Early Doucet re-signs

[TigToad]

I think we are spoiled having raised up Boldin and Fitz. Most wide receivers don't start showing their stuff until the third season unless they are something special. Nothing to show here taht Early isn't a potential #2 and he's shown he can do the #3.

Don't panic.

 

[Duckjake]

I agree with this. Watching the replay SKelton didn't throw what anyone could call a good ball. It was actually behind Early which is why he did a 360 turn.

And why did Skelton throw the pass like he did? Because Jeremy Bridges blocked down and left the Bengals DE an open path to the QB. A lot of people don't realize that the Cincy defender covering LSH fell down on the play and hyphen was also wide open. That goofy blocking scheme cost the Cards not Doucet falling down.

Doucet's drop late in the 4th quarter against Dallas was the big one for me. It almost cost the Cards that game. Thankfully Dallas iced their own kicker or Doucet would have been right there with Stuckey.

 

[BigRedRage]

might as well, doucet is good and worth keeping as a #3

 

[Crazy Canuck]

I can't agree with that at all.

Guy is a professional athelete, he should be able to keep his feet.

Not to mention if Skelton threw it to him, it would not have been a pass in the end zone.

Furthermore, that couldn't have been a better pass to catch, I couldn't have been more easy of a catch if Skelton walked over to Doucet and placed it in his hands.

BIM: athlete

Obviously you're working off some dim memory. Go check the tape.

 

[Chopper0080]

My opinion will ultimately be decided buy the contract numbers, but I have no problem with this move. As a #3 or #4 he is a decent player as long as he gets paid accordingly. I still believe our WR corp could use some speed however. Maybe AJ Jenkins in the 4th or 5th rounds.

To the point of building a WR corp, I am of the mind that it is most cost effective to build one through the draft, and isn't terribly difficult with the number of WRs coming out every year. Get your #1 early, and then build your depth with mid round guys. If we didn't have such a huge need improving the offensive line, I would be really pushing to draft two WRs in rounds 3-5.

 

[Totally_Red]

This is disappointing to say the least. Maybe I'm spoiled by the couple of years this franchise had a world-class passing offense led by a HOF quarterback and a wide receiver corps of Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, and Steve Breaston.

Early Doucet is settling for mediocre IMO. So is what seems to be happening with the offensive line so far. The Cardinals seem to be falling behind the rest of the division. Compare what the other three teams have done in FA so far and it's hard to be optimistic. That's my two cents worth. But the offseason is only beginning. Maybe we'll have a good draft.

 

[crisper57]

I am okay with this. It certainly beats paying the insane amount of money that other #2 WR's were getting in FA. Early is good enough. We know what we got in him.

 

[Stout]

I am okay with this. It certainly beats paying the insane amount of money that other #2 WR's were getting in FA. Early is good enough. We know what we got in him.

Settling for lesser talent simply because it is less money. I don't like that. And really, I think it was the pursuit of Manning that kept us from getting a quality #2 receiver. Well, a #2 receiver at all, since we don't have a real one on the roster.

 

[daves]

It figures Early would be Late to develop. It took him 4 years just to get to average. Tied for 51st in total catches, 57th in receiving yards and tied for 45th in TDs last season.

Well considering that #1 WRs should be ranked in the 1-32 range, and #2 WRs should be expected in the 33-64 range, and Doucet is a #3 WR... that's pretty good. Surely you don't expect the Cardinals' #3 WR to be ranked in the top 32 of the league?

...dave

 

[john h]

I'm ok with it.

I am not just ok with it I like it. We are looking for a WR so could hardly afford to have one leave and have to sign two. If we have a QB who is somewhat accurate and gains some experience I think Doucett can shine.

 

[john h]

I wish we still had Breaston.

So do I.

 

[Totally_Red]

Well considering that #1 WRs should be ranked in the 1-32 range, and #2 WRs should be expected in the 33-64 range, and Doucet is a #3 WR... that's pretty good. Surely you don't expect the Cardinals' #3 WR to be ranked in the top 32 of the league?

...dave

Steve Breaston was a 5th round pick. Early is just involved in too many knucklehead situations, e.g. dumb personal foul penalties when he loses his cool. I seem to be in the minority about the re-signing though.

 

[daves]

This is disappointing to say the least. Maybe I'm spoiled by the couple of years this franchise had a world-class passing offense led by a HOF quarterback and a wide receiver corps of Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, and Steve Breaston.

Indeed, i think we've all been spoiled. And it made sense to pay for three great WRs when the Cardinals had a great QB.

Early Doucet is settling for mediocre IMO. So is what seems to be happening with the offensive line so far. The Cardinals seem to be falling behind the rest of the division. Compare what the other three teams have done in FA so far and it's hard to be optimistic.

