Cards sign RB Jonathan Dwyer, G/C Ted Larsen.

[PJ1]

I'm ok with Dwyer signing, HOWEVER, I am very curious as to why grab him now and not wait to see if we could've gotten one of the other big name/better RB's? Would've loved to have gotten Blount or Tate here to be that BIG change of pace back to complement Ellington

MJD
Blount
Choice
McGahee
Moreno
Starks
Tate

Agree with this. Reports on NFL Network have the Browns closing in on Tate and the Jets very interested in MJD. Dwyer is really a nothing signing IMO. If he doesn't play ST I doubt he makes the team.

 

[Reddog]

I'm ok with Dwyer signing, HOWEVER, I am very curious as to why grab him now and not wait to see if we could've gotten one of the other big name/better RB's? Would've loved to have gotten Blount or Tate here to be that BIG change of pace back to complement Ellington

MJD
Blount
Choice
McGahee
Moreno
Starks
Tate

Maybe BA thinks this guy will be a difference maker eventually and given his past issues with being in shape wanted to get his hands on him early to make sure Buddy Morris and Kingdom have the chance to get their claws into him.

 

[CardsFan88]

There's still lots of rb's out there. This might be the guy they get just in case they don't get anyone else. We can now afford to wait until the draft or after it. If one of these rb's we think are decent drops their price, then perhaps we'll go with what's behind door #2. But with Dwyer, we aren't pressed.

I remember being impressed with Dwyer. If this is the guy who replaces Smith, then talent wise its definitely an upgrade. We'll see how it works out, or if he even makes the team. But I believe at a minimum we have upgraded and we'll see if we can upgrade more if the opportunity presents itself.

At least that's how I'm seeing it.

 

[PJ1]

There's still lots of rb's out there. This might be the guy they get just in case they don't get anyone else. We can now afford to wait until the draft or after it. If one of these rb's we think are decent drops their price, then perhaps we'll go with what's behind door #2. But with Dwyer, we aren't pressed.

I remember being impressed with Dwyer. If this is the guy who replaces Smith, then talent wise its definitely an upgrade. We'll see how it works out, or if he even makes the team. But I believe at a minimum we have upgraded and we'll see if we can upgrade more if the opportunity presents itself.

At least that's how I'm seeing it.

Fine if he is replacing Alphonso Smith but the Mendenhall replacement is who I am interested in.

 

[gamebird98]

Mendenhall 687 yards....3.2 per carry. Not like we have to replace Barry Sanders

 

[Cheesebeef]

Mendenhall 687 yards....3.2 per carry. Not like we have to replace Barry Sanders

lol.

 

[Shane]

Nice of them to judge Stepfan after 36 carries like that.

Had really one decent carry in 36 and looks like he's running in mud.

 

[GuernseyCard]

Had really one decent carry in 36 and looks like he's running in mud.

He's a "mudder" and they have their roles.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Maybe Dwyer was who BA was referring to when he said OL help is on the way.

 

[Krangodnzr]

I'm ok with Dwyer signing, HOWEVER, I am very curious as to why grab him now and not wait to see if we could've gotten one of the other big name/better RB's? Would've loved to have gotten Blount or Tate here to be that BIG change of pace back to complement Ellington

MJD
Blount
Choice
McGahee
Moreno
Starks
Tate

MJD - old; might be done. Cost more.
Blount - lacks versatility; Cost more.
Choice - I like choice, but he's in the same tier as Dwyer, and Dwyer is a more of a big back
McGahee - old; might be done. Cost more.
Moreno - I like Moreno, but he showed he's not a feature back last year. Cost more.
Starks - Injuries; same tier as Dwyer
Tate - I really like Tate, but injuries and cost.

With Dwyer, Arians is bringing in a back he knows. Dwyer has been productive at times. A lot of his more recent struggles with Pittsburgh could be correlated with their poor offensive line.

Furthermore, this is a move to bring in a player that will play behind Ellington. I do think he is better than Taylor, who is an extremely limited player from what I've seen.

 

[Mitch]

These signings are significant in that they are the type of deals you would expect a week into FA not just two days in. Steve Keim got them signed to low salary deals---and it shows how carefully he targeted them within a projected salary range.

Dwyer could be a nice surprise---or he could get beat out by Ryan Williams or a rookie. But, he has some valuable experience---by now he knows what it will take to raise his game to next level, and he has a coach who believes he can.

Larsen is an NC State o-lineman (so was Keim) whom Keim knows very well. His versatility not only gibes him an edge to make the roster, but to be active every week, as Mike Gibson was. The surprise might be if he can make a legit run at the RG spot.

