Darren Urban Twitter Report: Calais Campbell & Cards - 5 yr contract!

[Crazy Canuck]

I read $55M with $36M the first three years.

My guess, $15M signing bonus, and salaries of $6M, $7M, $8M, $9M, $10M. That saves another $1.7 on this years cap, which I believe we already had about $2.3M. So, $4M - enough to sign the rookies and a couple more vets (Haggans/Holliday/maybe an outside guy.)

Well done, Rod Graves.

I think they can do a bit better on the CAP relief this season, if need be. While DD's deal averages $9.3M over the duration, they took a hit of just under $5M in the first year. Depends on how they want to structure and the FO view on other potential commitments in years' to come.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

I agree that 55million is a little tough to stomach. CC in no way deserves that.

Like the guy, say what you want about him being a core dude, but for that much, we couldve went and found a much better core dude to replace him.


However, in the long run, this is majorly beneficial. It was pointed out how the last 4 guys the cards publicly said they would resign: Adub, Dock, Fitz and now CC, that shows (every player in the league) that the Cards pay up when they say they will.

Throwing money like this at CC and Fitz makes AZ an attractive place for FA's when, before, cheap-as-hell Bidwills drove everyone away with their tight purses.

I agree that we shouldnt worry. Cap will go up, as it always does. In 10 years, 10 mill will probably be the avg salary for avg players.

Really?

Find me another "core" player critical to a 3-4 "D" who is 25 years of age and has produced these numbers: 215 tackles, 155 solos, 21 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 18 passes defensed, 1 interception, 5 career blocked FG's

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Getting there. The SOC is something that will take time to destroy. This is a HUGE step in that process. Consistency is the key. Nobody can speed up time, so my apprehension is what it is.




In the context of the last decade ? Sure.

In the context of the history of this organization, no. BUT, again it is a HUGE step in the right direction. Again, consistancy is the key.

This is a really, really big move. Look at the roster, and you will see a solid roster, with depth, plans for the future, etc., etc. Is it complete ? No. There are still problems at LB, but every organization has weak points, and you can't do it all. No team does.

I think this signing is a "over the hump" signing. The roster they have now has the potential to have one or two needs an offseason, and allow the organization to jump on more unexpected opportunities, and have a more competitive look to it.

So, I would say this is a massive amount of progress in the right direction. It put gigantic doubts that this is the S.O.C.

I would also like to state for the billionth time, that this is awesome, awesome news. So psyched.

Dockett
Campbell
Washington
Acho
Peterson
Wilson

That is a serious core of talent, and it is over half the players on the field on the defensive side of the ball. Then you start filling in those depth guys, and 2nd tier guys and you start feeling really good about the defense.

It's worth noting that with the eventual signing of Massie, the FO will have all of their projected starters on the "O" and "D" lines under longer term contracts. This could give them important flexibility in both future free agent periods and drafts.

 

[Osbern61]

Great news!

 

[kerouac9]

This is kerouac9 saying this: anyone who has any caveats or concerns about the Calais Campbell contract that was signed is just complaining to stir the pot and to complain. Calais Campbell's re-signing is an unalloyed good and without question a good sign.

Campbell is a stud, and has been for three straight seasons. Anyone who doubts this hasn't been paying attention very well. Maybe the best 3-4 defensive end in the NFL, without a doubt one of the top 5. That's elite, and elite players get elite pay.

Campbell's happy, Dockett is happy for Campbell (his tweet on the new deal enabling CC to get him and Nick Eason suits "like he promised he would" was classic), and the defense is going to be able to work together all offseason now. Brees is still holding out of Saints practices. Wes Welker is as well. Campbell is going to be there continuing to hone his craft and pushing his teammates.

It shouldn't have taken this long, but now it's done and in the rearview mirror. Good work, front office, in getting this done.

 

[Duckjake]

For anyone complaining about the cost I defy you to find another 3-4 DE who will give you 60 tackles, 7 sacks, and 5 passes batted down per year.

Campbell is a STUD.

I don't get the complaints about the cost either. Antonio Smith got $19.4 million over the first two years of his contract that he signed with the Texans in 2009!

Also as noted in the article posted earlier Campbell brings the threat of blocked FGs and you could see it last season as he got into the heads of opposing FG kickers. With as many games as are decided by a FG that is huge.

Besides any DE who is faster than JJ Arrington deserves to be paid like that.

 

[Chopper0080]

For anyone complaining about the cost I defy you to find another 3-4 DE who will give you 60 tackles, 7 sacks, and 5 passes batted down per year.

Campbell is a STUD.

Point

 

[TJ]

For anyone complaining about the cost I defy you to find another 3-4 DE who will give you 60 tackles, 7 sacks, and 5 passes batted down per year.

