Chopper's 2011 Plan

[Chopper0080]

Parameters...this assumes the new CBA comes after the draft, which prevents trading picks for players. FA are also signed after the draft.

Draft:
1: Patrick Peterson - CB - LSU
*Great athlete with good speed, footwork, and accelaration. Is physical enough to match up with larger receivers, while being fast enough to cover quicker ones as well. Also a dynamic kick returner and punt returner. Can contribute on special teams immediately, and grow into the CB rotation per Whis' style.

2: Jeremy Beal - OLB/DE - Oklahoma
*Good athlete with great size on the edge. Has played standing up in college and reports are that he is a film junkie. Very prepared player who does his job. Makes plays.

3: John Moffitt - OG/C - Wisconsin
*Powerful player inside who can move bigger interior tackles. Versatility inside at C. Has the toughness than you look for in interior linemen. Athletic enough to pull.

4: KJ Wright - ILB - Mississippi State
*A projection player inside in a 3-4. Big and physical, though plays with inconsistent leverage. Has played inside on certain looks at MSU. Can go sideline to sideline, but does struggle in coverage. Will make plays on the other side of the line of scrimmage. Stepped up as a leader on defense in 2010.

5: Derek Newton - OT - Arkansas St.
*Great size and athleticism. Has been durable, has not missed a start over the past two years. Needs work playing with leverage and technique. A project. (If Kendrick Ellis-DT out of Hampton is still here, take him)

6: Jeff Maehl - WR - Oregon
*A hard worker who transitioned to wide receiver from safety. Not great speed, but is very quick out of breaks, and shows good focus and hands making clutch catches. Will contribute somewhere. (A total homer pick as I am from Oregon. This kid might not be a star, but he will be in the NFL for years.)

7: Anthony Gray - NT - Southern Miss.
* A stump in the middle, Gray has notched 12.5 tackles for loss over the past 2 seasons and was on the Outland watch list for top interior linemen. Squatty body that allows him to play with leverage and stuff up the interior. (Jake put me on to this guy, and the more I read about him the better it gets. Nothing dynamic, but seems to the stump in the middle that we could use beside Dan.)

CUT: Levi Brown-OT / Joey Porter-OLB

Free agency:
*With the Cardinals having so many open positions, I gave myself a bit more latitude with the number of players that we signed. I gave myself 1 top player, 2 mid levels, and 5 bottom level players that we could sign via FA. I also gave myself 3 Cardinals to resign.

Nnamdi Asomugha - CB (High priced)
*A physical shutdown CB, Nnamdi has scheme diversity and can support the run. Will shut down opposing wide receivers. The opposite of DRC as Nnamdi gets the most out of his skill.

Kamerion Wimbley - OLB (Mid priced)
*Has been productive over the past two years accumulating 15.5 sacks. Good size, and has speed that the Cardinals are lacking from the outside.

Carl Nicks - OG (Mid priced)
*A very good guard that is both physical and solid in pass protection. A leader on a solid team, and brings toughness to LG spot that the Cardinals have lacked up front.

Jammal Brown - OT (Low priced)
*Used to be better than he is now. Had injury issues early in the year, but played better as the year wore on. Is a buy low alternative in a weak tackle market. Should be able to beat out Bridges or Keith.

Marc Bulger - QB (Low priced)
*A vet who knows how to operate a wide open passing offense. Can tutor Skelton who will hopefully develop down the line.

Bo Scaife - TE (Low priced)
*A combo TE that can catch. He shouldn't be too expensive and would fit what we ask our TE's to do.

Jason Snelling - RB/FB (Low priced)
*Will replace Hightower on 3rd downs and is more reliable with the ball. Has shown some skill and could possibly pick up the slack if Beanie doesn't bounce back. Good hands as well.

John Henderson - DE/DT (Low priced)
*Not the player that he once was, but should have a few good years left. Big enough to fill in at DE or NT, and could provide some solid depth against the run.

Resign
Duece Lutui - OG
Lyle Sendlein - C
Steve Breaston - WR

Trade:
DRC to the Denver Broncos for Kyle Orton and a 2012 2nd round pick.

Why Denver: Champ is a free agent and his leaving would be tough to fill. DRC is young, and while he has underperformed he still has great talent. They want to move Orton and this fills a hole on a defense that needs help.

Why Arizona: They need a durable QB who can win now. Orton has limitations, but showed the ability to get the ball deep to Lloyd in Denver, and has good accuracy. DRC is being sold a bit low, but he will be a free agent in a couple years, and isn't the physical corner that the Cardinals are looking to sink big money into.

(Alternatives to Kamerion Wimbley and Carl Nicks in FA are Matt Roth and Justin Blalock)

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

I like almost of all of it except for trading DRC. I think a secondary of DRC, Toler, and Peterson could become as athletic and good as any in the NFC. If all those other moves were made, I would look to deal next year's #1 pick to Philly for Kolb.

