Hold Off on Panic Mode

[Cbus cardsfan]

You need a time out. Go to the corner and come back in a week.

If you want to be pissed at someone then direct it where the blame belongs, Bill Bidwill. He's the reason for Rolles contract causing us to cut him this year. He's the reason all negotiations take forever and why RG must move at a snails pace at times.

Evenso, if Graves offerd that contract, say mid-February, Rolle takes it and likely Dansby does too. If they were willing to pay that, why let them hit the market? I don't get how people stick up for Graves. What has he done? I know it's not all a one man show but, supposedly, he's calling the shots. Mike Bidwill told all of us that when he fired Green.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Porter and Foote both have their best days long behind them. If Porter still had the juice to get to the QB there is absolutely no way Parcells would let him walk with a base 3-4 defense to go with Charlie Anderson as a starter.

Foote is a little closer to his prime but never had any athletic ability to begin with. The way this board moans about Gerald Hayes as a coverage liability...well, I give it about 2 quarters in the first regular season game until everyone turns on Foote. He makes Hayes look like Aeneas Williams.

At least Foote could have a positive effect on the run game. He's very physical, but mostly because he can't play any other way. Anyone hanging the offseason hopes on signing him to "replace" someone as athletic as Dansby is going to be sorely disappointed.

1) There's has been a deep personality clash between Porter, the coaches and management in Miami. A "red flag" perhaps, but this combined with the emergence of Cameron Wake has made him expendable. If he can garner his 9 sacks from last season in Cardinal Red, we have, in effect replaced, B-Train and Okeafor.

2) In Foote, we, who are supportive of signing him, see him merely as a serviceable transition player until a draft pick (Spoon?) takes over.

In both cases, they are veteran stop gaps to be used judiciously until our draft selections mature.

Nothing more... nothing less.

 

[Buckybird]

I'd like to see one more subtarction, Rod Graves. Unfortunately, he continues to save the Bidwill's tons of money by letting their best players walk away for nothing. Thus, gets an extension. Thank god for the uncapped year. Otherwise in addition to Dansby,Boldin, Warner, Rolle, Berry, Okeafor,and Gandy,we'd be losing Watson, Breaston, and Lutui as well. But those guys are all easily replaceable .

Mr. B + the human snail = bad combination

 

[Buckybird]

Evenso, if Graves offerd that contract, say mid-February, Rolle takes it and likely Dansby does too. If they were willing to pay that, why let them hit the market?

I said the same thing in earlier posts & people just keep saying they don't want to be in AZ. I just don't buy that!!!

We had 3 years to get Dansby done

 

[JeffGollin]

Rod G's an enigma.

He's brought more than a semblance of stability, structure and professionalism to the way the Cardinals do business.

But he arrived here from (I believe) Chicago with a kind of "go along to get along" way of doing things that lacked a sense of urgency (Remember how long it took for us to recognize that we had a sucky offensive line)?

When he assumed total front office drafting responsibility, he then overreacted in the opposite direction (possibly to prove a point) by passing on Suggs to draft Bryant Johnson and Calvin Pace.

After that, he seemed to learn from each new coaching regime that came thru here and our drafting/personnel policies became increasingly stronger and smarter (shifting from Coach Mac's "draft the guy you want a round earlier so you're sure you get him" philosophy to Dennis Green's "BPA" philosophy and then modifying it to Wiz's BAPWCHU (Best Available Player Who Can Help Us) philosophy that has stood us in good stead.

But old habits die hard, and I hope my concerns are unfounded that Rod may be slipping back into his "say the right thing but don't rock the boat" mode that lacks a sense of urgency.

We are 6 - 8 players away from where we were when the playoffs ended for us. Until we're closer to zero, I'm going to be very nervous.

 

[40yearfan]

Evenso, if Graves offerd that contract, say mid-February, Rolle takes it and likely Dansby does too. If they were willing to pay that, why let them hit the market? I don't get how people stick up for Graves. What has he done? I know it's not all a one man show but, supposedly, he's calling the shots. Mike Bidwill told all of us that when he fired Green.

You can suppose this is true, but you have no way of knowing. I don't believe it. Rolle wanted $8 million a year and Dansby wanted $30 million guaranteed and both thought they could get it. The fact that neither got what they wanted shows how unreasonable their demands were, but it doesn't change the situation. Unless the Cards had aquiesed to their demands, they were not going to sign a new contract.

 

[Cardiac]

Evenso, if Graves offerd that contract, say mid-February, Rolle takes it and likely Dansby does too. If they were willing to pay that, why let them hit the market? I don't get how people stick up for Graves. What has he done? I know it's not all a one man show but, supposedly, he's calling the shots. Mike Bidwill told all of us that when he fired Green.

I completely disagree with you on Los. He was going to FA no matter what. Rolle may have taken it but I think most would say the contract is too high.

