Well, as we sit here on a 5-game losing streak, a half a game from the bottom of our division. I think it's about time to start looking forward. To really get a good idea of who we should be looking at in the draft and in the offseason, we should be looking at who we have to assess what we need...
Offense is obviously our weakest point.
Miller and Grimm both suck as coaches. Grimm's lines have been pathetic. And for some reason Miller, after watching opposing defenses mop the floor with our QBs, still refuses to keep an RB and/or a TE back to help get the QB an extra half a second. When our biggest weapon on offense is a WR (just happens to be the best WR in the game), it should seem pretty obvious that keeping your QB on his feet is a pretty good idea.
The O-Line has been downright embarrassing this year. We've had NFL worst OTs the last few years at least. I want to see Potter out there more. He held his own against GB and a talented rushing in Clay Matthews his first time playing in the NFL. Considering how God-awful Batiste has been, I think Potter not only earned more time vs. GB, but Batiste also earned time on the bench with his performance all year. I want to see Kelemete get more time as well. Snyder sucks, and he's slated to make $2.9M next year (8th highest player on the team). I see NO reason to keep him. Too expensive to sit on the bench all season. Colledge is slated to make $3.8M, he's our best OG, but that's not exactly something difficult to accomplish. I do think he's good for the team off the field as well. I read he's been working with Potter for the last 3 years, and continues to do so now that they're teammates. We don't have another option at C, so regardless of any opinion, Sendlein stays. Which IMO is fine, as I don't think he's bad, and with some help, should do quite well (not to mention, the guy is cheap, $2.4M next year, but only $700K this year)
Powell needs more minutes. He does still lead the team in YPC, but even with our top 2 RBs hurt, he barely gets any carries.
Doucet will cost the team $2.25MIL next season (more than Floyd and Roberts combined). I don't know why they would keep him as a #4 WR at that cost.
Kolb, as no surprise to anybody I'm sure, is our highest paid player. $9M next year. While it is clear that he is our best QB, I don't see his value being THAT high. However, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of options. Would love to see him take a pay-cut and stick around, but for whatever reason, I just don't see that happening. He'll either be here at full price, or will be gone. If those are our only 2 options, I vote "gone". And I like Kolb. Just not $9M worth. Then again, maybe he could be, if the line can keep him alive. But should we flip that $9M coin?
Heap is in the last year of his contract. And I think his career as well. The guy can't stay on the field. And when he's hurt, he can't get back on the field. He was worth a shot. He was a great player and is a great guy, his time is just up unfortunately...
Defense, being our strongest point scares me in terms of coaching as well. Horton was interviewed for one HC job already last year. I'm sure he will be on some lists this year as well. Bidwill needs to give him a raise and more control if that will keep him happy and here.
Bradley is slated to make $5M. When's the last time he even played? He's got ONE tackle and ONE assist this year. Put him in there, see if he's worth even trying to renegotiate or should he just be cut? Clearly Lenon is Horton's preference with DWash. But he's getting old, how long can he keep it up?
AW is getting old. He can still play, but it's a good idea to find a kid in the draft to start grooming to replace him when he does ride off into the sunset (and Ring of Honor)
Fleming hasn't looked exactly dominant, but he's steadily improving. I think by kickoff of '13 regular season, he will be a legit #2 CB
Scho and Acho have shown flashes of beast, but they may be better suited in this D like they played last year, rotating with each other on one side. So that opens up a spot for dominant pass rusher if we're in position to grab one
Williams hasn't impressed at NT, he needs to pack some pounds back on this holiday and off season IMO
all in all. I'm happy with our D. I think there is a lot of young talent and some vicious old vets that have bled Cardinal red and only want to bring the Lombardi trophy back to AZ more than anything in the world. There are a couple spots that could use improvement, but that's the case anywhere. The opposite side of the ball gets an opposite review. Our offense is pathetic. When you have one of the best playmakers in the game out there busting his ass every down, there's really no excuse. The line is is dire need of repair. I hope these young kids can improve it to a livable level. Even if they do, we need depth. Another big ? is RB. Has Wells ever played a complete season. Obviously Williams hasn't. I would love to see them both do so next year, but history indicates that I shouldn't hold my breath. QB is a huge issue obviously and has been beaten to death. Our top draft pick and supposed #2 WR has averaged only 2 catches per game (though Whiz said only a few days ago that he's earned more playing time. We'll see). King, a guy we got for his blocking ability, we don't keep back to block... the entire offense is just a mess...
what's everybody else thinking should be the priorities for the team to be looking at NOW, to hopefully learn what they should be looking at in the offseason?
