Offseason Primer: Roster, FA, and so on.

[Chopper0080]

So, I believe most agree that the playoffs and another 10+ win season is a success. As we wait and see how the end of the season plays out, I thought I would throw out some thoughts about the upcoming offseason which are true regardless of our post season success.

2015 Free Agents

Rob Housler - TE
Bradley Sowell - OT
Paul Fanaika - OG
Dan Williams - NT
Tommy Kelly - DE
Larry Foote - ILB
Sam Acho - OLB
John Abraham - OLB
Antonio Cromartie - CB
Mike Leach - LS

*Of this group, the players the Cardinals will look to re-signing are likley Dan Williams, Tommy Kelly, Larry Foote, Sam Acho, and Mike Leach. I'm guessing Cro prices himself out of Arizona.

###

Here is the roster without those player, looking at a ideal 53 man breakdown, and with cap # (in millions), savings if cut, and dead money.

1-QB-Carson Palmer (14.5/4.5/10.0)
2-QB-Drew Stanton (3.86/3.2/0.66)
3-QB-Logan Thomas (.618/NA/NA)
4-RB-Andre Ellington (.610/NA/NA)
5-RB-Stepfan Taylor (.635/NA/NA)
6-RB-Kerwynn Williams (.510/NA/NA)
7-RB-Marion Grice (.510/NA/NA)
8-WR-Larry Fitzgerald (23.6/9.2/14.4)
9-WR-Michael Floyd (3.17/0/3.17)
10-WR-John Brown (.657/NA/NA)
11-WR-Jaron Brown (.588/NA/NA)
12-WR-Tedd Ginn Jr. (4.0/2.5/1.5)
13-TE-Troy Niklas (.914/NA/NA)
14-TE-Darren Fells (.510/NA/NA)
15-TE-John Carlson (1.65/1.6/.05)
16-TE-
17-OL-Jared Veldheer (7.75/-.250/8.0)
18-OL-Jonathan Cooper (3.967/-1.77/5.74)
19-OL-Lyle Sendlein (4.275/3.15/1.125)
20-OL-Ted Larsen (1.535/1.3/.235)
21-OL-Bobby Massie (.770/NA/NA)
22-OL-Earl Watford (.693/NA/NA)
23-OL-Anthony Steen (.510/NA/NA)
24-OL-

25-DL-Calais Campbell (14.75/3.75/11)
26-DL-Darnell Dockett (9.8/6.8/3.0)
27-DL-Frostee Rucker (1.07/1.0/.072)
28-DL-Ed Stinson (.510/NA/NA)
29-DL-Josh Mauro (.510/NA/NA)
30-DL-Kareem Martin (.669/NA/NA)
31-DL-
32-DL-
33-LB-Matt Shuaghnessy (2.775/2.075/.07)
34-LB-Alex Okafor (.703/NA/NA)
35-LB-Daryl Washington (6.5/-2.0/8.5)
36-LB-Kevin Minter (1.197/.410/.786)
37-LB-Lorenzo Alexander (2.0/1.55/.450)
38-LB-Glenn Carson (.510/NA/NA)
39-LB-Kenny Demens (.585/NA/NA)
40-LB-
41-LB-
42-DB-Patrick Peterson (14.791/2.5/12.289)
43-DB-Jerraud Powers (5.25/4.25/1.0)
44-DB-Tyrann Mathieu (.855/NA/NA)
45-DB-Deone Bucannon (1.752/-3.08/4.836)
46-DB-Rashad Johnson (2.133/1.8/.333)
47-DB-Justin Bethel (.688/NA/NA)
48-DB-Tony Jefferson (.588/NA/NA)
49-DB-Chris Clemmons (.745/.745/NA)
50-DB-
51-LS-
52-K-Chandler Catanzaro (.510/NA/NA)
53-P-Dave Zastudil (1.697/1.425/.272)
54-P-Drew Butler (.585/NA/NA)

This puts our roster needs to fill the spots left by our free agents as TE, OT, DE, NT, OLB, OLB, ILB, CB, & LS.

