Getting the first pick

[kerouac9]

I think it's pretty well known that the players want the money going to the veterans rather than unproven rookies. What they don't want is a rookie pay scale and have that money saved go back into the owners pockets.

That, and they want to put a three-year limit on those pay scale deals. Neither of those are going to happen. The players like the rookie pay system, because it means that franchise numbers are higher (for quarterbacks especially, but even for highly-drafted players at other positions), and it only effects the top 10 picks in every draft.

The owners would happily negotiate away a rookie pay scale in favor of an 18 game schedule and/or a higher percentage of overall revenue.

There was an article about where the rookie pay scale stands with the NFLPA: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/sh...y-behind-the-rookie-wage-scale?urn=nfl-260642

Apparently no one read it, but it's not a priority except in August. The possibility is because the Bills, Cards, and Bengals are all drafting high, they may have the leverage with the league to force the issue and get the owners to accept less elsewhere, but I don't think that's the big deal.

 

[Treefiddy]

Just think. If Stevie hadn't stripped the ball from the Rams defender in the 1st game. If Janikowski hadn't shanked the game-winner, if Drew Breese hadn't had the worst game of his life, we'd be sitting on a zero-win gold mine!

Typically at this point of the season we're saying "if only we made that field goal here, or didn't throw that pick-six at the end of the game..." trying to find more areas where we would have and should have won. Sad that this year we're finding areas where the Cardinals should've lost, but stole it at the end. We really could be 0-11 right now.

 

[Duckjake]

Who cares? The Cardinals have blown all but one of their first round picks since 1991.

They'd be better off trading the pick every year for a cold beer.

It's just like our offense this year where they'd be better off just punting on first down.

 

[kerouac9]

Russ, the #1 tiebreaker for draft picks is strength of schedule. The Cards will likely have the easiest schedule in the NFL. If the season ended today, we'd be drafting 5th overall.

Our only hope is that we lose to the Panthers and the Lions lose out. The Panthers won't be able to sell their fan base on Jimmy Clausen, and whoever comes in as their new HC will want his own guy, anyway. The Lions will deal, though, because there are tons of defensive ends or cornerbacks who they'd be happy to take and save another top contract.

The Giants paid a first, a first-, third- and fifth- the next season (I think) to trade up from 4 to 1 for Eli Manning. I wouldn't make that trade for Andrew Luck. Sorry.

 

[conraddobler]

Our problem here folks is that we have so many holes.

We have no LBer's, maybe one, but the rest are aging hulks.

We also have a dud of an O line and no pass rush.

This means this pick is crucial, not that I wouldn't give picks to get the right guy but that guy HAS to be the right guy or we're toast for years more.

If we deal picks with this FO with this many holes and they are true to form, on anyone but a sure thing, I predict an apocolyptic disaster that finally cleanses the team of some bad management but only after our future is a smoldering ruin.

 

[Duckjake]

Our problem here folks is that we have so many holes.

We have no LBer's, maybe one, but the rest are aging hulks.

We also have a dud of an O line and no pass rush.

This means this pick is crucial, not that I wouldn't give picks to get the right guy but that guy HAS to be the right guy or we're toast for years more.

If we deal picks with this FO with this many holes and they are true to form, on anyone but a sure thing, I predict an apocolyptic disaster that finally cleanses the team of some bad management but only after our future is a smoldering ruin.

This just makes me sick.

When Denny Green was hired one of the first things he said in 2004 was that the Cards had terrible linebackers. Here we are 6 years and two NFC West Championships later and we still don't have any linebackers.

Stupid Cardinals.

 

[DoTheDew]

http://www.theredzone.org/Features/NFLStrengthofSchedule.aspx

For what it's worth. We have the weakest schedule of all the teams competing with us for draft position. This guy updates that spreadsheet each week.

 

[conraddobler]

This just makes me sick.

When Denny Green was hired one of the first things he said in 2004 was that the Cards had terrible linebackers. Here we are 6 years and two NFC West Championships later and we still don't have any linebackers.

Stupid Cardinals.

They simply refuse to actually hire a GM and let that person set the agenda.

