Have the Cardinals had a successful FA season?

[40yearfan]

Whisenhunt has only been a Cardinal fan for a couple of months. He hasn't had to endure 5-11, 4-12,6-10,5-11 and 5-11 like we have the last 5 years. He's got two years to go 5-11 before he gets uncomfortable.

How anybody could have blind faith in everything the Cardinals do with that track record is amazing.

It's like having an electrician continually foul up the wiring in your buildings and you keep hiring him because he hires a new foreman and swears his new guy will fix everything.

Do you really believe he'll still be here if he goes 5 - 11 the next two years? I sure don't. It's obvious the front office expects to win this year. I don't think Wiz will get the time DG got.

 

[Duckjake]

Do you really believe he'll still be here if he goes 5 - 11 the next two years? I sure don't. It's obvious the front office expects to win this year. I don't think Wiz will get the time DG got.

Every other coach got that long at a minimum. If he goes 5-11 this season it will be because he was new and the players had to adjust to the new staff and system. Then if he goes 5-11 in 2008 he'll be uncomfortable and maybe unemployed.

But Whisenhunt has an advantage, he inherited 10-6 talent that went 5-11 because they had some terrible breaks and decided the season was shot so they might as well play the rookie QBOF.

Denny inherited 1-15 talent that went 4-12 because they got a bunch of breaks.

 

[BACH]

No, there will absolutely be an uproar if Joe Thomas is selected before #5 overall. The scenario that Rod Graves has been banking on since he found out what the market for FA OL was going to be much larger than he anticipated is that Thomas will be the player that the Cards can get.

If the Cards draft Levi Brown #5 overall, I think there'll be a mixture of relief, anger, and nervousness. A very quiet University of Phoenix Stadium on draft day. Everyone will know we reached for need, but BACH, nidan, 40yr, spanky, Mitch, and others will be quick to come with the excuses for this.

If the Cards take an Adrian Peterson or Gaines Adams #5 overall, I think there will be much jubilation as well as bad feelings in the pits of many stomachs that (1) we'll have to trade back into the first to get Brown or Staley, (2) we'll give up too much having to do so, including a good third-round OLB prospect, or (3) we'll end up with Tony Ugoh or Blalock playing OLT for us next season as second round picks.

If the Cards trade out of the #5 spot, there will be much nervous waiting.

Just curious. Where do you rank Levi Brown?

 

[BACH]

I would give this off-season a C+/B- so far.

Graves and Whisenhunt are following a plan to add depth where depth is needed, but have left the two biggest holes empty. That's a change in philosophy from recent years, where Graves quickly filled the biggest holes in FA, and then left several minor needs to be filled in the draft.

That means that we need to get a LT and a OLB in the draft, in order for this off season to become a succes. Getting a LT is a must - whether that's Tomas at #5 or Brown via a trade down or Staley/ugoh in the 2nd. The off-season cannot be labeled a succes until that happens.

I'm not that worried about OLB. There are several FA OLB - including our own James Darling + Holdman, Foley, Emmons and Lavar Arrington. Any one of those player + a draft pick is a major upgrade over Huff.

I would have prefered going BPA, but as long as Graves and Whisenhunt gets the job done, I'm not going to complain.

 

[kerouac9]

Just curious. Where do you rank Levi Brown?

I've taken him off my board altogether because I think he's too much of a "boom or bust" pick and the Cards can't afford to whiff on their OT for the next 5 years. If I had to put him on, I'd rate him on the low end of the second tier of prospects; somewhere in the 9-14 range.

It's easy to say "Trade down and pick up Brown", but if only the QBs are left on the board, no one's going to want to come up to get one of them, and the rest of the position players are all bunched together. If Thomas isn't there, I'm afraid that the only option is to reach for Brown.

 

[BACH]

I've taken him off my board altogether because I think he's too much of a "boom or bust" pick and the Cards can't afford to whiff on their OT for the next 5 years. If I had to put him on, I'd rate him on the low end of the second tier of prospects; somewhere in the 9-14 range.

