Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
The primary focus of this off-season shoud be on straightening out the team's defensive woes. The offense is pretty much set...one key addition, like All-Pro LG Alan Faneca, would do very nicely. Now, if the Cardinals could find a way to keep opposing teams under 21 points on a regular basis...hello playoffs!
The Cardinals need to upgrade their pass rush and their cover ability...it's that simple. With an improved pass rush and tighter coverage, the Cardinal defense may be able to close out the close games...something they were unable to do with any semblance of consistency this past season.
The inside 3 of LDE-Dockett, NT-Watson/Branch, and RDE-Smith could be dynamic, especially with another year training under John Lott. The depth at DE is suspect, although it would be great if Chris Cooper returns to form, and he is signed through 2008. Rodney Bailey is a UFA, and will likely be re-signed if the team does not draft a DE. Bailey is decent run stuffer, but not a very good pass rusher.
The inside LBers are set: Gerald Hayes at SILB and Karlos Dansby at WILB. Dansby will play for a one year franchise tag salary if a long term deal isn't worked out. Hopefully, Dansby won't miss a ton of practices in training camp. Monty Beisel adds solid depth and is signed through 2008. And keep an eye of David Holloway, who may turn some heads in training camp as a depth player.
The OLB situation is in complete flux. SOLB Calvin Pace is a UFA and needs to be re-signed. Pace showed impressive all-around play at the position as a run stuffer, pass rusher and cover man. At WOLB, one would hope that Chike Okeafor will return healthy and highly motivated. It would seem that the club will need to let go of Bertrand Berry and his $4M salary, although it may be wise to try to get him to take a pay cut to remain in the mix. While Berry has lost a half a step and become injury prone, he's the kind of player who could surprise everyone with a highly dedicated off-season. Darryl Blackstock will likely be tendered as an RFA...but he will have to show Calvin Pace-like improvement to stay in the team's plans beyond 2008. Joe Tafoya is a solid contributor and high energy guy, but he's not much of an edge rusher.
At CB the Cards are thin in depth. Rod Hood is an above average LCB. At RCB, Eric Green has shown excellent flashes, but hasn't started for a whole season yet, due to inconsistent play and injuries. Behind them the cupboard is dry...although feisty special teamer Michael Adams might make a push in 2008 as a nickle back.
At Safety the Cards need SS Adrian Wilson to return healthy and determined. Wilson was not having a particularly strong year (for him) even before he was hurt...and as we saw, his impact on the defense was sorely missed. At FS, incumbent starter, Terrence Holt needs to be replaced. Aaron Francisco never really challenged for the job due to a rash of injuries. And Antrel Rolle would have to prove that he can play well in space, as a run supporter and deep third/half/middle ballhawk.
The two free agents most talked about on the board are OLB Terrell Suggs (Ravens) and CB Drayton Florence (Chargers). Both of these players would certainly fit. Suggs could revitalize the Cardinals pass rush...but his price tag may be too lofty. Florence could challenge Eric Green for the starting RCB spot and provide solid depth. His demotion this past season should motivate him, and it may make hs salary demands more realistic.
However, it would appear that the Cardinals will have to use the draft to upgrade their defensive talent and depth...and, if that's the case, the Cardinals will have a difficult decision to make at #16, whether to take a CB like Mike Jenkins (6-0, 200, South Florida) or a pass rusher like Quentin Groves (6-4, 254, Auburn).
If such is the case, it may behoove the Cardinals to take the pass rusher first, seeing as they will not be picking until the low 20s in second round...and by then there will be DBs available still, but the decent pass rushers will be gone.
Thus, at this point, the draft could very well look something like this:
1. OLB/DE Quentin Groves, Auburn.
2. CB Simeon Castille, Alabama.
3. FS Marcus Watts, Kansas St.
4. WR Sammie Stroughter, Oregon St.
5. RB Andre Callender, Boston College
6. P Durant Brooks, Georgia Tech
7. LB Mike Klinkenborg, Iowa
The Cardinals need to upgrade their pass rush and their cover ability...it's that simple. With an improved pass rush and tighter coverage, the Cardinal defense may be able to close out the close games...something they were unable to do with any semblance of consistency this past season.
The inside 3 of LDE-Dockett, NT-Watson/Branch, and RDE-Smith could be dynamic, especially with another year training under John Lott. The depth at DE is suspect, although it would be great if Chris Cooper returns to form, and he is signed through 2008. Rodney Bailey is a UFA, and will likely be re-signed if the team does not draft a DE. Bailey is decent run stuffer, but not a very good pass rusher.
The inside LBers are set: Gerald Hayes at SILB and Karlos Dansby at WILB. Dansby will play for a one year franchise tag salary if a long term deal isn't worked out. Hopefully, Dansby won't miss a ton of practices in training camp. Monty Beisel adds solid depth and is signed through 2008. And keep an eye of David Holloway, who may turn some heads in training camp as a depth player.
The OLB situation is in complete flux. SOLB Calvin Pace is a UFA and needs to be re-signed. Pace showed impressive all-around play at the position as a run stuffer, pass rusher and cover man. At WOLB, one would hope that Chike Okeafor will return healthy and highly motivated. It would seem that the club will need to let go of Bertrand Berry and his $4M salary, although it may be wise to try to get him to take a pay cut to remain in the mix. While Berry has lost a half a step and become injury prone, he's the kind of player who could surprise everyone with a highly dedicated off-season. Darryl Blackstock will likely be tendered as an RFA...but he will have to show Calvin Pace-like improvement to stay in the team's plans beyond 2008. Joe Tafoya is a solid contributor and high energy guy, but he's not much of an edge rusher.
At CB the Cards are thin in depth. Rod Hood is an above average LCB. At RCB, Eric Green has shown excellent flashes, but hasn't started for a whole season yet, due to inconsistent play and injuries. Behind them the cupboard is dry...although feisty special teamer Michael Adams might make a push in 2008 as a nickle back.
At Safety the Cards need SS Adrian Wilson to return healthy and determined. Wilson was not having a particularly strong year (for him) even before he was hurt...and as we saw, his impact on the defense was sorely missed. At FS, incumbent starter, Terrence Holt needs to be replaced. Aaron Francisco never really challenged for the job due to a rash of injuries. And Antrel Rolle would have to prove that he can play well in space, as a run supporter and deep third/half/middle ballhawk.
The two free agents most talked about on the board are OLB Terrell Suggs (Ravens) and CB Drayton Florence (Chargers). Both of these players would certainly fit. Suggs could revitalize the Cardinals pass rush...but his price tag may be too lofty. Florence could challenge Eric Green for the starting RCB spot and provide solid depth. His demotion this past season should motivate him, and it may make hs salary demands more realistic.
However, it would appear that the Cardinals will have to use the draft to upgrade their defensive talent and depth...and, if that's the case, the Cardinals will have a difficult decision to make at #16, whether to take a CB like Mike Jenkins (6-0, 200, South Florida) or a pass rusher like Quentin Groves (6-4, 254, Auburn).
If such is the case, it may behoove the Cardinals to take the pass rusher first, seeing as they will not be picking until the low 20s in second round...and by then there will be DBs available still, but the decent pass rushers will be gone.
Thus, at this point, the draft could very well look something like this:
1. OLB/DE Quentin Groves, Auburn.
2. CB Simeon Castille, Alabama.
3. FS Marcus Watts, Kansas St.
4. WR Sammie Stroughter, Oregon St.
5. RB Andre Callender, Boston College
6. P Durant Brooks, Georgia Tech
7. LB Mike Klinkenborg, Iowa
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