Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
Good morning everyone! Did this day ever come soon enough? Are your presents neatly wrapped and under the tree? Is your refrigerator stocked with your favorite sandwiches and golden beverges? Have you brushed you teeth yet, Skkorp?
Today's Menu:
1. The Q Trade Watch: Now that Brett Favre is retired and no longer requires his own FAVRE entry on the ESPN scroll, I think it woud be fitting for ESPN to add a "Q" entry on the scroll that will provided the viewers with five minute updates from Sal Pal, Ed Werder, Suzy Kolber, Jaws, etc.
Now that the media believes that Q can be had for a 2nd and "other considerations", the Q Trade Watch will be on high alert for every one of tonight's 64 picks. This assuredly will not allow Skkorp any free seconds to brush his teeth.
In reality, a few teams might make a run at Q today, so we should be in suspense and at times on pins and needles. But, I think we all pretty much can expect Q to still be a Cardinal this evening.
The question is: how will no trade affect Q's morale in the days, weeks and months ahead? Honestly, how do you think Q reacted to Rod Graves' statement when he said yesterday, "Our priority all along has been to sign Anquan to an extention"...followed by the caveat: "when the right time comes along"? The use of the word priority in conjunction with "when the right time comes along" is laughingly contradictory. The reality is, the Cardinals have placed NO priority on re-signing Q, despite apparent promises to do so, and persistent rhetorical echoes of intentions...which is precisely why the Boldin situation is the mess it is today.
Fitz keeps insisting, "Q wants to be here."
If Kurt Warner were running the operation, Q would already be re-signed and playing catch with him on weekday afternoons.
Another question comes to mind: pundits keep saying that the Cardinals cannot afford to pay huge salaries to TWO WRs. I say, if two of your best football players, both Pro Bowlers, happen to be WRs, why not? Teams pay two offensive tackles big salaries...or two linebackers or defensive ends? Why not two WRs?
A new contract for Boldin should include good guaranteed money...he has deserved that. How many Cardinals have gone to 3 Pro Bowls?
In addition, however, a new contract should include incentives that would allow Q to attain Fitz-type money.
Sadly, it's hard to imagine a new contract ever happening with the Cardinals...it appears they simply are not creative or decisive enough in the front office to work this thing out.
Fitz said this week that he wants Q to be a Cardinal for life and wants to see Q's name on the "Ring of Honor" in U of P Stadium.
Doesn't that make you wish that Fitz and Warner were running the front office?
The irony is that the front office's real priority this off-season has been trying to re-sign Karlos Dansby, which would undoubtedly free the necessary cap space to get some important deals done...and as a result of that so-called priority, Dansby has shown no interest in signing a new deal and is going to ride out of Arizona next year having been paid close to $18M for the past two seasons.
Dansby hasn't even gotten a whiff of a Pro Bowl...but he is the priority?
When Dansby bolts the franchise next year, do you honestly think he ever has the slightest chance of being added to Cardinals' Ring of Honor?
This is just one of the discrepencies that would no doubt irk Anquan Boldin.
And who can blame him?
Now, it's hard to condone Q's unfortunate handlings of the situation and the aspersions he has cast at the organization...the most egregious of which was slipping out the back door at the Cardinals' finest hour (an hour which Q had as much to do with accomplishing as any player) instead of hoisting the Halas Trophy with his teammates and basking in the confetti-filled euphoria of that moment. Sad for his teammates that they were unable to share that moment with Q...and sadder still for Q that he was unable to experience the euphoria himself in the arms of his beloved teammates.
The most ideal scenario moving forward that I can think of would be to see Q well up with tears like Adrian Wilson and moments later to watch Q raise the Lombardi Trophy toward the light stanchions and the starry Florida sky...what a full circle of achievement that would be for Q, and what an extraordinary thrill that would be for all of us!
Alas, this morning that seems like just another silly pipe dream...and will be forever one if Q is dealt away this evening.
2. Today's Hot Storylines:
*Who is going to win the Mark Sanchez sweepstakes?
*Who will be the movers and shakers?
*Who will be going to Percy World?
*What surprise players will be on the board when the Cardinals pick at #31 and #63? (One of the following top DE/OLB prospects might: Brian Orakpo, Aaron Maybin or Everette Brown)...and even if that's the case, will the Cardinals see Beanie Wells fall to them?...and even so, will the Cardinals take RB Donald Brown over all of the ones mentioned above?
*Will Ron Wolfley be prophetic about the Cardinals taking DE/OLB Larry English? Hey, the last Larry we drafted has turned out pretty well, huh?