It's easy to say "Trade down and pick up Brown", but if only the QBs are left on the board, no one's going to want to come up to get one of them, and the rest of the position players are all bunched together. If Thomas isn't there, I'm afraid that the only option is to reach for Brown.

I definately agree with that. But as I stated earlier, we have no idea how the real scouts and GMs rate Brown, so if Graves/Whiz/Keim/Grimm really like Brown and have him rated in the #8-#10 (as I'm guessing that they do based on Brown showing awesome leadership skill), then I really have no problem with taking him at #5.

I agree that BPA is the best way to go, but the more the talent increases on this team, the harder it get to go that route, because it increases the risk of "flooding" one position.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Every other coach got that long at a minimum. If he goes 5-11 this season it will be because he was new and the players had to adjust to the new staff and system. Then if he goes 5-11 in 2008 he'll be uncomfortable and maybe unemployed.

But Whisenhunt has an advantage, he inherited 10-6 talent that went 5-11 because they had some terrible breaks and decided the season was shot so they might as well play the rookie QBOF.

Denny inherited 1-15 talent that went 4-12 because they got a bunch of breaks.

I wonder what record it would take to get Rod Graves out of there. I guess if we go 5-11 the next 3 years but are in good cap shape that he'll get another extension and it will all be Ken Whisenhunt's fault .

 

[az1965]

I nominate for Post of the Day!

I cant see how anyone can argue the simple fact that going into the draft the Cardinals HAVE to get a starting LT. That person is not on the team right now and anyone who says otherwise hasnt been watching this oline. Instead of having the flexibility to take a Calvin Johnson should he fall, or a AP, we have no other choice but to draft for need. Thats the long and short of it!

How can you justify a RB or WR with a first round pick and have him on the bench??? The first round pick, especially this high, must contribute on the field right off the bat... You don't pay such high $$$ to a first round guy and have him not start.

 

[kerouac9]

How can you justify a RB or WR with a first round pick and have him on the bench??? The first round pick, especially this high, must contribute on the field right off the bat... You don't pay such high $$$ to a first round guy and have him not start.

Sure you do. Just ask Reggie Bush, or Cedric Benson, or Troy Williamson. That's what smart teams do.

Especially when Bryant Johnson is going to be gone after this year, you can run out Calvin Johnson in special 4 WR sets or in particular situations (like an unstoppable red-zone bunch formation).

If it's the best player available, then you have to take him. Calvin Johnson is the most scintillating talent in this draft. He's this draft's version of Reggie Bush: a guy so gifted at all levels that a team would have to be profoundly stupid to pass on him.

 

[Heucrazy]

Sure you do. Just ask Reggie Bush, or Cedric Benson, or Troy Williamson. That's what smart teams do.

Especially when Bryant Johnson is going to be gone after this year, you can run out Calvin Johnson in special 4 WR sets or in particular situations (like an unstoppable red-zone bunch formation).

If it's the best player available, then you have to take him. Calvin Johnson is the most scintillating talent in this draft. He's this draft's version of Reggie Bush: a guy so gifted at all levels that a team would have to be profoundly stupid to pass on him.

Hence why he won't be there at #5 and any arguing over whether or not the Cards should take him is futile.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Sure you do. Just ask Reggie Bush, or Cedric Benson, or Troy Williamson. That's what smart teams do.

Especially when Bryant Johnson is going to be gone after this year, you can run out Calvin Johnson in special 4 WR sets or in particular situations (like an unstoppable red-zone bunch formation).

If it's the best player available, then you have to take him. Calvin Johnson is the most scintillating talent in this draft. He's this draft's version of Reggie Bush: a guy so gifted at all levels that a team would have to be profoundly stupid to pass on him.

I don't believe that a bunch formation would work well near the endzone. You need plenty of room to operate in a bunch.

