Free Agency to Date

[Harry]

You can put me in the camp of those who are concerned. Will James improve the Cards? Certainly! For me the good news stops there. I can live with Warner, but his lack of mobility is a major concern, especially if other concerns are not resolved.

Clancy in; Davis out looks like a push at best. The pass rush should improve, but it was already strong. I think the run defense suffers and I am not sure Clancy can hold up for a full season in that role. Unless the Cards have a run stopping MLB fall in their laps during the draft, they will be hard pressed to get the defense off the field late in games.

Then there's the quarterback position. Anyone feeling good about this position beyond Warner? None of the names I am hearing are as good as McCown. Harrington? Give me a break. Does anyone seriously think Warner plays 16 games?

Likely the best reason for thinking Warner won’t last 16 games is the offensive line. Clearly this was weakest part of last season’s team. The best the Cards have done so far is to acquire a player who certainly does not resemble the solution based on his previous NFL career. A few simple questions come to mind. Where does this unit turn for leadership? If there is a leader amongst them, he was well disguised last season. I hear people say injuries hurt last season’s team. Well I’d ask those people if they believe the depth has improved. It looks pretty much the same to me. Why assume these players will be more durable this year? Then there’s the issue of toughness. Who’s mean on this line? Who’s the enforcer? Who do other teams fear? Aside from Davis, who on this team has quick feet and can pull or make second level blocks? This is a weak line and good coaching only goes so far. The trenches are not made up of finesse positions. This unit lacks talent plus depth and based on last year's performance merits nothing but skepticism.

I know free agency isn’t over, but I think the best teams fix their biggest problems first and running back was not this team’s biggest problem. I’m happy to have James, but he is not a substitute for an effective offensive line. As far as I can see the Cards had huge money entering free agency, had little need to re-sign players after Warner and yet came away with only one position improved. That’s poor management and I doubt there are enough dollars or players left to make this a successful free agency period.

 

[Redsz]

Clancy in; Davis out looks like a push at best. The pass rush should improve, but it was already strong. I think the run defense suffers and I am not sure Clancy can hold up for a full season in that role. Unless the Cards have a run stopping MLB fall in their laps during the draft, they will be hard pressed to get the defense off the field late in games.

What the heck is this based on? I guess he can't hold up based on the fact that he held up all year for the NYG last year?

Davis in the middle for Arizona: 4.25 YPC and 4.4 YPC up the middle

Clancy in the middle for NY: 3.7 YPC up the middle.

Davis anchored one of the worst run defenses in the NFL in 2004 and yet people act like we just lost the best DT in the NFL. The Cardinals were offering him back up money and he eventually signed with SEA as a backup. Doesn't that tell you something?

 

[Goodyear Card]

Harry,

I agree. I am also concerned with talent on the OL. Heck, I would even consider releasing Big and his $7 million salary so we could sign two OL. For $7 million I want an OL who can hear/remember the snap count. However, we signed James, Warner, Wells, Clancy and Brown in free agency. Would you rather sign McCown or another OL? Back-up QBs are back-ups for a reason. There are no talented back-up QBs. I will agree RB was not a major need for the team but signing James was a major improvement for the team.

 

[Renz]

What the heck is this based on? I guess he can't hold up based on the fact that he held up all year for the NYG last year?

Davis in the middle for Arizona: 4.25 YPC and 4.4 YPC up the middle

Clancy in the middle for NY: 3.7 YPC up the middle.

Not to mention that, like Russ pointed out in another thread, with Clancy at NT the Giants improved from 28th against the run in 2004 (giving up 4.3 YPC) to 12th against the run in 2005 (giving up 3.9 YPC).

 

[joeshmo]

What the heck is this based on? I guess he can't hold up based on the fact that he held up all year for the NYG last year?

Davis in the middle for Arizona: 4.25 YPC and 4.4 YPC up the middle

Clancy in the middle for NY: 3.7 YPC up the middle.

Davis anchored one of the worst run defenses in the NFL in 2004 and yet people act like we just lost the best DT in the NFL. The Cardinals were offering him back up money and he eventually signed with SEA as a backup. Doesn't that tell you something?