Campbell is a STUD.

Add 5 blocked FGs and you have a winner!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[kerouac9]

It's worth noting that with the eventual signing of Massie, the FO will have all of their projected starters on the "O" and "D" lines under longer term contracts. This could give them important flexibility in both future free agent periods and drafts.

Hmm... Paris Lenon is going to be a free agent next year, and Kerry Rhodes has a player option on his deal. Behind Rhodes Rashard Johnson is a pending free agent, as well as Greg Toler (should he win the starting job). If Toler doesn't win the starting job, then William Gay will be a free agent in 2014 along with Daryl Washington and Adrian Wilson.

This is a good day; there's no need to gild this lily.

 

[bg7brd]

Hmm... Paris Lenon is going to be a free agent next year, and Kerry Rhodes has a player option on his deal. Behind Rhodes Rashard Johnson is a pending free agent, as well as Greg Toler (should he win the starting job). If Toler doesn't win the starting job, then William Gay will be a free agent in 2014 along with Daryl Washington and Adrian Wilson.

This is a good day; there's no need to gild this lily.

He said O and D Lines

 

[Chopper0080]

I'm glad it got done. There was kind of an artificial deadline to get this deal completed. If CC went into the season without a deal, he was gone. At least Graves seems to have learned from his mistakes.

I'm not positive but it seems all the main players are tied up for the foreseeable future. I'm guessing Washington and Wells are next in line.

I see Washington getting an extension, but I don't see Wells getting one. That isn't to say Wells won't be a quality player worth a solid contract. I just think he is going to play at a level where the Cards won't pay so much for a RB which I am fine with.

The real question for me now is how long can Wilson and Dockett play at a high level? Where is a future 3-4 DE and a SS rank in our future priorities compared to QB, OLB, ILB, OL?

 

[RugbyMuffin]

an unalloyed good

Totally stealing that line, K9

Sent from Rugbymuffin's Super Phone

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Hmm... Paris Lenon is going to be a free agent next year, and Kerry Rhodes has a player option on his deal. Behind Rhodes Rashard Johnson is a pending free agent, as well as Greg Toler (should he win the starting job). If Toler doesn't win the starting job, then William Gay will be a free agent in 2014 along with Daryl Washington and Adrian Wilson.

This is a good day; there's no need to gild this lily.

Did I mention anything beyond beyond "O" and "D" line?

Don't think so!

 

[kerouac9]

Did I mention anything beyond beyond "O" and "D" line?

Don't think so!

Fair enough. Poor reading on my part.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

This is kerouac9 saying this: anyone who has any caveats or concerns about the Calais Campbell contract that was signed is just complaining to stir the pot and to complain. Calais Campbell's re-signing is an unalloyed good and without question a good sign.

Campbell is a stud, and has been for three straight seasons. Anyone who doubts this hasn't been paying attention very well. Maybe the best 3-4 defensive end in the NFL, without a doubt one of the top 5. That's elite, and elite players get elite pay.

Campbell's happy, Dockett is happy for Campbell (his tweet on the new deal enabling CC to get him and Nick Eason suits "like he promised he would" was classic), and the defense is going to be able to work together all offseason now. Brees is still holding out of Saints practices. Wes Welker is as well. Campbell is going to be there continuing to hone his craft and pushing his teammates.

It shouldn't have taken this long, but now it's done and in the rearview mirror. Good work, front office, in getting this done.

Good stuff and for some reason actually means more to me coming from you.

 

[Duckjake]

I see Washington getting an extension, but I don't see Wells getting one. That isn't to say Wells won't be a quality player worth a solid contract. I just think he is going to play at a level where the Cards won't pay so much for a RB which I am fine with.

The real question for me now is how long can Wilson and Dockett play at a high level? Where is a future 3-4 DE and a SS rank in our future priorities compared to QB, OLB, ILB, OL?

Keep an eye on UDFA Richetti Jones of Oklahoma State. Could be another Antonio Smith.

 

[Stout]

The virtue of a patient approach.

So, Rod gets your vote as GM of the year, right?

Yeah, don't get ahead of yourself...waaaay, way ahead of yourself. He isn't a top GM, no. Still and all, he got the job done on this contract, so though you're hell-bent on getting me to be negative, I'm sticking with the positive on this one. I had no confidence that this would get done, and it has. Major kudos to RG here for exceeding my expectations.

Am I the only one not crazy about this?

I mean, I love CC's play and he needed a new contract, but Fitz-type money to someone who has never made the pro-bowl?

Almost no 3-4 DEs make the pro-bowl.

Credit goes to Graves. This was my biggest hang up with him and he got it done. What this tells me is that despite what some posters on this board considered the amazing talents of Karlos Dansby, he wasnt NEARLY as valued by the team as some here think they should have. Face it he wasnt a CORE player. And frankly I havent missed him once since he signed in Miami. Hopefully we can put the fact that he and Antron left to rest as symptoms of bad ownership.