Well i am by no means a huge fan of Doucet, and clearly the Cardinals' receiving corps doesn't compare to having Fitz, Boldin, and Breaston, but for a little dose of reality, here are some 2011 numbers to put the Cardinals' WRs in perspective relative to those in the rest of the NFC West:

Fitz 80-1411-8
Doucet 54-689-5
Roberts 51-586-2

Crabtree 72-874-4
Manningham (NYG) 39-523-4
Moss 0-0-0
(of course Davis was a top receiver with 67-792-6)

Baldwin 51-788-4
Obomanu 37-436-2
Tate 35-382-3

Lloyd 51-683-5
Gibson 36-431-1
Pettis 27-256-0
(actually Jackson was the #2 receiver with 42-333-1)

Looking strictly at these numbers and ignoring the obvious differences in QBs, offenses, injuries, and all other factors, still one comes away with the impression Doucet is more than adequate as a #2, with numbers comparable to those of the #1 receiver on the Seahawks and Rams, and far better than any other #2 WR in the division.

Oh and while i'm at it:

Boldin 57-887-3
Breaston 61-785-2

Bottom line: Factoring in Fitz, the Cardinals' WR corps is still far better than average, and even just considering Doucet and Roberts, it's not bad at all. I'd love to have Fitz, Breaston, and Boldin all in their primes, but the sky is not falling here.

...dave

 

[JeffGollin]

We might want to look at Early, Andre & other guys on our roster and possible available free agents and draft picks in generic terms (the exception being Fitz). Which would look like:

- Fitz

- WR-2

-WR-3

-WR- 4

-WR -5

and possibly WR -6.

When you consider Roberts, Doucet, Stephen Williams, Ike Williams, Sampson and Jaymar Johnson plus WR's who may be available via the draft or free agency, we need to determine who fits best in what spot.

There's plenty of talent throughout this group to fit every receiving profile - with 2 exceptions: (1) a "good hands" clutch guy and (2) a blazer.

Logically, then, Keim and his guys should be pulling together lists of blazers and possession guys we can get from free agency or various expected rounds in the draft. Other than the possible overall logjam, there should be a spot for Doucet and Roberts unless a couple of our youngsters explode into prominence.

 

[Duckjake]

Well considering that #1 WRs should be ranked in the 1-32 range, and #2 WRs should be expected in the 33-64 range, and Doucet is a #3 WR... that's pretty good. Surely you don't expect the Cardinals' #3 WR to be ranked in the top 32 of the league?

...dave

So you agree that Doucet is nothing but a #3 Wide Receiver and we could let him go tomorrow and never even know he was gone because their are 100 guys who could fill his spot and play as well or better than Drop it Doucet?

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Well considering that #1 WRs should be ranked in the 1-32 range, and #2 WRs should be expected in the 33-64 range, and Doucet is a #3 WR... that's pretty good. Surely you don't expect the Cardinals' #3 WR to be ranked in the top 32 of the league?

...dave

god-damnit, i'm starting to think like daves. what's to become of me?


also, for all those claiming it was a bad pass, it would have been a perfect strike if early hadn't unnecessarily broken off his route. skelton, under duress, threw the ball where early was SUPPOSED to be. but early took it upon himself to break off his route (with nobody covering him). THAT's what caused the god-awful stumble.

all this said, if he's signed to a small contract, good signing b/c he's a good #3. the problem, i don't believe roberts is, or will ever be, a good #2. and we ain't signing one. and i'll be SHOCKED if we draft one.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Indeed, i think we've all been spoiled. And it made sense to pay for three great WRs when the Cardinals had a great QB.



Well i am by no means a huge fan of Doucet, and clearly the Cardinals' receiving corps doesn't compare to having Fitz, Boldin, and Breaston, but for a little dose of reality, here are some 2011 numbers to put the Cardinals' WRs in perspective relative to those in the rest of the NFC West:

Fitz 80-1411-8
Doucet 54-689-5
Roberts 51-586-2

Crabtree 72-874-4
Manningham (NYG) 39-523-4
Moss 0-0-0
(of course Davis was a top receiver with 67-792-6)

Baldwin 51-788-4
Obomanu 37-436-2
Tate 35-382-3

Lloyd 51-683-5
Gibson 36-431-1
Pettis 27-256-0
(actually Jackson was the #2 receiver with 42-333-1)

Looking strictly at these numbers and ignoring the obvious differences in QBs, offenses, injuries, and all other factors, still one comes away with the impression Doucet is more than adequate as a #2, with numbers comparable to those of the #1 receiver on the Seahawks and Rams, and far better than any other #2 WR in the division.

Oh and while i'm at it:

Boldin 57-887-3
Breaston 61-785-2

Bottom line: Factoring in Fitz, the Cardinals' WR corps is still far better than average, and even just considering Doucet and Roberts, it's not bad at all. I'd love to have Fitz, Breaston, and Boldin all in their primes, but the sky is not falling here.

...dave

cmon dave, the nfc west has the worst wr's in the league. we do have to play other teams as well you know. are you really celebrating "we're not the worst! we're not the worst!" - ?!?

 

[Cardiac]

I like what daves thought process is with this. Early ranked 57th in yards and 53rd in receptions. 32 teams with 2 starters at WR equals 64. Early clearly stats wise is a #2 WR.

Andre Roberts 67 and 76 respectively. Makes him easily a #3 WR.

Two RB's had more yards and 7 had more receptions so make up your own mind if that helps or hurts this argument.