*Will the Cardinals go after DE/OLB/TE Connor Barwin, one of the fastest pass rushers and gifted athletes the draft has seen in some time...but was on noone's immediate radar at this time last year?
*Will QB Pat White be a first day pick? I think he will. In fact, if he is still on the board at #63, what would you think if the Cardinals took him? I would be excited about this Wildcat...even though still worried about filling more pressing needs.
*Will the Cardinals trade down from #31 and/or #63? I think they will have some offers at both spots to do so. I could see the Patriots offering two of their 2nd rounders to move up to get a player they love there. And the #63 pick might be a hot spot for a team who wants to draft a player like QB Pat White. The Cardinals usually stay put, which is pretty much what we can expect...but if the offers are attractive enough, they might take one of them.
3. The other day I had a thought about this draft...I and so many of you have seen this draft, first and foremost, as an opportunity to improve the defense. But what if the early philsophy of the draft is to make an already elite offense even stronger and more diverse?
If the Cardinals wanted to draft miore for offense in this draft...and if somehow they could find ways to free some cap space: how about signing DE Jason Taylor to an incentive laden deal? Taylor did not have a great year last year...but as a pass rusher used primarily on passing downs he could provide the edge pressure that's been missing.
This leads me to a "have fun" with this possibility mock:
1. Donald Brown, RB, Connecticut.
2. Pat White, QB/KR/Athlete, West Virginia.
3. Chase Coffman, TE, Missouri.
4. Brandon Williams, OLB34, Texas Tech.
5. Lee Robinson, OLB34, Alcorn St.
6. A.Q. Shipley, C, Penn. St.
7. Lendy Holmes, FS, Oklahoma.
7. Brian Toal, ILB34, Boston College.
4. But then again...how about a fun "nobody would expect" "Jumbo Sized Early-Speed Late" mock?
1. Jarron Gilbert, DE34, San Jose St.
2. David Veikune, OLB34, Hawaii.
3. Kraig Urbik, G, Wisconsin.
4. Jasper Brinkley, ILB34, South Carolina.
5. Phillip Hunt, OLB34, Houston
6. C.J. Spillman, FS, Marshall
7. LeRon Stephens-Howling, RB/KR, Pittsburgh
7. Pierre Walters, OLB34, Eastern Illinois.
Hope today is fun for everyone!...and that all our mock dreams come true!
Now back to the Q Trade Watch and your regularly scheduled programming...
Today's Menu:
1. The Q Trade Watch: Now that Brett Favre is retired and no longer requires his own FAVRE entry on the ESPN scroll, I think it woud be fitting for ESPN to add a "Q" entry on the scroll that will provided the viewers with five minute updates from Sal Pal, Ed Werder, Suzy Kolber, Jaws, etc.
Now that the media believes that Q can be had for a 2nd and "other considerations", the Q Trade Watch will be on high alert for every one of tonight's 64 picks. This assuredly will not allow Skkorp any free seconds to brush his teeth.
In reality, a few teams might make a run at Q today, so we should be in suspense and at times on pins and needles. But, I think we all pretty much can expect Q to still be a Cardinal this evening.
The question is: how will no trade affect Q's morale in the days, weeks and months ahead? Honestly, how do you think Q reacted to Rod Graves' statement when he said yesterday, "Our priority all along has been to sign Anquan to an extention"...followed by the caveat: "when the right time comes along"? The use of the word priority in conjunction with "when the right time comes along" is laughingly contradictory. The reality is, the Cardinals have placed NO priority on re-signing Q, despite apparent promises to do so, and persistent rhetorical echoes of intentions...which is precisely why the Boldin situation is the mess it is today.
Fitz keeps insisting, "Q wants to be here."
If Kurt Warner were running the operation, Q would already be re-signed and playing catch with him on weekday afternoons.
Another question comes to mind: pundits keep saying that the Cardinals cannot afford to pay huge salaries to TWO WRs. I say, if two of your best football players, both Pro Bowlers, happen to be WRs, why not? Teams pay two offensive tackles big salaries...or two linebackers or defensive ends? Why not two WRs?
A new contract for Boldin should include good guaranteed money...he has deserved that. How many Cardinals have gone to 3 Pro Bowls?
In addition, however, a new contract should include incentives that would allow Q to attain Fitz-type money.
Sadly, it's hard to imagine a new contract ever happening with the Cardinals...it appears they simply are not creative or decisive enough in the front office to work this thing out.
Fitz said this week that he wants Q to be a Cardinal for life and wants to see Q's name on the "Ring of Honor" in U of P Stadium.