Notable possible cap cuts based on structure and savings

QB-Drew Stanton (3.86/3.2/0.66)
WR-Tedd Ginn Jr. (4.0/2.5/1.5)
TE-John Carlson (1.65/1.6/.05)
OL-Lyle Sendlein (4.275/3.15/1.125)
OL-Ted Larsen (1.535/1.3/.235)
DL-Darnell Dockett (9.8/6.8/3.0)
DL-Frostee Rucker (1.07/1.0/.072)
LB-Matt Shuaghnessy (2.775/2.075/.07)
LB-Lorenzo Alexander (2.0/1.55/.450)
DB-Jerraud Powers (5.25/4.25/1.0)
DB-Rashad Johnson (2.133/1.8/.333)
P-Dave Zastudil (1.697/1.425/.272)

Now again, those are just the players whose contracts are structured to where we could cut them with minimal dead money, and gain at least 1.0 mil in cap space.

Probably cap cuts based on savings vs cost of replacement

WR-Tedd Ginn Jr. (4.0/2.5/1.5)
TE-John Carlson (1.65/1.6/.05)
DL-Darnell Dockett (9.8/6.8/3.0)
LB-Lorenzo Alexander (2.0/1.55/.450)
P-Dave Zastudil (1.697/1.425/.272)

###

So those are mostly the facts on where our roster will be after the season, here are my thoughts on it for the most part.

I believe Lyle Sendlein, Calais Campbell, Darnell Dockett, and Jerraud Powers could be inline for an extension. Dockett seems to want to stay in AZ, is near the end of his career, and should be willing if he can get some guaranteed money. Campbell is signed for the 2015 & 2016 seasons, but is still pretty young. The Cards could extend him out to provide cap relief, and get him some more guaranteed money while he has the potential for another contract. Powers situation is interesting because the coaches really like him. He is an ideal nickel CB which isn't worth 5.25mil, but the team may not have the money to sign an ideal #2 CB. I think the team extends Powers to keep him around. Sendlein probably doesn't need to get extended but his contract and age are prime for one.

I don't know how the Cardinals are going to deal with Fitzgerald's cap number, and they don't HAVE to if talks stall. That is a huge number, but if Fitz isn't willing to take a flat out pay cut, you may just have to keep him around at the number.

I believe the Cardinals will re-sign Dan Williams, Mike Leach, and Sam Acho. I think Foote retires. I believe Kelly is gone due to positional depth. Mauro/Stinson/Martin all kind of fill that role.

###

Here are some possible cap cuts for other teams which the Cardinals might be interested in.

Marcedes Lewis - TE - Jacksonville
Darelle Revis - CB - New England
Greg Toler - CB - Indy
Derrick Johnson - LB - Kansas City
Brent Celek - TE - Philly
Patrick Willis - LB - San Francisco

 

[Chopper0080]

Looking over that roster, I think there are some holes.

The team will need a return man.

Drew Stanton has never been a durable QB.

The RB corp leaves something to be desired.

The Cardinals probably want an upgrade at TE over Fells.

Need a backup OT.

Need a NT or two. (Re-signing Dan Williams helps this)

Needs several LBs.

Needs another CB.

Will not keep two Ps.

How vital is Robert Hughes?

 

[Tahuyaman]

If the Cards want to make some big moves with free agents in the off season, they absolutely need to get Larry Fitzgerald to agree to a real contract restructuring with a reduction in salary.

 

[Chopper0080]

If the Cards want to make some big moves with free agents in the off season, they absolutely need to get Larry Fitzgerald to agree to a real contract restructuring with a reduction in salary.

I don't believe they are looking to make big moves, but I do believe they want to improve the roster in general. If a guy like Willis became available, I think they want to be in a position to make it work. If not, I believe they want to continue to add the Tommy Kelly, Larry Foote, and Karlos Dansby type free agents.

 

[TJ]

If the Cards want to make some big moves with free agents in the off season, they absolutely need to get Larry Fitzgerald to agree to a real contract restructuring with a reduction in salary.

Arizona is an 11 win team at worst with a roster that has been decimated by injuries, probably at historic levels. The team doesn't need to do anything earth shattering in free agency, just needs to have a very good draft and get healthy.

