Immediate Impressions

[Bobcat]

1. I think that LT Jared Veldheer was the right fit for the Cardinals. BA is equally committed to the running game and Veldheer puts a pounding on DEs. Plus, we have to give credit to Steve Keim---he gets a LT and signs him to a reasonable salary. Rumor had it too that Veldheer was offered more money elsewhere but wanted to sign with the Cardinals. Win-win.

2. Rodger Saffold is a very good talent, but will he work out at tackle? if not, that's a pretty penny to pay a guard. Plus, this may mean that the Rams may have to adjust their draft thinking and take a tackle instead of Clowney or Watkins. Phew if that happens.

3. Karlos Dansby had a big season and got what he wanted in free agency---but he had it so good in AZ lining up behind Calais Campbell whom everyone had to double team, which kept Dansby at his age free---it also helped him when D-Wash returned because he could be more aggressive knowing that D-Wash could clean up after him if he missed. What rubbed me the wrong way was all the self-promoting Dansby did during the season---sure you could say he lived up to it---but, just the same, Dansby had the luxury of playing alongside some major talent in AZ---and when you think about it, even with as good a year as Dansby had, he still what what? the 5th or 6th best (most talented) player on the defense? behind Campbell, Washington, Peterson, Mathieu and one could argue Abraham's worth in helping to create the big turnovers.

4. Great to see Frostee Rucker back because here is an unselfish and very effective leader in the locker room and on the field. Good fit for our defense.

5. Having TEs John Carlson and Jake Ballard (good signing) to team with Rob Housler is quite the upgrade at that once talent starved position, provided they can stay healthy.

6. Happy for Andre Roberts---and surprised he commanded that much money. Gets to play with RGIII which should be fun for him. Now has to learn to catch a deep ball with far greater success and consistency. I was kind of surprised Roberts didn't get more attention from Tennessee, who zoomed in on Dexter McCluster instead.

7. Not re-sigining or tendering OLB Marcus Bernard suggests that Mike Neal or some other UFA like LaMarr Woodley may be on his way and another rusher in the draft. OLB is now Steve Keim's primary focus.

8. Like the interest in CB Mike Jenkins because of his speed---speed, plenty of speed is on its way on both sides of the ball, which will be exciting to watch.

9. For some reason I have a hunch that we may wind up with RB Chris Johnson. Talk about speed coming our way!

10. I am glad that Steve Keim sticks to his salary ceilings---this is the best improvement of all. Other teams are overpaying, not the once desperate Cardinals. This is a major turnaround for our beloved Cardinals!

Could not agree more. The only thing that I wish that Carlos would have stayed. But money talks and BS walks. This time it was CD that walked.

 

[Buckybird]

Minter's issue will be how he adapts to defending the passing game which only game reps can show. Sitting on the bench can't help him in that area. We will see.

That's my biggest worry...IMO Minter is a 2 down player, a thumper & no way he fills the void of Los. It sucks, but IMO as of today the Cards D is worse off & lost their defensive leader. Come on Kevin, prove me wrong

 

[kerouac9]

1. I think that LT Jared Veldheer was the right fit for the Cardinals. BA is equally committed to the running game and Veldheer puts a pounding on DEs. Plus, we have to give credit to Steve Keim---he gets a LT and signs him to a reasonable salary. Rumor had it too that Veldheer was offered more money elsewhere but wanted to sign with the Cardinals. Win-win.

I defy you to justify this statement from the many years that Bruce Arians has been operating offenses.

I'm excited to look at Veldheer in the Raiders late-season to see how he performs in a power-blocking scheme. I think I remember going back to Raiders film from 2012 and noting that Palmer wasn't under constant pressure and walking away thinking that the Oakland offensive line wasn't the dumpster fire that many believed.

Looks like a nice contract for a player with a ton of upside. We'll see how that works out.

 

[Chopper0080]

They drafted Minter in the 2nd round for a reason. What's great is that he and 4th round pick Earl Watford are now in a position to make a splash. This is what you wish for your draft picks.

Minter may be a two down SILB for now---and that's fine.

Who plays down three then? You could argue it is the most important one.

 

[kerouac9]

Who plays down three then? You could argue it is the most important one.

Tony Jefferson or a third safety.

 

[MadCardDisease]

I defy you to justify this statement from the many years that Bruce Arians has been operating offenses.

I'm excited to look at Veldheer in the Raiders late-season to see how he performs in a power-blocking scheme. I think I remember going back to Raiders film from 2012 and noting that Palmer wasn't under constant pressure and walking away thinking that the Oakland offensive line wasn't the dumpster fire that many believed.

Looks like a nice contract for a player with a ton of upside. We'll see how that works out.

I've never really seen Veldheer play so if you have some real analysis I would love to see what you have to say. I've read that he is a better run blocker than pass protector. Curious to see how he faired against elite speed rushers if he faced many. He will see a bunch in the NFC West that is for sure.

 

[az jam]

No need to. You have a guy on the roster with the exact same skill set and about 8 years younger.

Totally agree, Chris Johnson is not in the Cards plans.

 

[Chopper0080]

I defy you to justify this statement from the many years that Bruce Arians has been operating offenses.

I'm excited to look at Veldheer in the Raiders late-season to see how he performs in a power-blocking scheme. I think I remember going back to Raiders film from 2012 and noting that Palmer wasn't under constant pressure and walking away thinking that the Oakland offensive line wasn't the dumpster fire that many believed.

