Reality

[Harry]

What’s the best outcome Cards’ fans can hope for when the dust settles after the draft and free agency? Fairly easy to say the Cards won’t catch the Rams for the top spot in the NFC West despite the Rams playing the league’s 6th toughest schedule. I’m quite sure the Eagles win the East with the 15th ranked schedue. The Cowboys are a wildcard contender with the 19th ranked schedule. The North looks tougher, complicated by the Pack having the toughest schedule. The Vikes would still seem to be the odds on favorite. The South is another tossup between the Falcons, the Saints and the Panthers. While the Saints have the second toughest schedule both the Panthers and the Falcons have easier schedules than the Cards. They also all had better records last year than the Cards.

The remainder of the NFC West is a conundrum. I’m figuring Seattle is not the team they were and they face tha 5th toughest schedule. They figure at best to challenge for a wildcard. Frisco figures to be a year away from contending. So where does that leave the Cards with their 8th toughest schedule. I think likely on the outside looking in. The Panthers, Saints, Seahawks and The Pack seem most likley to dominate the wildcard races. The Boys might slip in. I think the Cards will be lucky to duplicate last season’s record. My hope is they think 2 years down the road. Secure the players who can take them forward. Take a long view. Look for key long term solutions and get the salaries in line. The Rams could do more because they had more payroll flexibility. So don’t be discouraged if the Cards can’t fill every hole. Better they be in position to close all the holes for 2019. If the Cards do better than 8-8 with this schedule, that’s a solid result and we all should be satisfied.

 

[Harry]

No S intended

 

[THESMEL]

No S intended

well plenty of S there- games have to be played, too much presumption for me. we don't know what we don't know.

 

[BillsCarnage]

It's gonna be a long season; fans need to realize that. I'm looking more towards 2019 as the rebuild year with their cap space and likely a top 10 draft. Anything better is gravy.

But, if Bradford earns his full $20mill, 2018 would be a good year. Not holding my breath though.

Just imagine if Matt Ryan actually hit free agency - he's schedule to be a UFA. Not gonna happen, but he's one I'd give a Cousins type contract too.

 

[oaken1]

right now I see Seattle as #3 in the division. Lots of serious changes to go along with that tough schedule. At the moment I see...
Rams
Niners
Hags
Redbirds

for the NFCW. That is assuming we get at least a solid half a season before Bradford goes down. But fortunately we cannot do any worse than fourth in the division these days.
The Hags have made lots of changes and their secondary is going to have issues against the QB's in the division and it is quite possible the rams new defensive front will be the cause of every other QB in the division sitting out some games.... I mean, all the hags have left really is Russell Wilson and...what exactly?... a defensive front? On paper, the rams are going to dominate the division fairly easily and san francisco can score with anybody.... while we will be trying to win 10-7 as it currently looks.
But there are still tons of changes to make before opening day...rookies to draft, vets to sign, and injuries to anticipate... I mean, we know we are going to lose our starting QB at some point. But what happens to the other teams if they lose theirs?

 

[cardncubfan]

Rams look the best on paper only. We still need to play the games before anyone anoints them west champs. I can definitely see us finishing ahead of Seattle as well.

 

[GatorAZ]

Rams look the best on paper only. We still need to play the games before anyone anoints them west champs. I can definitely see us finishing ahead of Seattle as well.

Well they ARE west champs until someone dethrones them.

 

[THESMEL]

Presumptions - any given Sunday with a fundamentally sound football team - I don’t see Wilks being feast or famine like whiz and BA - lots more boring wins - to go with some exciting wins - I mean late in a close game - I like our chances with jones, pp, Fitzgerald and DJ -

 

[cardncubfan]

Well they ARE west champs until someone dethrones them.

I guess I should have said for 2018 but oh well.

 

[Harry]

well plenty of S there- games have to be played, too much presumption for me. we don't know what we don't know.

I’ll alert the media to not waste time with those season prediction articles they’re so fond of writing.

 

[MartinD]

Harry, you've probably nailed it...except for the "x" factor. If Goff goes out in game 3 and Bradford plays a full season, if Jimmy G. gets busted for smoking pot and Seattle...I got nothing for Seattle, I think they struggle, regardless of miracles...well, anything can happen. Injuries and attitudes can bring any team down.

I start every season, thinking we've got at least a puncher's chance.

 

[NeverSayDieFan]

The 1st year that Don Coryell took over in St. Louis the Cards went 4-9-1. The next year we finished 10-4 and won the division...And we were competitive for the next few years. Realistically, I see a new regime/players that are putting together the pieces. I think we'll be okay given a little time. I consider myself to be a realistic optimist

Mark in SC

 

[RugbyMuffin]

I think the Cards will be lucky to duplicate last season’s record. My hope is they think 2 years down the road. Secure the players who can take them forward. Take a long view. Look for key long term solutions and get the salaries in line. The Rams could do more because they had more payroll flexibility. So don’t be discouraged if the Cards can’t fill every hole. Better they be in position to close all the holes for 2019. If the Cards do better than 8-8 with this schedule, that’s a solid result and we all should be satisfied.

