EVT: Cardinals Do Little as Free Agency Period Begins

[Evil Ash]

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/85106

March 2, 2007
Cardinals do little as free agency period begins
Darren Urban, Tribune

The Cardinals’ start to free agency Friday was 180 degrees different from the splash the team made in 2006, when it signed three players — including Edgerrin James — immediately.

In fact, the biggest news from Cards’ camp came from a soon-to-be-ex-Cardinal, as tackle Leonard Davis was in Dallas Friday and will make a trip to Washington today.

It is unlikely Davis will be a free agent for much longer. It’s even more unlikely he will return to Arizona.

Meanwhile, the Cardinals — as promised — are looking to upgrade their cornerback position, with Travis Fisher (Rams) scheduled to visit Sunday after going to Washington and Roderick Hood (Eagles) visiting Monday following a trip to Cleveland. The Giants also have an interest in Hood.

The Cardinals are woefully thin at cornerback and will lose David Macklin and Robert Tate as free agents. The team is looking for players to battle Eric Green for the starting role opposite Antrel Rolle.

Among the other players who are expected to visit this weekend: Buffalo tackle Mike Gandy, Dallas center Al Johnson and Cincinnati safety Kevin Kaesviharn.

Among players who could also be brought in: Detroit safety Terrence Holt and Cincinnati tight end Reggie Kelly.

One player who will not be coming to Arizona is fullback Ovie Mughelli, who signed with Atlanta Friday.

The fullback the Cardinals will be talking to is Houston restricted free agent Vonta Leach.

According to Leach’s agent, Ralph Vitolo, Leach arrived in the Valley Friday night. While Vitolo said Leach has drawn interest from other teams, the Cards were the first to call about the 6-foot, 250-pounder.

After getting the low tender from the Texans, Leach would cost the Cards nothing if they signed him, although Houston will have the right to match any offer.

After adjustments to their salary cap space to account for tender offers, contract incentives, etc., the Cardinals have a little more than $20 million of cap room available.

Davis could be off the market before the Cards even get a player in for a visit. The Cowboys would use Davis at either guard or tackle, depending on how the rest of free agency plays out. Dallas could lose right tackle Marc Columbo in free agency.

Davis has long wanted to play in Dallas, which is close to his hometown of Wortham, Texas.

The Redskins would use Davis to replace guard Derrick Dockery, a free agent who signed with Buffalo Friday. The Giants, who need a replacement for the released Luke Petitgout, have also expressed interest in Davis.

Davis has said he wouldn’t mind returning to Arizona, but Dallas, Washington and the Giants are all expected to offer better deals than what the Cards are willing to spend.

Davis’ agent, Ryan Tollner, said Friday night he hoped to have another conversation with the Cardinals to see if they were still interested in re-signing Davis.

EXTRA POINT: The Cardinals did not tender offers to three exclusive rights free agents, including tight end Adam Bergen. Also let go were guard Rolando Cantu and running back Roger Robinson.

 

[Zeno]

EXTRA POINT: The Cardinals did not tender offers to three exclusive rights free agents, including tight end Adam Bergen. Also let go were guard Rolando Cantu and running back Roger Robinson.

I'm a little surpised with Bergen, I thought he'd at least make it to training camp. Robinson too but he had a hard time staying healthy.

Cantu, whatever, stupid PR move anyway.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

Cincinnati tight end Reggie Kelly.

The fullback the Cardinals will be talking to is Houston restricted free agent Vonta Leach.

2 names I haven't heard about yet ..

 

[joeshmo]

A freakin FB no one has ever heard of is the only FA we could find to visit the first day of FA.

 

[joeshmo]

So the new and improved visit list is

FB - Vonta Leach (3/2)
OL - Mike Gandy (3/3)
OC - Al Johnson (3/3)
DB - Kevin Kaesviharn (3/3)
CB - Travis Fisher (3/4)
CB - Roderick Hood (3/5)

DB - Terrence Holt (?)
TE - Reggie Kelly (?)

Still no mention of other TE's, LB's, or DL?

 

[SECTION 11]

This is all very unspectacular.

 

[HoodieBets]

This is all very sickening to my stomach.

 

[Ed Burmila]

So the new and improved visit list is

FB - Vonta Leach (3/2)
OL - Mike Gandy (3/3)
OC - Al Johnson (3/3)
DB - Kevin Kaesviharn (3/3)
CB - Travis Fisher (3/4)
CB - Roderick Hood (3/5)

Wow, that looks like a dynamite lineup.

For an NFL Europe team.

 

[PJ1]

So the new and improved visit list is

FB - Vonta Leach (3/2)
OL - Mike Gandy (3/3)
OC - Al Johnson (3/3)
DB - Kevin Kaesviharn (3/3)
CB - Travis Fisher (3/4)
CB - Roderick Hood (3/5)

DB - Terrence Holt (?)
TE - Reggie Kelly (?)

Still no mention of other TE's, LB's, or DL?

Are you sure this list isn't taken from the waiver wire? This must be a mistake.

 

[Shogun]

So the new and improved visit list is

FB - Vonta Leach (3/2)
OL - Mike Gandy (3/3)
OC - Al Johnson (3/3)
DB - Kevin Kaesviharn (3/3)
CB - Travis Fisher (3/4)
CB - Roderick Hood (3/5)

DB - Terrence Holt (?)
TE - Reggie Kelly (?)

