Have we changed or upgraded our team at all yet?

[SissyBoyFloyd]

I have seen a lot of headlines of big name and medium names signing for most other teams. And as far as I know, the pickings that are left are pretty slim. So what do you think, have we done anything to improve our team, or are we going to just go with what we had plus hope our 1st round pick will be a boost for us?

If so that makes me think that Whiz will more likely use our 1st round pick to help Kolb and our offense. If so, I see it being the receiver from ND or the guard from USC. Those are the only 2 picks that would do that. DeCastro will instantly improve any team's run game, and that will really help in many ways, one being taking some pressure off of Kolb. The big receiver would obviously help also Kolb out also.

I wouldn't mind either pic because each should show instant results in improving our team. Another failed LT 1st round pick is more than I can stomach and would not add anything to us being more productive.

Personally I feel the best way to help our QB is to have a 'ram down your throat' running game, thus DeCastro would be my pick. We have never had an intimidating run game, and it is not in vogue these days. But I still believe in it and think it adds so many wins your total.

A good run game keeps the ball out of the hands of the other team, keeps pressure off the QB, frees up your WRs, burns time off the clock at the end of the game when you have a lead which we never have been able to do, and makes red zone possessions more successful.

That did it. I am convinced. DeCastro is the one player that would make the biggest change for our team, being evident in every game we play.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

So far + Snyder -Marshall.

That would qualify as a net negative.

 

[Ed Burmila]

Adam Snyder! The guy that our division rival identified as the weak link on their OL and targeted for replacement.

 

[Duckjake]

I would agree. I really think the Cards should try to model themselves after the Baltimore Ravens. We don't have a star QB but do have several current and future stars on the Defense. We have the potential to have a solid run game and finally have some weapons at TE. The Ravens have never had a guy like Larry Fitzgerald so we might be able to do it even better than they have.

A lineman like DeCastro and a solid young SILB and maybe a little more physical CB and we're set for tough road games and hard fought post season games. And when teams come to the Valley they'll be bringing extra medical personnel to administer to all the bumps and bruises their players are going to get from lining up against Arizona.

 

[john h]

I have seen a lot of headlines of big name and medium names signing for most other teams. And as far as I know, the pickings that are left are pretty slim. So what do you think, have we done anything to improve our team, or are we going to just go with what we had plus hope our 1st round pick will be a boost for us?

If so that makes me think that Whiz will more likely use our 1st round pick to help Kolb and our offense. If so, I see it being the receiver from ND or the guard from USC. Those are the only 2 picks that would do that. DeCastro will instantly improve any team's run game, and that will really help in many ways, one being taking some pressure off of Kolb. The big receiver would obviously help also Kolb out also.

I wouldn't mind either pic because each should show instant results in improving our team. Another failed LT 1st round pick is more than I can stomach and would not add anything to us being more productive.

Personally I feel the best way to help our QB is to have a 'ram down your throat' running game, thus DeCastro would be my pick. We have never had an intimidating run game, and it is not in vogue these days. But I still believe in it and think it adds so many wins your total.

A good run game keeps the ball out of the hands of the other team, keeps pressure off the QB, frees up your WRs, burns time off the clock at the end of the game when you have a lead which we never have been able to do, and makes red zone possessions more successful.

That did it. I am convinced. DeCastro is the one player that would make the biggest change for our team, being evident in every game we play.

I do not see us as better than last year but who knows. It will basically come down to how our QB plays. Who the QB will be is unknown. Can we go 8/8 again or win all those games at the end like we did? Remember it was basically a rookie in Skelton who led us to those victories. We even beat a very tough Niners team on the last game of the year. It seems to me that is going to be hard to duplicate unless Skelton or Kolb turns into Kurt Warner.

 

[Chopper0080]

Keep in mind that Whis said he wasn't looking to turnover much on our roster when the season ended.

Our offseason is an incomplete so far, but there are still a ton of players that the Cards might choose to sign.

What have we really lost so far?

