Post-Season Thoughts

[WildBB]

1. QB Carson Palmer. How soon and well can he bounce back from ACL injury? Why was he saying the he wasn't sure what the team would do regarding his future? Why was he a zero presence on the sidelines, when other injured players like Dockett were there to support the team? Can he regain the momentum he garnered before the shoulder and ACL injuries? Would the team be better off turning the reins over to a younger QB?

2. RB/WR Andre Ellington. Is he better off assuming a diversified role as a slot WR and change-of-pace RB? How is he going to hold up physically this time around? That should def. be his role.

3. LG Jonathan Cooper. Can he get his mind and his body right? can he get in tip-top shape? Can he start to lead a vastly improved running game? Million dollar question.

4. RG Paul Fanaika. Can the team add an upgrade at RG? Could Earl Watford be the answer at RG? Isn't Fanaika better off being the swing depth G/T? ??? Apparently not. We saw hyde nor hair of him.

5. T Cameron Bradfield. Started 27 games in 4 years for Jaguars. Can he challenge Bobby Massie for the RT job? see bel

6. RT Bobby Massie. Can he develop as a run blocker and become more consistent in pass protection? Not counting on either.

7. C/G Ted Larsen. isn't he perfect for the swing C/G depth role? Yep

8. QB Drew Stanton. is he injury prone? Has he shown enough command of the offense, especially to warrant a $3.4M salary? Think so.

9. QB Logan Thomas. Is he better off switching to TE and maybe having a small situational role as a read option QB? Next yr. will tell more. BA believes. He needs to have reps and viable game action. I'd hold out Palmer for most of the pre season and go with Stanton and Thomas.

10. RB Kerwynn Williams. Is he a keeper? I think he is as a #2, #3 RB. Dude has wheels and he's tough. Yep

11. WR Larry Fitzgerald. Will he be traded? Think so. NE or Minny.

12. WR Ted Ginn Jr. Did he lose all trade value? How soon will he be released? Will BA&SK really want to hold on to him? They will wait to see who they add considering Fitz situation. I know this won't be popular here.

13. NT Dan Williams. Is he a risk on a lucrative new contract? Does he sign elsewhere? He stays.

14. NT Almeda Ta'amu. Will he be able to be a factor this year? Mtl

15. DE Tommy Kelly. Is he one and done? No.

16. DE Darnell Dockett. Can he bounce back at his age? Can he hold up? Will he take a pay cut? [He could be back if he's reasonable. He just loves it out there./COLOR]

17. DE Kareem Martin. What happened to him? Where does he factor in this year? Don't know. Still too early. He still has upside.

18. ILB Larry Foote. Is he going to retire? Is he worthy of another contract? Yep.

19. ILB Kevin Minter. Is he going to step up this year or fall by the wayside? Not looking too good. Not a good scheme fit.

20. OLB Sam Acho. Will the Cardinals re-sign him? His lack of athleticism on the edge sure was exposed the past few weeks, although he did show improved rush ability. They can do better. Okafor passed him by.

21. CB Patrick Peterson. Will he bounce back from an up and down year? Is he worth the contract? Will he ever embrace the physical aspects of playing NFL CB? I think the rules took away how physical he preferred to be. It hampered him this year.

22. CB Antonio Cromartie. Will Steve Keim offer him the money to stay? Will he want to stay? Think so on both.

23. S Tyrann Mathieu. Will be become the Honey Badger again? He should be better a year removed from the serious injury.

24. S Rashad Johnson. What happened to him down the stretch?
Beat up some. He still made plays. Not as frequent. He played A LOT of downs.

25. S Deone Bucannon. Why didn't he beat Jefferson out as the starter at SS? Is he the starting SS this year? I think Jefferson is making strides and he plays hard. I think there's room for both back there now days. Badger might be the nickel if he beats out Bethel.

26. CB Justin Bethel. Will he get snatched up by another team like Greg Toler was? Could he emerge as the starting RCB this year? Interesting..., worth watching next year.

27. P Dave Zastudil. Will he return to form this year? Sure hope so. Butler is a blocked punt waiting to happen.

28. DC Todd Bowles. Will he land a HC job this year? Will the fall-off on defense the last few weeks deter his chances? 100% sure he's gone.

