Its off season: Pass rush help

[football karma]

I am operating on the following assumptions--


1. Given the Cards top 8 status, signing high dollar free agents to help in key areas really isn't an option

2. At #26, given the value the NFL places on pass rushers, the Cards cant really count on addressing that need for next season.

So, here are three "non-standard" thoughts on adding help to the pass rush ---none of them are perfect, and each has a degree of risk associated with them -- but here goes:

1. Adalius Thomas, Pats. Likely cut. This guy was really good in Baltimore, and non-existent for the Pats. Seemed to get cross wise with the coaching staff. Shouldn't cost a ton, and maybe he would like a chance to redeem himself. Obviously, the cons are that like many Balt LBs-- they seem to disappear when they leave Baltimore, and if you cant be successful in NE, then what gives?

2. Julian Peterson, Lions. Cards would have to trade for him. At age 31, does he really fit the Lions plans? Draft pick compensation shouldn't be much. For the Cards, its a stop gap, but he is younger than the B Train, Chike and Haggans.

3. Osi Umenyiora, Giants. Fell out of favor with the coaches and turned into a situational player. Another trade, and wouldn't be cheap. He also wants a new contract, so that needs to be addressed. Had a mediocre 2009, but also was the first year back from an ACL. History suggests that a player's full rebound from that kind of injury is the following year (which would be 2010).

 

[joeshmo]

Adalius Thomas - Will be 33 this coming training camp and hasn't been able to effectively rush the pass for 3 years straight now. Injury prone.

2009 - 3 sacks, 3 QB Hits, 5 QB hurries
2008 - 6 sacks, 2 QB Hits, 4 QB hurries

Might as well just keep Okeafer or Berry, they are just as old and just as productive.

Julian Peterson - Might not have to make a trade for him. He is due to make 7.5 mill this year and word is the Lions do not want to pay that and if he doesn't except a pay cut he could be cut. Which means he is fair game even for top 8 teams who don't have to worry about losing a free agent first if the player they are going after is cut. Although he will be 32 com this training camp he could be a decent stop gap at WILB when Dansby most likely leaves. But if he is not cut I dont want him, I dont want to trade draft picks away for a 32 year old LB that makes 7.5 mill.

Osi Umenyiora - Had a decent but not great year. Not a huge salary to pay him for the remainder of his 3 years left on his contract. Still young just turning 28. Three issues why I wouldn't do it though - compensation to get him, compensation in new contract if he wants one, and never played OLB which is a big transition.

I like your out of the box thinking here but per usual getting a pass rush in the offseason besides getting one in the draft just doesn't happen unless your the Vikings and you can scam the Chiefs again.

 

[Stout]

If we could get Umenyora for a 2nd or 3rd, I'd do that in a minute!

 

[lauraw]

Osi would help us alot!! if healthy!

 

[WarnerHOF]

Umenyiora has had 0 experience playing OLB. Great DE but for all we know he could be a massive LB bust like Aaron Kampman

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Adalius Thomas - Will be 33 this coming training camp and hasn't been able to effectively rush the pass for 3 years straight now. Injury prone.

2009 - 3 sacks, 3 QB Hits, 5 QB hurries
2008 - 6 sacks, 2 QB Hits, 4 QB hurries

Might as well just keep Okeafer or Berry, they are just as old and just as productive.

I am going to disagree with this for a few key reasons.

I have been thinking of Thomas ever since the practice lateness incident.

Yes his numbers were suspect the last two years. But thats because he went to a Pats and within a couple months was disenchanted with how he was being used. He was incredulous the Pats paid all this money for him and then had him shadowing backs and TE's. He said as much when that controversy boiled over and from all the NE games I watched over two years, I see it too.

I actually think in a new environment, where he is brought in to rush the passer he would be a real threat off the edge.

Not to mention he would be motivated and come in for basically nothing.

Maybe there is an injury there or something but all the signs out of Thomas and the Pats is that was just a horrible fit.

But I am seriously in the boat that he could have a Joey Porter-Miami type impact. At 1/6 the cost. Joey is up and down but he had a HUGE year last year.

Not saying its a sure thing but I certainly think its a chance worth taking with a team as thin at OLB as we are.

 

[Shogun]

Not sure if I want to give a DE that has just come off knee surgery a large deal to play a position he's never played before.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Not sure if I want to give a DE that has just come off knee surgery a large deal to play a position he's never played before.

... not to mention that OSI stunk against the run this year.

 

[WildBB]

I am going to disagree with this for a few key reasons.

I have been thinking of Thomas ever since the practice lateness incident.

Yes his numbers were suspect the last two years. But thats because he went to a Pats and within a couple months was disenchanted with how he was being used. He was incredulous the Pats paid all this money for him and then had him shadowing backs and TE's. He said as much when that controversy boiled over and from all the NE games I watched over two years, I see it too.

I actually think in a new environment, where he is brought in to rush the passer he would be a real threat off the edge.

Not to mention he would be motivated and come in for basically nothing.

