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

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

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

we have NO idea if the oline is fixed. it was ATROCIOUS in run blocking. i suppose it can't get worse (god i hope not), but we have no idea if it's "fixed."

as for stopping the run, we added a nice dlineman via free agency, but clancy is no worldbeater. we added another dude with potential, but watson has his warts. and we're again counting on an incredibly injury-prone mlb who hasn't proven he can in this league. we haven't stopped the run yet.

 

[red desert]

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).

Well said.

 

[Duckjake]

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.

Since the turn of the century success in the NFL has been defined by 5 teams. New England, Indy,Denver,Pitt,and Philadelphia. In 6 seasons those 5franchises have a total of 4 losing seasons between them. The Atlanta Braves and New York Yankees of Football so to speak.

Meanwhile out in the desert the Cards are 30-66.

 

[BigRedRage]

i think with luck we could do it now, add a strong MLB and a top flight FS or another top flight CB and we will be good to go.

either way we are set for at least 5 years

 

[Codeofhammurabi]

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?"

These are my thoughts as well. I would like to see a consistent regular season performance that would lead to a wild card or division championship first. Then I will worry about the Super Bowl.

 

[jstadvl]

two years of depth additions and consistentcy from the top on down!
Give Graves ,Green, and all the coaches extentions with a bump for at least two more years.
We're there, 2008, home turf.
Playoffs thixs year, Division title next and SB next.

 

[CardShark]

If this team can make it into the playoffs this year, especially as division champs, then why not the SB? Why just settle for the playoffs? If they can go 10-6, then they really do have the talent now.

 

[CardsRep03]

Superbowl is right around the corner...and the Playoffs are sitting next to us on the couch

 

[BACH]

In terms of talent I think we're one of the best team in the league (perhaps except the Steelers).

The problem is, that right now it's only talent, and we rely heavily on young and talented, but also inexperience players on several starting and key back-up positions. If Hayes, Lutui, Rolle, Watson, Bergen, Pope etc. step up and play at a NFL level then IMO there isn't any reason why this team shouldn't be a SB contender. BUT, it's unrealitic to believe that every rookie "gets it" from day one or that every 2nd year player have adjusted the the NFL, so I think we'll fall just short of being a serious SB contender.

I predict us having a season like the Jags last season. A very good team, but at the same time not in the same class as the Colts, Steelers, Broncos or Patriots. 10 - 6 record with one play-off game is my guess. We're not at the same level as the Panthers, Seahawks, Redskins or Cowboys IMO, but time will tell.

 

[Duckjake]

I predict us having a season like the Jags last season. A very good team, but at the same time not in the same class as the Colts, Steelers, Broncos or Patriots. 10 - 6 record with one play-off game is my guess. We're not at the same level as the Panthers, Seahawks, Redskins or Cowboys IMO, but time will tell.

One thing in our favor is that its easier to make a move up in the NFC. The Cards had real chances at beating the Panthers and Redskins last year even with half the team on IR.

Getting the Bears,Chiefs,Cowboys and Broncos at home helps. And actually having a home helps even more.

 

[az jam]

Still have concerns on our offensive line. We upgraded the guard positions with the additions of Brown and Lutui. We are weak at center and have no depth for our OTs and they are only average (Davis, Ross). The new coach, Loney, will help. Its still a work in progress.

 

[Stout]

All you run-stuffing and O-line haters, do you think we've done nothing? If so, then I have to question your football knowledge. I'm not saying it's all fixed, but we certainly, CERTAINLY improved both units. Did we improve them enough? Only time will tell. I'm certainly nervous at MLB, but I'm no longer concerned at DT, which is good. We have depth there now and solid starters, which we haven't been able to say in a long time. I'm nervous about the O-line still, but we have definite improvements in depth, and a probable improvement in run blocking with Brown. Add in the extra time the other Brown got, and hopefully health, and we should be improved. How far will be the question.

To simply say we didn't fix any of those areas is flat out WRONG.

 

[john h]

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.

I think the team health will determine how far we go this year. If our key players especially the QB stay healthy I think we can contend for a playoff spot this year. If our QB or RB goes down we are in deep do do.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

We are some good coaching and actual preperation from being a SB contender.....

The talent is there. I bet you Bill Belicheck could win with this team.......

I'm hoping Denny/Clancy/Pendergast can too....

