My hopes for the off-season take a big hit.

[Catfish]

With the announcement that Demetrius Bell is set to visit the Packers later this week, (and possibly the Skins as well), my hopes of our front office going all-in to fix our O-line took a big hit today. I no longer believe that the FO/HC have any real interest in signing Bell. That is a shame, because we had the opportunity to really make our OL into something very special, and do it relatively cheaply by most standards today.

I had salivated over a line of Bell-LT, Colledge-LG, Sendlein-C, Snyder-RG, and Levi Brown-RT. I figured Batiste and Bridges to compete for the remaining OT backup slot, and hoped for DeCastro to fall to us at #13. I no longer believe that the FO intends to sign Bell, and the way DeCastro has climbed in many scouts and anylists's surveys lately, I no longer believe DeCastro will be available at #13.

I now believe that our FO will start an OL consisting of Brown-LT, Colledge-LG, Sendlein-C, Snyder-RG, and Batiste and Bridges competing for RT, with the loser as the OT-backup. I believe that they feel they can sign Lutui to back-up the Guards, and that Barthalomew will back-up Sendlein. I believe that this strategy is flawed, as Lutui might just get selected by the 9'rs, and give them, not only a decent RG, but our line-calls as well.

Sadly, this is exactly the kind of thinking that led to us not taking a #2 WR in free agency or the draft last year. More sadly, I don't believe that either Blackmon or Riley will be available to them this year, and once again, they seem to have let the decent ones get signed before they acted in free agency.

Some might say that the Cards covet Johnathon Martin at LT. If that is true, it has become pretty clear to most that he is not ready to step into the fray this year. Most analysts believe he is neither strong enough or athletic enough to play OT in the pros. Some even believe he has no desire to work to get better than he has been all along, (not exactly what you would want to see in a prospective long-term replacement at LT on one's OL). Sure, Lott could make him stronger and quicker. He can't make him meaner, and is not likely to be able to give him the desire and dedication it takes to play in this league.

I now see us taking Luke Keuchley, ILB, with the #13 pick. I believe he will be there for us, and I also believe he would be BPA at that pick, and that he would make our inside linebacking corps, (Washington & Keuchley), a very formidable one for years to come. I believe that our O/L will be only slightly better than last year, (due to Levi's performance in his last 9 games at LT), in which he seems to have finally had the light come on. I believe that Snyder will only be marginally better than Lutui would have at RG, and that is even questionable. One thing about Snyder is certain however, (no one will out work him), which is something Deuce did not bring to the table, (no pun intended).

 

[RugbyMuffin]

From what I have seen during Cardinals Niner games over the last 5 years, the Niners already have our line calls.

 

[Longcolts]

It's been my understanding that Bell has already talked to the Redskins. I believe that he and his agent have received offers from both us and the 'Skins but they are holding out for better offers from other teams. If he doesn't sign immediately with the Packers then I think that further strengthens my beliefs. Also I believe that it's been reported that we are still in contact with his agent. Why does everyone assume that it's the front office's fault when a player doesn't immediately sign with us? Has anyone considered it just may be the player didn't like the offer we made or that he or the team decided that it just wasn't a good fit after all? Considering the injury plagued career that Bell has already had what makes ya'll think he's all that?

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

I still think Bell has medical issues we haven't heard about or someone would have signed him by now. Either that or he's way overpriced himself but I don't see how he could do that when he's coming off an injury plagued season.

Another thought is Levi may have killed the OT market with the deal he signed. He was probably the #1 LT on the market, along with Bell, so his contract lowered the market for the remaining OT's.

 

[WarnerHOF]

A better offensive line is not going to make Kolb and Skelton better quarterbacks.

I would actually place it nearly the bottom on my list of needs till the team finds a person competent enough to throw the ball. For now, I think the Cards should place most of their focus on the defense.

 

[pinetopred]

A better offensive line is not going to make Kolb and Skelton better quarterbacks.

I would actually place it nearly the bottom on my list of needs till the team finds a person competent enough to throw the ball. For now, I think the Cards should place most of their focus on the defense.

A better o-line makes every part of your offense better.

 

[JeffGollin]

Nothing's happened except that the dude's traveling.

Let events come to you before pulling the plug.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

William Gay visited AZ took a tour and then sat down and made his call.

Bell will do the same.