 

[TJ]

I definitely think we might get rid of Drew Stanton based on cap hit, durability, and lack of production. I think his worth to this team is greatly overstated. He was supposed to be a seamless transition from Palmer in the event he got injured. When Palmer was injured, he never proved to be a QB who could consistently put points on the board when needed.

Of our own FA, I think we re-sign the following:

Rob Housler - TE
Bradley Sowell - OT
Paul Fanaika - OG
Dan Williams - NT
Tommy Kelly - DE
Larry Foote - ILB
Sam Acho - OLB
John Abraham - OLB
Antonio Cromartie - CB
Mike Leach - LS

 

[Russ Smith]

Willis isn't a FA so as you said they'd have to cut him for him to be available.

Caphit next year 8.3, following year 9.6, seems to me they're either going to extend him to lower the cap hit, or trade him if they really want to get rid of the salary, and my guess is extend him. They waived McDonald and that saves money, they have to make a decision on Aldon Smith and are possibly going to eat money on him.

He's a great player and would be an absolutely perfect addition to this team, but I don't see them making him available.

 

[Chopper0080]

Willis isn't a FA so as you said they'd have to cut him for him to be available.

Caphit next year 8.3, following year 9.6, seems to me they're either going to extend him to lower the cap hit, or trade him if they really want to get rid of the salary, and my guess is extend him. They waived McDonald and that saves money, they have to make a decision on Aldon Smith and are possibly going to eat money on him.

He's a great player and would be an absolutely perfect addition to this team, but I don't see them making him available.

Here is my gorilla math on Patrick Willis. They are right against the cap for 2015. Willis is due 8.268 mil, and they save 7.424 if they cut him with only .843 in dead money. They drafted Borland who has played well, are paying Bowman 8.4 mil, and have to re-sign Aldon Smith (I don't see them letting him go). They may transition to a 4-3 defense which makes Borland a natural fit at MLB and doesn't have a great fit for Willis. Willis has missed more games over the past two years as he has over the rest of his career, and he is 29.

What is likely is that he takes a team friendly extension. However, if he is bitter with how the Harbaugh deal went down, and isn't feeling like there is a fit going forward, he may just say pay me, or I walk. If that happens, I think Trent would let him go.

 

[b8rtm8nn]

Someone used to post the snap counts, they also help is seeing if a player has value - here are the last two weeks:

Week 15
Player Position Total Snaps
26-R.Johnson DB 78
22-T.Jefferson DB 72
62-T.Larsen OL 72
68-J.Veldheer OL 72
70-B.Massie OL 72
61-J.Cooper OL 70
21-P.Peterson DB 69
63-L.Sendlein OL 68
93-C.Campbell DL 66
50-L.Foote LB 65
57-A.Okafor LB 64
31-A.Cromartie DB 62
36-D.Bucannon DB 59
15-M.Floyd WR 59
11-L.Fitzgerald WR 56
25-J.Powers DB 54
85-Dar.Fells TE 50
28-J.Bethel DB 47
30-S.Taylor RB 45
5-D.Stanton QB 43
12-Jo.Brown WR 41
98-F.Rucker DL 38
95-T.Kelly DL 36
84-R.Housler TE 35
33-K.Williams RB 32
13-Ja.Brown WR 32
91-Shaughnessy LB 30
97-L.Alexander LB 30
39-R.Hughes RB 30
14-R.Lindley QB 25
89-J.Carlson TE 25
59-M.Benard LB 22
94-S.Acho LB 22
92-D.Williams DL 19
56-G.Carson LB 19
19-T.Ginn WR 18
29-C.Clemons DB 16
2-D.Butler ST 12
82-M.Leach ST 12
51-K.Minter LB 9
7-C.Catanzaro ST 9
23-M.Grice RB 5
72-E.Stinson DL 4
79-B.Sowell OL 4
78-E.Watford OL 2
32-T.Mathieu DB 0


