Cardinal Bob
Glutton for Punishment
Are the Cards ignoring most-pressing need?
by Darrell Trimble
Since the advent of this season's free agent period, the Arizona Cardinals have been trying to find some player, any player, willing to take their money. But after losing players like Rosevelt Colvin and growing impatient with Kordell Stewart, the Cards finally had the opportunity to spend some of their league-high $28 million in cap space. Unfortunately, none of the money went to land a wide receiver.
On Wednesday, Arizona secured the services of safety Dexter Jackson, quarterback Jeff Blake, fullback James Hodgins and linebacker James Darling. The moves should have varying degrees of success, but without making a move to snag a wideout, the one-day shopping spree has to be viewed through a different prism.
After losing David Boston, the Cardinals had no marquee receivers. But with the second and third best receivers on the team, Frank Sanders and MarTay Jenkins, unrestricted free agents, finding a pass catcher is one of the teams most pressing needs.
Not to say the four acquisitions didn't fill holes. Blake, while not being a top signal-caller, should perform at least to the level of Jake Plummer and could easily surpass the the Snake's contributions. And James Darling, who can play both inside and outside, will provide some athleticism and versatility to the linebacking corps.
But the two best signings were that of Hodgins and Jackson. Hodgins, one of the better isolation blockers in the league, is a major upgrade over Joel Mackovicka. At 270 pounds, he can destroy objects in his path, and provided he isn't asked to run many routes, he can catch well enough to be successful on dump-off passes. Jackson gives the team a safety that is equally adept at playing the run or pass. And the Cards need secondary help. In 2002, they ranked 28th in passing yards per game (242.1) and 30th in passing touchdowns surrendered (29).
But there is no excuse for this team not making a serious run at a receiver. Granted, it was a thin free-agent crop, but other teams with needs not nearly as dire as the Cards have stepped up to get something done.
The Cardinals have invited only Seahawks receiver Bobby Engram to town, and that visit was cancelled. Other than that, the team with the deepest pockets was never seriously involved in trading for Peerless Price, or even offering a contract to restricted free agents Laveranues Coles or Darrel Jackson.
At this point, the best two receivers in free agency are Curtis Conway and Kevin Dyson, and the Cardinals haven't made overtures to either. It's a little odd to say the least. The team couldn't be satisfied that the best receiver they have under contract is Kevin Kasper. Or could they?
Either way, unless there's somebody to throw the ball to, what was the need of signing Jeff Blake? With the April draft and then June 1 cuts, Arizona will have opportunities to upgrade the position, but have they may have already passed on their best chance to use their cap dollars to secure a quality wideout.
by Darrell Trimble
Since the advent of this season's free agent period, the Arizona Cardinals have been trying to find some player, any player, willing to take their money. But after losing players like Rosevelt Colvin and growing impatient with Kordell Stewart, the Cards finally had the opportunity to spend some of their league-high $28 million in cap space. Unfortunately, none of the money went to land a wide receiver.
On Wednesday, Arizona secured the services of safety Dexter Jackson, quarterback Jeff Blake, fullback James Hodgins and linebacker James Darling. The moves should have varying degrees of success, but without making a move to snag a wideout, the one-day shopping spree has to be viewed through a different prism.
After losing David Boston, the Cardinals had no marquee receivers. But with the second and third best receivers on the team, Frank Sanders and MarTay Jenkins, unrestricted free agents, finding a pass catcher is one of the teams most pressing needs.
Not to say the four acquisitions didn't fill holes. Blake, while not being a top signal-caller, should perform at least to the level of Jake Plummer and could easily surpass the the Snake's contributions. And James Darling, who can play both inside and outside, will provide some athleticism and versatility to the linebacking corps.
But the two best signings were that of Hodgins and Jackson. Hodgins, one of the better isolation blockers in the league, is a major upgrade over Joel Mackovicka. At 270 pounds, he can destroy objects in his path, and provided he isn't asked to run many routes, he can catch well enough to be successful on dump-off passes. Jackson gives the team a safety that is equally adept at playing the run or pass. And the Cards need secondary help. In 2002, they ranked 28th in passing yards per game (242.1) and 30th in passing touchdowns surrendered (29).
But there is no excuse for this team not making a serious run at a receiver. Granted, it was a thin free-agent crop, but other teams with needs not nearly as dire as the Cards have stepped up to get something done.
The Cardinals have invited only Seahawks receiver Bobby Engram to town, and that visit was cancelled. Other than that, the team with the deepest pockets was never seriously involved in trading for Peerless Price, or even offering a contract to restricted free agents Laveranues Coles or Darrel Jackson.
At this point, the best two receivers in free agency are Curtis Conway and Kevin Dyson, and the Cardinals haven't made overtures to either. It's a little odd to say the least. The team couldn't be satisfied that the best receiver they have under contract is Kevin Kasper. Or could they?
Either way, unless there's somebody to throw the ball to, what was the need of signing Jeff Blake? With the April draft and then June 1 cuts, Arizona will have opportunities to upgrade the position, but have they may have already passed on their best chance to use their cap dollars to secure a quality wideout.
