Could this be 1999 x 10

[CaptTurbo]

If we lose our OC, DC, Q, Dansby, Smith, Warner this could be a thousand times worse than 1998/99.

And dont forget if Boldin can just stop being a cardinal so can Dockett. He was threatening a goldout last year too like Boldin if you recall.

 

[joeshmo]

I dont think Dockett ever threatened a hold out. There was just one statement of him saying that after making the pro bowl his current contract was no longer valid thus he would like to work out something new. And that was the end of it.

 

[Shane]

I dont think Dockett ever threatened a hold out. There was just one statement of him saying that after making the pro bowl his current contract was no longer valid thus he would like to work out something new. And that was the end of it.

It was a little more than one statement. Lets not forget last year he missed all of the "voluntary" workouts along with Q just to make a statement as well.

http://ballhype.com/story/cardinals_dockett_speaks_about_contract_dispute/

 

[joeshmo]

It was a little more than one statement. Lets not forget last year he missed all of the "voluntary" workouts along with Q just to make a statement as well.

http://ballhype.com/story/cardinals_dockett_speaks_about_contract_dispute/

 

[Metcalf Rules]

If we lose our OC, DC, Q, Dansby, Smith, Warner this could be a thousand times worse than 1998/99.

And dont forget if Boldin can just stop being a cardinal so can Dockett. He was threatening a goldout last year too like Boldin if you recall.

Does a goldout have something to do with all the bling?

 

[Totally_Red]

If we lose our OC, DC, Q, Dansby, Smith, Warner this could be a thousand times worse than 1998/99.

And dont forget if Boldin can just stop being a cardinal so can Dockett. He was threatening a goldout last year too like Boldin if you recall.

There are also the possible departures of Edgerrin James, J.J. Arrington, Clark Haggins, Bertrand Berry, Elton Brown, and Monty Beisel. Considering Travis Laboy's history of concussions and inability to stay healthy this past season, the LB depth would be very thin even with the return of a healthy Ali Highsmith.

If Kurt Warner does not return, I truly believe the offense will take a step backwards. It was Warner's ability to see the entire field, audible into the right play at the line of scrimmage, and get rid of the ball quickly, which made a mediocre offensive line look better than it is. Remember at one point Mike Sando said Warner was hit more than other QB in the league.

The rest of the division is going to be able to stock up in the draft with all the high draft picks they have, while the Cardinals are going to be fortunate to hold their own.

I'm a glass half full person, but Rod Graves had better pull some rabbits out of his hat this offseason. Dansby, Kurt, and Q are mandatory re-signs IMO. And A-dub needs to get extended at some point this offseason. Several other needs will present themselves: a third cornerback to replace Eric Green, one or two running backs depending on what happens with Arrington, and probably DE, OLB depth.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

If we lose our OC, DC, Q, Dansby, Smith, Warner this could be a thousand times worse than 1998/99.

And dont forget if Boldin can just stop being a cardinal so can Dockett. He was threatening a goldout last year too like Boldin if you recall.

Goldout = That is a thing of beauty. I will use that one.

As for a x10 worse than 1998/99. That is not really possible. Unlike 1998 this team's core is still in place. I think Dansby will be resigned.

The biggest blow that could happen would be Warner retiring but still we got a QB who has been groomed over the last 3 years to be an NFL QB, and last time I checked his resum was pretty good.

Haley leaving sucks, but it was inevitable. Yet, Whiz being an offensive coach can soften the blow.

Anotonio Smith is gone but we have replacements for him.

Boldin is more than likely gone, and there are few in the league that could replace him, but our system will allow for him to leave without a HUGE impact.

Dockett may not be taken care of before the draft, but he will be taken care of.

Last year was magical, but lets not get ahead of ourselves. It was still a 9-7 team that was as bad as there where against the Patriots, and as good as they were against the Panthers.

They got hot at the right time and made a great run to the Superbowl, and one of the biggest reasons they got there is still on the team in Larry Fitzgerald.

 

[Pariah]

The difference is that Whisenhunt and staff are much more prepared for changes, IMO. When Boldin goes, Breaston steps in and Doucett steps into the 3rd WR role (hopefully).

Warner goes, Leinart steps into the starter's role.

If reports are true about Butler as DC, then that's a step in the right direction there.

The OC position DOES concern me, though. Losing Haley was not on the radar even just a few weeks ago.

But 1999 x10? No way.

 

[conraddobler]

Oh horsefeathers to all this OMG the sky is falling the sky is falling.

Graves is either going to step up or step out this year IMO, without a plan he's liable to be wearing more tiremarks than the brickyard but then again a lot of what we're losing is attitude and old farts.

 

[joeshmo]

The rest of the division is going to be able to stock up in the draft with all the high draft picks they have,

Thats a two edge sword. Picking that high they now feel obligate to start a rookie even if they are not ready yet. They also blow up their cap now and in the future having to give 30 mill in gauranteed money to a rookie. It will be easier for us to keep our core then it will be for them.

Also here is why this wont be 1999 ten times. Our leadership in 1999 was Bill Bidwill and his green assistant Rod Graves. The GM at the time Ferguson and the coaches werent even allowed to look at the contracts according to Dave McGinnis, everything ran through Bill even scouting. Our leadership in 2009 is Mike Bidwill, Rod Graves, Steve Kiem and his scouting staff, Wiz, and Grimm.

Much different circumstances and much different leadership to deal with the inevitable turnover that every team goes through, even the Patriots and Steelers.

 

[SeattleCard]

Whis plus new stadium = we will be fine

 

[Sandan]

If we lose our OC, DC, Q, Dansby, Smith, Warner this could be a thousand times worse than 1998/99.

And dont forget if Boldin can just stop being a cardinal so can Dockett. He was threatening a goldout last year too like Boldin if you recall.