I really start to wonder if people know who Clancy is at all some times.

Our pass rush wont improve with Clancy, the guy has like 1 sack his whole career or something. He is purely a NT only, thats what he played behind Casey Hampton in pitt and where he played with the Giants.

 

[az jam]

Sorry Harry but I disagree with you assessment. Clancy is a major improvement over Davis who hardly played at all last year. In fact the Giants were very upset that his agent signed with the Cards so fast. M. Brown's strength is run blocking which is our biggest need. Edge is the best signing ever for the Cards. Warner and Wells needed to be resigned. Warner will be better this year than last. We do need a backup and hopefully that will be addressed.
Additionallyl this was a very weak year for the OL in free agency. Finally, the overall free agent class was not that strong. I'm happy with where the Cards are and looking forward to a good draft and then adding some depth through some veteran free agent signings for minimum salary.

 

[jefftheshark]

Additionallyl this was a very weak year for the OL in free agency.

Weak year is an understatement. When a guy like Larry Allen (who is so far over the hill that he can't even remember where the hill was) is paid $4m+ per year, then you know the pickings were slim.

If given the choice between James or Hutch, I think the Cards made the right decision.

The Shark

PS I might be soaked in kool aid, but between Mitch and Harry, there is way too much hand-wringing going on here. Take a pill and relax, guys, there is at least a small chance that Green knows what he is doing.

 

[Redsz]

I really start to wonder if people know who Clancy is at all some times.

Our pass rush wont improve with Clancy, the guy has like 1 sack his whole career or something. He is purely a NT only, thats what he played behind Casey Hampton in pitt and where he played with the Giants.

Yup, he recorded his first career sack this year: 39 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 2 sacks and 2 ff in 05'. Some people have been relying on out of date or flat out wrong scouting reports on Clancy.

With Chike and Clancy lining up next to each other, teams are going to have a VERY hard time running to that side. Our D line = the awesome.

 

[seesred]

I know I never write anything negative..Half full kind of guy. Clancy improves the D line to stop the run. Clancy and Dockett will be great together and Clancy will free up Dockett to get morte pressure in the QB.

The Warner signing, Wells a three year guy going into his biggest growth years. The signing of Brown who is especially good in run blocking. We will get 7 more players in the draft and maybe a couple before camp. We had the 8th ranked defense last year and couldn't stop the run. We had the 8th rated offense and couldn't run. The Biggest signing ever EDGE is now wearing Cardinals Red.

I'm excited about where we are, where we are going and expect to see great things in the post season .

GBR
40

 

[Krangodnzr]

Harry is a great writer, but he has been wrong a lot recently. He has predicted success recently, and we've had the exact opposite.

I fall among the camp that believes that our RBs were terrible. RB needed to be upgraded big time, and James and Alexander were the best on the market.

With Milford Brown, I've only read good things. He gave up a whooping 4 sacks last year. If our entire line gave up 4 sacks each, that's only 20 sacks. His team also ran the ball very well....Was that Davis' ability (which James is more than a little bit better than) or was it a combination of good run blocking and a talented RB. And some have said that Brown was the Texans best lineman, so logically, I would assume that he is a pretty good runblocker.

One of the posters on this board rewatched the Cards-Texans game, and came away very impressed by Brown's ability. He drove people off the line all game long. Maybe, just maybe, our coaches watched game tape and saw that, and then watched tape of Brown from his entire season. He sounds like a hidden gem to me...

 

[az1965]

Real OL coach, health, and experience hopefully will improve OL play, but how much? Wells is ok, but no stud. Center position is far from solid. And RT has huge qustion marks. OL is definitely a concern.

 

[Duckjake]

Davis anchored one of the worst run defenses in the NFL in 2004 and yet people act like we just lost the best DT in the NFL. The Cardinals were offering him back up money and he eventually signed with SEA as a backup. Doesn't that tell you something?
__________________

It tells me that Davis felt he had a better chance of playing in the post season and maybe even the SuperBowl with Seattle than he did with Arizona.

