Catfish
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- Aug 14, 2006
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-----the Cardinals have made the one move that has been missing in our offensive line since the days of Deuce Lutui. With the signing of Mike Iupati, we now have the guard with 'beast mode' mentality who can impose his will on opposing defensive tackles and open holes for running backs to rumble through. Better yet, (while Lutui was definitely a 'free spirit' who often set about kicking an opponent's butt simply because he felt like it), Iupati is the type of player who enjoys kicking butt in the context of the play call, and the need for opening a hole for a running back to get through because the play calls for it. That type of line play will have the effect of getting other linemen excited about imposing their will also, (just as Lutui did when he went into 'beast mode').
While I am ecstatic with the signing of Iupati, I am somewhat uneasy that for whatever reason, Wisniewski was not signed at center. I don't know if it was simply a money matter, (or that maybe Wiz began to pull back for more dollars after finding out what we spent on Iupati), but regardless, Keim ended up signing AQ Shipley to compete with Sendlein, (or replace him). It may even be that Arians had a lot of say in the matter and influenced the selection of Shipley over Wisniewski. Arians is very familiar with Shipley, having coached him twice before, (with the Steelers, then the Colts). Arguably, Shipley graded out very well during his short five game stint as starting center for the Colts before being benched. He may have been in the dog-house for some reason not known to us here on this board. Or he may have been the equal of Wiz, for about a third the cost. In any event, I have a sneaking suspicion that we have upgraded the Center position from Sendlein, and at the very least, have created some extremely heated competition for him to overcome in order to keep his job, (again for about a third the cost). I have no real fears about the center position, so long as Arians is not complaining about the signing. This may well lead to being able to cut Sendlein and his 4 mil dollar salary, (money that could be used to help sign Orakpo or a running back).
I am very pleased at what the front office has accomplished so far in free agency, as each signing seems to have a very good fit either offensively or defensively. Each one fills a hole that we needed to address, and while some are maybe injury prone, they undoubtedly do not lack in talent. Once again there appears to have been a very carefully crafted plan by Keim to set the roster up for the draft, and it was done quickly, skillfully, and frugally. Hearing newly signed players like Corey Peters describe how Keim explained the fit and purpose for Peters selection, was music to my ears after the continued failings of Rod Graves for years at doing the same job.
We may not yet be finished in this free agent period, and any further signings would be icing on the cake to me.
As an afterthought, I can see our O-line coming out like this: LT, Jared Veldheer, LG, Mike Iupati, C, AQ Shipley, RG, Johnathon Cooper, RT, Bobby Massie. I believe that this is an O-line that we can live with for years to come.
While I am ecstatic with the signing of Iupati, I am somewhat uneasy that for whatever reason, Wisniewski was not signed at center. I don't know if it was simply a money matter, (or that maybe Wiz began to pull back for more dollars after finding out what we spent on Iupati), but regardless, Keim ended up signing AQ Shipley to compete with Sendlein, (or replace him). It may even be that Arians had a lot of say in the matter and influenced the selection of Shipley over Wisniewski. Arians is very familiar with Shipley, having coached him twice before, (with the Steelers, then the Colts). Arguably, Shipley graded out very well during his short five game stint as starting center for the Colts before being benched. He may have been in the dog-house for some reason not known to us here on this board. Or he may have been the equal of Wiz, for about a third the cost. In any event, I have a sneaking suspicion that we have upgraded the Center position from Sendlein, and at the very least, have created some extremely heated competition for him to overcome in order to keep his job, (again for about a third the cost). I have no real fears about the center position, so long as Arians is not complaining about the signing. This may well lead to being able to cut Sendlein and his 4 mil dollar salary, (money that could be used to help sign Orakpo or a running back).
I am very pleased at what the front office has accomplished so far in free agency, as each signing seems to have a very good fit either offensively or defensively. Each one fills a hole that we needed to address, and while some are maybe injury prone, they undoubtedly do not lack in talent. Once again there appears to have been a very carefully crafted plan by Keim to set the roster up for the draft, and it was done quickly, skillfully, and frugally. Hearing newly signed players like Corey Peters describe how Keim explained the fit and purpose for Peters selection, was music to my ears after the continued failings of Rod Graves for years at doing the same job.
We may not yet be finished in this free agent period, and any further signings would be icing on the cake to me.
As an afterthought, I can see our O-line coming out like this: LT, Jared Veldheer, LG, Mike Iupati, C, AQ Shipley, RG, Johnathon Cooper, RT, Bobby Massie. I believe that this is an O-line that we can live with for years to come.
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