Not coach, not worry about what the practice schedule is but sit above everything and just accumulate talent, find a couple FA worth having, do spreadsheets on the draft, watch for holes comming in later years, keep the coaches inline, hire and fire assitants.

I don't know who is doing this job now, or if it's shared with how many people but whoever is doing it, they are doing it all WRONG!

 

[TheHopToad]

I am already full of fear and trepidation about how the FO will screw up whatever pick we end up with.

Maybe we should just take a kicker and get it over with

"With the first pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, the Arizona Cardinals select Kyle Brotzman, kicker, Boise State".

 

[mjb21aztd]

we will take a pathatic dt with the 2nd pick, or trade the 1st pick if we get it just watch

 

[dreamcastrocks]

My biggest fear.........

The Cards actually get the number 1 pick but are unable to sign Luck to a contract due to Graves ineptness at contracts. They select someone else because they are unable to negotiate, or even worse, they let the freaking clock expire because they can't make up their damn mind.

 

[juza76]

My biggest fear.........

The Cards actually get the number 1 pick but are unable to sign Luck to a contract due to Graves ineptness at contracts. They select someone else because they are unable to negotiate, or even worse, they let the freaking clock expire because they can't make up their damn mind.

can be the new storyline of dumb and dumber

 

[Zeno]

Cincy is winning late against the Saints and loses.

Carolina takes a 2 TD lead early and then gets blown out.

Bills get blown out by a Tavaris Jackson led Vikings team despite him throwing 3 INTs.

Detroit is leading Chicago late in the 4th and blows it.

We are just destined to not have that #1 pick.

 

[MrYeahBut]

Cincy is winning late against the Saints and loses.

Carolina takes a 2 TD lead early and then gets blown out.

Bills get blown out by a Tavaris Jackson led Vikings team despite him throwing 3 INTs.

Detroit is leading Chicago late in the 4th and blows it.

We are just destined to not have that #1 pick.

What a bummer since the Cards held up their end of the deal

 

[Krangodnzr]

I'm not going over fact vs. opinion with you. Unreal.

Not to pile on you, but Kerouac is 100% correct on this.

THe NFLPA does NOT want a rookie payscale, since it would deflate overall salaries and the franchise tag number across the league.

Back-to-back years we've had rookie QBs that were nearly the highest paid players in the league. This raises the average of all salaries and gives proven veterans leverage when it comes time to renegotiate contracts or are free agents.

Now, a rookie payscale would benefit the Paris Lenons, and other fringe players across the league, but as with everything else in the world, the rich and powerful have the loudest voices.

 

[187]

I just can't see us out sucking the Panthers to get the first pick. They will beat us, but they play Atlanta in week 17 and they will be trying to fight for a Wild Card spot, so barring a melt down in the NFC South they won't be resting their starters. Not looking good for us.

 

[Zeno]

I just can't see us out sucking the Panthers to get the first pick. They will beat us, but they play Atlanta in week 17 and they will be trying to fight for a Wild Card spot, so barring a melt down in the NFC South they won't be resting their starters. Not looking good for us.

Doesn't Atlanta have the best record in the NFC? Do you think they will fall apart that much to be fighting for a Wild Card Spot at that point?

Just so you know though, I don't think we have a shot at the #1 pick now, this week was our best chance to move up the draft board.

 

[sportznutt]

The only team that may finish ahead of us AND wants a QB is Cincy. Buffalo has more pressing issues. Carolina won't go QB 2 years in a row & Detroit will give Stafford at least another year to show he can stay healthy. If we lose out (maybe that's what Whiz actually wants), then we may very well lock up Luck. The best QB to come out in a while. Great athletic ability & has BRAINS!!! Do not draft an athletic moron.

He's the next Peyton Manning IMO.

 

[chickenhead]

All it takes is one week for Cincinnati, Detroit, Buffalo, and Arizona to be even record-wise. But it's really hard to imagine Carolina winning another game in addition to beating the Cardinals. It will be shocking to actually be favored in that one...I assume.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

First off the only team that its even possible will by pass Luck out of the current top 5 is Detroit. You don't pass on Andrew Luck for Jimmy freaking Clausen or Ryan Fitzpatrick. End of story.