Looks like a nice contract for a player with a ton of upside. We'll see how that works out.

I believe the statement should be that Arians is committed to being physical up front. Guys who can punch and anchor vs. power. Tackles able to hand slap DE's past the RB and get to the next level. Guards who jolt DTs in double teams allowing them to get to the next level. OL who can extend vs defensive linemen allowing them to create more room vs d stunts. Linemen who can jack up LBs or Ss who are blitzing with a straight punch. That is what I have been able to gather over the past year and might be accurate when you look at Cooper, Watford and Veldheer. Not that these three have proven anything for the Cards yet, but they do share those similar traits.

 

[MoeIsBetter]

Totally agree, Chris Johnson is not in the Cards plans.

Eh, I wouldn't be so sure. Chris Johnson is EXACTLY the type of player we went after in free agency last year. An older type player who will be cheaper because of his age and looking to "prove it" on a one year deal. Add that to the fact that he is a speed threat and fits into our system perfectly, I would not be shocked at all if we went after Chris Johnson to fill the void Mendenhall left.

 

[MadCardDisease]

Eh, I wouldn't be so sure. Chris Johnson is EXACTLY the type of player we went after in free agency last year. An older type player who will be cheaper because of his age and looking to "prove it" on a one year deal. Add that to the fact that he is a speed threat and fits into our system perfectly, I would not be shocked at all if we went after Chris Johnson to fill the void Mendenhall left.

Keim brought in leaders last year and I don't see Johnson as a leader.

 

[Shane]

I've never really seen Veldheer play so if you have some real analysis I would love to see what you have to say. I've read that he is a better run blocker than pass protector. Curious to see how he faired against elite speed rushers if he faced many. He will see a bunch in the NFC West that is for sure.

So if that the case we signed a big white Levi Brown. Great!

 

[HoodieBets]

Keim brought in leaders last year and I don't see Johnson as a leader.

What at all made you think Mendenhall and Dansby were leaders?

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[MadCardDisease]

So if that the case we signed a big white Levi Brown. Great!

Didn't say he was a turnstile.

 

[az jam]

Eh, I wouldn't be so sure. Chris Johnson is EXACTLY the type of player we went after in free agency last year. An older type player who will be cheaper because of his age and looking to "prove it" on a one year deal. Add that to the fact that he is a speed threat and fits into our system perfectly, I would not be shocked at all if we went after Chris Johnson to fill the void Mendenhall left.

Sorry but I don't think this is the type of player that either Keim or Arians want on the team.

Keith Bulluck was a teammate of Chris Johnson’s in Tennessee for two seasons, and Bulluck doesn’t seem to think Johnson is the kind of guy new Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt should want in his locker room.

That’s not so much because Johnson ran for a career-low 1,077 yards and averaged a career-low 3.9 yards a carry last season, but because Johnson can’t accept responsibility for his declining numbers. Bulluck says Johnson always thinks someone else deserves the blame for his struggles.

“He’s a friend of mine but when it comes to athlete, he’s a ‘me’ person. He’s a ‘me’ person when it comes to the athlete. For the years that he’s been there, it’s never been his fault why he didn’t have a good running game or why he didn’t have a good game. It was always somebody else’s fault,” Bulluck said on The Midday 180, via Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com.

 

[Brian]

What at all made you think Mendenhall and Dansby were leaders?

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ANYBODY that was in or around that locker room has said that Dansby was not only a leader on defense, he was one of the leaders of the entire team.

 

[MadCardDisease]

What at all made you think Mendenhall and Dansby were leaders?

Really???

 

[kerouac9]

What at all made you think Mendenhall and Dansby were leaders?

Sent from an old telephone booth using Tapatalk 2

I'd suggest that Dansby's status as a former Arizona Cardinals Captain, his status as a Miami Dolphins captain, and his role as an unquestioned leader of the 2013 Arizona Cardinals defense would all support the position that Dansby is/was a leader.

Not sure about Mendenhall.

 

[HoodieBets]

ANYBODY that was in or around that locker room has said that Dansby was not only a leader on defense, he was one of the leaders of the entire team.

Hopefully none of them learned from his me first personality and blowing smoke up everyone's arse in order to get a payday.

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[MadCardDisease]

Hopefully none of them learned from his me first personality and blowing smoke up everyone's arse in order to get a payday.

Dansby's play on the field was not me first. He was clearly a leader on the field.

 

[Azlen]

Dansby's play on the field was not me first. He was clearly a leader on the field.

His play on the field next year will be telling. If he truly is only about the money then expect a drop off as his last big payday will be behind him.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

So if that the case we signed a big white Levi Brown. Great!

NFL.Com's analysis

Veldheer always was our favorite target on the open market for value, age and talent. He's a great pass protector who wil turn 27 years old this season. He didn't cost as much as Albert, but we like Veldheer more as a safe long-term bet.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Jared Veldeer
Jonathan Cooper
Lyle Sendlien
Earl Watford
Bobby Massie

The pencil on napkin OL

The Cardinals could field that line right now, technically

Sent from my intergalactic transmorgapher

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Needs:
Pass Rush
Defensive End
Safety
Tight End
Wr speed



Sent from my intergalactic transmorgapher

 

[PJ1]

Living in Nashville I have had a close look at the Chris Johnson mess....Stay far away from this guy....Rather look at Tate or MJD.....

 

[Garthshort]

Tate is my choice.