Now What?

[Harry]

The Cards had a bye week to get healthy and prepare for the Niners. The end result was the Cards barely eked out a win over one of the leagues weakest teams. To envision this Cardinal team contending for the playoffs requires a long journey into fantasy. I have never read a team more inaccurately than I did this one. I predicted 12 wins but they're likely to be closer to 12 losses (though thankfully 12 is not possible).

Worse yet is looking ahead to next year. I think Fitz retires as it's hard to imagine this team contends next year. Floyd will be allowed to quietly vacate the scene of the crime. John Brown seems incapable of getting separation on anything but short crossing routes. Nelson's speed has caused teams to adjust. They press him at the line, nudge him off his routes or give him extra cushion. If he catches the ball underneath they either take the ball from him or injure him. In any case he can't be counted on as an impact receiver. I think they re-sign Jaron Brown who's a decent possession receiver. In essence they almost need an entirely new receiving corps. They have no useful tight ends.

The Cards once again will need a right guard but they will have a very tight cap. They will be hamstrung by the TM and NK contracts plus tagging or signing Jones. Having 2 expensive contracts for non-impact players is typically considered deadly. There would seem to be little choice but to live with the rest of the O-line as they can't be replaced for their potential cap savings cut price.

On the D-line they likely can't afford Campbell. Beyond that on defense keeping Swearinger & Jefferson is a major financial issue as well. The number two corner also remains a bottomless pit.

The end result is that if Fitz and Floyd do leave, they likely cut Palmer for the cap savings. Then sign a modestly priced vet and build a run first offense around Johnson. I think CJ likely will re-sign at a reasonable price. Ellington leaves.

This time around the Cards better draft some impact players. A QB of the future is possible, but this will add another year to the rebuild. It's already going to be a long year in 2017, but it could be a complete colapse with another off-season like last year.

 

[cardpa]

The Cards had a bye week to get healthy and prepare for the Niners. The end result was the Cards barely eked out a win over one of the leagues weakest teams. To envision this Cardinal team contending for the playoffs requires a long journey into fantasy. I have never read a team more inaccurately than I did this one. I predicted 12 wins but they're likely to be closer to 12 losses (though thankfully 12 is not possible).

Worse yet is looking ahead to next year. I think Fitz retires as it's hard to imagine this team contends next year. Floyd will be allowed to quietly vacate the scene of the crime. John Brown seems incapable of getting separation on anything but short crossing routes. Nelson's speed has caused teams to adjust. They press him at the line, nudge him off his routes or give him extra cushion. If he catches the ball underneath they either take the ball from him or injure him. In any case he can't be counted on as an impact receiver. I think they re-sign Jaron Brown who's a decent possession receiver. In essence they almost need an entirely new receiving corps. They have no useful tight ends.

The Cards once again will need a right guard but they will have a very tight cap. They will be hamstrung by the TM and NK contracts plus tagging or signing Jones. Having 2 expensive contracts for non-impact players is typically considered deadly. There would seem to be little choice but to live with the rest of the O-line as they can't be replaced for their potential cap savings cut price.

On the D-line they likely can't afford Campbell. Beyond that on defense keeping Swearinger & Jefferson is a major financial issue as well. The number two corner also remains a bottomless pit.

The end result is that if Fitz and Floyd do leave, they likely cut Palmer for the cap savings. Then sign a modestly priced vet and build a run first offense around Johnson. I think CJ likely will re-sign at a reasonable price. Ellington leaves.

This time around the Cards better draft some impact players. A QB of the future is possible, but this will add another year to the rebuild. It's already going to be a long year in 2017, but it could be a complete colapse with another off-season like last year.

They put up a graphic yesterday during the Seattle/NE game about how much the Seattle Oline was salary wise. The entire Oline came in at under $5MM. They did a pretty good job of keeping Wilson clean and the running game was more than decent. Tom Cable has done an excellent job coaching that line.

Not sure I would even want to resign CJ, too injury prone at this stage in his career. I agree I think Fitz hangs em up. Pretty much agree with everything else.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

The Cards once again will need a right guard but they will have a very tight cap. They will be hamstrung by the TM and NK contracts plus tagging or signing Jones. Having 2 expensive contracts for non-impact players is typically considered deadly. There would seem to be little choice but to live with the rest of the O-line as they can't be replaced for their potential cap savings cut price.

Tight against the cap ? http://overthecap.com/salary-cap/arizona-cardinals/

Per the site, the 2017 Team Cap Space: $36,573,734. If Fitzgerald retires that number goes to around 51 million in cap space. FYI, last offseason if a team had 36 million in cap space, that would have put the team in the top ten in the league for cap space going into the offseason.

I have no idea who "NK" is by the way so I am not worried about his contract.

This team is going to have to re-build, or re-load, or whatever have you, but the thought that this team is tight against the cap next offseason is not true at all.

If the team is not going to contender, then why would they sign Campbell, keep Cory Peters, and not get rid of Justin Bethel or any of the older expensive vets ? Your team is what your record is, so worry about aging, expensive vets while complaining about how the team is performing on the field is contradictory, IMHO.

