Really Unpopular Offseason Plan

[Longcolts]

I strongly recommend you send just that in an email to Michael. Sounds like a pretty sound plan to me!

 

[az240zz]

ATTN: ATTTN

this just came over twitter: K9 has just been appointed to a newly created position of Chief consultant to Mike Bidwill. In his new position its thought that he will have complete access to Mr Bidwill and the direction the football side of the organization will take. Contract negotiations have been going on for the last 2 weeks and its rumored that K9's salary is one of the personal boxes with all the food he can eat. Its thought that the demand for these seats will provide the necessary compensation.

 

[Krangodnzr]

I totally agree. Whisenhunt has been successful when given the horses.

I've been saying for years, that the yes man is the problem with this team. When the top decisionmaker (outside of ownership) doesn't understand personnel, you've got problems.

 

[CtCardinals78]

I totally agree. Whisenhunt has been successful when given the horses.

I've been saying for years, that the yes man is the problem with this team. When the top decisionmaker (outside of ownership) doesn't understand personnel, you've got problems.

Whisenhunt IS the top decision maker. He has final say of the 53 man roster as well as final say of the coaching staff. He had the horses sent them all away and replaced them with donkies.

 

[Dayman]

I'm not a fan of this plan, although I appreciate the the work you put into constructing it.


-Extending a coach who loses 11 out of his last 12 games doesn't make much sense to me. I think it sends the wrong message about accountability to the players and the fans.

-Extending Whis without knowing how he would deal with the new power structure seems a little dicey. And how much would you pay him after he was stripped of most of the responsibilities that got him his original extension?

-I don't want Whis anywhere near a QB taken with a top 10 pick. The only way I could see Whis succeeding again is with a well-established QB.

-A big no to Mike Tice as an OC. Having grown up in Chicago, I know a ton of Bears fans. He's their Russ Grimm.

-Promoting Keim is starting to feel like shuffling the deck to me. I'm not completely against the move, but I'd be a little skeptical.


Despite my opinions, I wouldn't be surprised to see most of this plan put into action. The extension doesn't seem likely, but the rest is very feasible.

 

[Catfish]

K-9-----An awful lot of what you say makes good sense for several reasons, (some of which you have already alluded to). I believe that this just might have a chance to happen-----because I believe it would return to the Bidwills what they now lack, (the final say on personnel), as they gave that up when they signed Whiz' last contract renewal. I believe they have regretted giving him that much power.

There are several things that could happen to botch this plan however. One of the most likely scenario's is that Whiz could throw a monkey wrench into it by refusing to relinquish any power or his coaching staff. That would probably result in having the Bidwills send Whiz and his entire offensive staff packing. They would then probably have to hire Horton as a HC, in order to keep him from leaving for another HC job. This would at least prevent losing continuity on the defensive side of the ball.

A second scenario that could happen, (and I really fear this one because of this organization's past failures to act quickly enough to get good people aboard before they are all taken by other teams), is that Keim might throw his own monkey wrench into the works by holding out for more money, (or control), than the Bidwills are willing to give. This might cause enough turmoil and time loss, that all really viable candidates have been taken before the Bidwills act, and they end up taking left-overs.

That would not bode well for anyone-----(especially the fans), because it would more than likely produce more ill-fitting pieces to the puzzle than we now have). We could lose Keim, Horton, and Whiz and have to start completely from scratch. I fear this scenario most of all.

 

[DoTheDew]

I don't mind it for the most part.

I can see the merit in bringing Whiz back and taking Graves out of the football side. Ownership would basically be saying that our problems stem from talent acquisition and that Whiz couldn't do much more with the personnel he was give. An assertion I'd agree with. I also think that Whiz had far too much input in talent acquisition and your plan seems to be based around removing that power from him. Get his focus back on the things he does well.

The only thing about your plan that I'm not settled on is Tyler Wilson. I just can't get myself on the bandwagon for some reason.

 

[schutd]

Theres been SO MUCH talk about Keim moving up, you guys dont think theres any way a new contract hasnt been discussed already, do you? TO fear him throwing a wrench in the works by holding out for more money seems far fetched. I know its the Cardinals and all, but the way the word leaked, surely theres a handshake deal already in place, right? RIGHT?!?!?!

