Well I must admit I'm confused by the tactics the Cards have chosen. They seemed to pick quite a few walking wounded FAs. I'm sure the medicals look okay, but players in the NFL are not always able to return to form. So the dice have been rolled. If they do bounce back here's where things stand.
The D-line apparently will not mainly anchor, but be more flexible in their game plan. They traded some power for quickness. I'll take a wait and see attitude, but it's probably a good gamble as the run defense failed towards the end of last season. I like the philosophy of older players filling slots short term. It makes the cap work well.
The linebacking is clearly upgraded. I'm hearing Washington will get 6-8 weeks, but everyone at NFL HQ is so tentative that nothing is a lock. I expect him to play this season and play well.
The O-line needed to be changed, but again it's valid to be concerned at the result. Clearly the guard spot will be upgraded. Iupati will dramatically upgrade the running game. Veldheer is good enough to help seal the G/T seam against rushers. The G/C seam is my concern. If they take Erving that will solve the problem in part. He's the only center with the needed athleticism. If he's gone this is a dangerous hole.
Of course the elephant not in the room is a pass rusher. I know the board has been asking why this deficiency hasn't been solved for years. The problem is these guys are even rarer than top QBs. QBs are easier to tag in later rounds (though not much easier). In the case of rushers, their measurables are better predictors of success, so more go early. Orakpo would have helped, but now the cupboard is bear. Unless the Cards are willing to move up in the draft, they figure to be blitzing most of the time again next season. Even if they chose to trade picks, rushers like QBs are rarely effective in year one.
So now the draft. I still think Erving is the best option. If he's gone they likely take a corner. They will grab a running back in round two or three. Finally they must get a return specialist.
I think the team is definetly improved, but the Seahawks are still ahead of the pack.
The D-line apparently will not mainly anchor, but be more flexible in their game plan. They traded some power for quickness. I'll take a wait and see attitude, but it's probably a good gamble as the run defense failed towards the end of last season. I like the philosophy of older players filling slots short term. It makes the cap work well.
The linebacking is clearly upgraded. I'm hearing Washington will get 6-8 weeks, but everyone at NFL HQ is so tentative that nothing is a lock. I expect him to play this season and play well.
The O-line needed to be changed, but again it's valid to be concerned at the result. Clearly the guard spot will be upgraded. Iupati will dramatically upgrade the running game. Veldheer is good enough to help seal the G/T seam against rushers. The G/C seam is my concern. If they take Erving that will solve the problem in part. He's the only center with the needed athleticism. If he's gone this is a dangerous hole.
Of course the elephant not in the room is a pass rusher. I know the board has been asking why this deficiency hasn't been solved for years. The problem is these guys are even rarer than top QBs. QBs are easier to tag in later rounds (though not much easier). In the case of rushers, their measurables are better predictors of success, so more go early. Orakpo would have helped, but now the cupboard is bear. Unless the Cards are willing to move up in the draft, they figure to be blitzing most of the time again next season. Even if they chose to trade picks, rushers like QBs are rarely effective in year one.
So now the draft. I still think Erving is the best option. If he's gone they likely take a corner. They will grab a running back in round two or three. Finally they must get a return specialist.
I think the team is definetly improved, but the Seahawks are still ahead of the pack.
