Harry
ASFN Consultant and Senior Writer
It’s time to try to pick those who will not be going forward with the Cards. Some of these are players who have made significant contributions to AZ football, but just don’t fit the remake of the team.
Might as well start at the top. Carson Palmer has exceeded the experts predictions and led the Cards to the playoffs. Since that has seldom happened in the last 60 years, it’s a significant accomplishment. However he’s at best a very short term option and the Cards need continuity. At most he’s a bridge and with his huge salary cancelled a great deal of roster sculpting can be done.
Deone Bucannon is another player who has contributed in his unique role. Sadly he’s become very expensive and Reddick seems poised to replace him.
Tyrann Mathieu is a victim of fate. Two severe injuries have left him a step slower than he once was. He still has ability but seems unwilling to renegotiate his contract. He creates quite a bit of dead money but his immediate cash injection can help in the rebuild. Thanks for the memories.
Jared Veldheer was once an annual Pro Bowl contender. Like the others age & injury have robbed him of some of his skill. Someone on the board suggested a move to guard. His last move didn’t go well and I’m sure he and his agent would reject such a request. In today’s NFL you just can’t order players to move. He’ll just report injured and the game is over. He needs to be an ex-Card.
I’ve debated this one often. If he could stay on the field I believe he could still run block at least. Sadly he can’t stay healthy so how could the Cards commit this huge sum? The end is here.
Josh Mauro has been a huge disappointment. He was once a steady player. This year he’s been invisible. He should be a former Card.
The receivers are a mess. Previously dependable performers have collapsed. In some cases it was injury. In others they’ve just played poorly. I’m letting John Brown, Jaron Brown and Chad Williams go. The latter seems to lack concentration. I doubt Fitz returns so this will be a huge hole.
I said at the time that Brandon Williams should not have been drafted. Wave farewell.
I’m keeping A. Peterson because of DJ’s receiving skills. The Cards will need creative play design, but this guy can still be a weapon and the Cards offer his best option.
The contracts of Gresham and Nkemdiche are upside down. It would hurt the cap to cut them and since the Cards need bodies, hold for one more year. In keeping with this thought I’m not cutting the minimum salary players before camp. They’re really insignificant when it comes to signing free agents.
Several players will not be under contract, like Dansby, but unless I re-signed them in part one I’m passing.
Yes I’ve created a massive amount of holes. Teams filling that many rarely qualify for the playoffs. So the Cards have tons of work to do but at least they have flexibility.
Next time we’ll assess what’s left. There are reasons for hope.
Might as well start at the top. Carson Palmer has exceeded the experts predictions and led the Cards to the playoffs. Since that has seldom happened in the last 60 years, it’s a significant accomplishment. However he’s at best a very short term option and the Cards need continuity. At most he’s a bridge and with his huge salary cancelled a great deal of roster sculpting can be done.
Deone Bucannon is another player who has contributed in his unique role. Sadly he’s become very expensive and Reddick seems poised to replace him.
Tyrann Mathieu is a victim of fate. Two severe injuries have left him a step slower than he once was. He still has ability but seems unwilling to renegotiate his contract. He creates quite a bit of dead money but his immediate cash injection can help in the rebuild. Thanks for the memories.
Jared Veldheer was once an annual Pro Bowl contender. Like the others age & injury have robbed him of some of his skill. Someone on the board suggested a move to guard. His last move didn’t go well and I’m sure he and his agent would reject such a request. In today’s NFL you just can’t order players to move. He’ll just report injured and the game is over. He needs to be an ex-Card.
I’ve debated this one often. If he could stay on the field I believe he could still run block at least. Sadly he can’t stay healthy so how could the Cards commit this huge sum? The end is here.
Josh Mauro has been a huge disappointment. He was once a steady player. This year he’s been invisible. He should be a former Card.
The receivers are a mess. Previously dependable performers have collapsed. In some cases it was injury. In others they’ve just played poorly. I’m letting John Brown, Jaron Brown and Chad Williams go. The latter seems to lack concentration. I doubt Fitz returns so this will be a huge hole.
I said at the time that Brandon Williams should not have been drafted. Wave farewell.
I’m keeping A. Peterson because of DJ’s receiving skills. The Cards will need creative play design, but this guy can still be a weapon and the Cards offer his best option.
The contracts of Gresham and Nkemdiche are upside down. It would hurt the cap to cut them and since the Cards need bodies, hold for one more year. In keeping with this thought I’m not cutting the minimum salary players before camp. They’re really insignificant when it comes to signing free agents.
Several players will not be under contract, like Dansby, but unless I re-signed them in part one I’m passing.
Yes I’ve created a massive amount of holes. Teams filling that many rarely qualify for the playoffs. So the Cards have tons of work to do but at least they have flexibility.
Next time we’ll assess what’s left. There are reasons for hope.