Week 16
Player Position Total Snaps
26-R.Johnson DB 85
21-P.Peterson DB 77
50-L.Foote LB 75
57-A.Okafor LB 72
68-J.Veldheer OL 71
70-B.Massie OL 71
74-P.Fanaika OL 71
31-A.Cromartie DB 70
93-C.Campbell DL 69
63-L.Sendlein OL 69
14-R.Lindley QB 68
15-M.Floyd WR 68
11-L.Fitzgerald WR 65
62-T.Larsen OL 64
12-Jo.Brown WR 54
91-Shaughnessy LB 47
22-T.Jefferson DB 46
95-T.Kelly DL 45
92-D.Williams DL 44
98-F.Rucker DL 44
36-D.Bucannon DB 41
30-S.Taylor RB 40
25-J.Powers DB 39
85-Dar.Fells TE 38
32-T.Mathieu DB 35
84-R.Housler TE 32
28-J.Bethel DB 31
89-J.Carlson TE 30
59-M.Benard LB 27
23-M.Grice RB 27
39-R.Hughes RB 26
13-Ja.Brown WR 26
97-L.Alexander LB 25
54-K.Demens LB 22
73-J.Mauro DL 19
51-K.Minter LB 19
56-G.Carson LB 18
94-S.Acho LB 18
19-T.Ginn WR 15
2-D.Butler ST 11
82-M.Leach ST 11
78-E.Watford OL 8
33-K.Williams RB 6
7-C.Catanzaro ST 5
79-B.Sowell OL 2
6-L.Thomas QB 1

 

[Chopper0080]

Who did that? I'm putting together the final spreadsheet and will post a final snap count post after the 49er game.

 

[Dan H]

I gotta say, Keim has done a pretty admirable job, we don't have many horrible contracts if we need to cut anyone. I don't see any Adam Snyders on the roster right now. The Fitz deal was something we kind of knew going in so I don't count it.

 

[Brian]

One thing to keep in wind re: Patrick Willis, I've heard him openly talk/say that he will retire early. He knows what the game is doing to his body and he doesn't want to deal with the long term effects. He's not in it for the long haul.

I think Housler is gone (finally) Minter is gone, and Acho is gone. Somebody get back to me when he makes a play. Love the guy, probably the nicest guy in the NFL but his play right now....well, always has been pretty sub-par. Ginn is probably gone. Agree that Cro will probably price himself out of here.

 

[82CardsGrad]

One thing to keep in wind re: Patrick Willis, I've heard him openly talk/say that he will retire early. He knows what the game is doing to his body and he doesn't want to deal with the long term effects. He's not in it for the long haul.

I think Housler is gone (finally) Minter is gone, and Acho is gone. Somebody get back to me when he makes a play. Love the guy, probably the nicest guy in the NFL but his play right now....well, always has been pretty sub-par. Ginn is probably gone. Agree that Cro will probably price himself out of here.

Agree with all of that... However, I can't really talk about it or any other moves, without FIRST addressing our running attack. If we don't do something, ANYTHING, that gets us in a position where other teams just merely have to think about our run game, no other moves matter...

 

[D-Dogg]

Cutting zastudil (if healthy) for cap reasons would be a massive misstep, IMO. The guy is a freaking weapon and one of the larger of our IR losses this year, though rarely acknowledged.

 

[b8rtm8nn]

Who did that? I'm putting together the final spreadsheet and will post a final snap count post after the 49er game.

footballoutsiders

 

[Darkside]

So, I believe most agree that the playoffs and another 10+ win season is a success. As we wait and see how the end of the season plays out, I thought I would throw out some thoughts about the upcoming offseason which are true regardless of our post season success.

2015 Free Agents

Rob Housler - TE
Bradley Sowell - OT
Paul Fanaika - OG
Dan Williams - NT
Tommy Kelly - DE
Larry Foote - ILB
Sam Acho - OLB
John Abraham - OLB
Antonio Cromartie - CB
Mike Leach - LS

*Of this group, the players the Cardinals will look to re-signing are likley Dan Williams, Tommy Kelly, Larry Foote, Sam Acho, and Mike Leach. I'm guessing Cro prices himself out of Arizona.