 

[D-Dogg]

I'll take the playoffs first. Home game preferably.

We'll take it from there.

Baby steps.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

All you run-stuffing and O-line haters, do you think we've done nothing? If so, then I have to question your football knowledge. I'm not saying it's all fixed, but we certainly, CERTAINLY improved both units. Did we improve them enough? Only time will tell. I'm certainly nervous at MLB, but I'm no longer concerned at DT, which is good. We have depth there now and solid starters, which we haven't been able to say in a long time. I'm nervous about the O-line still, but we have definite improvements in depth, and a probable improvement in run blocking with Brown. Add in the extra time the other Brown got, and hopefully health, and we should be improved. How far will be the question.

To simply say we didn't fix any of those areas is flat out WRONG.

would say you're flat out WRONG. it's not "fixed" until we see results. did they TRY to fix it? yes. but you CANNOT say it's "FIXED." THAT is flat out wrong.

 

[Shane]

would say you're flat out WRONG. it's not "fixed" until we see results. did they TRY to fix it? yes. but you CANNOT say it's "FIXED." THAT is flat out wrong.

 

[vinnymac]

my challenge to the o-line is to quit getting penalities. the cardinals moved the ball well last season, but the o-line commited to many penalities in the redzone. another challenge is to get a little more physical in the running game. i can remeber shipp trying to get into the endzone last season 3 times and all 3 times met by the d-lineman stuffing him in the back field.

if the o-line can improve in those area, then a say the cardinals have great chance to make it to the super bowl.

the biggest obsitcal for the cardinals is the cardinals. quit beating themselves and the happy times are here again in cardinal land.

the second biggest thing in the way are those pescy sea chickens. the road to the superbowl goes through seattle. it pains me to say it, but it is true.

 

[conraddobler]

my challenge to the o-line is to quit getting penalities. the cardinals moved the ball well last season, but the o-line commited to many penalities in the redzone. another challenge is to get a little more physical in the running game. i can remeber shipp trying to get into the endzone last season 3 times and all 3 times met by the d-lineman stuffing him in the back field.

if the o-line can improve in those area, then a say the cardinals have great chance to make it to the super bowl.

the biggest obsitcal for the cardinals is the cardinals. quit beating themselves and the happy times are here again in cardinal land.

the second biggest thing in the way are those pescy sea chickens. the road to the superbowl goes through seattle. it pains me to say it, but it is true.

I think that good oline coaching stands a chance of making a dramatic improvement.

I'm with Ouchie, until it's fixed it isn't fixed but at least the attempts have been made.

I'm in the camp that says that coaching above all else was the biggest problem, followed by needed upgrades a key postions.

Most times your guards determine your ability to run the ball IMO and we've upgraded them, hopefully.

If I see Edge get blown up repeatedly in the backfield I will hurl things at my TV so I'm installing some plexiglass in front of the HD thingamajig cause I don't want to lay out the dough to replace it, better safe than sorry.

 

[CardinalChris]

I feel like the red zone penalties were both a lack of discipline and lack of a running game. We had to throw to win. Defenses knew it and got more agressive the further we moved the ball. COnsistancy will lower the penalties a little. The rest is up to the players up front.

 

[cornfed cards fan]

I do think there is a chance we could surprise and challenge for the super bowl. This team is WAY more talented than the teams I've seen since following the cards in '00. The NFL will rue the day that Denny started rebuilding the cards.

 

[Snakester]

I think we are a playoff team now if we can stay healthy. That is the biggest question. We had so many injuries last year that it hurt us big time. Warner and E James have to stay healthy all year for us to make the playoffs.

 

[WildBB]

I think we are a playoff team now if we can stay healthy. That is the biggest question. We had so many injuries last year that it hurt us big time. Warner and E James have to stay healthy all year for us to make the playoffs.

Yeah we need to make the playoffs before any SB talk.

Edge needs to be there for us. Leinart could take over sooner than later, we'll see.

 

[Stout]

would say you're flat out WRONG. it's not "fixed" until we see results. did they TRY to fix it? yes. but you CANNOT say it's "FIXED." THAT is flat out wrong.

Okay, that's more of what I meant. Thank you for clarifying, and in doing so completely backing off the darkside anti-kool aide you guys have been drinking. Stop being such a downer. You've been so much more positive lately. Try to keep it up, eh?

 

[Kel Varnsen]

FYI, here's what you get when you win.

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