How far do you feel we are from being SB contenders?

[CardShark]

This team is now in the position of adding depth, something needed to be a legitimate SB contender. However, I personally feel they are still 3 starters away from being there. Safety, CB and MLB.

They need a hard hitting safety that can fly, which they have no one at this point. Big area of concern.

They need a shutdown corner to play opposite Rolle. I think Green and Macklin are more backup players that also are great for the 3rd and 4th DB's in obvious passing downs. Green might develop into that starter though.

MLB is another point of concern. Hayes is supposed to be the man, but when will he ever be ready to play a season? I'm tired of waiting.

Why didn't I mention any positions on the O-line? Because, I really feel that with the offseason moves they made, including the addition of Loney that this line will come together and surprise everyone.

Of course it will really help if this team can lose the injury cloud, but that's where the depth comes in.

 

[ThunderCard]

Carshark,
I feel we are very close to being a contender. In retrospect look at other teams and how many starters they still need. If you compare other teams to ours we are very similar compared to depth now and that is going to play a major role as the season goes on. Until we see the W's from the play on the field the Cards will always be the same old cardinals.

 

[joko4]

For,"being contenders for the SB", we are there. Now, you have to keep your team healthy and get granted some luck along the way. We have the people.

 

[lobo]

if the "contenders" are on second and third base...we are headed for second base...but not there yet...cardshark pointed out the weaknesses on the button...let's see what happens in round 2 of FA and in camp...there might be a pleasant surprise coming out of camp...we will be stuck if these issues remain issues in sept.

 

[Skkorpion]

Since the implementation of the salary cap, no Super Bowl team has had 22 quality starters. There are no juggernauts anymore and we are as close as any team at being contenders.

 

[conraddobler]

Since the implementation of the salary cap, no Super Bowl team has had 22 quality starters. There are no juggernauts anymore and we are as close as any team at being contenders.

I agree completely.

The next Super Bowl team will probably be someone most wouldn't think of as being a contender, it happens fast.

It's not going to be the 49ers or the Packers or the Titans or any one of several teams but we aren't in that category.

 

[vince56]

There are no juggernauts anymore .

yes there are, and they wear cardinal red

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[az jam]

Carshark,
Until we see the W's from the play on the field the Cards will always be the same old cardinals.

That is the real bottom line and hopefully it will change this year.

 

[seesred]

We are there now. I completly agree. Our offense which was number 8 in the NFL last year in passing has added line depth and a great runner. We will move from number 32 in the run game to the top third this year. Our Defense which was ranked number 8 last year in all the NFL is even better this year , and will spend less time on the field as we have a running game. Less time = stronger late = running game time down when we have a late lead.

We have to have a little luck, stay reasonably healthy and find some kids in camp that can return punts and kick offs. Super Bowl here we come.

GBR
40

 

[Duckjake]

The same handful of franchises win every year in the NFL usually with one surprise or sleeper winner crashing the party and one of the top tier teams flopping.

The Cards need to be the party crasher this season.

More than anything else the players just need to learn how to win. Two road wins last season should really help but losing to bottom feeders like the 49ers in '04 and Texans in '05 doesn't.

The most critical thing for 2006 IMO is whether the coaching staff can fix the special teams coverage units. They just killed us the last two seasons. 4 returns for TD's and dead last in kickoff return defense in 2005.

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

2008, Home game in the Super Bowl!!!!

 

[Lloydian]

There is no good reason why not. Every game can be won. Will we win every game? Almost certainly not, but there won't be one that I begin watching without thinking the Cards will win it.

 

[Assface]

About 8 months.

 

[MadCardDisease]

The Cardinals haven't proven anything yet. I think we need to worry about making the playoffs before we worry about winning a SB.

So the question should be "how far are we from making the playoffs?"

 

[slanidrac16]

Duckjake hit the nail right on the head. We need to learn how to win, especially when it gets down to crunch time.
A perfect example of this is the Chicago White Sox. Man for Man they may not be the best team , but they sure know HOW to win. Whether it's a bunt to advance a guy to second, going with the pitch to right or left field,stealing a base or hitting a home run, so how some way they FIND a way to win.
Thats what the CArds have to learn. Block an extra point, get a first down to run out the clock, stop an opponent on 3rd and short, just find a way to win.
If we can get off to a decent start this year, and by that I mean like 5-2, there is no telling just how high this team could go.

