With the loss of three players in one day, the team needs to do a really great job of filling those holes. I think that might meen that they have to be more active in FA.
Here is my wishlist for the remaining offseason.
Free agency.
Leigh Bodden, cornerback.
McFadden really hasn't been that good and, even though Toler has been a pleasent surprise I don't think he's ready to be the starter just yet. Bodden is clearly the best CB in FA after Dunta Robinson signed with the Falcons. I also believe he fits the scheme well.
Fred Robbins, nose tackle.
Bryan Robinson will probably be allowed to walk and Gabe Watson certainly isn't going to get it done alone. Robbins has never played in a 3-4 so I don't expect miracles from him. But in this scenario he's just a stopgap anyway, which will show when I get to my dream draft, and I do think he's good enough as such.
O. J. Atogwe, safety.
I believe he's better than Ryan Clark, and I definately believe he's better than Rolle. I think the Rams are playing with fire here as they have only applied to lowest tender to him. That might be a good choice as they would have to pay him very big money with any other tender, but it also allows teams like the Cards to make him an offer. If the team was indeed willing to make Rolle the top payed safety they should at least be willing to give the same offer to Atogwe.
David Carr, quarterback.
I would bring him in as a backup. I know he's not that good of a quarterback, but I'm extremely thrilled to see what Leinart can do, so having Carr holding up the clipboard would be just fine with me.
Joey Porter, outside linebacker.
With Berry gone and possibly Okeafor leaving as well, someone has to be brought in. Cody Brown, Will Davis, Mark Washington and Stevie Baggs might be good, but it would be highly risky to rely only on them. Porter can be a major headcase but I would think that Whisenhunt knows about him, and if he wants to bring him in I wouldn't doubt it for one second.
Akin Ayodele, inside linebacker.
It would be kind of ironic if the Cards replace Karlos Dansby with the player who was cut by Miami to make room for Dansby. I like Ayodele, though, as he are very experienced in the system and would make for a pretty good rotational player until my draftchoices are ready to step in.
Draft.
1. Sean Weatherspoon, inside linebacker.
I simply love this guy. I would even trade up to get him if neccessary. He would instantly become a quality starter and be a leader of this defense.
2. Cam Thomas, nose tackle.
It would be huge to get a dominant force in the middle of the defensive line. Thomas had a pretty good Senior Bowl, and he kind of reminds me of Terrence Cody in that he didn't play like a traditional 4-3 DT at North Carolina. He was often used to take on blocks and to stop the run, just like a 3-4 NT has to.
3A. Rob Gronkowski, tight end.
It might be a stretch, but Gronkowski could easily slide this far because of his injury. However, if he actually is ready to play he could be a really good player to the offense, as he can both block in the running game and be a pretty safe target to Leinart. After the departure of Boldin I think it's important to get a new target over the middle, though Doucet could obviously be that player.
3B. Micah Johnson, inside linebacker.
Johnson could replace Hayes in a matter of time. I love his tenacity and ability to stop the run. He might not be the most athletic player the world has ever seen, but that doesn't matter as other players would make up for that.
4A. Jarrett Brown, quarterback.
I don't get why some suggest that the Cards would draft a quarterback early. This is Leinart's team now, and if he should fail, next year would be the time to draft a new quarterback. However, obviously every team needs three quarterbacks on the roster and I think Jarrett Brown is the most intriguing QB project in the draft. Who knows, he might pan out while Leinart fails and the team would not have to worry about drafting another guy early next year.
4B. O'Brien Schofield, outside linebacker.
This obviously has to be matched with a FA signing of a veteran. However, Schofield is a second round talent who unfortunately got injured. I really believe this could make this draft a major success a couple of years from now, so I'm more than willing to take yet another season with a rookie OLB on IR. I also think this might happen, as the team did just acquire another fourth round pick and because Whis nor Graves has to win now, seeing as they just got extended contracts. That could mean they are willing to take an injured player who might turn out to be a very big asset down the road.
6. Chris Scott, offensive tackle.
The coaches might be high on Keith and Johnson, but I do think that Russ Grimm would very much like to have Chris Scott in his stable as well. He strikes me as the type Grimm loves to work with.
7. Devin Ross, cornerback.
This is the seventh round so it's time to take a little chance. Ross might not ever be a starting CB, but you never know and at least he could be serviceable on ST.
At a last note, I would really like to give Dockett a new contract. I think he's the best defensive player, besides Wilson, so I think it's very important to keep him happy. Besides, I believe it would be smart to send out a positive signal to the other players and to the fans after the departure of no less than six starters up until know.