The Cards will not overpay for a guy with 18 starts and some health questions, and evidently no one else will. From what I can gather, AZ is his best chance at starting on day one.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Why does everyone assume that it's the front office's fault when a player doesn't immediately sign with us? Has anyone considered it just may be the player didn't like the offer we made or that he or the team decided that it just wasn't a good fit after all? Considering the injury plagued career that Bell has already had what makes ya'll think he's all that?

Cause it is their job to not only get deals done, but sell this organization. Not to mention whatever reputation the organization has, that might cause a player to "not be interested" is based on the job that front office has done over the years.

If they cannot sign a player, then it is their fault for either there current short comings, or past short comings.

Even when the extremely lame excuse of: "Well maybe the player was not interested in signing with the Cardinals" is thrown on the table, there is a REASON WHY THE PLAYER DOESN'T WANT TO PLAY IN AZ. That would be the team's reputation which is a reflection of the organization, and the organization is run by ..........wait for it......... the front office.


As for Bell, he has shown on film he can get the job done at LT. I am a firm believer that one player can make a difference. The best example of this outside of D.Bell is Jeff King, who we signed last year. You wanna gauge how good Jeff King is at blocking, look at the running game in Carolina with him in and him out. Same thing for the Bills. Look at there offensive production, and Fitzpatrick's production with him the line-up, and him out of the line-up. As for injury concerns ? All NFL players are injury concerns, but you have a point there. D.Bell is already signed if it were not for those concerns. Yet, those are the risks.

I think it is fair to question the whether Bell is all that. I personally think he is worth the risk.

LT - D.Bell
LG - D.Colledge
OC - L.Sendlien
RG - A.Snyder
RT - L.Brown

-------------------
Depth:
OC - Bartholomew
OG - J.Bridges or [rookie]
OT - J.Bridges or [rookie]


I see that as an upgrade for our offensive line.

 

[az jam]

Sorry but I don't feel that the success of the entire off season depends on us signing Bell. I''l wait till after the draft to see how we did.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

A better o-line makes every part of your offense better.

+1.

 

[Gee!]

Offseason hopes hinged on Bell? Hopes must not have been very high..

 

[BigRedRage]

bell LT Levi RT Decastro RG College LG Sendlein C

In case of injury Brown can move around, snyder can move around and bridges can move around. Very versatle, solid group.

Without Bell Levi will be LT and snyder RT likely and thats not a very attractive line.

With that said, I dont have the same feeling on signing bell. He is super injury prone and either pans out or we are shuffling our line half way through the yr.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Cause it is their job to not only get deals done, but sell this organization. Not to mention whatever reputation the organization has, that might cause a player to "not be interested" is based on the job that front office has done over the years.

If they cannot sign a player, then it is their fault for either there current short comings, or past short comings.

Even when the extremely lame excuse of: "Well maybe the player was not interested in signing with the Cardinals" is thrown on the table, there is a REASON WHY THE PLAYER DOESN'T WANT TO PLAY IN AZ. That would be the team's reputation which is a reflection of the organization, and the organization is run by ..........wait for it......... the front office.


As for Bell, he has shown on film he can get the job done at LT. I am a firm believer that one player can make a difference. The best example of this outside of D.Bell is Jeff King, who we signed last year. You wanna gauge how good Jeff King is at blocking, look at the running game in Carolina with him in and him out. Same thing for the Bills. Look at there offensive production, and Fitzpatrick's production with him the line-up, and him out of the line-up. As for injury concerns ? All NFL players are injury concerns, but you have a point there. D.Bell is already signed if it were not for those concerns. Yet, those are the risks.

I think it is fair to question the whether Bell is all that. I personally think he is worth the risk.

LT - D.Bell
LG - D.Colledge
OC - L.Sendlien
RG - A.Snyder
RT - L.Brown

-------------------
Depth:
OC - Bartholomew
OG - J.Bridges or [rookie]
OT - J.Bridges or [rookie]


I see that as an upgrade for our offensive line.

I don't think the Cards FO has much of a problem selling AZ over freezing his butt in Bufallo, which has shown little interest in re-signing him. Appeal in this case is about dollars and commonsense. The Cards will not overpay and his tour indicates that no one else will either. If he wants an opportunity to start he'll sign a 'show me' deal in AZ. If not, so be it!

 

[joeshmo]

I still think Bell has medical issues we haven't heard about or someone would have signed him by now. Either that or he's way overpriced himself but I don't see how he could do that when he's coming off an injury plagued season.

Or its the opposite case.

He could be looking for a one year deal to get rid of his injury prone status so he can cash in next year. Instead of signing a cheaper long term deal.

AZ and Washington could be offering him long term deals that he just doesn't want.