Richard Marshall signed w/ Miami, so we lost our #2 CB/S

Levi Brown re-signed for an undisclosed amt, so we brought back a RT or LT

Adam Snyder signed for a minimal contract, hopefully he won't end up starting.

Vonnie Holliday - still unsigned
Clark Haggens - still unsigned
Early Doucet - still unsigned
Jay Feely - still unsigned
Mike Leach - still unsigned
Brandon Keith - still unsigned
Duece Lutui - still unsigned

My wish list going forward is

re-sign Haggens
re-sign Holliday
re-sign Feely
re-sign Leach

sign Jerricho Cotchery - WR
sign London Fletcher - ILB
sign William Gay - CB
sign Demetrius Bell / Marcus McNeill to play LT

 

[john h]

I would agree. I really think the Cards should try to model themselves after the Baltimore Ravens. We don't have a star QB but do have several current and future stars on the Defense. We have the potential to have a solid run game and finally have some weapons at TE. The Ravens have never had a guy like Larry Fitzgerald so we might be able to do it even better than they have.

A lineman like DeCastro and a solid young SILB and maybe a little more physical CB and we're set for tough road games and hard fought post season games. And when teams come to the Valley they'll be bringing extra medical personnel to administer to all the bumps and bruises their players are going to get from lining up against Arizona.

We not only do not have a Star QB but we do not even have an experienced QB unless 7 or 8 NFL games counts. As is often said "we are what we are". You make the call. Oh! For the good old days with Kurt Warner throwing to Fitz and Boldin. I will have to live on those memories for some years I fear. I still think Warner would make a great GM. Kurt knows football.

 

[Duckjake]

sign London Fletcher - ILB

Fletcher will be 37 years old in May. But I'd sign him just to make sure we never had to play against him again.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Adam Snyder! The guy that our division rival identified as the weak link on their OL and targeted for replacement.

Only member of their O-line who graded well against us in the last game against SF.

 

[JeffGollin]

Personnel-wise - not really. Snyder helps on the right side. That's about it. nothing new at WR, OL,i TE, DL, LB or DB (except that we lost Marshall).

2 guys coming off injury (Ryan Williams and Toler) will help.

Otherwise - we have to count on internal improvement in the form of development of Kolb abd Skelton, better play by our WR's and continued improvement by Schofield, Acho & Calais and our young corners (PP 21, Toler & Jefferson). But having to "hope" these guys get better is pretty scary.

Net-Net - We should at least be slightly better than last year, but I sure wish we'd get straight at LT.

 

[52brandon]

I do not see us as better than last year but who knows. It will basically come down to how our QB plays. Who the QB will be is unknown. Can we go 8/8 again or win all those games at the end like we did? Remember it was basically a rookie in Skelton who led us to those victories. We even beat a very tough Niners team on the last game of the year. It seems to me that is going to be hard to duplicate unless Skelton or Kolb turns into Kurt Warner.

I do. If we can miraculously make it to the season with no big injuries of course. But I think our D has matured significantly and with a full off-season, they should be able to get really dialed in

 

[Darkside]

I have seen a lot of headlines of big name and medium names signing for most other teams. And as far as I know, the pickings that are left are pretty slim. So what do you think, have we done anything to improve our team, or are we going to just go with what we had plus hope our 1st round pick will be a boost for us?

If so that makes me think that Whiz will more likely use our 1st round pick to help Kolb and our offense. If so, I see it being the receiver from ND or the guard from USC. Those are the only 2 picks that would do that. DeCastro will instantly improve any team's run game, and that will really help in many ways, one being taking some pressure off of Kolb. The big receiver would obviously help also Kolb out also.

I wouldn't mind either pic because each should show instant results in improving our team. Another failed LT 1st round pick is more than I can stomach and would not add anything to us being more productive.

Personally I feel the best way to help our QB is to have a 'ram down your throat' running game, thus DeCastro would be my pick. We have never had an intimidating run game, and it is not in vogue these days. But I still believe in it and think it adds so many wins your total.