 

[CardinalLaw]

We are talented enough now. Whether the guys play up to it is on them. There is not one team that can't use any upgrades.

 

[DevonCardsFan]

A O-line and a defense that can stop the run away

 

[Stout]

A O-line and a defense that can stop the run away

So you don't think we fixed any of that? You're delusional.

 

[Pariah]

So you don't think we fixed any of that? You're delusional.

I don't know if we have or not. And if you think YOU do, then YOU'RE delusional!

 

[Lloydian]

In the last four years, Miami, Buffalo, Houston, New Orleans and Arizona did not make the playoffs. The other 27 made it at least once. Indianapolis made it all four times. Six teams made it three of those years (New England and Pittsburgh won Super Bowls, Philadelphia and Seattle lost Super Bowls, Denver and Green Bay did not make Super Bowls).

My point is that I don't believe that the general "top teams" are augmented by the occasional overperformer. Firstly, the term top teams could include over half of the league. Secondly, the NFC playoff field in 2005 had five out of six teams that did not make it the year before.

Sadly, the way the NFL works, no team should ever go more than a couple of years without a playoff berth.

 

[Mitch]

Will the coaching give them an edge? Thus far, it has not...although Clancy Pendergast has shown some creative spunk and an understanding of how to cater his schemes to the strengths of his personnel. Keith Rowen flased some promise last year, but was consistently outcoached in the red zone. Dennis Green's game and clock management skills have not been up to par...this is the first thing that needs to improve.

Are the players hungry enough? They talk a good game...but they have yet to sustain and stack commendable efforts week after week. However, a dynamic competitor like Edgerrin James might have a huge impact on this team...that certainly is the hope.

The standard for winning has not been set on the field. The first two weeks of camp last year were fast paced and rigorous...and the team played like it was on a mission in its first pre-season game. After that, the effort waned noticeably...to the point where the players seemed to be walking through the motions in the fourth pre-season game. Make all the excuses you want, but winners show up every day, every week...losers turn it on and off.

 

[PACardsFan]

The key to our success in 2006 will be whether we get off to a quick start. This franchise has been doomed for the past 20 yrs by having to play too many road games early on. When a team is trying to turn the corner in an emotional game, it's imperative that they get off to a quick start. We've had too many teams that had potential, but started off 1-3 or 1-4 & lost all their confidence. If the Cardinals start off 3-1, watch out. Coversely, if we start 1-3, we'll be lucky to finish .500. Until we learn how to win EARLY, we'll never create the momentum & confidence to be playoff contenders, let alone SB contenders.

 

[mjb21aztd]

I think were still a couple of years away but we are no doubt a playoff team this year if we stay healthy and Warner can play a full season for once. Also hopefully our oline improves cause if we cant run block for Edgerin James they are never going to be good... Final season record 10-6 2nd rould playoff exit GO CARDS

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Honestly, I don't know. If we crap the bed then Denny is probably gone, all momentum gained by the stadium goes kaput, and we'll basically have to start over again. Season tickets sales will go back into the crapper and the Cardinals again become the butt of the joke around the NFL.

That and I don't think the current nucleus of the team can have another losing season and still remain on board with what the front office and coaching staff is doing. Every man has his breaking point (remember Simeon, Jake, Aeneas, and others said all the right things about turning this thing around too) and I don't see the nucleus staying on the same page for another offseason unless the W's start coming.

This is without a doubt the most important year in the history of the Cardinals. They have never had this much talent or momentum going into a season and screwing up again might permanently take the wind out of this team's sails.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Since the implementation of the salary cap, no Super Bowl team has had 22 quality starters. There are no juggernauts anymore and we are as close as any team at being contenders.

sorry i'm going to have to play "skorp on the suns board" here. until we prove we have the mental toughness, the cohesiveness, and the ability to succeed we not "as close as any team at being contenders." this team due to injuries and a reliance on free agency and the draft has no continuity. we have no idea how this team is going to fit together. we have no idea how the injured will return. we have the best makeup of talent than we've had in a loooong time, but we are not contenders yet. so much more goes into that than relying on players coming back from injury, unproven rookies and second year players, and no idea about chemistry (not to mention ANOTHER oline coach).