 

[juza76]

Parameters...this assumes the new CBA comes after the draft, which prevents trading picks for players. FA are also signed after the draft.

Draft:
1: Patrick Peterson - CB - LSU
*Great athlete with good speed, footwork, and accelaration. Is physical enough to match up with larger receivers, while being fast enough to cover quicker ones as well. Also a dynamic kick returner and punt returner. Can contribute on special teams immediately, and grow into the CB rotation per Whis' style.

2: Jeremy Beal - OLB/DE - Oklahoma
*Good athlete with great size on the edge. Has played standing up in college and reports are that he is a film junkie. Very prepared player who does his job. Makes plays.

3: John Moffitt - OG/C - Wisconsin
*Powerful player inside who can move bigger interior tackles. Versatility inside at C. Has the toughness than you look for in interior linemen. Athletic enough to pull.

4: KJ Wright - ILB - Mississippi State
*A projection player inside in a 3-4. Big and physical, though plays with inconsistent leverage. Has played inside on certain looks at MSU. Can go sideline to sideline, but does struggle in coverage. Will make plays on the other side of the line of scrimmage. Stepped up as a leader on defense in 2010.

5: Derek Newton - OT - Arkansas St.
*Great size and athleticism. Has been durable, has not missed a start over the past two years. Needs work playing with leverage and technique. A project. (If Kendrick Ellis-DT out of Hampton is still here, take him)

6: Jeff Maehl - WR - Oregon
*A hard worker who transitioned to wide receiver from safety. Not great speed, but is very quick out of breaks, and shows good focus and hands making clutch catches. Will contribute somewhere. (A total homer pick as I am from Oregon. This kid might not be a star, but he will be in the NFL for years.)

7: Anthony Gray - NT - Southern Miss.
* A stump in the middle, Gray has notched 12.5 tackles for loss over the past 2 seasons and was on the Outland watch list for top interior linemen. Squatty body that allows him to play with leverage and stuff up the interior. (Jake put me on to this guy, and the more I read about him the better it gets. Nothing dynamic, but seems to the stump in the middle that we could use beside Dan.)

CUT: Levi Brown-OT / Joey Porter-OLB

Free agency:
*With the Cardinals having so many open positions, I gave myself a bit more latitude with the number of players that we signed. I gave myself 1 top player, 2 mid levels, and 5 bottom level players that we could sign via FA. I also gave myself 3 Cardinals to resign.

Nnamdi Asomugha - CB (High priced)
*A physical shutdown CB, Nnamdi has scheme diversity and can support the run. Will shut down opposing wide receivers. The opposite of DRC as Nnamdi gets the most out of his skill.

Kamerion Wimbley - OLB (Mid priced)
*Has been productive over the past two years accumulating 15.5 sacks. Good size, and has speed that the Cardinals are lacking from the outside.

Carl Nicks - OG (Mid priced)
*A very good guard that is both physical and solid in pass protection. A leader on a solid team, and brings toughness to LG spot that the Cardinals have lacked up front.

Jammal Brown - OT (Low priced)
*Used to be better than he is now. Had injury issues early in the year, but played better as the year wore on. Is a buy low alternative in a weak tackle market. Should be able to beat out Bridges or Keith.

Marc Bulger - QB (Low priced)
*A vet who knows how to operate a wide open passing offense. Can tutor Skelton who will hopefully develop down the line.

Bo Scaife - TE (Low priced)
*A combo TE that can catch. He shouldn't be too expensive and would fit what we ask our TE's to do.

Jason Snelling - RB/FB (Low priced)
*Will replace Hightower on 3rd downs and is more reliable with the ball. Has shown some skill and could possibly pick up the slack if Beanie doesn't bounce back. Good hands as well.

John Henderson - DE/DT (Low priced)
*Not the player that he once was, but should have a few good years left. Big enough to fill in at DE or NT, and could provide some solid depth against the run.

Resign
Duece Lutui - OG
Lyle Sendlein - C
Steve Breaston - WR

Trade:
DRC to the Denver Broncos for Kyle Orton and a 2012 2nd round pick.

Why Denver: Champ is a free agent and his leaving would be tough to fill. DRC is young, and while he has underperformed he still has great talent. They want to move Orton and this fills a hole on a defense that needs help.

Why Arizona: They need a durable QB who can win now. Orton has limitations, but showed the ability to get the ball deep to Lloyd in Denver, and has good accuracy. DRC is being sold a bit low, but he will be a free agent in a couple years, and isn't the physical corner that the Cardinals are looking to sink big money into.