 

[kerouac9]

I don't believe that a bunch formation would work well near the endzone. You need plenty of room to operate in a bunch.

Not really. You bunch three WRs on one side and let them pick the CBs so one guy is on the fade, one's dragging over the middle, and one's posting up in front of the near pylon.

It's unconventional, but if you line them up on the wide side of the field, it could be worthwhile...

 

[earthsci]

Sure you do. Just ask Reggie Bush, or Cedric Benson, or Troy Williamson. That's what smart teams do.

Especially when Bryant Johnson is going to be gone after this year, you can run out Calvin Johnson in special 4 WR sets or in particular situations (like an unstoppable red-zone bunch formation).

If it's the best player available, then you have to take him. Calvin Johnson is the most scintillating talent in this draft. He's this draft's version of Reggie Bush: a guy so gifted at all levels that a team would have to be profoundly stupid to pass on him.

If we draft Calvin Johnson there will be great weaping and gnashing by Cardinals fans on April 28th. By November 1 all Cardinals fans will be rejoicing in the greatness that is Calvin Johnson.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Not really. You bunch three WRs on one side and let them pick the CBs so one guy is on the fade, one's dragging over the middle, and one's posting up in front of the near pylon.

It's unconventional, but if you line them up on the wide side of the field, it could be worthwhile...

Possibly, but when you bunch them to a side, even on the wide side on the field, by the time the ball gets to the receiver, the defender may be in a good position to make a play on the ball.

I'm not saying that it won't work, but it wouldn't work well most of the time, IMO.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

If we draft Calvin Johnson there will be great weaping and gnashing by Cardinals fans on April 28th. By November 1 all Cardinals fans will be rejoicing in the greatness that is Calvin Johnson.

I don't know about all that. There is only one ball, and Boldin, Fitz, Johnson, Edge, and (Skillet Hands not so much) all wanting it.

You can only have so many chefs in the same kitchen.

 

[LVCARDFREAK]

How can you justify a RB or WR with a first round pick and have him on the bench??? The first round pick, especially this high, must contribute on the field right off the bat... You don't pay such high $$$ to a first round guy and have him not start.

Because they are playmakers and it doesnt meen they will be benched. You can see a scenario where Calvin Johnson beats out Bryant Johnson? Puhhlease. You cant see a scenario where AP beats out Marcel Shipp?

 

[Duckjake]

Because they are playmakers and it doesnt meen they will be benched. You can see a scenario where Calvin Johnson beats out Bryant Johnson? Puhhlease. You cant see a scenario where AP beats out Marcel Shipp?

Its funny how no one has a problem with drafting a QB at the top of the draft and having him sit on the bench for a year or two.

 

[joeshmo]

Because they are playmakers and it doesnt meen they will be benched. You can see a scenario where Calvin Johnson beats out Bryant Johnson? Puhhlease. You cant see a scenario where AP beats out Marcel Shipp?

I agree.

Lets put it into a little more perspective as well. If wouldnt mean AP would be riding the bench, in fact far from it.

Wiz stated that he wants to run the ball 58% of the time. Teams run about 1000 plays a year, which means we will probably be running the ball 580 times a year. Now Edge is going to get his 20-22 runs a game as the main guy. That leaves about 228 the 260 more rushes left for other players. AP would most likely be running the ball at a minimum 10 times a game (more times then a WR would touch the ball in a game) with Shipp/JJ making up the rest. Add that to the fact that we wont have to worry about the RB postion for the next 6 years.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

I agree.

Lets put it into a little more perspective as well. If wouldnt mean AP would be riding the bench, in fact far from it.

Wiz stated that he wants to run the ball 58% of the time. Teams run about 1000 plays a year, which means we will probably be running the ball 580 times a year. Now Edge is going to get his 20-22 runs a game as the main guy. That leaves about 228 the 260 more rushes left for other players. AP would most likely be running the ball at a minimum 10 times a game (more times then a WR would touch the ball in a game) with Shipp/JJ making up the rest. Add that to the fact that we wont have to worry about the RB postion for the next 6 years.