29. STC Amos Jones. Will BA&SK look to upgrade the coaching on STs? Yep

30. ILB Daryl Washington. Is there any scenario in which he returns at some point? They need him to be 100% on and off the field.

31. What will the FA and 2015 NFL Draft Priorities be?

OL, RB, OLB, CB, WR/KR.

I think Shaughnessey and Okafor can play some 4-3 schemes at DE. It will be interesting how the D looks without Bowles here. They can't be AS reliant on the blitz packages, imo. Send 4-5 but not more, as Bowles liked to do so often.

 

[NJCardFan]

The fact that he wasn't far along enough to play in front of Lindley is why. That's disappointing, isn't it?

He wasn't supposed to see the field at all this season. No one foresaw the circumstances that led to us being behind the 8 ball. Thomas was pegged a project from the rip so to call a project who wasn't supposed to see the field at all disappointing is a tad harsh.

 

[NJCardFan]

Cooper had a whole year to bounce back and get himself ready. He came back tentative and out of shape. It's on him.

The light better go on this off-season.

Fanaika was not a human turnstile. He battled hard. Perfect, no? But, not for lack of effort or physicality.

Did you even watch yesterday's game? I lost count how many times he got turned around against a fair to midland defense.

 

[Reddog]

Wow, really? I guess it was his fault HE BROKE HIS LEG LAST YEAR!? He wasn't even given a chance this season. Arians instead opted for the human turnstile in Fanaika. You guys are harsh. Did you expect him to come right in, after recovering from a broken leg, and be Russ Grimm? You go out there and do it if it's so easy. Give the kid a break and a chance first before labeling him a bust.

I understand wanting to give the kid a break. My problem with him is he appears a little too nice and a little too passive in the heart area. As a top draft pick who was billed as having a nasty streak he seems a bit too much like a big teddy bear. I want his size and athletic ability with a Richie Incognito nasty streak to set the tone of our OLine. He just isn't that. We need an old school mauler or two to our line. I think Cooper will be fine. With Veldheer and a couple maulers at the other guard/and or center Cooper will be held to a higher toughness standard. This line is far closer than in past years.

 

[Mitch]

Did you even watch yesterday's game? I lost count how many times he got turned around against a fair to midland defense.

Ok---this tone will earn you a spot on my ignore list---one more time and I won't ever respond to you again, like I haven't for a host of condescenders on this board.

That said---the Panthers are a "fair to midland defense"? Their front seven is outstanding---their DTs Edwards and Lutulelei are tough assignments for every guard in the NFL.

I have spent a good deal of time watching Fanaika one on one because I kept wondering what the coaches see in him. What I see is a real battler out there. He's physical. Plays hard. But lacks the hips and consistent knee bend to be special. But, he's solid. Heck, we've won 21 games in 2 years with him starting the vast majority of them.

 

[Mitch]

OL, RB, OLB, CB, WR/KR.

I think Shaughnessey and Okafor can play some 4-3 schemes at DE. It will be interesting how the D looks without Bowles here. They can't be AS reliant on the blitz packages, imo. Send 4-5 but not more, as Bowles liked to do so often.

That's my issue with Shaughnessy and Okafor and Acho---they are tweeners and lack the speed and agility to defend the wide runs or to cover RBs and TEs in space. They were exposed the last three weeks---teams keyed on them.

Okafor stepped up big-time this year as an edge rusher---that should be his role. He was a real bright spot after Abraham was lost.

 

[Buckybird]

Ok---this tone will earn you a spot on my ignore list---one more time and I won't ever respond to you again, like I haven't for a host of condescenders on this board.

That said---the Panthers are a "fair to midland defense"? Their front seven is outstanding---their DTs Edwards and Lutulelei are tough assignments for every guard in the NFL.

I have spent a good deal of time watching Fanaika one on one because I kept wondering what the coaches see in him. What I see is a real battler out there. He's physical. Plays hard. But lacks the hips and consistent knee bend to be special. But, he's solid. Heck, we've won 21 games in 2 years with him starting the vast majority of them.

Yep he's not great, but a solid player. Better than Snyder or Colledge were.

 

[Bodha]

Glennon or Foles would suit me just fine.

