Pace: My ace for Card comeback player

[RedRob]

As I was leaving Card's the training camp facility last year I had to wait for a few Card's to cross the road (sounds like the beginning to a bad joke). I'll never forget the way Pace looked. The guy was just exhausted. I told him "good practice" as he walked by and he replied, "Thanks man." I know this doesn't mean squat to most but after seeing the guy in person and on the practice field I think he was giving it all he had even though he was hindered with that wierd injury.

With a few pounds added on to him (which I think he can easily accomplish) I think we'll have a pleasant surprise coming this season.

Imagine having a stud behind Berry and or Okeafor to spell one of these guys? Just two seasons ago I thought a sack was something you put potatos in; now look at us!

 

[Scott MS]

Calvin didn't play in the last 4 games of last season. He finished 04 having played in 10 games and recorded 5 sacks. Not bad since he was primarily a 3rd down end.

 

[Redsz]

I hope he comes through this year. You can never have too many good DE's.

 

[Stout]

Don't you have to be a good player before you become a comeback player? I mean, IMO, if he breaks out this year, he'll simply be proving he's not a bust

 

[az1965]

Pace was a reach in the first round. Consider him a second round player and I think he did ok last year. First year too much pressure and expectations from him. I think he will do ok as a back up and may eventually become a good DE, not great but good player.

 

[cardsunsfan]

Pace was a reach in the first round. Consider him a second round player and I think he did ok last year. First year too much pressure and expectations from him. I think he will do ok as a back up and may eventually become a good DE, not great but good player.

5 sacks in 10 games as a part time play is really good! That equates to about 8 sacks. How many did Okefor have again last yr

 

[az1965]

5 sacks in 10 games as a part time play is really good! That equates to about 8 sacks. How many did Okefor have again last yr

He had 4.5 sacks. 2 of which came in a single game. He also has the tendency of just disappearing in games. Don't know how many QB pressures he had, could not track that stat down. Also, he had only 9 tackles, 6 solo (19th on the team). Even KVB had 13 tackles in his unimpressive season. Pace, however, did have 2 FF and 5 passes deflected.

Like I said, he will eventually develop in a good, solid player.

 

[az1965]

How many did Okefor have again last yr

I believe 8 or 9?? But Chike is also a complete player and also good against run.

 

[CaptTurbo]

I like Pace. I hope he sticks around and improves a bit.

 

[az jam]

50-50 chance on making the team this year.

 

[JeffGollin]

CW says that both Pace and Bryant are "on the clock" survival-wise and that, in both instances, a strong off-season in the weight room might be the difference maker. Right now, I'm zeroing in on whether Calvin and Wendell are seen - right now - regularly working their butt offs in the training facility weight room to get bigger, stronger and in better shape.

 

[slanidrac16]

I think Pace might get it. Something tells me Bryant doesn't get it.
It would be great for us if Pace could just get a little stronger and add about 10-15 lbs of muscle.
This defense is starting to really take shape. But we will need guys to step up when a guy like Berry goes down for a game or so. That could mean the difference in a good defense and a great defense.

 

[SuperSpck]

I also hope that Pace makes the roster. I've read a few interviews with the man and he's seemed like he wants to play football for the Cardinals. I think he's also a better solution than Zellner. He was a first round reach (drafted for need since we passed on Suggs) and has to live that down, coupled with the fact he was a McGuiness boy, with the facts seemingly saying the DG hates McG players. I am really pulling for him though, and I think if he can suffer what comes in training camp he'll push very hard to be in a consistant rotation.

 

[CardLogic]

I am really tired of reading the DG hates McGinnis players BS!!! It's stupid! That makes it sound as though Denny sits around thinking about how he can get rid of any player that was on the team before he became head coach of the Cardinals.

There is no doubt that Green doesn't place the same value on some players as Mac had, that is only natural with any coaching change. But this idea that if Denny didn't select a guy that he doesn't want him on the team is ridiculous. It is all about production and how a player fits into the scheme; along with other ancillary factors, such as agent/player demands, etc.

If any of you haven't noticed... take a look around the NFL! Player turnover is a common occurrence!

Can we move on...

 

[vince56]

Barring injury, Pace won't see the field this year. He's a first round draft pick that plays primarily on special teams. Thanks again for the great drafting, McGinnis

 

[Ryanwb]

The annual "Pace is going to be comeback player of the year" thread is right up there with the annual "We should switch to the 3-4 defense" thead. Hillarious!

 

[cardsunsfan]

The annual "Pace is going to be comeback player of the year" thread is right up there with the annual "We should switch to the 3-4 defense" thead. Hillarious!

I don't think Pace is a bad player. Is he playing like a 1st round pick? Probably not but probably like a second. Why does Green give up on players so quickly? Does he think some of our backups are going to be better than Pace? I don't think so.

 

[clif]

I am really tired of reading the DG hates McGinnis players BS!!! It's stupid! That makes it sound as though Denny sits around thinking about how he can get rid of any player that was on the team before he became head coach of the Cardinals.

There is no doubt that Green doesn't place the same value on some players as Mac had, that is only natural with any coaching change. But this idea that if Denny didn't select a guy that he doesn't want him on the team is ridiculous. It is all about production and how a player fits into the scheme; along with other ancillary factors, such as agent/player demands, etc.