A good run game keeps the ball out of the hands of the other team, keeps pressure off the QB, frees up your WRs, burns time off the clock at the end of the game when you have a lead which we never have been able to do, and makes red zone possessions more successful.

That did it. I am convinced. DeCastro is the one player that would make the biggest change for our team, being evident in every game we play.

If you're asking if we improved our team in FA I'd say yes, we're slightly improved actually, even after losing Marshall. Because we resigned Levi @ lower money, got a T/G in Snyder, and restructured Kolb to free up cap space. That, plus the Manning attempt (which will pay dividends in the future), and I think we're slightly ahead. (Edit)

We never make a splash in FA. We tried last year with Kolb and this year with Peyton but neither of those have worked out (yet, in Kolb's case). At least everyone involved realizes we need a QB bad. Granted, it doesn't take a genius to realize that, but they're making every effort to get the best one available the last two years and that's commendable.

I do think, however, that we've improved our prospects in FA for next year and the year after, just by going after PM in a professional way and having him say we were one of two teams in the running. I do think that helps us, because it basically looks like the clock (Kolb's contract) just ran out on us. I thought, initially, that Harbaugh outmaneuvered us, but it turns out he overplayed his hand.

Overall, I'd probably give us a lot higher score than most of you in FA so far. I think we've done well, given that we're not usually big players for FA. Restructuring should count in FA, because it's only out of the FA process that some of those contracts get restructured.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

If you're asking if we improved our team in FA I'd say yes, we're slightly improved actually, even after losing Marshall. Because we resigned Levi @ lower money, got a T/G in Snyder, and restructured Kolb to free up cap space. That, plus the Manning attempt (which will pay dividends in the future), and I think we're slightly ahead. (Edit)

We never make a splash in FA. We tried last year with Kolb and this year with Peyton but neither of those have worked out (yet, in Kolb's case). At least everyone involved realizes we need a QB bad. Granted, it doesn't take a genius to realize that, but they're making every effort to get the best one available the last two years and that's commendable.

I do think, however, that we've improved our prospects in FA for next year and the year after, just by going after PM in a professional way and having him say we were one of two teams in the running. I do think that helps us, because it basically looks like the clock (Kolb's contract) just ran out on us. I thought, initially, that Harbaugh outmaneuvered us, but it turns out he overplayed his hand.

Overall, I'd probably give us a lot higher score than most of you in FA so far. I think we've done well, given that we're not usually big players for FA. Restructuring should count in FA, because it's only out of the FA process that some of those contracts get restructured.

Kolb's contract has not been restructured (yet) despite reports to that effect, according to Kent Somers.

 

[cardpa]

Adam Snyder! The guy that our division rival identified as the weak link on their OL and targeted for replacement.

Don't worry Russ will coach him up!

 

[BigRedRage]

free agency does not breed champions. Good drafting does. Complain when we draft horribly.

 

[TigToad]

Essentially, I agree. +Snider, -Marshall

That is a net negative. The list below, we resigned Early, we obviously need Feely and Leech, or someone like them. I expect we will resign or sign someone equal.

If we go into the draft with almost the same team in place, we are looking at any potential draft picks we take to be upgrades. Some players get better with age (Our QBs, Early) others are looking at age being a factor (Wilson poentially). The best teams don't make free agent splashes, they use their cap space keeping the best of their guys and pick up complementary guys, then draft their replacement key players ahead of time.

That, to me, looks like what we're going to be able to do for the first time I can remember it.

Enjoy the moment.

Keep in mind that Whis said he wasn't looking to turnover much on our roster when the season ended.

Our offseason is an incomplete so far, but there are still a ton of players that the Cards might choose to sign.

What have we really lost so far?

Richard Marshall signed w/ Miami, so we lost our #2 CB/S

Levi Brown re-signed for an undisclosed amt, so we brought back a RT or LT

Adam Snyder signed for a minimal contract, hopefully he won't end up starting.