I stick up for Graves because everyone pounds him even though he doesn't get free reign. Mike B didn't mean he could do whatever he wanted with the Bidwills check book. He has to get those deals approved from Billy.

Most people understand and believe that the Cards FO is operating much better recently then in the past. Look at why the Cards were the laughing stock of the NFL. This was when BB was calling all the shots. When RG came to the Cards he slowly gained the trust of BB and was able to move him into the 19th century. RG was shoveling against the tide in regards to dragging this teams operations to more modern times.

Mike Bidwill joins the front office and then suddenly a stadium is being built, Top Notch HC candidates are hired, assistant coaches are being paid well, and the Cards are winning divisions and going to the SB.

Logic tells me that Mike B is not only a much better business man then his father but he took the handcuffs off on RG. This doesn't mean BB isn't hanging on to certain parts of the FO and still mucking things up from time to time.

I don't think RG is the smartest GM in the NFL. I doubt he is the most creative. What he is not is a bafoon that can't tie his own shoes.

I get that this was a frustrating couple of days and it's human nature to want to blame someone. I'm with ya, let's go slap BB around

 

[Buckybird]

I'm with ya, let's go slap BB around

Can I go first? Then we can all eat ice cream 2gether.

 

[Cardiac]

Can I go first? Then we can all eat ice cream 2gether.

 

[Pariah]

Porter and Foote both have their best days long behind them.

No one is looking to them for a long-term answer, I don't think. Everyone knows their best days are behind them, but the alternative is that we go with a kid who's best days may be ahead of him but may stink right now. You know what you get with those two--servicable guys to plug in while your kids get their legs under them.

I'd like to see them both in Cardinals uniforms next year.

JMHO

 

[Pariah]

I'm sure you're sincere when you promise that "there will be additions to get excited about", but like the rest of us, you are a fan and have no control over whether or not you can deliver on that promise.

I'm not prognosticating. I'm telling you the the Cardinals WILL bring in players (they literally have to), and for right or wrong, we WILL get excited about them. Hell, we got excited about a CFL player.

 

[Pariah]

Otherwise in addition to [losing] Dansby,Boldin, Warner, Rolle, Berry, Okeafor,and Gandy,

I'm no Graves fan, but it's tough to hang losing Warner, Berry and Okeafor on him. Those guys were either going to hang it up no matter what (Berry, Warner) or really aren't worth keeping around (Okeafor).

Rolle and Dansby? He should have found a way to keep one of them.

 

[Pariah]

Chalk it up to Bill Parcells' influence on me. He's become famous for saying: "it is what it is."

It IS what it is.

But when Parcells says that, he doesn't impart defeatism with the phrase. He maintains calm (the opposite of panic...see how I'm tying all this back to the thread topic? ) and means that they've got to deal with what they have and figure out how to win games with the reality of the situation.

If Parcells were to come into a meeting between Whiz, Graves and the Bidwills and everyone were throwing out what ifs and coulda beens, he might very well say, "Fellas, it is what it is." And then he'd tell them now isn't the time for panic, that there are lots of players out there that can play and we have some fantastic options in the draft. ...sorta like what I'm trying to say.

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

Ofcourse foote and porter's best days are behind them, but they will certainly be more productive than not having them or the young players behind them. Plus we'll most likely have to wait at least a full season before the players drafted to fill those holes are ready to take over.

Cards need a stop gap and it is a huge plus to add 10 to 14 combined sacks to the LB core with two players who can come right in a play because they know the system.

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

You can suppose this is true, but you have no way of knowing. I don't believe it. Rolle wanted $8 million a year and Dansby wanted $30 million guaranteed and both thought they could get it. The fact that neither got what they wanted shows how unreasonable their demands were, but it doesn't change the situation. Unless the Cards had aquiesed to their demands, they were not going to sign a new contract.

I agree with you 40 and they chose to go elsewhere to avoid having egg on their face and losing "cred" with their fellow teammates.

Eating crow is tough so Rolle and Dansby took the GoHard approach by bailing instead of manning up IMO.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Porter and Foote both have their best days long behind them. If Porter still had the juice to get to the QB there is absolutely no way Parcells would let him walk with a base 3-4 defense to go with Charlie Anderson as a starter.

This isn't true. Porter is gone because he is a disruptive force in Miami and was up in arms from half way through the season of being taken off the field for Cam Wake and Jason Taylor. Even with limited snaps and an injury he got about 9 sacks or more then our best guy. IIRC he had 17.5 the year before that.

Porter would be good for a two year contract because he will be in Eff you mode all next season. And he still has the juice for one more big time run. If Porter signs here the over/under on sacks is 10+ IMO.

I have been able to observe him here in Miami and the fans hate him, but he can get to the passer. It's his attitude many of the fans here will hate and maybe even some players in the locker room.

 

[Doc Cardinal]

Kerry Rhodes ='s no more panic.