###

Here is the roster without those player, looking at a ideal 53 man breakdown, and with cap # (in millions), savings if cut, and dead money.

1-QB-Carson Palmer (14.5/4.5/10.0)
2-QB-Drew Stanton (3.86/3.2/0.66)
3-QB-Logan Thomas (.618/NA/NA)
4-RB-Andre Ellington (.610/NA/NA)
5-RB-Stepfan Taylor (.635/NA/NA)
6-RB-Kerwynn Williams (.510/NA/NA)
7-RB-Marion Grice (.510/NA/NA)
8-WR-Larry Fitzgerald (23.6/9.2/14.4)
9-WR-Michael Floyd (3.17/0/3.17)
10-WR-John Brown (.657/NA/NA)
11-WR-Jaron Brown (.588/NA/NA)
12-WR-Tedd Ginn Jr. (4.0/2.5/1.5)
13-TE-Troy Niklas (.914/NA/NA)
14-TE-Darren Fells (.510/NA/NA)
15-TE-John Carlson (1.65/1.6/.05)
16-TE-
17-OL-Jared Veldheer (7.75/-.250/8.0)
18-OL-Jonathan Cooper (3.967/-1.77/5.74)
19-OL-Lyle Sendlein (4.275/3.15/1.125)
20-OL-Ted Larsen (1.535/1.3/.235)
21-OL-Bobby Massie (.770/NA/NA)
22-OL-Earl Watford (.693/NA/NA)
23-OL-Anthony Steen (.510/NA/NA)
24-OL-

25-DL-Calais Campbell (14.75/3.75/11)
26-DL-Darnell Dockett (9.8/6.8/3.0)
27-DL-Frostee Rucker (1.07/1.0/.072)
28-DL-Ed Stinson (.510/NA/NA)
29-DL-Josh Mauro (.510/NA/NA)
30-DL-Kareem Martin (.669/NA/NA)
31-DL-
32-DL-
33-LB-Matt Shuaghnessy (2.775/2.075/.07)
34-LB-Alex Okafor (.703/NA/NA)
35-LB-Daryl Washington (6.5/-2.0/8.5)
36-LB-Kevin Minter (1.197/.410/.786)
37-LB-Lorenzo Alexander (2.0/1.55/.450)
38-LB-Glenn Carson (.510/NA/NA)
39-LB-Kenny Demens (.585/NA/NA)
40-LB-
41-LB-
42-DB-Patrick Peterson (14.791/2.5/12.289)
43-DB-Jerraud Powers (5.25/4.25/1.0)
44-DB-Tyrann Mathieu (.855/NA/NA)
45-DB-Deone Bucannon (1.752/-3.08/4.836)
46-DB-Rashad Johnson (2.133/1.8/.333)
47-DB-Justin Bethel (.688/NA/NA)
48-DB-Tony Jefferson (.588/NA/NA)
49-DB-Chris Clemmons (.745/.745/NA)
50-DB-
51-LS-
52-K-Chandler Catanzaro (.510/NA/NA)
53-P-Dave Zastudil (1.697/1.425/.272)
54-P-Drew Butler (.585/NA/NA)

This puts our roster needs to fill the spots left by our free agents as TE, OT, DE, NT, OLB, OLB, ILB, CB, & LS.

Notable possible cap cuts based on structure and savings

QB-Drew Stanton (3.86/3.2/0.66)
WR-Tedd Ginn Jr. (4.0/2.5/1.5)
TE-John Carlson (1.65/1.6/.05)
OL-Lyle Sendlein (4.275/3.15/1.125)
OL-Ted Larsen (1.535/1.3/.235)
DL-Darnell Dockett (9.8/6.8/3.0)
DL-Frostee Rucker (1.07/1.0/.072)
LB-Matt Shuaghnessy (2.775/2.075/.07)
LB-Lorenzo Alexander (2.0/1.55/.450)
DB-Jerraud Powers (5.25/4.25/1.0)
DB-Rashad Johnson (2.133/1.8/.333)
P-Dave Zastudil (1.697/1.425/.272)

Now again, those are just the players whose contracts are structured to where we could cut them with minimal dead money, and gain at least 1.0 mil in cap space.