Vonnie Holliday - still unsigned
Clark Haggens - still unsigned
Early Doucet - still unsigned
Jay Feely - still unsigned
Mike Leach - still unsigned
Brandon Keith - still unsigned
Duece Lutui - still unsigned

My wish list going forward is

re-sign Haggens
re-sign Holliday
re-sign Feely
re-sign Leach

sign Jerricho Cotchery - WR
sign London Fletcher - ILB
sign William Gay - CB
sign Demetrius Bell / Marcus McNeill to play LT

 

[Garthshort]

Ed Burmila, have you read Mitch's, "SF Treat" ?

 

[Catfish]

I have been sitting back an watching our FO this off-season. I am pleased, at least with the selection of the players they have targeted.

Signed, Adam Snyder, Good Move. Gives us versatility at both Guard and Tackle. Is a blue collar type who just out-works everyone else. We paid very little for him.

Signed, Levi Brown, Good Move. Can start at either tackle position and play well, as shown by his last nine games last year. The contract rework was very well done by Graves.

Not signed, but still in the mix, Demetrius Bell, proven as a LT who could let Levi play on the right side. Getting him probably means that we need to clear cap space, but if that is done, we would have an O-line that is light years ahead of last year.

Signed, D'Anthony Batiste, the coaching staff has been high on him and he might be ready to compete at tackle. Should be a decent depth signing.

In addition to the previous FA scenario, we are looking at both David DeCastro, and John Martin of Stanford for the draft. While Martin is not yet strong or ready to become a pro left tackle, he could be a very good developmental player. A year with John Lott could turn him into the pro that we want. After all, he WAS instrumental in keeping Andrew Luck the best protected QB in college the last two years. De Castro, might be available at the 13th pick. If we took him there, he could conceivably start at RG immediately. He can also play center, and many scouts project him there. Signing him would give our O-line great versatility, as Snyder could then become our starting RT, or in the event we sign Bell, he could become our first backup at either guard or tackle. This could make our O-line, not only very good, but good very deep into the roster, something unheard of here for years.

I also like that they have targeted players like Gay of Pittsburgh. He is a known commodity to Horton, and would be logical to replace Marshall who left in free-agency.

In addition, there are several other players they are looking at who will help round out our roster. So, without spending a LOT of money, Graves is well on his way to greatly improving our overall roster, (especially the O-line). If he manages to get Bell into the fold, he will have had a remarkably successful off season in my opinion.

 

[john h]

I have seen a lot of headlines of big name and medium names signing for most other teams. And as far as I know, the pickings that are left are pretty slim. So what do you think, have we done anything to improve our team, or are we going to just go with what we had plus hope our 1st round pick will be a boost for us?

If so that makes me think that Whiz will more likely use our 1st round pick to help Kolb and our offense. If so, I see it being the receiver from ND or the guard from USC. Those are the only 2 picks that would do that. DeCastro will instantly improve any team's run game, and that will really help in many ways, one being taking some pressure off of Kolb. The big receiver would obviously help also Kolb out also.

I wouldn't mind either pic because each should show instant results in improving our team. Another failed LT 1st round pick is more than I can stomach and would not add anything to us being more productive.

Personally I feel the best way to help our QB is to have a 'ram down your throat' running game, thus DeCastro would be my pick. We have never had an intimidating run game, and it is not in vogue these days. But I still believe in it and think it adds so many wins your total.

A good run game keeps the ball out of the hands of the other team, keeps pressure off the QB, frees up your WRs, burns time off the clock at the end of the game when you have a lead which we never have been able to do, and makes red zone possessions more successful.

That did it. I am convinced. DeCastro is the one player that would make the biggest change for our team, being evident in every game we play.

We have only one good RB in Beenie. If he goes down we have no running game which is why I would like a guy like Richardson which will not be a possibility. I see more and more teams adding a second good RB which seems to be the way teams are going these days. We still have to face the fact that if you do not have a good QB you will not be able to run either. Your opposition will just line up to stop the run knowing your QB is not very good. A good QB is a must for any team that hopes to compete in the NFL. Until we have one we will be a non playoff team.