Glennon got benched on a team who has the #1 pick this year. Let that settle. Not to mention, the GM of that team is virtually Keim 2.0. So if Licht feels Glennon is benchable and tradeable, Why would Keim feel like Glennon should be desired?


Eagles/Foles would be Eagles/Kolb all over again. Theyd be laughing all the way to the bank while we wasted 2 seasons on him.


Trading for a QB, IMO, never works. You got to draft one.

 

[Buckybird]

Trading for a QB, IMO, never works. You got to draft one.

What's the differance? And yes guys have been great have been traded for

 

[WisconsinCard]

What's the differance? And yes guys have been great have been traded for

Favre comes to mind, Schaub won several games, and of course Carson Palmer has won a few lately.

 

[WisconsinCard]

Oh almost forgot about that dude whose in the HOF....Steve Young.

 

[MrYeahBut]

Oh almost forgot about that dude whose in the HOF....Steve Young.

Manning, Brees

 

[Jay Cardinal]

I understand wanting to give the kid a break. My problem with him is he appears a little too nice and a little too passive in the heart area. As a top draft pick who was billed as having a nasty streak he seems a bit too much like a big teddy bear. I want his size and athletic ability with a Richie Incognito nasty streak to set the tone of our OLine. He just isn't that. We need an old school mauler or two to our line. I think Cooper will be fine. With Veldheer and a couple maulers at the other guard/and or center Cooper will be held to a higher toughness standard. This line is far closer than in past years.

I think that is a fair request for an OL/DL. They seem to do better with a nasty streak. I think of Incognito, Dockett, and Suh as players that excel in the trenches with a nasty streak.

We are now 2 years into the Jonathon Cooper vs Chance Warmack debate. And to be honest I haven't been impressed with either. Warmack looks to be average at best, Cooper can't stay on the field. Meanwhile Warford from the second round of the same draft has become a star. I guess the correct response is not to choose a Guard in the top 10.

 

[82CardsGrad]

It's been a mystery for 2 seasons.

Wish it were a mystery for just 2 seasons... [emoji35]

 

[Buckybird]

Oh almost forgot about that dude whose in the HOF....Steve Young.

Montana, Brunell, Jurgenson, Hasselbeck, etc

 

[BillsCarnage]

11. WR Larry Fitzgerald. Will he be traded?

Earlier in the week Somers gave Fitz a 35% chance of returning, then a lot of articles started popping up about his future, so maybe this is where some of the source for these articles was from??

Anyway, while channel surfing after the game I stopped at ch 12 and their recap with Bruce Cooper. He mentioned having a long and candid (or so he implied) with Fitz after the restructure. Fitz knows he's now a $23mill player. Fitz said he felt like a $8-10mill player and also felt he could put up 1000yrds & 10 TD's. Coop felt the $$ situation could be resolved with the Cards, but it'll ultimately come down to how Fitz is used in BA's system. Fitz doesn't want to be a slot receiver and wants to be back outside.

So it'll likely come down to the power struggle between Fitz and BA, and if BA is willing to utilize Fitz in the way Fitz wants to be used. I tend to side with Fitz on this and hope BA will work with Fitz on this.

Fitz is more than an overpaid WR right now. He's the face of the franchise also sells a lot of jerseys. That being said no one player is bigger than the franchise itself. Something tells me the FO will have a say in this and ask BA to work Fitz into his system to Fitz's liking.

12. WR Ted Ginn Jr. Did he lose all trade value? How soon will he be released? Will BA&SK really want to hold on to him?

I can probably count the number of impact plays Ginn had all season on one hand. The only notable one being the TD return against the Giants.

13. NT Dan Williams. Is he a risk on a lucrative new contract? Does he sign elsewhere?

IMO, a must sign. A solid NT is a vital cog for this defense. Williams has been nothing short of solid for the Cards for the past 4 seasons. Pay the man!

15. DE Tommy Kelly. Is he one and done?

Might fetch a better/longer contract on the open market, but keep him if possible.

16. DE Darnell Dockett. Can he bounce back at his age? Can he hold up? Will he take a pay cut?

I think he has 2, maybe 3yrs left. The fact he was strolling the sidelines so soon after the injury tells me his body is fine. Restructure and re-sign.

18. ILB Larry Foote. Is he going to retire? Is he worthy of another contract?

Veteran depth. If he'll take another 1yr contract at a reasonable rate, re-sign him.