Offense is obviously our weakest point.
Miller and Grimm both suck as coaches. Grimm's lines have been pathetic. And for some reason Miller, after watching opposing defenses mop the floor with our QBs, still refuses to keep an RB and/or a TE back to help get the QB an extra half a second. When our biggest weapon on offense is a WR (just happens to be the best WR in the game), it should seem pretty obvious that keeping your QB on his feet is a pretty good idea.
The O-Line has been downright embarrassing this year. We've had NFL worst OTs the last few years at least. I want to see Potter out there more. He held his own against GB and a talented rushing in Clay Matthews his first time playing in the NFL. Considering how God-awful Batiste has been, I think Potter not only earned more time vs. GB, but Batiste also earned time on the bench with his performance all year. I want to see Kelemete get more time as well. Snyder sucks, and he's slated to make $2.9M next year (8th highest player on the team). I see NO reason to keep him. Too expensive to sit on the bench all season. Colledge is slated to make $3.8M, he's our best OG, but that's not exactly something difficult to accomplish. I do think he's good for the team off the field as well. I read he's been working with Potter for the last 3 years, and continues to do so now that they're teammates. We don't have another option at C, so regardless of any opinion, Sendlein stays. Which IMO is fine, as I don't think he's bad, and with some help, should do quite well (not to mention, the guy is cheap, $2.4M next year, but only $700K this year)
Powell needs more minutes. He does still lead the team in YPC, but even with our top 2 RBs hurt, he barely gets any carries.
Doucet will cost the team $2.25MIL next season (more than Floyd and Roberts combined). I don't know why they would keep him as a #4 WR at that cost.
Kolb, as no surprise to anybody I'm sure, is our highest paid player. $9M next year. While it is clear that he is our best QB, I don't see his value being THAT high. However, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of options. Would love to see him take a pay-cut and stick around, but for whatever reason, I just don't see that happening. He'll either be here at full price, or will be gone. If those are our only 2 options, I vote "gone". And I like Kolb. Just not $9M worth. Then again, maybe he could be, if the line can keep him alive. But should we flip that $9M coin?
Heap is in the last year of his contract. And I think his career as well. The guy can't stay on the field. And when he's hurt, he can't get back on the field. He was worth a shot. He was a great player and is a great guy, his time is just up unfortunately...
Defense, being our strongest point scares me in terms of coaching as well. Horton was interviewed for one HC job already last year. I'm sure he will be on some lists this year as well. Bidwill needs to give him a raise and more control if that will keep him happy and here.
Bradley is slated to make $5M. When's the last time he even played? He's got ONE tackle and ONE assist this year. Put him in there, see if he's worth even trying to renegotiate or should he just be cut? Clearly Lenon is Horton's preference with DWash. But he's getting old, how long can he keep it up?
AW is getting old. He can still play, but it's a good idea to find a kid in the draft to start grooming to replace him when he does ride off into the sunset (and Ring of Honor)
Fleming hasn't looked exactly dominant, but he's steadily improving. I think by kickoff of '13 regular season, he will be a legit #2 CB
Scho and Acho have shown flashes of beast, but they may be better suited in this D like they played last year, rotating with each other on one side. So that opens up a spot for dominant pass rusher if we're in position to grab one
Williams hasn't impressed at NT, he needs to pack some pounds back on this holiday and off season IMO
all in all. I'm happy with our D. I think there is a lot of young talent and some vicious old vets that have bled Cardinal red and only want to bring the Lombardi trophy back to AZ more than anything in the world. There are a couple spots that could use improvement, but that's the case anywhere. The opposite side of the ball gets an opposite review. Our offense is pathetic. When you have one of the best playmakers in the game out there busting his ass every down, there's really no excuse. The line is is dire need of repair. I hope these young kids can improve it to a livable level. Even if they do, we need depth. Another big ? is RB. Has Wells ever played a complete season. Obviously Williams hasn't. I would love to see them both do so next year, but history indicates that I shouldn't hold my breath. QB is a huge issue obviously and has been beaten to death. Our top draft pick and supposed #2 WR has averaged only 2 catches per game (though Whiz said only a few days ago that he's earned more playing time. We'll see). King, a guy we got for his blocking ability, we don't keep back to block... the entire offense is just a mess...
what's everybody else thinking should be the priorities for the team to be looking at NOW, to hopefully learn what they should be looking at in the offseason?
