graves / Whiz Plan

The draft:
Peterson CB
Williams RB
Housler TE
Acho OLB
Sherman FB
Sturdivant ILB
DeMarco Sampson W/O
David Carter DE

Peterson, Williams, Acho, Sturdivant all rated in top 75 prospects according to Scout Inc.

Trade for Kolb (QBOF)
* Draft of Peterson made DRC trade possible.

Free Agency (new additions)
Jeff King TE
Daryn Colledge LG
Nick Eason DE/DT
Stewart Bradley ILB
Chansi Stuckey W/O
Richard Marshall CB
Pork Chop Womack OL
Todd Heap TE
Vonnie Holiday DE (trade)

Re-signs:
Ben Graham Punter
Lyle Sendlein Centre
Mike Adams CB
Hamza Abdullah Safety
D'Athony Batiste OT
Ben Claxton Centre
Reagan Maui'a FB
Stephen Spach TE
Deuce Lutui OG

Relevant loses: DRC, Breaston, Branch, Hightower, Watson

Possible additions; no. 2 w/o - NT - LT

Added in bold.

 

[Goldfield]

Mitch, why do you think the FO is done? Last I saw there were still over 200 available free agents...Sounds like 32 FO's aren't finished.

Because it is a shortened offseason, and camp has started?

Because they are turning all focus of Fitz contract?

 

[Early]

Great points Mitch!

Outside pass rush is the key for any football team. We don't have a single good OLB, yet alone two; 3-4 defenses usually need good pass rushers from both sides for the scheme to really be a huge mismatch for the offenses.

No pass rush, not tackles to stop it. It's not a good sign at all.

I always thought that Brown (Levi) would be good guard. Despite all the sacks he has given up so far, very very few are due to him being beat after he gets both hands on the lineman. Majority of the sacks are due to bad first step on the edge, lack of communication, lack of understanding of the play, bad first step resulting in inability to use his whole frame effectively. With a good start, he is very hard to beat whether that is bullrush or any type of move. He has extremely good leverage.

He would provide good pass protection from the inside. He wouldn't be a good run blocker in space, so pulls away from his side wouldn't be effective. But he would offer great protection to step up into the pocket. Also he would have the athleticism to deal with the quick UT's. Usually good inside protection and ability to step up, makes the job ten times easier for the OT's. The geometry of the pocket changes, makes it easier for the QB to step further up with the hitch, and the trajectory for the DE's becomes much narrower and harder to execute. Many great passing offenses have and focus focus more on the inside protection such as the Saints especially but also Colts and Patriots.

In my opinion we need to fix the interior of the line before we deal with exterior. Faneca didn't help at all in that category.

We should have moved Levi to LG, and made some moves on the OT positions.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Added in bold.

Not going to happen this year....

So let's move on.

 

[joeshmo]

Thats just not true. Many FA have been getting/asked for 1 year deals so they can hit FA next year. And due to the CBA and teams being a little timid on what it will mean to sign players to long term deals, Front offices are signing players to smaller term contracts.

Manny Lawson is a good player, so is Richard Marshall. Both got 1 year deals. (among many others)

Very true, but dont you think there would have been a better offer from a better team, a team that would showcase his skills more for the 2012 free agency period. A team better then the horrid Bengals? Either there was not better offers or he made a really bad decision.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Great points Mitch!

Outside pass rush is the key for any football team. We don't have a single good OLB, yet alone two; 3-4 defenses usually need good pass rushers from both sides for the scheme to really be a huge mismatch for the offenses.

No pass rush, not tackles to stop it. It's not a good sign at all.

I always thought that Brown (Levi) would be good guard. Despite all the sacks he has given up so far, very very few are due to him being beat after he gets both hands on the lineman. Majority of the sacks are due to bad first step on the edge, lack of communication, lack of understanding of the play, bad first step resulting in inability to use his whole frame effectively. With a good start, he is very hard to beat whether that is bullrush or any type of move. He has extremely good leverage.

He would provide good pass protection from the inside. He wouldn't be a good run blocker in space, so pulls away from his side wouldn't be effective. But he would offer great protection to step up into the pocket. Usually good inside protection and ability to step up, makes the job ten times easier for the OT's. The geometry of the pocket changes, makes it easier for the QB to step further up with the hitch, and the trajectory for the DE's becomes much narrower and harder to execute. Many great passing offenses have and focus focus more on the inside protection such as the Saints especially but also Colts and Patriots.

In my opinion we need to fix the interior of the line before we deal with exterior. Faneca didn't help at all in that category.

We should have moved Levi to LG, and made some moves on the OT positions.

Yeah... Let's move Levi to a position he's never played...

The team has attempted to address the interior by signing Colledge, re-signing Sendlein and Lutui, and adding veteran depth. May not be to your satisfaction, but it is what it is.

 

[LVCARDFREAK]

14 sacks in 5 years.

Why do people like this guy so much?

Come on Joe, really?

Hes great in pass coverage

He makes plenty of tackles and defends passes. They didnt ask him to be a rush backer, they liked his skill defending TE's and passes. He is also very good at setting the edge and forcing plays back up inside for PW.

He is a good player and would have been an upgrade in AZ.