Doesn't that make you wish that Fitz and Warner were running the front office?
The irony is that the front office's real priority this off-season has been trying to re-sign Karlos Dansby, which would undoubtedly free the necessary cap space to get some important deals done...and as a result of that so-called priority, Dansby has shown no interest in signing a new deal and is going to ride out of Arizona next year having been paid close to $18M for the past two seasons.
Dansby hasn't even gotten a whiff of a Pro Bowl...but he is the priority?
When Dansby bolts the franchise next year, do you honestly think he ever has the slightest chance of being added to Cardinals' Ring of Honor?
This is just one of the discrepencies that would no doubt irk Anquan Boldin.
And who can blame him?
Now, it's hard to condone Q's unfortunate handlings of the situation and the aspersions he has cast at the organization...the most egregious of which was slipping out the back door at the Cardinals' finest hour (an hour which Q had as much to do with accomplishing as any player) instead of hoisting the Halas Trophy with his teammates and basking in the confetti-filled euphoria of that moment. Sad for his teammates that they were unable to share that moment with Q...and sadder still for Q that he was unable to experience the euphoria himself in the arms of his beloved teammates.
The most ideal scenario moving forward that I can think of would be to see Q well up with tears like Adrian Wilson and moments later to watch Q raise the Lombardi Trophy toward the light stanchions and the starry Florida sky...what a full circle of achievement that would be for Q, and what an extraordinary thrill that would be for all of us!
Alas, this morning that seems like just another silly pipe dream...and will be forever one if Q is dealt away this evening.
2. Today's Hot Storylines:
*Who is going to win the Mark Sanchez sweepstakes?
*Who will be the movers and shakers?
*Who will be going to Percy World?
*What surprise players will be on the board when the Cardinals pick at #31 and #63? (One of the following top DE/OLB prospects might: Brian Orakpo, Aaron Maybin or Everette Brown)...and even if that's the case, will the Cardinals see Beanie Wells fall to them?...and even so, will the Cardinals take RB Donald Brown over all of the ones mentioned above?
*Will Ron Wolfley be prophetic about the Cardinals taking DE/OLB Larry English? Hey, the last Larry we drafted has turned out pretty well, huh?
*Will the Cardinals go after DE/OLB/TE Connor Barwin, one of the fastest pass rushers and gifted athletes the draft has seen in some time...but was on noone's immediate radar at this time last year?
*Will QB Pat White be a first day pick? I think he will. In fact, if he is still on the board at #63, what would you think if the Cardinals took him? I would be excited about this Wildcat...even though still worried about filling more pressing needs.
*Will the Cardinals trade down from #31 and/or #63? I think they will have some offers at both spots to do so. I could see the Patriots offering two of their 2nd rounders to move up to get a player they love there. And the #63 pick might be a hot spot for a team who wants to draft a player like QB Pat White. The Cardinals usually stay put, which is pretty much what we can expect...but if the offers are attractive enough, they might take one of them.
3. The other day I had a thought about this draft...I and so many of you have seen this draft, first and foremost, as an opportunity to improve the defense. But what if the early philsophy of the draft is to make an already elite offense even stronger and more diverse?
If the Cardinals wanted to draft miore for offense in this draft...and if somehow they could find ways to free some cap space: how about signing DE Jason Taylor to an incentive laden deal? Taylor did not have a great year last year...but as a pass rusher used primarily on passing downs he could provide the edge pressure that's been missing.
This leads me to a "have fun" with this possibility mock:
1. Donald Brown, RB, Connecticut.
2. Pat White, QB/KR/Athlete, West Virginia.
3. Chase Coffman, TE, Missouri.
4. Brandon Williams, OLB34, Texas Tech.
5. Lee Robinson, OLB34, Alcorn St.
6. A.Q. Shipley, C, Penn. St.
7. Lendy Holmes, FS, Oklahoma.
7. Brian Toal, ILB34, Boston College.
4. But then again...how about a fun "nobody would expect" "Jumbo Sized Early-Speed Late" mock?
1. Jarron Gilbert, DE34, San Jose St.
2. David Veikune, OLB34, Hawaii.
3. Kraig Urbik, G, Wisconsin.
4. Jasper Brinkley, ILB34, South Carolina.
5. Phillip Hunt, OLB34, Houston
6. C.J. Spillman, FS, Marshall
7. LeRon Stephens-Howling, RB/KR, Pittsburgh
7. Pierre Walters, OLB34, Eastern Illinois.
Hope today is fun for everyone!...and that all our mock dreams come true!
Now back to the Q Trade Watch and your regularly scheduled programming...
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