As for what to do now ?

Watch at least 7 more Cardinals football games.

 

[slinslin]

I doubt Fitz retires, he can end up #2 on the all-time receiving lists easily.

 

[Russ Smith]

I doubt Fitz retires, he can end up #2 on the all-time receiving lists easily.

Fitz is very likely tied to Palmer unless we somehow got another starting QB. So if Palmer retires Fitz will, but if Palmer is back I suspect Fitz will be.

 

[BillsCarnage]

One more year of each is most likely.

 

[CFLredzoned]

I have a hard time believing Palmer is coming back. His wife has to be putting alot of pressure on him to retire. With the new baby, his recent concussion. I would really be shocked if he came back.

 

[overseascardfan]

I have a hard time believing Palmer is coming back. His wife has to be putting alot of pressure on him to retire. With the new baby, his recent concussion. I would really be shocked if he came back.

If it takes Palmer's wife to rid us of him then I will send her a thank you card. Need to start inquiring on QB's that could be available in both FA & trade market. Also, need to be hitting college scouting hard to find the possible future ARZ QB.

 

[Jetstream Green]

Larry in on the cusp of too many records. Larry is not a selfish guy but football is his profession and what has allowed him to be a voice. He has been beat up of late but a lot of it has to do with the way he is throwing his body about trying to get wins and not as much as his age. He is still in great conditioning and his hands and route running is superb. Larry Legend is chasing excellence and I do not see him retiring as of yet

 

[Chopper0080]

It will be interesting, but it is doable. We have to make some hard choices, and develop some players. It is looking like we will sign Chandler Jones or at worst franchise him. I am guessing the Cards are eyeing a Jones and Golden edge duo as their future on defense. Campbell will be a priority, but we won't break the bank for him. No one will argue with that. Rucker is gone unless he takes a pay cut. Minter may sign for a lower price, but it is also a good draft class for ILB. The Mathieu contract makes me feel that Jefferson is gone. Swearinger probably stays if that happens. A OG can be had in the draft between rounds 2 and 5. WR are also pretty available if we need them. I agree that Fitz and Palmer are tied together which is fine.

We are fine. New England wasn't made in a day. They went through Parcells and Carrol before they found Belichick. They let go of several quality vets throughout the years. They had a bunch of draft busts. The key is to keep as much organization stability as possible which we have been doing. Carroll was on the verge of being fired in Seattle before they drafted Wilson after spending on Matt Flynn in the offseason.

I have my idea of an offseason and it isn't bad, so I imagine Keim's will be a ton better.

 

[TheCardFan]

I can't see anyway Palmer and Fitz aren't playing for AZ next year.

 

[WisconsinCard]

If it takes Palmer's wife to rid us of him then I will send her a thank you card. Need to start inquiring on QB's that could be available in both FA & trade market. Also, need to be hitting college scouting hard to find the possible future ARZ QB.

I disagree, Carson has been great with the cards. I know you've been around long enough to see what we have put out there in the past. Carson has been here three full seasons with the Cardinals, has accumulated a 29-9 record and completed 845 of 1,333 pass attempts (63.4%) for 10,571 yards, 70 TDs, 36 INTs and a 94.2 passer rating. I can't see anybody we could have brought in to do better.

 

[Shaggy]

Palmer and Fitz will not be retiring next year. No question. They may go after a QB higher in the draft but he will sit the bench for the year and take Stanton's spot. Jefferson will be on the team next year to. If not, that would be the dumbest move by the cards not signing him again.

 

[kerouac9]

I disagree, Carson has been great with the cards. I know you've been around long enough to see what we have put out there in the past. Carson has been here three full seasons with the Cardinals, has accumulated a 29-9 record and completed 845 of 1,333 pass attempts (63.4%) for 10,571 yards, 70 TDs, 36 INTs and a 94.2 passer rating. I can't see anybody we could have brought in to do better.

Maybe, but he's not doing that anymore. I find it hard to believe that anyone can watch Palmer this season and realistically believe that he's a key contributor on a Super Bowl champion.

 

[Jetstream Green]

Palmer and Fitz will not be retiring next year. No question. They may go after a QB higher in the draft but he will sit the bench for the year and take Stanton's spot. Jefferson will be on the team next year to. If not, that would be the dumbest move by the cards not signing him again.

I think Jefferson and Swearinger should both be re-signed

 

[WisconsinCard]

Maybe, but he's not doing that anymore. I find it hard to believe that anyone can watch Palmer this season and realistically believe that he's a key contributor on a Super Bowl champion.

I cant disagree with your statement, but there is no reason to believe he cant find that magic again. Color me doubtful, but it can happen ask Kurt Warner, he found the glove and his confidence again.

 

[kerouac9]

I cant disagree with your statement, but there is no reason to believe he cant find that magic again. Color me doubtful, but it can happen ask Kurt Warner, he found the glove and his confidence again.

Sure there is: He's older now, and the offensive line in front of him isn't as good. It's not like Palmer is experiencing a slump relative to his usual performance. What we've seen this season is how he's played his entire career.

