Maximizing Production

Harry

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If you look ahead to the next offseason it’s relatively simple to highlight several positions the Cards should target. As I communicate with people about the Cards’ largely unexpected success, the most frequent concern is that the roster is surprisingly weak. The conclusion for me is quite easy to reach. No NFL team gets more out of its roster than the Cards. Put another way the historically inept Cards are quite possibly the best coached team in the league. I still think the plan was to compete for the playoffs next season. However that has changed. Suddenly the future is now.

While the roster admittedly has holes it also has both impact players and high effort contributors. This team is well positioned to be built into a perennial contender. So far the Cards have mostly focused on the offense. I expect them to still tweak it next season, but I think the offseason will focus on defense. Hopefully Ojulari can beat his injury jinx. Robinson will be a full season add. So they already have some builtin impact. Several young CBs are showing growth. The safeties are 3 deep. I do think the line will change dramatically.

It’s quite exciting to envision where this team will be if they give Gannon a couple of impact defensive players. The team would remind me a great deal of the Eagle team that went all the way. Add in the fact that several key players are committed to future seasons. Those that aren’t are largely backed up with functional depth.

My biggest future concern is losing coaches. Still Gannon can keep the defense sharp. So as long as a good OC can be kept in place this won’t be the same old Cards. This team is built to last. In the end all the early worry about whether these were the right coaches has been resolved. Good players, good coaches, draft picks and money to spend would seem to be a winning combination for the future.
 

Cardinal88

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I never really understood why the assistant coaches and especially the coordinators made so much less than the HC. If Monte and Gannon believe they have a good thing, Bidwill could open the wallet and make sure the top coaches stay. I don’t believe there is a salary cap for coaches.
 

Totally_Red

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Nice analysis!

I agree they weren't expecting the playoffs this year given the quantity over top quality approach in free agency.

My number one concern is losing coordinators. It is inevitable but hopefully they follow the Ben Johnson approach and wait for the perfect situation.
 

GeorgiaCard88

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Totally agree- I’m happy with the trajectory.

It’s funny that some are expressing worry about the coordinators- a lot of people on this board constantly express hatred for petzig

And people want rallis to be on training wheels with oversight
 

BACH

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With the contribution and level of play we are starting to see from our young players, I actually do not think that there are that many holes left. There is a gaping one across the D-Line, but all other weak spots have developing young players.
 

Cheesebeef

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With the contribution and level of play we are starting to see from our young players, I actually do not think that there are that many holes left. There is a gaping one across the D-Line, but all other weak spots have developing young players.
OLB is still a gaping hole… on both sides. A legit #2 WR is still also a pretty big hole as well.
 

BACH

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OLB is still a gaping hole… on both sides. A legit #2 WR is still also a pretty big hole as well.
I included OLB/Edge in the D-Line. Sorry if that was not clear.

I think there are two positions of need. And several secondary needs.

DT - Huge hole
Edge/OLB - Huge hole

WR #2 - Need more quality from Wilson or an upgrade
OT - Need a future replacement to Williams and/or someone to replace Beachum, that must be nearing the end of his career.
Depth at LB.
Proven Back-up QB

That is with the assumptions that both Budda and Connor are extended.
 

az jam

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I don't think we would lose our OC Petzing or DC Rallis for Head Coaching jobs at this point. If they are under contract they can only interview for HC openings without Gannon's approval. I feel the same goes to Special team's coach Jeff Rogers. There will be several HC openings but I would really be surprised if one would be offered to any of the Cards coaches this offseason.
 

GeorgiaCard88

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I included OLB/Edge in the D-Line. Sorry if that was not clear.

I think there are two positions of need. And several secondary needs.

DT - Huge hole
Edge/OLB - Huge hole

WR #2 - Need more quality from Wilson or an upgrade
OT - Need a future replacement to Williams and/or someone to replace Beachum, that must be nearing the end of his career.
Depth at LB.
Proven Back-up QB

That is with the assumptions that both Budda and Connor are extended.
It’s true- the only offense I would like to see drafted is possibly a burner WR to get some speed back in the wr core. This can be a wr2 or wr3.

Tackle depth never hurts as Christian has not really shown us much and not sure he is the ot depth we need. I wonder if hump would come back to us next year?
 

slanidrac16

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I like the path we are on. Unfortunately we have been hit by injuries at our weakest part of the team, the front 7.

The injuries we have sustained on the o-line without a drop off of production tells me two things. Depth and coaching.

I think our DB’s are just fine and going to get better with experience and adding to the front 7.

TE room solid.
RB room solid.

WR room is okay but I’m looking for a big jump in MHJ’s production going forward which will open things up for the other wr’s and TE’s.

Finally, it comes down to Murray. If the defense continues to play well all is good. I just don’t see this offense as a juggernaut high scoring offense mostly by design. If suddenly we need Kyler to start throwing for 300 yards every game we are not going to be happy.
 

Stout

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I like the path we are on. Unfortunately we have been hit by injuries at our weakest part of the team, the front 7.

The injuries we have sustained on the o-line without a drop off of production tells me two things. Depth and coaching.

I think our DB’s are just fine and going to get better with experience and adding to the front 7.

TE room solid.
RB room solid.

WR room is okay but I’m looking for a big jump in MHJ’s production going forward which will open things up for the other wr’s and TE’s.

Finally, it comes down to Murray. If the defense continues to play well all is good. I just don’t see this offense as a juggernaut high scoring offense mostly by design. If suddenly we need Kyler to start throwing for 300 yards every game we are not going to be happy.
I actually think the injuries at DT improved our defense. Our two starters sucked out loud.
 

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