15 TE's are in the top 60 for receiving yards and 17 in receptons. Same discussion as the RB's.

Our QB situation was more than a little bit sketchy last year so I believe that hurt their stats as well.

Our TE's caught about 65 balls so that's a huge improvement over prior years.

Our RB's didn't factor in the passing game much at all.

What's this all mean?

For me it says that we aren't nearly as desperate for a "true" #2 WR as many perceive.

We still have room for improvement from our TE's in the passing game.

A screaming need to get or RB's more involved.

I do miss the three headed monster of Fitz, Boldin and Breaston.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I like what daves thought process is with this. Early ranked 57th in yards and 53rd in receptions. 32 teams with 2 starters at WR equals 64. Early clearly stats wise is a #2 WR.

Andre Roberts 67 and 76 respectively. Makes him easily a #3 WR.

Two RB's had more yards and 7 had more receptions so make up your own mind if that helps or hurts this argument.

15 TE's are in the top 60 for receiving yards and 17 in receptons. Same discussion as the RB's.

Our QB situation was more than a little bit sketchy last year so I believe that hurt their stats as well.

Our TE's caught about 65 balls so that's a huge improvement over prior years.

Our RB's didn't factor in the passing game much at all.

What's this all mean?

For me it says that we aren't nearly as desperate for a "true" #2 WR as many perceive.

We still have room for improvement from our TE's in the passing game.

A screaming need to get or RB's more involved.

I do miss the three headed monster of Fitz, Boldin and Breaston.

I don't know.. a guy ranked 57 out 64, pretty much means he's a bottom end #2 WR... in a passing league. That kinda sucks and if you don't believe me, I'd take Fitz's word for it when he voiced concerns about the lack of playmaking WRs around him like he did last season.

 

[Cardiac]

I don't know.. a guy ranked 57 out 64, pretty much means he's a bottom end #2 WR... in a passing league. That kinda sucks and if you don't believe me, I'd take Fitz's word for it when he voiced concerns about the lack of playmaking WRs around him like he did last season.

Simply going with stats doesn't tell the whole story. The point I was trying to make is that we don't have a gaping hole at the #2 WR and 3 WR position.

I do expect us to draft a WR by the 4th rd this year and wouldn't be upset if we took one in the 1st rd.

Plus don't ignore that both of their stats would have been better if the QB play wasn't as sporadic.

An upgrade would be nice and maybe a higher priority than I'm assigning to it. I just don't want us giving stupid money to a FA WR when we have more pressing needs at O-line and LBer.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Simply going with stats doesn't tell the whole story. The point I was trying to make is that we don't have a gaping hole at the #2 WR and 3 WR position.

I do expect us to draft a WR by the 4th rd this year and wouldn't be upset if we took one in the 1st rd.

Plus don't ignore that both of their stats would have been better if the QB play wasn't as sporadic.

An upgrade would be nice and maybe a higher priority than I'm assigning to it. I just don't want us giving stupid money to a FA WR when we have more pressing needs at O-line and LBer.

i agree... but did a guy like Brandon Lloyd get "stupid money"? He got 4 million per year. And I'm more worried that money isn't gonna get spent on a LBer or O-line anyway.

just seems like for two years running we're going into the season with the exact same holes (#2 WR, OT, LBer). just frustrating to see the same holes and thinking they'll be magically patched up by what's already on the roster.

 

[Duckjake]

Simply going with stats doesn't tell the whole story. The point I was trying to make is that we don't have a gaping hole at the #2 WR and 3 WR position.

I do expect us to draft a WR by the 4th rd this year and wouldn't be upset if we took one in the 1st rd.

Plus don't ignore that both of their stats would have been better if the QB play wasn't as sporadic.

An upgrade would be nice and maybe a higher priority than I'm assigning to it. I just don't want us giving stupid money to a FA WR when we have more pressing needs at O-line and LBer.

Can't buy this when Fitz had over 1400 yards receiving last year.

 

[Cardiac]

i agree... but did a guy like Brandon Lloyd get "stupid money"? He got 4 million per year. And I'm more worried that money isn't gonna get spent on a LBer or O-line anyway.

just seems like for two years running we're going into the season with the exact same holes (#2 WR, OT, LBer). just frustrating to see the same holes and thinking they'll be magically patched up by what's already on the roster.

You may be right that signing Lloyd would have been an improvement. The flip side is that maybe Lloyd becomes another stat in FA failures.

You make a great point about needing WR, OT and LBer but at least the list has gotten shorter.

 

[Cardiac]

Can't buy this when Fitz had over 1400 yards receiving last year.

As you have posted numerous times Fitz is an Alien so even if Max Hall is the QB he will get his numbers. Let's simply look at the completion % and QB ratings to determine how good the QB play was in AZ last year.

Even you have posted that if we signed PM this team would be scary good because we are only a QB away from being....... Great.

Now you want to back track on that statement? Sounds K9ish to me.

 

[joeshmo]

i agree... but did a guy like Brandon Lloyd get "stupid money"? He got 4 million per year.

Lloyd wasn't going anywhere but to be with McDaniels. Has followed him to now their third team together. The only coach he has ever had success with, and Lloyd wasn't going to go to any other team but the Patriots.