Probably cap cuts based on savings vs cost of replacement

WR-Tedd Ginn Jr. (4.0/2.5/1.5)
TE-John Carlson (1.65/1.6/.05)
DL-Darnell Dockett (9.8/6.8/3.0)
LB-Lorenzo Alexander (2.0/1.55/.450)
P-Dave Zastudil (1.697/1.425/.272)

###

So those are mostly the facts on where our roster will be after the season, here are my thoughts on it for the most part.

I believe Lyle Sendlein, Calais Campbell, Darnell Dockett, and Jerraud Powers could be inline for an extension. Dockett seems to want to stay in AZ, is near the end of his career, and should be willing if he can get some guaranteed money. Campbell is signed for the 2015 & 2016 seasons, but is still pretty young. The Cards could extend him out to provide cap relief, and get him some more guaranteed money while he has the potential for another contract. Powers situation is interesting because the coaches really like him. He is an ideal nickel CB which isn't worth 5.25mil, but the team may not have the money to sign an ideal #2 CB. I think the team extends Powers to keep him around. Sendlein probably doesn't need to get extended but his contract and age are prime for one.

I don't know how the Cardinals are going to deal with Fitzgerald's cap number, and they don't HAVE to if talks stall. That is a huge number, but if Fitz isn't willing to take a flat out pay cut, you may just have to keep him around at the number.

I believe the Cardinals will re-sign Dan Williams, Mike Leach, and Sam Acho. I think Foote retires. I believe Kelly is gone due to positional depth. Mauro/Stinson/Martin all kind of fill that role.

###

Here are some possible cap cuts for other teams which the Cardinals might be interested in.

Marcedes Lewis - TE - Jacksonville
Darelle Revis - CB - New England
Greg Toler - CB - Indy
Derrick Johnson - LB - Kansas City
Brent Celek - TE - Philly
Patrick Willis - LB - San Francisco

This is an excellent post.

Do have some thoughts though:

Why keep Sam Acho? Maybe he's cheap but he's also done nothing. I remember one splash play all year. If he's being developed it's at a very slow pace.

Also think it's a mistake to let Zastudil go. He was hurt this year and at his age you have to be able to leverage the injury and age into a restructure of some type. I think he's more important than people realize. This is probably the one I most disagree with. Zastudil changes field position. Every time. I know dudes like splash plays but in actual games field position matters.

Also wouldn't keep Foote. He's played well, but only because we lost pretty much everyone at LB and Dockett in front of him and comparatively speaking he looked serviceable. He can only do two things well: stop the run and call plays for the defense. He sucks as a rusher and sucks in coverage. (I'm so pissed at DWash, but it shows you what a talent he is, he can cover, rush, call plays, stop the run, and is a disruptive force).

My minor quibbles aside, very great post dude.

 

[oaken1]

I think they may keep Sowell on the roster...have not heard his name called all season, and he can back up both tackle spots...think Fanaika stays too unless we draft a rookie and Watford steady improves.
I would probably cut Stanton,...his play has not been horrendous per se,...just unspectacular,...but he cannot stay healthy long enough to make any kind of difference ala Kevin Kolb....without the completion percentage. scary as it sounds I think we draft another QB this off season and if LT shows any improvement..this week at SF,...and during OTA's and such....then we go in to 2015 with LT at #2 and a rookie at #3 again....but ya never know,,they may trade Larry and three picks to wiz so they can get Marriotta......

need to keep dumpster.

Ginn.............C-yaaaaaaaaa
a fourth round draft choice from nowhere U can do as much for us as Ginn has done this season....hell, even I can run out of the endzone and get tackled at the 12........


need another upgrade on the o-line....do not be surprised to see a fairly high pick being used on.....a center....third round at the latest I would guess......and unfortunately unless he has a photographic memory,...he will not even start.

 

[Darkside]

Looking over that roster, I think there are some holes.

The team will need a return man.

Drew Stanton has never been a durable QB.

The RB corp leaves something to be desired.

The Cardinals probably want an upgrade at TE over Fells.