If any of you haven't noticed... take a look around the NFL! Player turnover is a common occurrence!

Can we move on...

been waiting to use that emoticon

 

[BACH]

I don't think Pace is a bad player. Is he playing like a 1st round pick? Probably not but probably like a second. Why does Green give up on players so quickly? Does he think some of our backups are going to be better than Pace? I don't think so.

I agree..
I support the idea of getting rid of players that don't buy the program, but I haven't any negative from Pace or LJ for that matter. We don't know what goes on on the team, but looking from the outside I don't get Green's handling of LJ and Pace. I think both were good enough to start last year, and that both could be VERY good back-ups this year (Ross and Okeafor prevents them from starting this year).

I can accept the fact that they want to trade LJ, because he has a pretty good trade value. The Pace benching, however, I don't get. Pace was a low 1st rounder and almost his entire contract is paid with his initial signing bonus, so cap-wise he's playing for peanuts. Why not keep him? IMO he's better than Zellner, Smith and KVB right now, but he also has a much bigger upside.

Maybe it's me, but I just don't get the idea of getting rid of Pace

 

[cardsunsfan]

I agree..
I support the idea of getting rid of players that don't buy the program, but I haven't any negative from Pace or LJ for that matter. We don't know what goes on on the team, but looking from the outside I don't get Green's handling of LJ and Pace. I think both were good enough to start last year, and that both could be VERY good back-ups this year (Ross and Okeafor prevents them from starting this year).

I can accept the fact that they want to trade LJ, because he has a pretty good trade value. The Pace benching, however, I don't get. Pace was a low 1st rounder and almost his entire contract is paid with his initial signing bonus, so cap-wise he's playing for peanuts. Why not keep him? IMO he's better than Zellner, Smith and KVB right now, but he also has a much bigger upside.

Maybe it's me, but I just don't get the idea of getting rid of Pace

I also bet that if one of Green's first rounders takes a little while to develop he'll be more patient with them...

 

[CardLogic]

I also bet that if one of Green's first rounders takes a little while to develop he'll be more patient with them...

Jeeessshhhh!!!

 

[mdsisquo]

5 sacks in 10 games as a part time play is really good! That equates to about 8 sacks. How many did Okefor have again last yr

He had 4 sacks last year in the first 4 games. Then he disappeared. I don't know what happened to him. I think he will develope into a very good player, if he can get back on coach Greens good graces. We have the coaches in place to help him develope. However, he may not get a shot here since we have Berry and Chike. If we can keep Pace on board, as a part-time player for the next 4 years it would be great. By that time I think he will be ready to become a 10 sack a year guy, and he'll be able to take over for Berry who's contract will expire.

 

[CaptTurbo]

This is the problem with drafting. Say pace explodes. Isnt his contract up? If so you just wasted a fortune and will now pay another fortune to play him. Whereas if you got a good player already proven you dont need to worry about.

Thats not including the 90% that do not pan out at all.

Drafting high is for suckers.

 

[mdsisquo]

This is the problem with drafting. Say pace explodes. Isnt his contract up? If so you just wasted a fortune and will now pay another fortune to play him. Whereas if you got a good player already proven you dont need to worry about.

Thats not including the 90% that do not pan out at all.

Drafting high is for suckers.

I agree with you. However, I think this situation might be different. Pace isn't going to explode before his contract expires (unless he is forced into the lineup by an injury to Chike or Berry). Hopefully, we can re-sign him once his contract expires to a multi-year deal that will not break the bank. This is assuming that coach feels he is part of our future.

I agree with your statements above. Consistently drafting high is for suckers. Why? Because if you have a top 10 pick every year, you are a losing organization. The high draft picks are forced to play way too early, often completly rewening the player. If they light it up, then their contract soon expires and they are gone, because who wants to lose 11 games every year.


Now, if you are a winning franchise and happen to have an off year (Miami, or even Pitt. last season), then it is an opportunity to really make something happen. You are able to let talented, yet young and inexpierenced players learn slowly. They have part time duty until the player who was the former starter (usually a much older player) is gone in FA. Then, you have the younger, talented player step into a starting role and they explode. Thats how winning teams operate. They can do this because they sign FA's and they keep thier own.

What's my point? Well, I think the cards are now starting to do this. Signing Chike is proof. Pace can sit and play in part time duty, all the time learning to harness his massive potential. By the time that Berry's contract expires, we have a very talented and still relativley young player ready to take over the the starting spot. We don't HAVE to sign an expensive vet FA and we don't have to draft someone. Til then, we have a solid back-up and a position of great importance.

Things are really starting to change around here. It's about time and it feels wondeful!

 

[JeffGollin]

Signing Chike is proof. Pace can sit and play in part time duty, all the time learning to harness his massive potential. By the time that Berry's contract expires, we have a very talented and still relativley young player ready to take over the the starting spot. We don't HAVE to sign an expensive vet FA and we don't have to draft someone. Til then, we have a solid back-up and a position of great importance.
Also - it's nice not to have to play someone in the hope that they'll be ready. Barring injuries to either Berry or Okeafor, we have the luxury of letting Calvin sit and wait until he can prove to us he can step in and excel.

That's the way it should be up and down the roster.