The world is ending, the off season has started, lets come up with the worst scenario we can think off and start asking 'what if this happens'.

 

[Hollywood]

It could be '99 all over again but I doubt that it will be. The front office is miles away from what it was in '99. With revenue streams comming in and a clear direction of what it wants (win) the follies of '99 will remain just that....left in the past.

 

[Hollywood]

The world is ending, the off season has started, lets come up with the worst scenario we can think off and start asking 'what if this happens'.

What did you expect? We are Cardinals fans. Its all we know.

 

[LVG]

I stated to my brother after we won the NFC Championship game that it wouldn't really surprise me if Whiz walked into the FO the day after the Super Bowl, regardless of the outcome, and said "See, I can win. I can take us all the way. If you want to build a consistently winning team, let me do what I have to do. It will be a step or two backwards in the next season, but after that, we'll be the team in the west to beat."

It's happening. And after Whiz took us this far - he's got the right to do it as far as I'm concerned.

 

[lobo]

1999?

Don't agree x 10!! We have a new crew of generals running the show now.

 

[PACardsFan]

Whis plus new stadium = we will be fine

That pretty much nails it! In 1999, we were playing in a college stadium in temperatures exceeding 100 degrees. In addition, the 99 team was NO WHERE near as good as this version. Our overall coaching staff is 10x better now & Bill Bidwill is NOT making decisions. The new stadium will allow us to either keep guys or lure better players than the ones that leave. Would the loss of Warner hurt? Probably. But Leinart is closer than people on this board think and furthermore, Warner is NOT going to retire, not yet. This organization IS committed to being a consistent winner & Whiz definitely knows what he is doing. I can't wait until we implement an attacking style of D too. Can we have an occasional stinker of a season? Yes, injuries are sometimes inevitable. But, overall we are looking at a long-term successful era of Cardinal football. Stop all the negativity guys.

 

[D-Dogg]

Nope. Whis has a plan, and his confidence is high. Losing Haley sucks, but that was 90 percent Whis' playbook. We will be UPGRADING at DC, not downgrading. That's a big difference.

I think we will pursue some solid players in FA. If Warner leaves, I feel Leinart will be ok running the offense, especially as I feel we will improve our running game in FA and the draft. Free agents will look at Arizona as a good destination, what with talent, coaching and a Super Bowl appearance.

IF we lose Boldin, we will get good compensation for him in the form of draft picks and continue to build depth.

Mike Bidwill is in charge, and he wants to win, for real. This isn't 99...we didn't get smoked in the second round, then bust up a team to save salary. We went to the Super Bowl, our OC was poached because of how good he was, and a luxury receiver is probably on the move. Our QB had a ridiculous season, but there aren't promises he'll do it again, but we will try to bring him back regardless.

We are going about things the way we SHOULD have in 1999. Getting rid of problem areas and looking to improve...while managing multiple contract issues.

I am very optimistic.

 

[football karma]

here is the difference between the 1998 team and the 2008 team:

that 1998 team didnt beat a team with a winning record until it beat the Cowboys in Dallas. It won four games on last second field goals, including two wins the last two weeks of the season against bad teams. That season was fun, but even with all those players, it was a team that was seriously flawed.

To give you persective: of the 9 wins that season, the teams that the Cards beat AVERAGED 4.6 wins. The best team they beat in the regular season finished 6-10.

 

[SteelCityMom]

At first, I thought that this was a lot of change for a team to be going through so quickly and that it would be hard for the Cards to deal with the changes in the next season. But after thinking about it for a while I don't think that will be the case. I remembered how nervous and negative I was when Cowher, Whiz and Grimm left shortly after losing key players like Bettis, Porter, Randel El, Burress and Faneca, among others. Everything was actually ok after that and the sky never fell down lol.

I don't think Whiz would let the team slide into a slump like say the Al Davis' Raiders do when they lose key players and coaches. He knows what he's doing and will make the best decisions for the team. As somebody else pointed out, though I don't know a ton about how Bill Bidwill ran the team, the Cards organization seems to be on a much better foot with Mike in charge. I think the Cards will be in playoff contention for years to come because of better ownership and coaching moves for sure.

 

[Osbern61]

It could be like 1999 if Plummer gets injured in preseason again. Seriously, the Cards of '98 were not the same calibre team that the '08 Cards are. '98 saw them get a wildcard berth with 3 close wins against cellar dwellers, and then surprising the Cowboys in round 1.

 

[Jersey Girl]

I'm not stressed about all this quite yet. I think Boldin will be dealt. I think who the Cards hire as OC will have a lot to do with whether Kurt retires or not.

I think Berry wants to be here and I think the Cards can get a deal done with Dansby. I think Smith will be gone.

The sky is not falling. We just played in the Super Bowl less than a week ago. One day at a time, people. One day at a time.

 

[Zeno]

I think who the Cards hire as OC will have a lot to do with whether Kurt retires or not.

I wonder if Kurt will have any input on who is OC. They've had players sit in on things like that in the past but the difference is Kurt isn't currently under contract.

 

[joeshmo]

I wonder if Kurt will have any input on who is OC. They've had players sit in on things like that in the past but the difference is Kurt isn't currently under contract.

I want Kurt back without question but I am going to say it. Who cares what Kurt wants. Its Wiz team, not Kurts. You cant let a player hold you hostage over coaching decisions.

 

[Spielman]

I want Kurt back without question but I am going to say it. Who cares what Kurt wants. Its Wiz team, not Kurts. You cant let a player hold you hostage over coaching decisions.

Yup. That said, what they did last year is a definite argument for bringing someone in who would be okay with being as flexible as they were last year.

I get the feeling that an awful lot of that flexibility came from Whisenhunt, though, so that's probably a given regardless.