(Alternatives to Kamerion Wimbley and Carl Nicks in FA are Matt Roth and Justin Blalock)

nice job..i like the cromartie trade.is something really possible..maybe we can get champ bailey because i dont see the bidwills pay so much for Nnamdi Asomugha.if we can have wimbley i think they will look to address the SILB spot.so maybe is possible we can take martez wilson or maybe a good offensive tackle like solder demarcus love or orlando franklin

 

[cardpa]

Doesn't do near enough to address either the need at OT or the need at OLB.

 

[Cards Czar]

Carl Nicks will be a RFA and that would cost up a Draft pick.

 

[HookemCards]

My biggest problem with it obviously is apparently going with a 5th round draft choice project or Bridges/Keith at LT.

Don't like the idea of trading DRC either, I get that he struggled a bit this year, but the previous two years he's been above average (dominant at times). Don't want to get rid of him unless he continues to regress with new DC and a better pass rush.

 

[Stout]

I guarantee you that if the CBA isn't passed, we will draft a QB, or more than one QB.

 

[juza76]

I guarantee you that if the CBA isn't passed, we will draft a QB, or more than one QB.

who are the quarterbacks coming from the draft who will fit good for cardinals??

 

[Cardiac]

Interesting plan and obviously you have a keen eye for talent.

I don't think our interior O-line is so bad that we re-sign 2 and bring in 2 more.

IMWO all we need to fix the O-line is a LT. Why cut Brown when he could be slid into the LG slot if we do get our LT?

Biggest needs are QB, OLB, LT, SILB, TE; in that order. Spending huge FA money on Scrabble and then our #5 pick at CB with DRC and Toler already in place is overkill. I get that you want to trade DRC and getting Orton makes a LOT of sense but still.

At this point based on the info we have I pray that we can trade down in the 1st and pick up an extra 2nd rd pick.

1st rd LT (assuming we trade back to the teens).
2nd rd SILB Wilson
2nd rd OLB Houston or Beal.
3rd rd on BPA with an eye towards more LB's and TE and O-lineman.

This is assuming that Whiz and co. don't fall in love with one of the top QB's. If they do then draft the QB and go BPA the rest of the way. Upgrade the overall talent level of the team and spend the money of FA for the holes left in the roster.

 

[Divide Et Impera]

I like the Maehl pick. He's a Wes Welker clone. I don't know how big he is, but he seems like a little guy like Welker and just a speedy dude who gets open in the middle of the field....

Oh, and the Snelling signing would be BRILLIANT. He has more yards than Michael Turner did at this same exact point in his career when he went from SD to ATL. He would be a GREAT versatile back to have in the stable and he would actually probably start here....

 

[Stout]

who are the quarterbacks coming from the draft who will fit good for cardinals??

Really, right now, I don't know. Have to wait for all the workouts, senior bowls, and the combine.

 

[Chopper0080]

I like almost of all of it except for trading DRC. I think a secondary of DRC, Toler, and Peterson could become as athletic and good as any in the NFC. If all those other moves were made, I would look to deal next year's #1 pick to Philly for Kolb.

The trading of DRC is solely dependent on signing Asomugha. If not, then we would keep him and look to trade a 2012 2nd rounder to Denver.

 

[Chopper0080]

Doesn't do near enough to address either the need at OT or the need at OLB.

There isn't much we can do. OT is week in both free agency and the draft. Instead of looking for a top OT prospect who will struggle to contribute, we go with a solid vet OT in Jammal Brown, and draft a tackle to develop. There just isn't a quick fix for the offensive line out there with our other needs.

Same goes for OLB. I don't think Woodley will be an option and besides, Wimbley has 15.5 sacks in the previous two seasons. He upgrades the rush spot, we still have Schofield, and we draft 2nd rounder to learn behind Haggens is is still under contract as far as I know. That is four deep at a position that has been very week.

 

[Chopper0080]

I guarantee you that if the CBA isn't passed, we will draft a QB, or more than one QB.

Doubt it. They have a young QB that they like in Skelton and with no CBA, the learning curve will be even greater. I can't see the Cardinals getting less experienced at a QB position that is already lacking in that area. If anything, they will will sign two vets via free agency once we get there.

 

[Stout]

Doubt it. They have a young QB that they like in Skelton and with no CBA, the learning curve will be even greater. I can't see the Cardinals getting less experienced at a QB position that is already lacking in that area. If anything, they will will sign two vets via free agency once we get there.

If there is no CBA, we will have Skelton and Hall on the roster, since we are no keeping Anderson (we'd better not). Do you really want to continue through the offseason with that QB depth? Realizing that the CBA might not be signed until training camp? I sure in the heck don't, and the team won't either. You can't count on signing a QB in FA and having enough time for him to learn the offense.