Need a backup OT.

Need a NT or two. (Re-signing Dan Williams helps this)

Needs several LBs.

Needs another CB.

Will not keep two Ps.

How vital is Robert Hughes?

Agree with this. Although I will say as a backup thrown into starter duty Stanton has done okay. As a backup don't you just hope they can manage a game or two? Stanton has won games. And I'm not even a supporter (of him starting games).

Hughes is basically invisible and eats up a roster spot. So does Housler.

 

[redheat]

Without reading any of that I put our needs at.
RB
OG
LBx2
CB
KR/PR

 

[Darkside]

I definitely think we might get rid of Drew Stanton based on cap hit, durability, and lack of production. I think his worth to this team is greatly overstated. He was supposed to be a seamless transition from Palmer in the event he got injured. When Palmer was injured, he never proved to be a QB who could consistently put points on the board when needed.

Of our own FA, I think we re-sign the following:

Rob Housler - TE
Bradley Sowell - OT
Paul Fanaika - OG
Dan Williams - NT
Tommy Kelly - DE
Larry Foote - ILB
Sam Acho - OLB
John Abraham - OLB
Antonio Cromartie - CB
Mike Leach - LS

Why is Stanton a disappointment? He's not great and at this point can't take us to a SB. However, you give him all starter reps from before the season, all during preseason, and the regular season and who knows. He's come in cold several times DURING GAMES and won. That's seamless.

He's been getting backup reps and done okay as the starter, maybe better than I would expect without real practice and reps as a starter. Better than Mark Sanchez and some others IMO. It's not an easy offense.

That's why I laugh when dudes say but so and so came in FOR ONE GAME and lit it up, why can't we do that. The answer is tape. Defenses prepare, and they've been getting starting reps and playing all season, and Stanton gets a weeks practice or a couple games as a starter, there's no comparison. Meanwhile, the dude who lit it up for one game has no tape for defenses to study his tendencies and he does well.

I haven't given up on Stanton. BA knows what he's doing. Stanton throws a nice deep ball and can stretch the field. Those are easy "reads" to make.

He lacks the short outlet and some middle throws which I think are a lack of starter reps over and over and over again with the starters. My only concern is his outlet pass frankly, he doesn't even look for it, but you can teach that. Maybe his out route because he doesn't have the arm really. But his footwork, climbing the pocket, shoulders, hips and everything are very solid.

 

[MrYeahBut]

I don't think Stanton has been a disappointment either. If he is able to go in the playoffs, and I really hope he is, it can't help our chances that he hasn't played at all. Those reps, whether game or practice would have helped a great deal

 

[NJCardFan]

Arizona is an 11 win team at worst with a roster that has been decimated by injuries, probably at historic levels. The team doesn't need to do anything earth shattering in free agency, just needs to have a very good draft and get healthy.

We still need a good cover safety and a real pass catching tight end. I think Cooper needs to be given a chance to see if he can play every day. And we can really, really use a legit edge rusher.

 

[oaken1]

I agree NJ........and a center.....we need a center.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I definitely think we might get rid of Drew Stanton based on cap hit, durability, and lack of production. I think his worth to this team is greatly overstated. He was supposed to be a seamless transition from Palmer in the event he got injured.B]

Did you really think this? I can't imagine how anyone could think a career backup was really going to seamlessly step up for Palmer and the offense not miss a beat.

Cue the "Well, That's what Arians said he expected and signed him as our starter" which will both completely ignore that a) Arians blows smoke with the best of them and b) made sure he got Palmer in a trade even though he had his starter already.

 

[TJ]

Did you really think this? I can't imagine how anyone could think a career backup was really going to seamlessly step up for Palmer and the offense not miss a beat.



Cue the "Well, That's what Arians said he expected and signed him as our starter" which will both completely ignore that a) Arians blows smoke with the best of them and b) made sure he got Palmer in a trade even though he had his starter already.

No I never felt he would be a seamless transition personally, but I felt he wouldn't bring the offense to a screeching halt like it has. We've been told that Arians and Moore were QB whisperers, yet, it would appear that Stanton hasn't progressed.