Cardinals Free Agency: Day 2 - Breathe into the Paper bag

[RugbyMuffin]

Day 2

I used to be a big fan of free agency. As the years pass, I grow less and less excited about the situation. A lot of money for players that are 50% shot at improving your team.

But it is a needed resource.

I try to stick by what I wrote up when I put some thought into the situation:
http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/vb/f4/rms-cardinals-2013-offseason-breakdown-191787.html

QB: Byron Leftwich, Drew Stanton, [Ryan Fitzpatrick]

- Kolb is going to be cut, IMO.

I have Stanton in there because he seemed to be an inevitability to come in. He is going to be a backup so I am not stressing over it. I like that Ryan Fitzpatrick is available, he is not the QBOF. But, he is better than Kolb, IMO, and would be vastly cheaper. Leftwich has been on my radar since the beginning.

Now are these guys big names ? Nope. Are they going to instill much hope ? Nope. But, they are viable option for the current situation, IMO.


RB: Rashard Mendenhall - signed


WR: Josh Cribbs
Kinda weird. Our WR situation is pretty well situated, but I would love to see Cribbs brought in. A leader, and a play maker, IMO. Would fit into a nice role here in AZ. If he is signed then the WR position is situation for next year, IMO.


TE: Dallas Clark, Brandon Myers, Dante Rosario

I do wish we picked up Martellus Bennet, but only for the fact that we would have the Black Unicorn on the team, nothing more. Dallas Clark is still out there, as well as Brandon Myers whom would be a good pick up. If we cut Jeff King, Dante Rosario is out there. The Cardinals have gotten by with Jeff King, and Rob Housler so it is not a huge need at TE as well. I think Brandon Myers would help, and Dallas Clark would not be the best fit, but Clark knows the system, and obviously can be a helpful tool in the passing game. If there is a TE I honestly wish we looked at, is John Phillips. A good blocker and a good 3rd TE to have.


Offensive Line:

The following OT's are all signed already: Jake Long, Jermon Bushrod, Branden Albert, Ryan Clady.

The following OG's are all signed already: Andy Levitre, Luis Vasquez

Unless Bryant McKinnie, or Willie Colon are going to be better then anything that is on the roster, then don't expect any offensive linemen to be brought in. I personally think we dodged a bullet in not bring in Ramon Foster. No more big money for small production on the offensive line please.


Defensive Line:

There are more depth guys that are available then I can shake a stick at.


Outside Linebacker: Shaun Phillips, Connor Barwin, Jamall Westerman

-First off, if Elvis Dumerville is released then by sitting back the Cardinals may find themselves in a position to pick up an elite pass rush.

Shaun Phillips has shown interests but nothing from the Cardinals tells us that the Cardinals are interested in bringing him in. Connor Barwin would be a possibility if the Cardinals entertain the thought of cutting Schofield. Jamaal Westerman is a Todd Bowles guy, purely depth. This is a position where your best talent is going to come from the draft, IMO.


Inside Linebacker: Rey Maualuga, D.J. Williams, Tim Dobbins, Brad Jones, Larry Grant, Jasper Brinkley, Takeo Spikes, Dan Connor, Lorenzo Alexander*

I am very surprised the Cardinals went after Rey Maualuga. Just not the type of player the Cardinals normally go after. At 6'2" 260+lbs, 26yrs old, the guy is a SILB that is for sure. I would be happy with this signing, and it would be a good compliment for Washington.

If things do go well with Maualuga, there are many options out there. DJ Williams has had all kinds of off the field issue, but he has the skills for the SILB position, and has played in a 3-4. I would also be good with Brad Jones, or Jasper Brinkley.

Lorenzo Alexander is an intersting guy to bring in for depth. If the Cardinals get Maualuga and Alexander then they have gotten the ILB position situated for next season.


Cornerback: Sean Smith, Jarraud Powers, Antione Cason, Kyle Arrington, and some older big names

Hmmm. This was kind of a drastic situation in our secondary, right ? Jarraud Powers is coming in for a visit, which was expected. Someone from the Colts secondary was going to come here. Yet, this situation is, as they say, fluid. There is a lot of talent concerning the cornerbacks out there. We will see.