 

[Catfish]

Off season hopes for making the O-line a factor in games does more or less hinge on signing Bell. He is a proven LT, injury history or not. Having him start at LT and Levi at RT would make our O-line very solid with Colledge and Snyder playing G and Sendlein in the middle. Bridges and Batiste would be backups along with Barthalomew. This would be a pretty good core around which to work. Strengthening the O-line makes our offense more formidable because it would improve the running game, which in turn will take pressure off the QB's. It might just end up with similar results to what we saw on the defense after shoring up the D-line last year.

 

[Shane]

William Gay visited AZ took a tour and then sat down and made his call.

Bell will do the same.

The Cards will not overpay for a guy with 18 starts and some health questions, and evidently no one else will. From what I can gather, AZ is his best chance at starting on day one.

32 starts

 

[Gee!]

32 starts

Not to split hairs but Bell has 30 starts in 31 career games out of a possible 64 games.. Dude has missed more than half his career sitting on the sideline

 

[JAB]

32 starts

I believe he's referring to the amount of starts his head in the last two seasons. At least I have heard that statement several times about Bell. I went ahead just because I'm bored and looked it up.

In 2008 he didn't start or play in any games why I don't know.
In 2009 he played in nine games and started all nine of them.
In 2010 he played and started all 16 games.
In 2011 he played in seven games and started six of them.

That of course gives us a grand total of 31 games played with 30 starts in four seasons.

http://www.nfl.com/player/demetriusbell/804/careerstats

With one full season under his belt I'm not sure why a lot of us are wanting him so bad. I include myself into buying into the hype. But after a realistic look at his career their is no need to think he's a must-have IMO. He is more like a take a chance and hope for the best. I don't thibk you pay to much for that.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demetrius_Bell#Professional_career

 

[juza76]

bell on twitter:
Demetrius Bell ‏ @DBell77 Great day to get thngs accomplished!!!!DeCIsions!!! Wadup twitter!! Aye Wedy les live a little!!!

 

[Duckjake]

From what I have seen during Cardinals Niner games over the last 5 years, the Niners already have our line calls.

Yessir.

Patrick Willis: "OK guys we got the line call." Ahmad Brooks: "They're going to have their OT double team McDonald and nobody's going to block me? AWESOME!"

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Or its the opposite case.

He could be looking for a one year deal to get rid of his injury prone status so he can cash in next year. Instead of signing a cheaper long term deal.

AZ and Washington could be offering him long term deals that he just doesn't want.

Could very well be the case. If I remember correctly, we offered Marshall more than one year last offseason, and he insisted on a one year "show you" contract.

 

[Duckjake]

Sorry but I don't feel that the success of the entire off season depends on us signing Bell. I''l wait till after the draft to see how we did.

Not Bell specifically but they sure do need to do something. Right now these are the candidates for starting Right Tackle:

Batiste
Bridges
Snyder
D.J Young

Who is available in the draft at #13 that could improve that? I don't know. But it sure limits what you can do in the draft if you must pick an OT.

Sadly the situation gets worse if the Cards draft DeCastro because now we are looking at an OT in the 3rd or later rounds.

Levi Brown is starting at Left Tackle no matter how much wishful thinking we do on ASFN about him moving to the right side.

 

[Doc Cardinal]

Not Bell specifically but they sure do need to do something. Right now these are the candidates for starting Right Tackle:

Batiste
Bridges
Snyder
D.J Young

Who is available in the draft at #13 that could improve that? I don't know. But it sure limits what you can do in the draft if you must pick an OT.

Sadly the situation gets worse if the Cards draft DeCastro because now we are looking at an OT in the 3rd or later rounds.

Levi Brown is starting at Left Tackle no matter how much wishful thinking we do on ASFN about him moving to the right side.

Snyder wins that battle by frikkin default.

 

[wa52lz]

I believe he's referring to the amount of starts his head in the last two seasons. At least I have heard that statement several times about Bell. I went ahead just because I'm bored and looked it up.

In 2008 he didn't start or play in any games why I don't know.
.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demetrius_Bell#Professional_career

From wikipedia-
Bell was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft.[2] The Bills were encouraged by his raw skills, but saw him as a longer-term project, given his inexperience in having played organized football for only three seasons at that point.[7][8] However, the team chose to place him on their active roster, rather than assigning him to their practice squad, where he could potentially have been signed away by another team.[9][10] Consistent with their view of him as a work in progress, Bell was not activated for play in any of the Bills' regular season games in 2008