Still no mention of other TE's, LB's, or DL?

You must be registered for see images attach

Excellent.

 

[Second Deck]

I really believe you have to build your team through the draft, However I would have thought they would have at least made a run at Thomas and a LT. With all the cap money we have I am very disappointed not bringing in any starters at positions of need and letting Davis walk.

 

[Renz]

This is all very unspectacular.

I guess this is what passes for being "agressive" in Rod Graves's world.

 

[Chopper0080]

If we can't get Donnie Edwards in for a visit I will be pissed. Yes, he is past his prime, but he is still a leader that we need on defense and has skills to make plays.

and I still want Ike Reese but what do we need to improve special teams for? I am sure that we can just coach that unit up as well...

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Are you sure this list isn't taken from the waiver wire? This must be a mistake.

Kevin Kaesviharn had 4 sacks and 6 int. last season in Cinnci... Not the type of player found om waiver wires, don't you think?

 

[conraddobler]

I guess this is what passes for being "agressive" in Rod Graves's world.

Soon we will be entering the, "don't judge us until training camp or just wait until the season starts" zone.

This is the zone I like to call "hell".

It's where almost a full year of built up expectations and grand rationalizations meet Mr. reality and Mr. reality is packing a grenade launcher.

 

[PJ1]

Kevin Kaesviharn had 4 sacks and 6 int. last season in Cinnci... Not the type of player found om waiver wires, don't you think?

And the rest of the list? If you believe the players on this list are the answer dream on.

You have seen this guy from Cinnci play? Why are they not resigning him?

Seems to me that D gave up a few points last year although I only saw them play a couple of times.

 

[Chopper0080]

Seriously, Graves just needs to come out and say, "We are going to try and improve our team, but the market looks a little high for what we had in mind, so don't get your hopes up. We will schedule some visits but I expect those guys to be signed by other teams before they get here and from there we will pull names of available players out of a hat. This is our plan and we will be competitve despite our glaring holes at LT, FB, TE, OLB and FS. Oh and when you cancel your spot on the season ticket holder list, I would like to thank you for your non refundable deposit...sucker."

 

[Crazy Canuck]

And the rest of the list? If you believe the players on this list are the answer dream on.

You have seen this guy from Cinnci play? Why are they not resigning him?

Seems to me that D gave up a few points last year although I only saw them play a couple of times.

Didn't you Mommy tell you not to answer a question with a question? Especially one that is irrelevent to your earlier assertion that they were "waiver wire" players.

And, yes, I did see him play and he was quite good. As for why they didn't re-sign him before free agency... no idea... but they are free to do so now when they get an idea on his open market worth.

 

[HoodieBets]

Didn't you Mommy tell you not to answer a question with a question? Especially one that is irrelevent to your earlier assertion that they were "waiver wire" players.

And, yes, I did see him play and he was quite good. As for why they didn't re-sign him before free agency... no idea... but they are free to do so now when they get an idea on his open market worth.

I think its a relevant questions. Cincy's D was horrible last year especially in the passing game. If he is so good, why would they not retain him? I kno the stats but those are real questions to ask.

 

[PJ1]

Didn't you Mommy tell you not to answer a question with a question? Especially one that is irrelevent to your earlier assertion that they were "waiver wire" players.

And, yes, I did see him play and he was quite good. As for why they didn't re-sign him before free agency... no idea... but they are free to do so now when they get an idea on his open market worth.

I was being sarcastic(waiver wire) and making a point about the weakness of the list. If you are happy with it so be it.

I wouldn't answer to the rest of the list if I were you either. Because their really is no good answer.

As far as asking about the guy from Cinnci I was asking because I never heard of him.

 

[kerouac9]

After adjustments to their salary cap space to account for tender offers, contract incentives, etc., the Cardinals have a little more than $20 million of cap room available.

Um... where is this number coming from? The Cardinals? Didn't they only tender one RFA? What are they using the other $15 million on?

 

[Zeno]

I think its a relevant questions. Cincy's D was horrible last year especially in the passing game. If he is so good, why would they not retain him? I kno the stats but those are real questions to ask.

I think I read that he is at his best when playing close to the line, which kinda explains the 4 sacks but doesn't exactly sound like the type of FS we need. But whatever there is a plan in place.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Um... where is this number coming from? The Cardinals? Didn't they only tender one RFA? What are they using the other $15 million on?

Someone mentioned that there a series of bonuses the Leinart also met to be subtracted. One of articles in Arizona newsapers mentioned that the figure was in fact 21 million.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

I think I read that he is at his best when playing close to the line, which kinda explains the 4 sacks but doesn't exactly sound like the type of FS we need. But whatever there is a plan in place.

Yeah, but he also had 6 interceptions. Not likely when playing close to the line.

 

[Treesquid PhD]

Soon we will be entering the, "don't judge us until training camp or just wait until the season starts" zone.

This is the zone I like to call "hell".

It's where almost a full year of built up expectations and grand rationalizations meet Mr. reality and Mr. reality is packing a grenade launcher.

Haha, at least we don't have to here the "Whiz sucks!!!!!11111!!! A11 w3 n33d is a g00d coach!!!" comments for another 2 years or so.