We need to get real. Virtually every talent evaluator felt this was the weakest free agent class in several years. Why? Because teams were unusually agressive with respect to re-signing/extending their own players. Most quality people felt only 3-4 players were tier one and even then there were no sure thing Pro Bowl players. Why should the Cards be drop tons of money on mediocrity? I’d like to get Moore and re-sign Hernandez and White, but that clearly wouldn’t satisfy this board. Ossenfort seems to want to get under 30 year old players if he’s signing someone for 3 years+. He has a plan and I’m willing to let him work it. So far he’s done numerous good things. I’m going to wait until the offseason is over before I draw conclusions. Many on this board seem like the guys who bet on halftime scores. That’s not me.
Exactly.
Monti clearly missed out of some FA targets - Williams, Fries, Allen. That is bad because all would have improved the roster and eased the pressure of draftpicks and picking specific positions.
But now what? Overpaying for mid-level players are not the solution either IMO. Veterans on 1 year contract? Trades? Don't know.
Monti's job is to field a significantly better roster than last year. He gets help from a draft class that is strong at the team's weakest positions. He gets even more help from having the team with most 2nd and 3rd year players and we can expect a significant development from them.
I'm very skeptical right now as I feel he should have gone with two big signings. Given the money given to solid-not great DTs, Going all in on G Fries would have been my preferred option. He tried and fails. Bummer! Nice to see that the intentions were there, because it if nothing else shows that he is allowed to spend by Bidwill. But actions speak - intentions do not.
But I will not conclude anything on his off-season to build a better roster after DAY 1 of the new season. I will conclude on the full picture. Everything is speculation until.