First.... here's a major question..... Is anyone able to furnish a list of the agents (management team) representing every FA available? I think that honestly can dictate a lot.....
Perhaps Rod Graves might have had poor dealings w/a certain agent and didnt want to waste his time contacting them.. This takes me back what I was aiming at when I alluded to both Colvin and Hartwell.... I bet both (I know this is pure speculation, but that's the case with much of these debates/discussions) really had no intent in signing here in AZ, but knew they could use at the best of their advantage the Cardinals to drive-up their price... essentially...a negotiating tool..... Do you think that Graves and the rest of the brass would want any future dealings w/them after they wasted all the time/money/effort to suade the player... Yes.. money since obviously the Cards (such as any organization does) is spend quite a bit of cash to purchase the FAs plane tickets, cover their lodging/food/entertainment expenses..etc.... Why waste all that into a player who probably has no desire whatsoever in playing here? Also, why invite a player out here who could probably care less about the Cardinals to get season ticket holders and other fan's hopes up.. not only then to be immediately dashed... or get into that usual pattern to hold-out to see if the player does finally decide to sign here when you're declining other opportunities in the process...... It could be the agent has a vandetta against the Cardinals.. we absolutely have no idea......
Also, it might not that the player objects to play for the Cardinals... it could be that they dislike AZ.. in most cases have a faulty impression.... For example... I'm trying to get some of my friends to move out here, but some get scared off by the 120 degree temp reading.. not realizing that dry heat is better than the severe humidity they endure.. or some still picture AZ like the old west.. filled with tumbleweed... having absolulely nothing to do.. etc.... that perhaps might be the overall impression of the FAs...
Im certain that players deal w/their agents for 365 days a year.. when FA approaches... I bet there are those who give a list to their respective agents of teams or cities they have no desire to play for.... it could be for varying reasons....again.. the climate, location.. probably they grew-up in the East and rather remain in close proximity.... so.. when the Cardinals contact that player's agent... they immediately decline the Cardinals invite based on that... perhaps they had a poor experience out in AZ..or their family doesnt want to pack and move out far.. some are hesistant to get involved in quite a culture shock that t can be.... True.. these are hypotheticals...but.. they all might factor in to some degree/extent... Not like a publication (whatever form of media it is) would report.. .the Cardinals contact this players agent, but he declined to have the player fly out there.... I dont think Graves would want to admit.. some times the agent might want their exchange to remain classified... again.. we dont know....
True, the talent at most of the positions are better now than they were when Green inherited the team in '04, but in this instance Im not giving him any credit.... but......there's still a stigma..about how the Cardinals keep on changing coordinators every year....and then eventually coaches every 3.... They wont attract more serious FAs until they prove some form of stability..continuity......identity..direction... I think Whiz and his staff will provide that.... they all come from solid coaching pedigrees.. they're proven winners... Green honestly turned-out to be overrated.. Again.. I still contend that his Vikings coached teams should have won at least 2 Super Bowls with that talent, but we obviously know he never advanced past the
conference finals.... He was too laxed out here.. he felt he had nothing to prove.. that he ended-up taking the money and run anyways...
Whiz on the other hand wants to prove himself capable... his involvement should help the team better.. the fact that he will actually attend meetings.. be more committed... wont have such the ego Denny had... that he will actually listen to feedback from his coordinators.. his players to do what they believe its best suited for them..... that right there is a start... you gradually build on that...
Again... I know the frustrations... 5-11, 6-10..... etc... but I still contend that the team would have won.. I know.. would have..could have ..should have, but it does apply here.... that Denny's inept decisions/miscalculations played a major role in several of the defeats... they werent being massacred.. again most were decided in waining seconds... when let's say a botched 2-point conversion....or whatever key moment came back to haunt them......
It's still too early to jump into any conclusions, but as to what I typed in an earlier thread... I too will become skeptical if they dont sign another player by next week.... I think Hood and KK can do wonders... lets get them signed.. then at least we will rejoice in something....