 

[Cardiac]

Since people are putting together their offseason plans, I thought I'd put mine out there before we find out what are the initial dominoes to fall. This is a reasonable expectation of what the Cards should do, without (too many?) flights of fancy of what I hope they do.

1. Move Rod Graves to Asst. VP Football Operations. It's a lateral move/demotion that gives Graves a role in the organization on the business side, but removes him from input on the on-field product.

2. Promote Steve Keim to General Manager. I don't think there's anyone outside the organization that I'd want to bring in right now. Reportedly, Keim was a voice in the wilderness calling for Jay Cutler ahead of Matt Leinart, and for Adrian Peterson ahead of Levi Brown. Mike Jurecki says that Keim is firmly committed to BPA uber alles in the draft, which means that it's more important than ever that we hit good single and doubles in free agnecy.

3. Announce the pickup of Ken Whisenhunt's team option year on 2014 as part of a two-year extension through 2016. This isn't going to be very popular, but I think that it's important for two reasons: it gives players certainty over whom they're playing for and accountable to for the near future, and it allows us to recruit good and experienced coordinators knowing that there's continuity at the head coaching position. A new contract for Whis would allow him to have some security in return for giving up some contractual personnel authority; the team also agrees to put up a practice bubble by 2015 on the Cards' training facility--it's surprising that the Cards haven't bothered to do this while money has been really cheap the last three years.

Ken Whisenhunt is a good football coach. He took the talent of Denny Green and lead them to the Super Bowl with the anchor of Clancy Pendergast hanging around his neck. I don't get the indication that he's in over his head, or that he doesn't have structural answers to the problems this team faces. Because there isn't a clearly superior alternative to Whisenhunt out there right now, I'm happy moving forward with him.

4. Pending Arizona Cardinals Free Agents:

Michael Adams, CB - Re-sign, 2 years, $1.75 million
D'Anthony Batiste, OL
Nick Eason, DL - Re-sign, 2 years, $2.25 million
Mike Gibson, OG
Quentin Groves, OLB - Re-sign, 2 years, $5 million, $2.5 guaranteed
Vonnie Holliday, DL - Retired
Brian Hoyer, QB - Re-sign, 1 year, $1 million
Rashad Johnson, DB - Re-sign, 4 years, $6 million, $2.5 million guaranteed (Johnson has quitely played himself into a core member of this roster)
Paris Lenon, ILB - Re-sign, 1 year, $2 million
Pat McQuistan, OL
William Powell, RB (RFA) - Minimum tender
James Sanders, DB
Alfonso Smith, RB
LaRod Stephens-Howling, RB - Re-sign, 3 years, $3.25 million, $1 million guaranteed
Greg Toler, CB - Re-sign 3 years, $4 million, $2 million guaranteed​

5. Other current roster management:

Stewart Bradley, LB - Released, $2 million cap savings ($3 million dead money)
Kevin Kolb, QB - 2013 Salary Reduced to $4 million (from $9 million), 2013 roster bonus paid, 2013 Salary Cap value $9.9 million (from $14.9 million)
John Skelton, QB - Released, $650K cap savings ($45K dead money)​

6. Free Agency Needs & Wish List:

Offensive Guard - Love Andy Levitre (BUF), Like Eben Britton (JAX), Would Settle For Chris Spencer (CHI)
Outside Linebacker - Love Paul Kruger (BAL), Like Manny Lawson, Would Settle For Niko Koutovides (NE)
Inside Linebacker - Love Daryl Smith (JAX), Like Chase Blackburn (NYG), Would Settle For Dannell Ellerbe (BAL)
Defensive Line - Love Issac Sopoaga (SF), Like Shaun Cody (HOU), Would Settle For Maake Kemoeatu (BAL)
Tight End - Love Martellus Bennett (NYG), Like Delanie Walker (SF), Would Settle For Anthony Fasano (MIA)
​

7. 2013 NFL Draft

1 (9) - Tyler Wilson, QB, Arkansas - Actually lines up with The Huddle Report's 12/1 value board ranking (which I use for evaluating who should go where). Wilson may not be great value here, but will sell some tickets and give fans something to hope for the future.
2 (41) - Larry Warford, OG, Kentucky - Massive (6'3", 343 lbs) offensive guard should fit right in on the right side next to Massie and allow more effective interior OL play and personnel flexibility.
3 (73) - Christine Michael, RB, Texas A&M - Cards have to continue to add talent and players in the hope of finding some answers at the tailback position.​

So... I don't expect this plan to make a lot of people very happy, but I think this is a realistic path back to contention.