The Cardinals promised to lock up A Dub, Dockett, Fitz (2X) and now CC. They did. I dont see the Cardinals losing players they want to keep anymore. Thats just not the 2012 M.O. on Warner and Hardy.

SOC my ass.

Simply not true. They tried to sign them and franchised him multiple times. A deal was in place and he then fired his agent. We wanted him, but couldn't sign him, and the actions of the team back then show that.

For anyone complaining about the cost I defy you to find another 3-4 DE who will give you 60 tackles, 7 sacks, and 5 passes batted down per year.

Campbell is a STUD.

Bingo!

 

[RugbyMuffin]

The real question for me now is how long can Wilson and Dockett play at a high level? Where is a future 3-4 DE and a SS rank in our future priorities compared to QB, OLB, ILB, OL?

Our future plans for DE ? There are none right now, but I believe the Cardinals have a year or two till that becomes a "need".

As for SS ?

The Cardinals are going to be hard pressed to find a safety with the size, and atheletic ability of a Adrian Wilson. The guy is a freak. MAYBE, Kenny Tate from Maryland could come in and replace him 100%.

What I think will happen ? I think Patrick Peterson is going to end up at safety sooner or later. Last I checked Peterson is playing at about 216. Yet, there is the concern about Peterson's tackling ability.

 

[MadCardDisease]

Freaking awesome!

Campbell will someday block a FG that ultimately allows the Cards to win a SB.

 

[oaken1]

Freaking awesome!

Campbell will someday block a FG that ultimately allows the Cards to win a SB.

your keyboard to God's watchful eyes......................

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Yeah, don't get ahead of yourself...waaaay, way ahead of yourself. He isn't a top GM, no. Still and all, he got the job done on this contract, so though you're hell-bent on getting me to be negative, I'm sticking with the positive on this one. I had no confidence that this would get done, and it has. Major kudos to RG here for exceeding my expectations.



Almost no 3-4 DEs make the pro-bowl.



Simply not true. They tried to sign them and franchised him multiple times. A deal was in place and he then fired his agent. We wanted him, but couldn't sign him, and the actions of the team back then show that.



Bingo!

I'm not 'Hell bent' on you going negative, quite the contrary. I'm asking you to leave your shadowy Hell and embrace the light. (Lol)

 

[WildBB]

I'm not 'Hell bent' on you going negative, quite the contrary. I'm asking you to leave your shadowy Hell and embrace the light. (Lol)

Oh, and nice going FO!

We might actually get another significant (somewhat) signing in now.

 

[JAB]

The virtue of a patient approach.

So, Rod gets your vote as GM of the year, right?

Rod Graves still sucks and can't handle more than one thing at a time. He's having more success because he has more successful people around him which is equaling an environment conducive to the players wanting to stay. If anyone is suggesting we are retaining our players due to Rod Graves and not the environment that now is the Arizona Cardinals IMO, you're crazy. Just say no to Rod Graves and methamphetamines neither one is any good for you or anyone else.

Back to the party that is the signing of Calais Campbell. Thank you University of Phoenix Stadium, Bidwill Junior and a coaching staff that has built a winning true football environment players want to play in.

 

[Stout]

I'm not 'Hell bent' on you going negative, quite the contrary. I'm asking you to leave your shadowy Hell and embrace the light. (Lol)

Then why did you deliberately provoke a negative response with your first post on this thread? I'm actually pretty good with management right now, especially given the CC signing.

 

[Bodha]

There are some on this board who will NEVER be happy with anything Cards do... so ignore him.

I made this thread genius. Yeah, I absolutely hate this deal.

All good stuff but I have to admit when I read this bolded part I said to myself, "And who would this "better core player be?".

A 3-4 DE is not a glamour position. They get lumped in and lost behind the stats of the DE's that play in 4-3 defense. What I am getting at is I can't think if a better 3-4 DE in the game today. Even in Campbell's worst season he was one of the bettet 3-4 DE, & last year he showed how dominant he can be

Sent from Rugbymuffin's Super Phone

I said before that we needed to get this deal done at any cost, and apprently 55 mill was that cost. I like it. It had to get done, and did.

When I said "we can replace him with someone better" I didnt mean NOW. I just meant eventually when the next Mario Williams became available. Because we are tied to CC for at least the next 3 years. What if he sucks during that period? Hes only showed 1 solid year thus far. Say Ware became available, for whatever reason, in 2 years, but we're handcuffed to CC. Thats my point.

Im not worried about the cost, the cap will raise as it always does. Good signing, had to get done, now we can focus on the season.