We had the 8th ranked defense last year and couldn't stop the run.

The Cards were better against the run than the pass compared to the rest of the NFL last year 10th vs 12th. What they couldn't do was stop rushing TD's. Only the Cards could have those high rankings and finish 29th in scoring defense.

 

[Redsz]

It tells me that Davis felt he had a better chance of playing in the post season and maybe even the SuperBowl with Seattle than he did with Arizona.

Great - then he can 'anchor' the Seattle D line as a backup in their DT rotation.

But it tells me is that both Seattle and Arizona regarded him as a backup quality player and that he will be no great loss.

 

[Duckjake]

Great - then he can 'anchor' the Seattle D line as a backup in their DT rotation.

But it tells me is that both Seattle and Arizona regarded him as a backup quality player and that he will be no great loss.

And he'll get to play in 10-13 wins a year instead of 5 or 6, maybe get a ring, and never think once about what the posters on ASFN thought about him.

 

[Redsz]

Wow, you are taking this personally aren't you? Do you know Davis? Are you family member or something? Because it boggles my mind why you continue to defend a lack luster player who is now playing for a division rival. The fact that you even have to slam the Cardinals to defend the guy throws up a red flag for me.

I have nothing personal against the guy. But he isn't the DT we needed in the interior of the line. And the fact that he MAY get to play on a team with a winning record (history says otherwise) has exactly 2/5th's of crap all to do with it.

 

[Mitch]

Right on the money, Harry. You said it perfectly when you asked who the leader of this o-line is? There isn't a take-charge player on it. Leonard Davis is too introverted...and the rest are sheepish, at best. The one player who may have some leadership instincts is Nick Leckey. I thought he grabbed the bull by the horns when he became the starter at center...but Leckey hasn't been a starter long enough for anyone to know for sure what kind of a leader he is.

Bertrand Berry's leadership galvanized the defensive line when he arrived. What the Cardinals need is an offensive lineman to do the same...which is one of the MAJOR reasons why the team needs to sign a veteran free agent...one who upgrade the talent level and provides much needed leadership.

 

[Snakester]

Thank you Harry! Very good assessment. As far as a runstopping MLB in the draft. I am really high on Kai Parham from Virginia. His slow forty times at the combine I think have dropped him down to the third or fourth round. I love the way this guy stops the run and is able to take on guards and still make the play. What's your take on him Harry?

 

[TheCardFan]

You have to agree with the Oline. The team will sink or swim based on their performance alone.

I thought Clancy's forte' was run stopping...

The Cards needed to get stronger up the middle.

James - Check
LG - Still a ?
C - Still a ?
RG - Still a ?
NT - Check
MLB - Still a ?

I think at least one of the G positions should be a check by the time the season starts and MLB should be at least competitive.

 

[Duckjake]

Wow, you are taking this personally aren't you? Do you know Davis? Are you family member or something? Because it boggles my mind why you continue to defend a lack luster player who is now playing for a division rival. The fact that you even have to slam the Cardinals to defend the guy throws up a red flag for me.

I have nothing personal against the guy. But he isn't the DT we needed in the interior of the line. And the fact that he MAY get to play on a team with a winning record (history says otherwise) has exactly 2/5th's of crap all to do with it.

You and others keep bashing the guy because you don't like him. "lackluster player" etc.

I keep defending the guy because I think he was a better player than most of you want to admit.

The Cardinals record speaks for itself.

As for MAY get to play on a winning team; Seattle killed Arizona twice last year. We have a long way to go to catch up to the Seahawks. History involving Tim McDonald,Jay Novacek,Aeneas Williams,Simeon Rice, and Michael Pittman is in my favor.

 

[kerouac9]

Thank you Harry! Very good assessment. As far as a runstopping MLB in the draft. I am really high on Kai Parham from Virginia. His slow forty times at the combine I think have dropped him down to the third or fourth round. I love the way this guy stops the run and is able to take on guards and still make the play. What's your take on him Harry?