I 100% agree with this post, this is the way I am looking at this season. There is a chance this team hits a few bumps and ends up with double digit loses with still being competitive. We all know most games comes down to a play or two, this team has a lot coming together under the new regime to do.

Gotta let fans be tho. Some will not be happy unless the team blows out every opponent by 35 pts, and have a Superbowl, so there will always be strife among Cardinals football. That's the way they fan tho, there is no right or wrong way to do it. (Not saying you are saying that, BTW)

No S intended

But it works for the post, tho.

 

[pinetopred]

I'll be interested to see if the Rams moves work or if it blows up they added some big personalitys to that roster, they also avoided the injuries last year what happens if they aren't as fortunate this year?

The 49ers are IMO on the rise, but will the end of year success translate to this year? Still a number of weaknesses on that team IMO.

Seahawks are in a complete retool they still have Wilson so it's not a rebuild, but now they have to build around a highly paid QB which they didn't have to do when he was on a rookie deal, so it makes it more difficult they need to draft alot better then they have recently or they will be a decent team with a good QB and probably be middle of the pack team IMO.

The Cards are a wildcard new philosophy so who knows they implement a power running scheme, play good defense and stay relatively health? We have holes to fill forsure and definitely need to draft better then we have recently,.

My prediction
Rams 11 -5
The other 3 teams 6-10 to 10-6 pickem to many unknowns with all of them.

 

[Solar7]

Well, let me preface this in saying that I thought our first year with BA was gonna be pretty bad, so I guess there's no truly predicting this stuff.

But, saying this with full intention of living up to my title of "optimist," I think this is going to be a very bad year in a couple of different ways. But I'm okay with that if it's leading to something bigger. I don't anticipate us really pushing for the playoffs - barring a very good draft that includes no trade up into the top 5 or 10. I actually have a gut feeling that Bradford is going to be serviceable (and plays nearly every game), and I think a healthy DJ wins us some games alone.

But our talent at WR is abysmal, I'm very concerned about our defense from a talent and schematic change level, and I just don't anticipate us being able to make enough moves to clean that up.

My gut says that the 49ers win the division and the Rams self-destruct, with us battling the Seahawks for the basement.

What my real concern is, is that the team is going to have another late season surge, the kind that ruins our draft position again. Secondarily, I'm terrified we trade everything into the top 5 for a QB (that will come as no surprise to anyone), as I view that as a surefire way to be really bad for the next 3-5 years.

 

[PJ1]

Too many ifs and unknowns to really say. We won't be near any playoffs though.

 

[vince56]

No S intended

No S taken.

 

[Arz101]

Rams won't win NFC West

Sent from my PH-1 using Tapatalk

 

[Snakester]

We can be competitive if Bradford stays healthy for 16 games. The minute he goes down we lose. Why Keim didn’t get a number two CB and a WR in free agency is mind boggling again. Now he has to get a RT and left guard in this draft. Mike McGlinchey and Will Hernandez will solve that problem and drafting two WR’s in the third round will help.

We will still need a #2 CB. Keim has to get off his butt and sign or trade for one now.

 

[BW52]

I think McGlinchey or Connor Williams are both real possibilities at #15.Some team will grab Hernandez early RD 2 before Cards get a chance to grab him.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

well plenty of S there- games have to be played, too much presumption for me. we don't know what we don't know.

Good lord I’ll never understand these responses. Of course we don’t know what we don’t know. This is a message board. People post based on conjecture all the time. They do so based on the limited fact set they possess. That’s understood. Comments like your’s do ZERO to advance a conversation, and if anything only serve to damoen posters desire to create thought pieces meant to create dialogue.

 

[GimmedaBall]

(1) Stay healthy
(2) Good Luck and breaks going our way
(3) Survive the NFC West--it is a four-team league
(4) Get into the playoffs
(5) Survive our conference---at most a three-team hurdle
(5) Be healthier than our SB opponent
(6) Good Luck and breaks go our way in the SB
(7) Help the original Mr. B hoist the trophy.

 

[PACardsFan]

I go into every season expecting to win our division! That’s just how I roll.

 

[Heucrazy]

I go into every season expecting to win our division! That’s just how I roll.

I really think they have a chance to do so as well, but only if Bradford stays healthy.

 

[THESMEL]

Good lord I’ll never understand these responses. Of course we don’t know what we don’t know. This is a message board. People post based on conjecture all the time. They do so based on the limited fact set they possess. That’s understood. Comments like your’s do ZERO to advance a conversation, and if anything only serve to damoen posters desire to create thought pieces meant to create dialogue.

Yea ok, just saying that’s a lil over the top for me, rock on, break it down line by line- to to see if any of that happens.