19. ILB Kevin Minter. Is he going to step up this year or fall by the wayside?

20. OLB Sam Acho. Will the Cardinals re-sign him? His lack of athleticism on the edge sure was exposed the past few weeks, although he did show improved rush ability.

Toss of the coin for both.

21. CB Patrick Peterson. Will he bounce back from an up and down year? Is he worth the contract? Will he ever embrace the physical aspects of playing NFL CB?

Has he embraced it yet? Gut tells me he'll bounce back.

25. S Deone Bucannon. Why didn't he beat Jefferson out as the starter at SS? Is he the starting SS this year?

With some better LB's he'll move back to S. However, the way he was used, I'm surprised he wasn't on TE's more. He was a rookie though and should get better.

28. DC Todd Bowles. Will he land a HC job this year? Will the fall-off on defense the last few weeks deter his chances?

I still like his chances with ATL, but I think the late season slump by the D won't make him an A-lister per se.

30. ILB Daryl Washington. Is there any scenario in which he returns at some point?

I think so, but he'll have an insanely short leash.

31. What will the FA and 2015 NFL Draft Priorities be?

I don't think this team has major holes like some might think. It just needs to get healthy. But I would like to see LB, TE and WR addressed. They have speed with Brown, but Floyd and Fitz never found their groove. Oh and a better 3rd stringer QB.

 

[Bodha]

Brees, Manning, Montana, Brunell, Jurgenson, Hasselbeck, etc

Are Glennon or Foles in those guys league?

No.

If there were a young Brees available for trade, would I nab him? Yes. But there isnt. Are there rarely ever is.

Youre better off saving those draft picks and drafting one, and hoping for the best. Which is what it always is when drafting a QB.

And since we have no immediate need for a QB, theres no need to make rush decisions. Can take a QB in this draft, or maybe next year. CP just got paid, so dont expect somebody new under center next year. And you shouldnt want to, CP is a good QB.

 

[Buckybird]

Are Glennon or Foles in those guys league?

No.

If there were a young Brees available for trade, would I nab him? Yes. But there isnt. Are there rarely ever is.

Youre better off saving those draft picks and drafting one, and hoping for the best. Which is what it always is when drafting a QB.

And since we have no immediate need for a QB, theres no need to make rush decisions. Can take a QB in this draft, or maybe next year. CP just got paid, so dont expect somebody new under center next year. And you shouldnt want to, CP is a good QB.

What's the differance? Draft or trade a pick for someone?

I hate to tell ya but getting a top flight QB from the draft requires a top 10 pick as a general rule. Are you willing to go RGIII for Mariotta or Winston?

At this point Glennon is the cheapest safest route right now.

 

[Matt L]

Earlier in the week Somers gave Fitz a 35% chance of returning, then a lot of articles started popping up about his future, so maybe this is where some of the source for these articles was from??

Anyway, while channel surfing after the game I stopped at ch 12 and their recap with Bruce Cooper. He mentioned having a long and candid (or so he implied) with Fitz after the restructure. Fitz knows he's now a $23mill player. Fitz said he felt like a $8-10mill player and also felt he could put up 1000yrds & 10 TD's. Coop felt the $$ situation could be resolved with the Cards, but it'll ultimately come down to how Fitz is used in BA's system. Fitz doesn't want to be a slot receiver and wants to be back outside.

So it'll likely come down to the power struggle between Fitz and BA, and if BA is willing to utilize Fitz in the way Fitz wants to be used. I tend to side with Fitz on this and hope BA will work with Fitz on this.

If the above is true, you have to see if any team is willing to trade for him and when no team wants to absorb the cap hit, cut him. I like Fitzgerald a lot but power struggles between a player and the coaching staff are bad for the team.

 

[Bodha]

What's the differance? Draft or trade a pick for someone?

If a guy is deemed tradeable by a team, its a virtual certainty hes not Drew Brees.

For the guys you named as having been QBs who moved teams and it worked out (Montana, Favre, Manning), theres 10,000 in which is failed.

those guys might be 1%. You are much more likely to find a a QB in the draft than taking someone another team has already decided is a bust.