Maybe there is an injury there or something but all the signs out of Thomas and the Pats is that was just a horrible fit.

But I am seriously in the boat that he could have a Joey Porter-Miami type impact. At 1/6 the cost. Joey is up and down but he had a HUGE year last year.

Not saying its a sure thing but I certainly think its a chance worth taking with a team as thin at OLB as we are.

 

[Crimson Warrior]

We have to do something to address the pass rush, because it is clear that getting pressure with four people is your only hope against top flight passing teams like NO, IND and GB.

You can have the best CBs in the world, but guys like Rodgers, Breese and Manning will make enough plays to beat you if can't get seven into coverage and get them off their spot in their drop back.

The cardinals have to play a perfect game against those teams and they were 1-2 trying to do that in 2009.

Dockett is inconsistent, and Berry and Haggins aren't good enough to get it done.

CC and Dockett are probably keepers, but they need lots of help vs. who we have on the roster now.

 

[joeshmo]

Yes his numbers were suspect the last two years. But thats because he went to a Pats and within a couple months was disenchanted with how he was being used. He was incredulous the Pats paid all this money for him and then had him shadowing backs and TE's. He said as much when that controversy boiled over and from all the NE games I watched over two years, I see it too.

That just makes me not want the guy even more. Motivation issues, not a team player, me attitude, only plays if he likes the play call.

No thanks.

 

[Shane]

I am going to disagree with this for a few key reasons.

I have been thinking of Thomas ever since the practice lateness incident.

Yes his numbers were suspect the last two years. But thats because he went to a Pats and within a couple months was disenchanted with how he was being used. He was incredulous the Pats paid all this money for him and then had him shadowing backs and TE's. He said as much when that controversy boiled over and from all the NE games I watched over two years, I see it too.

I actually think in a new environment, where he is brought in to rush the passer he would be a real threat off the edge.

Not to mention he would be motivated and come in for basically nothing.

Maybe there is an injury there or something but all the signs out of Thomas and the Pats is that was just a horrible fit.

But I am seriously in the boat that he could have a Joey Porter-Miami type impact. At 1/6 the cost. Joey is up and down but he had a HUGE year last year.

Not saying its a sure thing but I certainly think its a chance worth taking with a team as thin at OLB as we are.

Joe is dead on and you are CRAZY!

 

[stretchthefield]

I'd rather we keep our own and build through the draft.
Quite a few good DE/OLB types in this years draft.

Todays three round mock draft;
1st - DT Terrence Cody, Alabama
2nd - CB Amari Spievey, Iowa
3rd - DE/OLB O'Brien Schofield, Wisconsin

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Joe is dead on and you are CRAZY!

Risk/Reward Shane-a-reeno. You don't think at the cost of a million bucks and a roster spot its a risk worth taking?

Hell I'll take the 3 sacks in less then full schedule he played from a backup OLB for a million bucks. Better then spending multiple draft picks on the position or bringing in a big bucks guy who may or may not be the difference.

 

[Shane]

Risk/Reward Shane-a-reeno. You don't think at the cost of a million bucks and a roster spot its a risk worth taking?

Hell I'll take the 3 sacks in less then full schedule he played from a backup OLB for a million bucks. Better then spending multiple draft picks on the position or bringing in a big bucks guy who may or may not be the difference.

For just a million maybe. But at 33 I just dunno if the roster spot is worth leaving a promising young guy off the roster.

 

[Mulli]

That just makes me not want the guy even more. Motivation issues, not a team player, me attitude, only plays if he likes the play call.

No thanks.

 

[Catfish]

I am going to disagree with this for a few key reasons.

I have been thinking of Thomas ever since the practice lateness incident.

Yes his numbers were suspect the last two years. But thats because he went to a Pats and within a couple months was disenchanted with how he was being used. He was incredulous the Pats paid all this money for him and then had him shadowing backs and TE's. He said as much when that controversy boiled over and from all the NE games I watched over two years, I see it too.

I actually think in a new environment, where he is brought in to rush the passer he would be a real threat off the edge.

Not to mention he would be motivated and come in for basically nothing.

Maybe there is an injury there or something but all the signs out of Thomas and the Pats is that was just a horrible fit.

But I am seriously in the boat that he could have a Joey Porter-Miami type impact. At 1/6 the cost. Joey is up and down but he had a HUGE year last year.

Not saying its a sure thing but I certainly think its a chance worth taking with a team as thin at OLB as we are.

If what he says here is true, then this is definitely one situation that I would be looking into. Him coming in at a reasonable cost, and with that kind of chip on his shoulder might just turn out to be a REAL find for us.

 

[Snakester]

Julian Peterson would be a great pick up. With Dansby and Berry and most likely Okeafor gone we could really use a top knotch vet to step in like Peterson. Osi Umenyiora would be a great pickup if he does fully recover from his injury. I would not try to use him as a linebacker though. Why not use him as just a pass rusher. We can still move him around at both DE and OLB but just let him rush the passer. We need a DE anyway. I think it would be a good idea to sign a vet and draft a young pass rusher high in the draft.