 

[Garthshort]

Pariah, good, no very good point about us cheering for whomever is brought in as FA's. That's our job. We are fans.

 

[JeffGollin]

Speaking of what "is" or "isn't"...

I've moved the panic button from the table next to my easy-chair back to a shelf at the top of my book case.

The signing of Rhodes was huge - because it reversed the hemmoraging of Cardinal starters and represented our first off-season "win."

I also trust the Cardinal FO more now than I did a day ago.

But the reality is that there's still a lot of roster-rebuilding to do and I hope Rod, Michael and Wiz aren't breathing a sigh of relief (that they got the media and fans off their backs) and can now relax.

There's much still left to be done

- At least one veteran QB (NFL Network buzz suggests 2).

- Help at ILB (If not Larry Foote, someone)

- Two guys who can rush the passer. One can be an athletic OLB difference-maker and one more of a Dumerville/Freeney "one trick pony." (I'd love to see Joey Porter a Cardinal).

- An upgraded O-line (which - after the position-switching dust settles - will probably require bolstering

- A TE behind Patrick who can block and/or (sooner or later) a dominant all-purpose TE playmaker.

Less panic in NJ this morning, but I hope we'll continue to see more moves made between now and next week.

 

[Krangodnzr]

This isn't true. Porter is gone because he is a disruptive force in Miami and was up in arms from half way through the season of being taken off the field for Cam Wake and Jason Taylor. Even with limited snaps and an injury he got about 9 sacks or more then our best guy. IIRC he had 17.5 the year before that.

Porter would be good for a two year contract because he will be in Eff you mode all next season. And he still has the juice for one more big time run. If Porter signs here the over/under on sacks is 10+ IMO.

I have been able to observe him here in Miami and the fans hate him, but he can get to the passer. It's his attitude many of the fans here will hate and maybe even some players in the locker room.

I was going to say the same thing.

Say what you want about Porter as a person (I liken him to Darnell Dockett) but the guy is a pretty good football player, and I'd wager the Cardinals would've probably had a win or two more with him last year. Heck if Berry could get 6 sacks, imagine what Porter would've done last year.

With the cast of guys we already have on the roster and how much we will have to use Porter if we do sign him, I seriously doubt he would be as much of a distraction as he was with the Dolphins last year. Dockett, Porter, Campbell, and possibly Brown (if he plays to his potential) looks like a decent pashrushing group. If Toler can upgrade our corner play coupled with improved pass coverage from the free safety position, we may be able to unleash the beast (Adrian Wilson) more.

Weatherspoon should be our #1 target, and if I'm Rod Graves I'd trade that extra #3 to trade up to get him. Weatherspoon IMO could be an upgrade to Dansby as an all around ILB.

 

[CardsFan88]

I'm not too worried. Right now we're a 6-10, 7-9 team. With free agency and draft we have the opportunity to add the guys to get us back to 10 wins. We'll be fine. But of course ML imo so is not the answer and we're wasting our good fortune of having a decent team with him as our Qb. Hopefully he proves me wrong, but I doubt it. Either way things are still looking good.

 

[Hollywood]

you guys that are/were panicing remind me of my wife freaking out when I took a saw zaw to my hall bathtub. Just calm down and try to relax. This isn't the finished product. Give the people some time to finish the job......THEN panic.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

I was going to say the same thing.

Say what you want about Porter as a person (I liken him to Darnell Dockett) but the guy is a pretty good football player, and I'd wager the Cardinals would've probably had a win or two more with him last year. Heck if Berry could get 6 sacks, imagine what Porter would've done last year.

With the cast of guys we already have on the roster and how much we will have to use Porter if we do sign him, I seriously doubt he would be as much of a distraction as he was with the Dolphins last year. Dockett, Porter, Campbell, and possibly Brown (if he plays to his potential) looks like a decent pashrushing group. If Toler can upgrade our corner play coupled with improved pass coverage from the free safety position, we may be able to unleash the beast (Adrian Wilson) more.

Weatherspoon should be our #1 target, and if I'm Rod Graves I'd trade that extra #3 to trade up to get him. Weatherspoon IMO could be an upgrade to Dansby as an all around ILB.

If we are going to give up a Third (and with Miami now having an ILB this is a plausible scenario if we get in front of Pitt) I want to get the best prospect in McClain. ILB's always drop for one reason or another and despite his nice combine showing, I expect Weatherpoon to be their at #26.

Still I am really torn between a stud NT or the right ILB. I guess it depends on whom is available when we pick.

 

[devilalum]

Don't forget Cody Brown.

We just lost a second round LB to free agency but we have one waiting in the wings.

 

[Duckjake]

It would be a lot easier to relax if the guy the Cards signed to replace Rolle wasn't reported to be a poor tackler.

The horrendous tackling by the Cards secondary was really something I hoped they'd improve this off season. Looks like they just traded one guy who couldn't tackle for another.

However, they did save several million dollars so its not too bad.