At five you simply can't miss, if AP is available and Joe Thomas isn't there you have to take the elite talent in Peterson.

 

[Duckjake]

which means we will probably be running the ball 580 times a year

You do know that the franchise record for most rushing attempts in a season is exactly 580, set in 1976.

 

[john h]

Cardinals sign Gandy to three-year deal

April 2, 2007

Darren Urban, Tribune



There are many posters who seem to be dissappointed with the Cardinals FA season this year. The absence of any big name, star caliber FA signing might be to blame for that. But taking a closer look one should see that the Cardinals were very successful in the FA period.

Graves, Whisenhunt, et al, established a plan for the free agency period and they have executed upon that plan. The Cardinals have signed every FA they targeted with only a single exception, tight end Reggie Kelly who accepted a less lucrative offer to remain with Cincinnati.

It appears the the Cardinals are not done yet, based upon activities with agents during the NFL meetings in Phoenix.

There remains a great deal of concern among Cardinals fans, at least among the hardcores such as on this forum, regarding the make-up of the Cardinals offensive line and their plans for the upcoming NFL draft.

Some anxiety is understandable, the OL has been the Cardinals "Achilles heel" for more than a few seasons, and the Cardinals have made often enumerated gaffs with past draft selections.

Yet some solace ought to be had in the fact that the current Cardinals FO and coaching staff have developed a coherent plan of action and are executing upon that plan.

I am certain the come draft day(s) the Cardinals selections will be in accordance with their overall plan. I am just as certain there will be numerous outcries regarding the Cardinals selections, no matter who they pick.

Since the end of last season every step the Cardinals organization have made has been the result of executing upon a well founded and reasonable plan. Until proven otherwise, I believe that with Ken Whisenhunt the Cardinals plans will come to fruition .

I will give us a grade of "B" on our signings. Out of this group there will be 1 or 2 who will far exceed our expectations. I still see us winning 9-10 games depending on how the ball bounces. With this team we may have turned a corner. SF would get a "A" from me as they may be the class of our division with their additions. We definitely have a shot at the playoffs. If we can just keep most of our guys helathy????

 

[az1965]

Especially when Bryant Johnson is going to be gone after this year, you can run out Calvin Johnson in special 4 WR sets or in particular situations (like an unstoppable red-zone bunch formation).

If it's the best player available, then you have to take him. Calvin Johnson is the most scintillating talent in this draft. He's this draft's version of Reggie Bush: a guy so gifted at all levels that a team would have to be profoundly stupid to pass on him.

It would be great if it happens, but I just don't see three #1 quality WR's together on the same team... just ain't gonna happen no matter how freak of an athlete CJ is.

 

[az1965]

Because they are playmakers and it doesnt meen they will be benched. You can see a scenario where Calvin Johnson beats out Bryant Johnson? Puhhlease. You cant see a scenario where AP beats out Marcel Shipp?

Absolutely... but you need AP to be your #1 RB, not #2. I can see that happenning for first year only but he needs to be the franchise back starting from year 2. Right now we are invested into Edge. So unless we trade James, that wouldn't make sense.

BTW, I will be ecstatic if we grab AP!

 

[az1965]

Its funny how no one has a problem with drafting a QB at the top of the draft and having him sit on the bench for a year or two.

If you are implying Lienart situation, then the reason was different. Denny was under pressure to win so he went with the veteran until Warner skrewed up the situation and Denny was forced to start Lienart.

Also, rookie QB's usually take longer to learn the pro system than other positions like RB due to the nature of the position.

 

[az1965]

At five you simply can't miss, if AP is available and Joe Thomas isn't there you have to take the elite talent in Peterson.

I just don't see us running 580 times... our strength as of now if passing and we must utilize that as part of the game plan.