Safety: LaRon Landry[EDIT]

Not really sure what the plan is here. They resigned Rashad Johnson, whom I am with K9 with, in the fact he is a very average safety, whom struggled up to last year. I am really surprised Chris Clemons was never brought in from Miami. I don't think Dashon Goldson is going to sign here. I don't know who I would bring in at this point because if it is an older veteran, then why cut A-Dub. This is the only situation I really don't have an answer for.

Edit: Thanks Sportnut for the LaRon Landry tidbit - http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/vb/f4/rotoworlds-day-2-lineup-for-the-cardinals-192490.html


Plenty of players out there, and the Cardinals are being way more aggressive then I thought they would be.

 

[JeffGollin]

I breathed into the paper bag...

Unfortunately, the paper bag breathed back.

Maybe Day 2 will be better. (& maybe chickens will grow lips).

 

[Doc Cardinal]

Some on here need to make a list of anyone we sign with 2 boxes for a checkmark.

The boxes will be either "OK with Him" or "He Sucks".

Me thinks "He Sucks" will have lots of checkmarks.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

I have to remove the plastic bag first .

 

[Doc Cardinal]

NFL.com has a list of the best 100 or so free agents. They have them divided basically into starters and starters with questions. It's obvious we don't have the cash for a solid starter. Some of the others though may be as good or better than the guys we cut but of course injuries and the like figure into that equation.

Here are their numbers of some guys who are FA's.... if I was doing it may have ranked a few higher like Landry since he had a pro bowl year....may have missed a few that the Cards are in on:

36. Connor Baldwin-DE-Houston-crappy year last year but he is young.

39. Michael Huff-DB-Oakland-11 career int's.

42. Rashard Mendenhall-RB-Pittsburgh-potential to be above average starter.

48. Reggie Bush-RB-Miami-a role player but still effective.

57. LaRon Landry-S-Jets-Pro Bowl year but name might be bigger than value.

62. Rey Maualuga-ILB-Bengals-never quite the expected leader.

85. Lorenzo Alexander-LB-Skins-great special teamer.

102. Jerraud Powers-CB-Indy-been battling injuries the last few years.

 

[Chopper0080]

I am still predicting Drew Stanton, Mewelde Moore, and Max Starks to be brought in.

Personally, I am still more concerned with the cutting of Adrian Wilson and William Gay than I am with our lack of signings. Teams aren't built in free agency. Free agency should just be an avenue to fill needs so you are less pressured to draft to fill specific needs. Smart teams do this and it enables them to draft the best players available come draft time.

 

[Stout]

Yeah, I thought I was supposed to be the reactionary that flips out early in free agency, but it seems like a bunch of other posters have taken my mantle there. Chillax, people.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

I am still predicting Drew Stanton, Mewelde Moore, and Max Starks to be brought in.

Personally, I am still more concerned with the cutting of Adrian Wilson and William Gay than I am with our lack of signings. Teams aren't built in free agency. Free agency should just be an avenue to fill needs so you are less pressured to draft to fill specific needs. Smart teams do this and it enables them to draft the best players available come draft time.

. I am being told in another thread that is not the case and free agency is just for losers.

In reality, you stated it exactly right.

 

[D-Dogg]

I have to remove the plastic bag first .

 

[Chopper0080]

. I am being told in another thread that is not the case and free agency is just for losers.

In reality, you stated it exactly right.

Which I find hilarious. You don't have to sign big name players to huge contracts to participate in free agency, and frankly, those moves rarely pan out. However, free agency is very useful to fill your roster with some veteran players that fill needs and allow players you draft to develop at their own pace. It is also useful to add a top piece or two if you think your team is close to a title. To say it is for losers is ridiulous.

 

[Twist18]

I wonder why OT Sebastain Vaulmmer(?) Hasn't been brought in by anyone or is he overrated?

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

 

[Redheart]

It's like waiting for Graves to make a move....

 

[cardpa]

Unfortunately, the paper bag breathed back.

Maybe Day 2 will be better. (& maybe chickens will grow lips).

What! What! Chickens don't have lips. Man you have destroyed my belief system. Thanks Jeff.

 

[crisper57]

I threw up into my paper bag. Can I get another one?