Harry
ASFN Consultant and Senior Writer
Well I’ve spent the last few days doing an autopsy on the current roster. You might be left with the impression all is doom and gloom. That’s not really true. The recent play of the defense should make everyone feel good about that unit keeping the Cards in the vast majority of their games. It’s true that it’s time for Dansby to hang up his uniform. He’ll reqiuire a solid replacement, likely a free agent. I’ve also suggested resigning Branch and letting TM go, replacing him with Baker. Re-signing T Williams will but another year at CB. Reddick will move inside to replace Bucannon. Golden will be back. Finally Mauro should exit and maybe Rucker. Rotation D-linemen can be found in free agency. Financially it makes sense to keep Nkemdiche. Perhaps his play will improve. Between Peters and Pierre, the middle is sound. On the whole this unit should be relatively easy to keep at a highly proficient level.
The offense is the real puzzle. Again there are nice pieces with which to work. The running back group is sound. DJ’s ability as a receiver should allow AP to be retained. Pound the line with AP. Use short passes to DJ to give him some space. Use DJ as a change of pace back and almost always on long downs. At AP’s age they can keep him fresh and his presence keeps some of the focus off DJ. A really creative OC can design some 2 back formations that could have defenders running into each other.
Niklas had a good year blocking and showed his college receiving ability is still intact or short routes. Having a QB who remembered the TE position helped. Gresham can block a little and can be a factor in the passing game. Stupid penalties are his Kryptonite. Seals-Jones looks like the real deal and should improve as a run blocker.
Of course this potentially powerful running game could be significantly augmented if the O-line could be fixed. It’s a big job. Assuming Humphries is the real deal and Shipley/Boehm prove adequate in the middle, that still leaves 3 major holes. I’m okay with Boone and Wetzel as backups, but they’re not solid starters. Sadly free agents are similarly marginal. There’s little choice but to bring in a couple. I’m okay with cutting Iupati and then trying to re-sign him at a reasonable price. He can still run block and this should be a run first, ball control team next year.
Then there’s the question of receivers. If Fitz leaves, and I believe he will, the only one I’m keeping is Nelson because of his ability to spread the defense. I know Williams is cheap but if you can’t get on the field against this year’s group who can you beat out. Fortunately for the Cards the free agent choices are numerous. They may elect to bring back Golden, he’s also cheap. Additionally Agudosi has a chance to make the main roster.
That leaves the QB. I’m on record for trying to fix the line before putting a QBOTF on the field. That said if the Cards have the opportunity to trade up for Mayfield without giving up their second this year I’d do it. They could still get a potentially decent option in round 2. I’d still sit Mayfield. They then would have to commit to finishing the line next year. As to who plays QB, I’d settle for a veteran game manager who could throw accurately on short and midrange patterns. Let the running game carry the offense. Play to the strength of the personnel.
The game may be less exciting for a year, but the record could actually improve. By making these cuts the Cards could bring in a couple of high quality receivers. They should be able to get their choice of guards and an ILB. The choices aren’t Pro Bowl players but they should be sufficient. Instead of bringing in some aging vets they could actually bring in players with multiple productive years in front of them.
The offense is the real puzzle. Again there are nice pieces with which to work. The running back group is sound. DJ’s ability as a receiver should allow AP to be retained. Pound the line with AP. Use short passes to DJ to give him some space. Use DJ as a change of pace back and almost always on long downs. At AP’s age they can keep him fresh and his presence keeps some of the focus off DJ. A really creative OC can design some 2 back formations that could have defenders running into each other.
Niklas had a good year blocking and showed his college receiving ability is still intact or short routes. Having a QB who remembered the TE position helped. Gresham can block a little and can be a factor in the passing game. Stupid penalties are his Kryptonite. Seals-Jones looks like the real deal and should improve as a run blocker.
Of course this potentially powerful running game could be significantly augmented if the O-line could be fixed. It’s a big job. Assuming Humphries is the real deal and Shipley/Boehm prove adequate in the middle, that still leaves 3 major holes. I’m okay with Boone and Wetzel as backups, but they’re not solid starters. Sadly free agents are similarly marginal. There’s little choice but to bring in a couple. I’m okay with cutting Iupati and then trying to re-sign him at a reasonable price. He can still run block and this should be a run first, ball control team next year.
Then there’s the question of receivers. If Fitz leaves, and I believe he will, the only one I’m keeping is Nelson because of his ability to spread the defense. I know Williams is cheap but if you can’t get on the field against this year’s group who can you beat out. Fortunately for the Cards the free agent choices are numerous. They may elect to bring back Golden, he’s also cheap. Additionally Agudosi has a chance to make the main roster.
That leaves the QB. I’m on record for trying to fix the line before putting a QBOTF on the field. That said if the Cards have the opportunity to trade up for Mayfield without giving up their second this year I’d do it. They could still get a potentially decent option in round 2. I’d still sit Mayfield. They then would have to commit to finishing the line next year. As to who plays QB, I’d settle for a veteran game manager who could throw accurately on short and midrange patterns. Let the running game carry the offense. Play to the strength of the personnel.
The game may be less exciting for a year, but the record could actually improve. By making these cuts the Cards could bring in a couple of high quality receivers. They should be able to get their choice of guards and an ILB. The choices aren’t Pro Bowl players but they should be sufficient. Instead of bringing in some aging vets they could actually bring in players with multiple productive years in front of them.