Buffalo plays Cleveland and then Miami next two weeks. I think they win at least one of those two. They also have New England and Jets last two weeks. Depending on Monday Nights outcome one or the other could be resting players.

Cinncinati will be tough. We need them to beat Cleveland at home. Very doable. If they have a chance at Luck though Palmer is gone.

Detroit is a non issue unless they trade with someone else, which knowing how much of a clown Graves is more then likely to happen.

Carolina. Oh Carolina. Well they plays us. Thats takes them to two wins. But then two games against the Falcons and one against the Steelers.

I will say this. At the end of the year, bad teams usually end up getting 1 or 2 wins where everyone is like WTF? Especually the last week of the season. We gotta hope one of those upsets takes place.

Two mitigating factors: Harbaugh staying and thus Luck staying for one more run. OR Andrew/Oliver Luck pulling a Eli/Archie Manning and forcing a play somewhere else. Don't laugh. It could happen.

My guess. Newton wins the NC and the tears up the combine and we get him #3 after Luck goes first to Carolina and Pederson (LSU) goes second to Detroit.

 

[sportznutt]

boy--

if you go look at the schedules for Detroit, Carolina, Buffalo -- I dont see any games that look like possible wins for them (except of course when the Panthers play the Cardinals)

I can see Buffalo and Detroit surprising, especially at home.

 

[187]

Doesn't Atlanta have the best record in the NFC? Do you think they will fall apart that much to be fighting for a Wild Card Spot at that point?

Just so you know though, I don't think we have a shot at the #1 pick now, this week was our best chance to move up the draft board.

You are right, I mixed up Tampa Bay and Atlanta by accident. That actually gives me some hope then. If we tie with another 3-13 team, strength of schedule is the tie breaker. I don't know if the SOS is calculated using the teams win/loss record from last season or this season. If it is from last season we are set because we have the weakest SOS in the NFL based off of last years win loss numbers.

 

[Evil Ash]

You are right, I mixed up Tampa Bay and Atlanta by accident. That actually gives me some hope then. If we tie with another 3-13 team, strength of schedule is the tie breaker. I don't know if the SOS is calculated using the teams win/loss record from last season or this season. If it is from last season we are set because we have the weakest SOS in the NFL based off of last years win loss numbers.

This season and we still have the weakest schedule by a county mile

 

[Krangodnzr]

This season and we still have the weakest schedule by a county mile

Though a few of those teams that are considered "weak" are better than anticipated namely Tampa Bay and St. Louis.

 

[PDXChris]

First off the only team that its even possible will by pass Luck out of the current top 5 is Detroit. You don't pass on Andrew Luck for Jimmy freaking Clausen or Ryan Fitzpatrick. End of story.

Buffalo plays Cleveland and then Miami next two weeks. I think they win at least one of those two. They also have New England and Jets last two weeks. Depending on Monday Nights outcome one or the other could be resting players.

Cinncinati will be tough. We need them to beat Cleveland at home. Very doable. If they have a chance at Luck though Palmer is gone.

Detroit is a non issue unless they trade with someone else, which knowing how much of a clown Graves is more then likely to happen.

Carolina. Oh Carolina. Well they plays us. Thats takes them to two wins. But then two games against the Falcons and one against the Steelers.

I will say this. At the end of the year, bad teams usually end up getting 1 or 2 wins where everyone is like WTF? Especually the last week of the season. We gotta hope one of those upsets takes place.

Two mitigating factors: Harbaugh staying and thus Luck staying for one more run. OR Andrew/Oliver Luck pulling a Eli/Archie Manning and forcing a play somewhere else. Don't laugh. It could happen.

My guess. Newton wins the NC and the tears up the combine and we get him #3 after Luck goes first to Carolina and Pederson (LSU) goes second to Detroit.

I agree with everything. I also think Harbaugh is gone since he has already expressed his frustration over the BCS and Stanford not going to the Rose Bowl and TCU going instead. I could see him going to San Diego.