 

[Cards_Campos]

Fitz is very likely tied to Palmer unless we somehow got another starting QB. So if Palmer retires Fitz will, but if Palmer is back I suspect Fitz will be.

If Palmer retires....we go after Romo. Fitz said he was coming back....no way he retires....I think he knows we have a 2 year window.....Palmer will be back too in my opinion....we are not out of it....if we make the playoffs. Does it really matter if we are 13-3 or 9-6-1. It's one more game.....if we play well ...we can beat anyone....I was and still mad at Arians because he really treats our games as like we were playing Madden on XBox. Throw way too many passes into double coverage....don't call the simple but effective plays. DJ needs more catches.....TE needs more plays. But after looking up the stats....we are the only team in top 8 in both statistical categories....8 in off and 2 in def!!! No one close to that combo!!! So stat wise we are legit....really a few bine headed plays from being 6-3 and arguably 7-2

 

[Harry]

NK is Robert Nkemdiche. Tough last name & simplier way to reference him. The Cards show so much cap space because they have 24 unrestricted free agents including 13 starting players. Campbell, Floyd, Minter, Jefferson Swearinger, Shipley, Jones, Mathis, Rucker, Gresham, Oakafor, Mauro, Fells & Ellington. Also they don't get back Fitz's signing bonus & I think they can't recoup the restructuring bonus either, so think 10m savings or $46m in space. Then take the franchise tag off for Jones, likely $16m. So you're looking at $30 million to replace 23 players. I don't like that math.

 

[Chopper0080]

NK is Robert Nkemdiche. Tough last name & simplier way to reference him. The Cards show so much cap space because they have 24 unrestricted free agents including 13 starting players. Campbell, Floyd, Minter, Jefferson Swearinger, Shipley, Jones, Mathis, Rucker, Gresham, Oakafor, Mauro, Fells & Ellington. Also they don't get back Fitz's signing bonus & I think they can't recoup the restructuring bonus either, so think 10m savings or $46m in space. Then take the franchise tag off for Jones, likely $16m. So you're looking at $30 million to replace 23 players. I don't like that math.

I believe you have identified the problem, but I don't believe it is a new one. Seattle goes through this with their 2nd CB spot and entire offensive line every year. We will have to make tough choices. Those choices may lead to players like Jefferson and Campbell going elsewhere. I look at that list and I see Swearinger, Jones, Okafor, Mauro, and Gresham as the likely re-signs. Campbell will depend on $$$ and will be tough. The rest of the group is entirely replaceable with the exception of Jefferson but we have already decided to pay Mathieu.

 

[kerouac9]

NK is Robert Nkemdiche. Tough last name & simplier way to reference him. The Cards show so much cap space because they have 24 unrestricted free agents including 13 starting players. Campbell, Floyd, Minter, Jefferson Swearinger, Shipley, Jones, Mathis, Rucker, Gresham, Oakafor, Mauro, Fells & Ellington. Also they don't get back Fitz's signing bonus & I think they can't recoup the restructuring bonus either, so think 10m savings or $46m in space. Then take the franchise tag off for Jones, likely $16m. So you're looking at $30 million to replace 23 players. I don't like that math.

Nkemdiche has a cap hit less than $2M next year. If that's really an albatross around this team's neck, we're in worse straits than I thought.

I think that people are underrating the amount of cap space that we have, but its not that dire. I anticipate Fitz and Palmer will stay. According to Over the Cap, Based on a $166M cap, the Cards have about $37M to spend. Mauro and Fells are RFAs. $20M is plenty to have to fill out a roster. Here's your veteran core:

Defense: Patrick Peterson, Tyrann Mathieu, Chandler Jones
Offense: Carson Palmer, Larry Fitzgerald, Jared Veldheer

I think that defensive foundation is sound. I'm more worried that our offense has a ton of expensive pieces that are too old to be great.

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

Tony Romo= Cards next 36 month vet QB lease.

 

[Jetstream Green]

Tony Romo= Cards next 36 month vet QB lease.

I would honestly rather have Cutler... Romo is good for three games max till his shoulders or back goes out again, but this is all pee pee in the wind since Palmer will be the starter

 

[JeffGollin]

T'is the season when we take a well-earned vacation from the world of salary caps, free agency, franchise tags etc. and focus instead on the game of football - blocking, tackling, scheming, techniques, standings

Before I worry more about my QB's contract status, I'd rather focus on why - at a crucial point in a game - he decides to throw the ball into a crowd of 3 or 4 defenders (& what can be done to help him avoid repeating this).

Before we start looking for Watford's or Hump"s replacements, are there things we can teach them right now that can reverse weaknesses in their technique?

The season isn't over. Besides, thinking about salary cap stuff - at any time - makes my brain hurt

 

[BullheadCardFan]

They put up a graphic yesterday during the Seattle/NE game about how much the Seattle Oline was salary wise. The entire Oline came in at under $5MM. They did a pretty good job of keeping Wilson clean and the running game was more than decent. Tom Cable has done an excellent job coaching that line.

I have always wondered how much of our problems on the Oline is due to poor coaching. Then you watch other teams with patchwork lines and they make it work. Cable would have been a good addition to the team.