Amazing that the team that had the best QB in the NFL is going to draft 1st and take the most promising QB to come out of college since John Elway.

 

[JeffGollin]

We have only one good RB in Beenie. If he goes down we have no running game which is why I would like a guy like Richardson which will not be a possibility. I see more and more teams adding a second good RB which seems to be the way teams are going these days. We still have to face the fact that if you do not have a good QB you will not be able to run either. Your opposition will just line up to stop the run knowing your QB is not very good. A good QB is a must for any team that hopes to compete in the NFL. Until we have one we will be a non playoff team.

Amazing that the team that had the best QB in the NFL is going to draft 1st and take the most promising QB to come out of college since John Elway.

Ryan Williams.

I realize he still has questions (injury/hasn't taken pro snaps) but I don't see him any more iffy than Richardson (who also never took a pro snap).

And don't sell LSH and Alfonso Smith short in situational & backup roles.

Another way to make your QB (& running attack) look better is better OL blocking.

 

[Catfish]

Amazing that the team that had the best QB in the NFL is going to draft 1st and take the most promising QB to come out of college since John Elway.

That is what happens when you develop a plan and make it happen. We had the same opportunity as Indy did, but we chose not to go that route. Indy's plan was to suck for Luck. Ours was apparently to get Kolb, and suck, (just because we can),-----at least for the first half of the season.

All the Cards really accomplished was to find that we had a QB on the bench who was tough enough to eke out 7 wins in our last nine games. Now they will more than likely push him back to the bench while they go back to try and find the magic in Kolb's top hat.

Indy's plan was plain and simple and was followed to fruition. Ours was not quite so clear as Indy's, and was followed to a rather disjointed performance over the course of the season. It was like, "Oh yeah, we can suck just like Indy", at least until Kolb was concussed out of the picture. Then it was, "What the hell, we can win anyway", and we suddenly begin beating up on our opponents with our defense and the Skeletor. We developed that toughness that Mitch had called for all along.

Now, based on past history of this franchise, and this coaching staff, my bet is that we will once again climb into bed with Kolb, and relegate the Skeletor back to the bench. The toughness will be replaced with finesse and fear, and the team will more than likely play like that. Kolb lost the huddle to Skeletor's toughness last year, and I believe it is doubtful that he wins it back this year.

The saving grace in all this is that Graves is very near to rebuilding our O-line into a very talented, very deep, very versatile unit, (much like our defense). If he signs Demetrius Bell in free agency, and drafts David DeCastro, (both of which are very possible), our offense could become just as tough as our defense.

My guess is that Kolb still fails as the starting QB of this team. That, however, will take most of the first half of our season to show again. It will again be the Skeletor's toughness that will come to the forefront, and we will once again have success in the last part of the season. But then,-----my guess is that the plan will change again, and a new QB will be forthcoming to lead us into the 2013 season, and all this disjointedness will begin again. (Deja Vue all over again)!!!!!

 

[Jetstream Green]

I do not care for Jimmy Johnson but he always said a team's record is what the team is, and I agree. The Cardinals where a winning team in the last half of the season once the defense got in check with Horton's system. Maybe as fans we should not be freaking out as much, I think the Cardinals have a good team at the moment and as far as the West...well, we beat the Niners in the later half of the season. I would like to see Campbell signed for the long haul, that is my only grip right now

 

[Phrazbit]

Good teams add their talent in the draft, until then its premature to try to see where the team lost or added talent.

 

[chickenhead]

I agree. The big problems are poor drafting and an inability to keep drafted players when they hit free agency. Lack of free agent signings is less important.

In that sense I think the team is improved with a healthy Toler and Ryan Williams, plus depth added from a good draft this year. I'm not saying it wins the division or anything, but it is an improvement.

 

[Duckjake]

Good teams add their talent in the draft, until then its premature to try to see where the team lost or added talent.

What about teams that draft well and then ship those players off to other teams. They finish 8-8 right?