 

[az jam]

Rashard Mendenhall ‏@R_Mendenhall

.@BruceArians is smart as hell for signing @JDwyer27 #BirdGang

 

[cardncubfan]

He's a "mudder" and they have their roles.

His mother was a "mudder", his father was a "mudder". Seinfeld.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0umYspP3_4

 

[kerouac9]

MJD - old; might be done. Cost more.
Blount - lacks versatility; Cost more.
Choice - I like choice, but he's in the same tier as Dwyer, and Dwyer is a more of a big back
McGahee - old; might be done. Cost more.
Moreno - I like Moreno, but he showed he's not a feature back last year. Cost more.
Starks - Injuries; same tier as Dwyer
Tate - I really like Tate, but injuries and cost.

With Dwyer, Arians is bringing in a back he knows. Dwyer has been productive at times. A lot of his more recent struggles with Pittsburgh could be correlated with their poor offensive line.

Furthermore, this is a move to bring in a player that will play behind Ellington. I do think he is better than Taylor, who is an extremely limited player from what I've seen.

I liked Moreno as a complement to Ellington. The Dwyer signing leaves me pretty lukewarm. At least I have someone to cheer for Stepfan Taylor to beat out in training camp (I love Kulabafi).

At what point does the Pittsburgh connection get played out? Arians coached Dwyer three years ago at this point.

 

[desertdawg]

I liked Moreno as a complement to Ellington. The Dwyer signing leaves me pretty lukewarm. At least I have someone to cheer for Stepfan Taylor to beat out in training camp (I love Kulabafi).

At what point does the Pittsburgh connection get played out? Arians coached Dwyer three years ago at this point.

The hippies have a saying, grow with what you know. If this dude can pass block and not cough it up during crunch time than it's an upgrade from poeticballs.

 

[az jam]

At what point does the Pittsburgh connection get played out? Arians coached Dwyer three years ago at this point.

When there no longer is any Steeler in the NFL that played at Pittsburgh when Arians was there.

 

[kerouac9]

The hippies have a saying, grow with what you know. If this dude can pass block and not cough it up during crunch time than it's an upgrade from poeticballs.

I dunno. Pittsburgh was absolutely casting about for a dependable RB who wouldn't drop the rock last season, and Dwyer had all of 49 carries. The year before, he had 2 fumbles on just 156 carries.

 

[desertdawg]

I dunno. Pittsburgh was absolutely casting about for a dependable RB who wouldn't drop the rock last season, and Dwyer had all of 49 carries. The year before, he had 2 fumbles on just 156 carries.

Word, it's fun to watch these guys in their second free agency. Keim is down to cater to Arians needs, but only if the money is right. I'm still wondering which one of them was the pusher/puller for the Jared signing.

 

[Totally_Red]

I like the Jonathan Dwyer signing on several levels:

1. He's a very inexpensive signing with a minimal signing bonus and the veteran minimum salary.
2. Above average in pass protection.
3. Has averaged 4.2 yards per carry over four years, though admittedly in limited {230} attempts.
4. Very low mileage {see #3}.
5. Contribution on special teams

“He was valuable as a special teams player, and he's improved in that area since he's been in the league.'" Kirby Wilson, Steelers RB coach, in December 2012

​

 

[cardpa]

Dwyer could be our Thomas Jones. Never did anything with the Steelers and then boom, 1000 yards seasons like Jones did after he left the Cardinals. Well it's a nice thought that could become reality.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

I liked Moreno as a complement to Ellington. The Dwyer signing leaves me pretty lukewarm. At least I have someone to cheer for Stepfan Taylor to beat out in training camp (I love Kulabafi).

+1.

 

[GuernseyCard]

Dwyer could be our Thomas Jones. Never did anything with the Steelers and then boom, 1000 yards seasons like Jones did after he left the Cardinals. Well it's a nice thought that could become reality.

Jones was leading the league in rushing before a high ankle sprain derailed his last full season in AZ. They are not of the same calibre - IMO.

 

[ajcardfan]

Jones was leading the league in rushing before a high ankle sprain derailed his last full season in AZ. They are not of the same calibre - IMO.

He had a wierd career for a RB. Didn't have a 1,000 yd rushing season until his 6th season, which was the first of 5 in a row.

 

[Duckjake]

He had a wierd career for a RB. Didn't have a 1,000 yd rushing season until his 6th season, which was the first of 5 in a row.

Only averaged about 8.8 carries per game in Arizona. Hard to put up any decent numbers at that rate.

Jones leading the league in 2002 was only because he had a LeShon Johnson game vs the Seahawks in week two when he rushed for 173 yards which was almost 2.5 times higher than his next highest single game total in Arizona.