Off season plan

[Cbus cardsfan]

Now that Palmer and Fitz are back in the fold, the Cards have a legit run at the title next year. I think Keim and BA realize this is and will act accordingly. I've given Keim my number but he hasn't called yet . So I'll just put my plan on here for him to read.

1- While it's not imperative, I try to re-structure CP's deal to free up some cap space. Hopefully, Palmer sees the window and agrees to it.

2- Work out a deal with Jones to eliminate the need to tag him and, thus, saving some cap space.

3- Re-sign Calais or, with Jones signed, I tag Campbell and have him on a 1 year deal.

4- Re-sign Swearinger. He brought an attitude the defense needed. However, I don't break the bank on him. He was said to have changed his ways and put in a lot of film room time. Let's hope that wasn't just a contract ploy and he goes back to doing what caused him to bounce around the league.

5- Re-sign Minter at the Cards price. If someone wants to overpay him, let him walk.

6- Pick up a CB like Cooper again or Morris Claiborne on a prove it deal. I still think, with a year of off season work, Brandon Williams is the guy over there next year but having an insurance policy in case he isn't ready is prudent.

7- Trade a 4th or 5th round pick to Jets for Brandon Marshall. He only has a 6mill cap hit and really has limited value to the re-building Jets. Bowles helps out his old buddy BA.

On to the draft:
I'll do two draft scenarios. One, if Reuben Foster is there and one if he's gone because if he's there, he's the pick end of story.
1- Reuben Foster, ILB
1a- OJ Howard, TE- giving CP more weapons is never a bad thing and the last time the Cards drafted an OJ in round 1, it turned out pretty well.

2- Curtis Samuel, WR/RB- what a compliment he'd be with DJ and would lessen the load on Johnson. He's a dynamic playmaker.
2a- Sticking with OSU, Raekwon McMillan,ILB. He steps in and could upgrade Minter's position on the defense.

3- Cameron Sutton, DB. He is a very underrated CB and can also return kicks.
3a- Zay Jones, WR. He really was impressive at the Senior Bowl and is probably my favorite WR outside of round 1 in the draft.

4- Jake Butt, TE. He'll be worth the wait and maybe the Cards can get by one more year at TE while he recovers from injury.
4a- Howard Wilson, CB. He's just a redshirt sophomore but has nice size/speed combo. Can learn for a year.

5-Traded for Marshall

6/6a-best OL left.

7/7a- Joe Williams, RB- he's my favorite RB in the draft but his "hiatus/retirement" from Utah mid-season is killing his draft status.


now that the draft and free agency are over, I start looking at hotel reservations in Minnesota for the first week in February.

 

[Stout]

Not bad. Not bad at all.

 

[az jam]

Not bad but would prefer that they draft a qb. Maybe Mahomes or Davis Webb in rds 2 or 3.

 

[Krangodnzr]

I like your a) scenario better.

I think this team will needs more pass catchers to get back to their 2015-2016 form. Floyd and John Brown taking big steps back really the Cardinals offense. OJ Howard is a stud; I remember watching him as a freshman a Bama and thinking this kid looks like the best athlete on the field. He hasn't been uber productive but that is more a function of the way Alabama plays.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Not bad. Not bad at all.

agree... except for the part where any part of @Cbus cardsfan's brain thinks Brandon Williams is any kind of option. He was atrocious to start the year, didn't play for 3/4 of the season and then was seemingly WORSE when he got back on the field. What in the world could Cbus have possibly seen of that kid that makes him believe he might be the answer... besides being loathe to admit he was wrong about him last year? I don't know that I've ever seen a worse CB play for the Cardinals and that's saying a TON with the likes of Carl Carter, Tito Paul and Tommy Knight having laced 'em up for us.

 

[Reddog]

Looks good. Keim was on the radio talking about the football IQ needing to be upgraded. I wonder who he was speaking of and how that impacts their approach to resigning some FAs. My first thought was Swearinger - not because I know anything about his Football IQ but because we do know that Rashad Johnson's was so high and Swearinger took his place. His departure could have also exposed some of the guys in other positions for their questionable football IQ. LB, CB?

 

[Krangodnzr]

Looks good. Keim was on the radio talking about the football IQ needing to be upgraded. I wonder who he was speaking of and how that impacts their approach to resigning some FAs. My first thought was Swearinger - not because I know anything about his Football IQ but because we do know that Rashad Johnson's was so high and Swearinger took his place. His departure could have also exposed some of the guys in other positions for their questionable football IQ. LB, CB?

Swearinger is reportedly a film junkie. He has been since he was a Gamecock. Go back to the year he came out and I REALLY wanted Swearinger. South Carolina is my #2 CFB team and him and Clowney were the two obvious NFL talents on that team (along with Stephon Gilmore, but he didn't jump out on tape like they did).

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

agree... except for the part where any part of @Cbus cardsfan's brain thinks Brandon Williams is any kind of option. He was atrocious to start the year, didn't play for 3/4 of the season and then was seemingly WORSE when he got back on the field. What in the world could Cbus have possibly seen of that kid that makes him believe he might be the answer... besides being loathe to admit he was wrong about him last year? I don't know that I've ever seen a worse CB play for the Cardinals and that's saying a TON with the likes of Carl Carter, Tito Paul and Tommy Knight having laced 'em up for us.

I don't have any problem admitting I was wrong about somebody. I thought Phillip Rivers would be awful and I thought Clarett would be good. I never really had an opinion on Williams other than saying he's young but has the talent. He was also reportedly a hard worker. I never thought he should be the starter or defended his on field play. I likely said he needs time before an firm opinion can be made about him considering he had only 1 year of CB play under his belt in college.