Half the problem is you think the Cards are geniuses, and the rest of the NFL are morons. "We stole Aaron Rogers Jr. from the Jags and they didnt even realize it!". Other teams are just as intelligent. If they want to trade a guy, its because he prob sucks.

I hate to tell ya but getting a top flight QB from the draft requires a top 10 pick as a general rule. Are you willing to go RGIII for Mariotta or Winston?

At this point Glennon is the cheapest safest route right now.

most, not all. Russ Wilson. Carr

Glennon is the most trecherous route, in fact. A near guarantee waste of time and traded draft pick.

What makes you think Glennon is so good? He got benched on a team who now has the #1 overall pick. Ive said that like 4x, but Ill keep saying it till you understand the magnitude of that statement.

He got benched on a team who now has the #1 overall pick

 

[CardLogic]

Glennon got benched on a team who has the #1 pick this year. Let that settle. Not to mention, the GM of that team is virtually Keim 2.0. So if Licht feels Glennon is benchable and tradeable, Why would Keim feel like Glennon should be desired?


Eagles/Foles would be Eagles/Kolb all over again. Theyd be laughing all the way to the bank while we wasted 2 seasons on him.

Thank you for pointing this out. If Philly is willing to trade Foles, it means that they believe that Sanchez is the better alternative.

Think about that!

 

[Buckybird]

If a guy is deemed tradeable by a team, its a virtual certainty hes not Drew Brees.

For the guys you named as having been QBs who moved teams and it worked out (Montana, Favre, Manning), theres 10,000 in which is failed.

those guys might be 1%. You are much more likely to find a a QB in the draft than taking someone another team has already decided is a bust.

Half the problem is you think the Cards are geniuses, and the rest of the NFL are morons. "We stole Aaron Rogers Jr. from the Jags and they didnt even realize it!". Other teams are just as intelligent. If they want to trade a guy, its because he prob sucks.



most, not all. Russ Wilson. Carr

Glennon is the most trecherous route, in fact. A near guarantee waste of time and traded draft pick.

What makes you think Glennon is so good? He got benched on a team who now has the #1 overall pick. Ive said that like 4x, but Ill keep saying it till you understand the magnitude of that statement.

He got benched on a team who now has the #1 overall pick

You act as if Glennon played poorly which he didn't. I'm not saying he's the savior, but in limited time he's played pretty well on a poor Sucs team.

Btw the reason he probably wasn't playing is because they gave Josh McClown all that $$$$ based off of like 6 games in Chicago.

 

[kerouac9]

Thank you for pointing this out. If Philly is willing to trade Foles, it means that they believe that Sanchez is the better alternative.

Think about that!

I think that Sanchez is a pending free agent. It would actually mean that the Eagles believe that nothing is a superior alternative to Foles.

Investing a 2nd or 3rd round pick in a guy that you're hoping is going to be your #2 or #3 quarterback for the next year or two seems like a criminal waste of resources. Planning your team with the unlikely possibility that you're going to need a 3rd quarterback to play significant snaps at the front of mind is generally a bad idea.

 

[dylanbw]

2015 Question Marks:

1. QB Carson Palmer. How soon and well can he bounce back from ACL injury? Why was he saying the he wasn't sure what the team would do regarding his future? Why was he a zero presence on the sidelines, when other injured players like Dockett were there to support the team? Can he regain the momentum he garnered before the shoulder and ACL injuries? Would the team be better off turning the reins over to a younger QB?

Why is a bigger deal not made of Carson's absence from the sideline? Was he there but not shown on TV. Was he shown on TV, but I missed because I was off vomiting over our play calling? Was Carson bed ridden? That kid Lindley needed all the help he could get, and having the veteran QB there to tell him what he was seeing certainly would have helped. Dockett was everywhere supporting all of his teammates.

 

[kerouac9]

Why is a bigger deal not made of Carson's absence from the sideline? Was he there but not shown on TV. Was he shown on TV, but I missed because I was off vomiting over our play calling? Was Carson bed ridden? That kid Lindley needed all the help he could get, and having the veteran QB there to tell him what he was seeing certainly would have helped. Dockett was everywhere supporting all of his teammates.

I raised this question early in the process, and I got screamed at for the sideline being somehow unsafe for women and the disabled. Apparently, you're not even allowed to bring this up.