Bad fit for this defense, which is predicated on speed and versitility. Parham can only play in one direction. We already have him with a year of NFL experience, and his name is Lance Mitchell.

Abdul Hodge in the second round? Now you're talking.

 

[DieHardFromMO]

Bad fit for this defense, which is predicated on speed and versitility. Parham can only play in one direction. We already have him with a year of NFL experience, and his name is Lance Mitchell.

Abdul Hodge in the second round? Now you're talking.

Yes I am looking forward to see what we get out of Lance Mitchell this year. He should be as close to 100% healthy as he can be. Wasn't he projected to be a 1st round pick last year before he got injured at Oklahoma creating a huge bargain opportunity for us?

 

[Snakester]

Bad fit for this defense, which is predicated on speed and versitility. Parham can only play in one direction. We already have him with a year of NFL experience, and his name is Lance Mitchell.

Abdul Hodge in the second round? Now you're talking.

I'm from the old school when it comes to middle linebackers. I want the guy to have the strength to take on an o-lineman and be able to stop any running back in his tracks. If he can't do that then he's just a second rate player. As far as Hodge, he's good, but I prefer Parham.

 

[kerouac9]

I'm from the old school when it comes to middle linebackers. I want the guy to have the strength to take on an o-lineman and be able to stop any running back in his tracks. If he can't do that then he's just a second rate player. As far as Hodge, he's good, but I prefer Parham.

Well, you obviously don't have the same view as our D-coordinator, who orchestrated at Top 10 defense last season. Out LBs need to be able to drop back and cover as well and blitz and fill against the run. Our LBs shoot gaps, not wait for the runner to come to them.

Maybe you should go follow a more "old school" defense. I'm not sure there are that many left in the NFL. Try Jacksonville. 2 big tackles, big LBs, mediocre rush defense (14th in the NFL).

 

[Redsz]

You and others keep bashing the guy because you don't like him. "lackluster player" etc.

I keep defending the guy because I think he was a better player than most of you want to admit.

I'm not 'bashing' him. I'm not going around on every thread and saying 'Russell Davis eats babies' - I'm giving my opinion on what I saw on the field in direct relation to what was in Harrys first post.

He was not the DT we needed on the interior. He was not strong enough to be the NT in this scheme. The Cardinals were offering him backup money and he signed as a back up in Seattle. That has absolutley nothing to do with the record the Seahawks may have this year or if he may read ASFN.

The Cardinals record speaks for itself.

Which again has absolutley nothing to do with Russell Davis and what quality of player he is. But for some reason you just threw that out there.

As for MAY get to play on a winning team; Seattle killed Arizona twice last year. We have a long way to go to catch up to the Seahawks. History involving Tim McDonald,Jay Novacek,Aeneas Williams,Simeon Rice, and Michael Pittman is in my favor.

Yes, he MAY get to play on a winning team, nothing is guranted in March and things quickly change in the NFL. That added to the fact of the traditional Superbowl slump and he MAY get to play on a winning team.

 

[Snakester]

Well, you obviously don't have the same view as our D-coordinator, who orchestrated at Top 10 defense last season. Out LBs need to be able to drop back and cover as well and blitz and fill against the run. Our LBs shoot gaps, not wait for the runner to come to them.

Maybe you should go follow a more "old school" defense. I'm not sure there are that many left in the NFL. Try Jacksonville. 2 big tackles, big LBs, mediocre rush defense (14th in the NFL).

Most NFL teams have big middle linebackers. I just took a quick count and I only saw ten that were under 240. You mean to tell me that you wouldn't like guys like Ray Lewis or Brian Urlacher on your team. Urlacher is listed at 6-4 258. I can see wanting the outside linebackers to be smaller and quicker but the inside guys should have some power. Even our own middle linebackers are more on the side of power than speed. Gerald Hayes is listed at 6-1 247, James Darling is listed at 6-1 247 and Lance Mitchell is listed at 6-2 250.
Gerald Hayes is the best athlete out of the three and he is not what I would call a speed demon.

Plus it would only make sense if you have small DT's that a team would want a strong middle linebacker and not some guy that is only 225.