 

[Chopper0080]

If there is no CBA, we will have Skelton and Hall on the roster, since we are no keeping Anderson (we'd better not). Do you really want to continue through the offseason with that QB depth? Realizing that the CBA might not be signed until training camp? I sure in the heck don't, and the team won't either. You can't count on signing a QB in FA and having enough time for him to learn the offense.

A rookie won't have any more time to learn the offense than a vet and would start at a much steeper learning curve. I don't like it any more than you, but drafting a QB in the middle rounds really doesn't make much sense at this point.

 

[Cardiac]

A rookie won't have any more time to learn the offense than a vet and would start at a much steeper learning curve. I don't like it any more than you, but drafting a QB in the middle rounds really doesn't make much sense at this point.

cosign

Bulger or Orton would not be that far behind, especially compared to a rookie.

DA took longer because the coaches had to work on his stanky mechanics so much.

 

[Stout]

A rookie won't have any more time to learn the offense than a vet and would start at a much steeper learning curve. I don't like it any more than you, but drafting a QB in the middle rounds really doesn't make much sense at this point.

cosign

Bulger or Orton would not be that far behind, especially compared to a rookie.

DA took longer because the coaches had to work on his stanky mechanics so much.

A rookie with all of the offseason post draft, including mini camps and training camp, would have a much better grasp of the offense than Orton brought in for a week. Remember, we may not get the CBA until just before pre-season games.

And still, drafting a QB has no downside. I'm not saying to draft one and NOT, say, trade for Orton. When the CBA is signed it's probably the first thing we should do. Then you could cut Hall, and demote Skelton and the rook to 2nd and 3rd string. If you DON'T draft a QB, there's a real chance we're heading into the season with Skelton, Hall and Barton. Remember, you can't sign anyone until the CBA is signed.

 

[Hypothesis]

A rookie with all of the offseason post draft, including mini camps and training camp, would have a much better grasp of the offense than Orton brought in for a week. Remember, we may not get the CBA until just before pre-season games.

And still, drafting a QB has no downside. I'm not saying to draft one and NOT, say, trade for Orton. When the CBA is signed it's probably the first thing we should do. Then you could cut Hall, and demote Skelton and the rook to 2nd and 3rd string. If you DON'T draft a QB, there's a real chance we're heading into the season with Skelton, Hall and Barton. Remember, you can't sign anyone until the CBA is signed.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm under the impression that if there is no CBA, there will be no mini camps, training camps, organized team meetings...nothing. So the rookies won't have learned a thing about the offense.

 

[Cardiac]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm under the impression that if there is no CBA, there will be no mini camps, training camps, organized team meetings...nothing. So the rookies won't have learned a thing about the offense.

This is my understanding as well.

 

[Stout]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm under the impression that if there is no CBA, there will be no mini camps, training camps, organized team meetings...nothing. So the rookies won't have learned a thing about the offense.

Ha! I knew that, and was deliberately trying to teach you that as well...um, yeah, that's my story

 

[Chopper0080]

Ha! I knew that, and was deliberately trying to teach you that as well...um, yeah, that's my story

HAHAHAHAAHHAHAHA.

I am so happy that I am not the only one who pulls this trick.

 

[Mulli]

So, Skelton has had a year in the Whiz offense, Orton has not.

Stick with Skelton. Draft Gabbert.

Good to go.

 

[Chopper0080]

So, Skelton has had a year in the Whiz offense, Orton has not.

Stick with Skelton. Draft Gabbert.

Good to go.

I just threw up...Kidding, but I think that going into the season with Skelton, Hall and Gabbert at the QB is a sure fire way to get Whis fired. I haven't seen anything from any of these 3 QB's to believe that they have anything more to provide the Cardinals with other than potential. And potential means jack if we have another bad season, Whis gets fired, and Gabbert doesn't fit the next head coach ala Whis/Leinert.

 

[SuperSpck]

spck's 2011 offseason plan
1) Cry (a lot)
2) Take some vicodin.
3) Wait for September.
4) Repeat 1-3 and wait for 2013.


But I do like your draft guys a LOT.

Peterson's an easy fit, he's the size Whis wants in his corners and would give the team a tremendous upgrade.
If they do that I don't see them signing Asho, but that'd be pretty amazing. I don't know if they'd need a pass rush at that point, the receivers could just run until they cramp and it wouldn't matter.

I really like what I've seen from Beal so far, outside Ayers he's my favorite prospect at LBer. I've watched what little I could find on KJ Wright and I haven't been wow'd, but heck what do I know (wait, that doesn't bode well for me liking your choices...).

Moffitt's a tough guy for the line and is a solid choice. He's one of the more pro-ready coached lines in college so the game won't get too big too fast for him.

Maehl is this year's Jordy Nelson (GB).