Here is my wishlist for the remaining offseason.
Free agency.
Leigh Bodden, cornerback.
McFadden really hasn't been that good and, even though Toler has been a pleasent surprise I don't think he's ready to be the starter just yet. Bodden is clearly the best CB in FA after Dunta Robinson signed with the Falcons. I also believe he fits the scheme well.
Fred Robbins, nose tackle.
Bryan Robinson will probably be allowed to walk and Gabe Watson certainly isn't going to get it done alone. Robbins has never played in a 3-4 so I don't expect miracles from him. But in this scenario he's just a stopgap anyway, which will show when I get to my dream draft, and I do think he's good enough as such.
O. J. Atogwe, safety.
I believe he's better than Ryan Clark, and I definately believe he's better than Rolle. I think the Rams are playing with fire here as they have only applied to lowest tender to him. That might be a good choice as they would have to pay him very big money with any other tender, but it also allows teams like the Cards to make him an offer. If the team was indeed willing to make Rolle the top payed safety they should at least be willing to give the same offer to Atogwe.
David Carr, quarterback.
I would bring him in as a backup. I know he's not that good of a quarterback, but I'm extremely thrilled to see what Leinart can do, so having Carr holding up the clipboard would be just fine with me.
Joey Porter, outside linebacker.
With Berry gone and possibly Okeafor leaving as well, someone has to be brought in. Cody Brown, Will Davis, Mark Washington and Stevie Baggs might be good, but it would be highly risky to rely only on them. Porter can be a major headcase but I would think that Whisenhunt knows about him, and if he wants to bring him in I wouldn't doubt it for one second.
Akin Ayodele, inside linebacker.
It would be kind of ironic if the Cards replace Karlos Dansby with the player who was cut by Miami to make room for Dansby. I like Ayodele, though, as he are very experienced in the system and would make for a pretty good rotational player until my draftchoices are ready to step in.
Draft.
1. Sean Weatherspoon, inside linebacker.
I simply love this guy. I would even trade up to get him if neccessary. He would instantly become a quality starter and be a leader of this defense.
2. Cam Thomas, nose tackle.
It would be huge to get a dominant force in the middle of the defensive line. Thomas had a pretty good Senior Bowl, and he kind of reminds me of Terrence Cody in that he didn't play like a traditional 4-3 DT at North Carolina. He was often used to take on blocks and to stop the run, just like a 3-4 NT has to.
3A. Rob Gronkowski, tight end.
It might be a stretch, but Gronkowski could easily slide this far because of his injury. However, if he actually is ready to play he could be a really good player to the offense, as he can both block in the running game and be a pretty safe target to Leinart. After the departure of Boldin I think it's important to get a new target over the middle, though Doucet could obviously be that player.
3B. Micah Johnson, inside linebacker.
Johnson could replace Hayes in a matter of time. I love his tenacity and ability to stop the run. He might not be the most athletic player the world has ever seen, but that doesn't matter as other players would make up for that.
4A. Jarrett Brown, quarterback.
I don't get why some suggest that the Cards would draft a quarterback early. This is Leinart's team now, and if he should fail, next year would be the time to draft a new quarterback. However, obviously every team needs three quarterbacks on the roster and I think Jarrett Brown is the most intriguing QB project in the draft. Who knows, he might pan out while Leinart fails and the team would not have to worry about drafting another guy early next year.
4B. O'Brien Schofield, outside linebacker.
This obviously has to be matched with a FA signing of a veteran. However, Schofield is a second round talent who unfortunately got injured. I really believe this could make this draft a major success a couple of years from now, so I'm more than willing to take yet another season with a rookie OLB on IR. I also think this might happen, as the team did just acquire another fourth round pick and because Whis nor Graves has to win now, seeing as they just got extended contracts. That could mean they are willing to take an injured player who might turn out to be a very big asset down the road.
6. Chris Scott, offensive tackle.
The coaches might be high on Keith and Johnson, but I do think that Russ Grimm would very much like to have Chris Scott in his stable as well. He strikes me as the type Grimm loves to work with.
7. Devin Ross, cornerback.
This is the seventh round so it's time to take a little chance. Ross might not ever be a starting CB, but you never know and at least he could be serviceable on ST.
At a last note, I would really like to give Dockett a new contract. I think he's the best defensive player, besides Wilson, so I think it's very important to keep him happy. Besides, I believe it would be smart to send out a positive signal to the other players and to the fans after the departure of no less than six starters up until know.