Now, prior to the season I had kind of defended Bethel and thought he only needed to improve his ball skills because he was usually in position to make a play but didn't. However, he took a step back last year.

 

[Chopper0080]

Great job. Well thought out. You are correct that it would be in the Cardinals best interest to re-sign Jones prior to free agency if they want to keep him long term because it would enable them to hold onto Campbell for one more year.

I personally don't love drafting Jake Butt in round 4. I know he has talent, but if you are drafting for this to be an all in year, Jake Butt does not fit that mold. It would be better to draft one of the other TEs in this class who are also very skilled.

 

[WisconsinCard]

agree... except for the part where any part of @Cbus cardsfan's brain thinks Brandon Williams is any kind of option. He was atrocious to start the year, didn't play for 3/4 of the season and then was seemingly WORSE when he got back on the field. What in the world could Cbus have possibly seen of that kid that makes him believe he might be the answer... besides being loathe to admit he was wrong about him last year? I don't know that I've ever seen a worse CB play for the Cardinals and that's saying a TON with the likes of Carl Carter, Tito Paul and Tommy Knight having laced 'em up for us.

Well the kid does have the things you can't teach, like speed and athletic ability. He "tested" off the charts in ability. The things he needs to work on in technique and poise. He is too aggressive and that IMO is why he gets beat deep, nothing earth shattering this was his status when drafted. He's been working with PP and he seems to love the kid, so I would say he has a shot at making huge strides this season. Will he? Who Knows???

 

[BigRedRage]

I don't have any problem admitting I was wrong about somebody. I thought Phillip Rivers would be awful and I thought Clarett would be good. I never really had an opinion on Williams other than saying he's young but has the talent. He was also reportedly a hard worker. I never thought he should be the starter or defended his on field play. I likely said he needs time before an firm opinion can be made about him considering he had only 1 year of CB play under his belt in college.

Now, prior to the season I had kind of defended Bethel and thought he only needed to improve his ball skills because he was usually in position to make a play but didn't. However, he took a step back last year.

to be fair, Bethel was injured all of camp and into the season.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

I like it.

I agree with the cap space savers.

If Keim can pull it off, re-signing C.Jones to a new contract before franchise tagging him, and then using the tag on Campbell would be a good move if they pull it off. Asking Palmer to take a pay cut is not out of the question either. Hey, Tom Brady does it right ?

Then you have guys like Cory Peters (who I like, but there is money there), Justin Bethel, and Tyvon Branch that can free up some cash, and finally, why not talk to Mike Iupati and Jared Veldheer ? Not saying to cut those players if they do not agree but why not ask ?

 

[Cards_Campos]

I like this except for Brandon Marshall. Yes he has talent but I think his attitude is awful. He will throw teammates under the bus and seems like a bad fit. I'm reactimg without looking onto other options so I do not t have one. But I have never Been a big fan of his. Tale t wise he isn't much better than what w just cut. I think we have really good WRs already. John Brown will be back and he is key. I think we need 1 more DL that can rush the passer from inside and we would be solid.

 

[RINGLESS]

I like it.

I agree with the cap space savers.

If Keim can pull it off, re-signing C.Jones to a new contract before franchise tagging him, and then using the tag on Campbell would be a good move if they pull it off. Asking Palmer to take a pay cut is not out of the question either. Hey, Tom Brady does it right ?

Then you have guys like Cory Peters (who I like, but there is money there), Justin Bethel, and Tyvon Branch that can free up some cash, and finally, why not talk to Mike Iupati and Jared Veldheer ? Not saying to cut those players if they do not agree but why not ask ?

We can't franchise Calais, because in that scenario he would be severely overpaid. I think his tag would be around 13.5 million or 35% more than his actual value. We can only franchise Jones because that is around his actual value.

 

[GuernseyCard]

I like it.

I agree with the cap space savers.

If Keim can pull it off, re-signing C.Jones to a new contract before franchise tagging him, and then using the tag on Campbell would be a good move if they pull it off. Asking Palmer to take a pay cut is not out of the question either. Hey, Tom Brady does it right ?

Then you have guys like Cory Peters (who I like, but there is money there), Justin Bethel, and Tyvon Branch that can free up some cash, and finally, why not talk to Mike Iupati and Jared Veldheer ? Not saying to cut those players if they do not agree but why not ask ?

Brady didn't take a pay cut. He got a $28m differed bonus, if I recall. If the team needs CAP space, they can restructure CP and Iupati and extend Veldheer.

Cory Peters has 1 year to go on a reasonable deal. They are not likely to touch Branch until they settle the Jefferson / Swearinger issue. And, for one, I have no problem with paying a healthy Bethel who is expected to play Nickle / ST in 2017.

 

[GuernseyCard]

We can't franchise Calais, because in that scenario he would be severely overpaid. I think his tag would be around 13.5 million or 35% more than his actual value. We can only franchise Jones because that is around his actual value.

Of course they can franchise CC. It's the Card's who decide the allocation of cash and CAP space. Not likely to happen but it's a novel way to retain a team strength in 2017.

 

[overseascardfan]

With Palmer and Fitz both coming back that really limits the offseason plan to the draft. Of course what plays out with CC and whether or not some veterans are willing to restructure their deals could change things. The one outside free agent I hope ARZ brings in is Zach Brown. He would be a definite upgrade over Minter and provide much needed mobility at the ILB position.