Once again kudo's to the work and well thought out plan. Fans simply don't have enough knowledge of the inner workings in the FO that led to the current lack of QB and Oline talent.

Some confuse Whiz's having final say on the 53 man roster as meaning he has the final say on every player brought in via the draft and FA. Not saying he isn't very involved with the process but let's not forget he wanted Bulger and was told no.

What Whiz does have final say over is who is cut coming out of Training Camp etc.

I could see all of this happening, and I wouldn't have much of a problem with it either.

If I'm reading the Cardinal tea leaves correctly (a high risk/low reward proposition at best) then I think that they are trying to emulate the Steelers in more ways than just signing their cast-offs. The fact that Pittsburgh has had only 3 head coaches in like forever is very appealing to them. As has been pointed out, the Cards are a conservative organization - it's in their DNA to keep people around that they feel "comfortable" with. Moving Graves into lateral position just seems like something they would do.

Chopper, among others, made the point that the Cards are just a good QB away from being competitive. Maybe so. If the Bidwill family thinks similarly then I think this scenario is more probable than "unpopular".

Of course, I'm always wrong on this stuff so I hope that CKW hasn't purchased a lot of major appliances on installment.

JTS

Fully agree.

I'll add that the number of injuries that piled up on the offensive side of the ball has to be taken into consideration.

 

[Duckjake]

Some confuse Whiz's having final say on the 53 man roster as meaning he has the final say on every player brought in via the draft and FA. Not saying he isn't very involved with the process but let's not forget he wanted Bulger and was told no.

Has this ever been officially confirmed?

 

[Cardiac]

Has this ever been officially confirmed?

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...ship-now-getting-blamed-for-quarterback-mess/

Not proof positive but.......

 

[Duckjake]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...ship-now-getting-blamed-for-quarterback-mess/

Not proof positive but.......

"some whispers" I love it.

Oh well we'll find out the real story 3-5 years from now when the statute of limitations on reporting the "rest of the story" runs out.

 

[kerouac9]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...ship-now-getting-blamed-for-quarterback-mess/

Not proof positive but.......

I'm not sure that Whis's yearning for Marc Bulger of all people is proof positive that he should have more say in personnel matters. Reports from Jurecki said that he personally identified Anderson, Hall, and Skelton that offseason, and when he said he wanted one more guy, the front office said "enough."

 

[Chopper0080]

Since people are putting together their offseason plans, I thought I'd put mine out there before we find out what are the initial dominoes to fall. This is a reasonable expectation of what the Cards should do, without (too many?) flights of fancy of what I hope they do.

1. Move Rod Graves to Asst. VP Football Operations. It's a lateral move/demotion that gives Graves a role in the organization on the business side, but removes him from input on the on-field product.

2. Promote Steve Keim to General Manager. I don't think there's anyone outside the organization that I'd want to bring in right now. Reportedly, Keim was a voice in the wilderness calling for Jay Cutler ahead of Matt Leinart, and for Adrian Peterson ahead of Levi Brown. Mike Jurecki says that Keim is firmly committed to BPA uber alles in the draft, which means that it's more important than ever that we hit good single and doubles in free agnecy.

3. Announce the pickup of Ken Whisenhunt's team option year on 2014 as part of a two-year extension through 2016. This isn't going to be very popular, but I think that it's important for two reasons: it gives players certainty over whom they're playing for and accountable to for the near future, and it allows us to recruit good and experienced coordinators knowing that there's continuity at the head coaching position. A new contract for Whis would allow him to have some security in return for giving up some contractual personnel authority; the team also agrees to put up a practice bubble by 2015 on the Cards' training facility--it's surprising that the Cards haven't bothered to do this while money has been really cheap the last three years.

Ken Whisenhunt is a good football coach. He took the talent of Denny Green and lead them to the Super Bowl with the anchor of Clancy Pendergast hanging around his neck. I don't get the indication that he's in over his head, or that he doesn't have structural answers to the problems this team faces. Because there isn't a clearly superior alternative to Whisenhunt out there right now, I'm happy moving forward with him.

4. Pending Arizona Cardinals Free Agents:

Michael Adams, CB - Re-sign, 2 years, $1.75 million
D'Anthony Batiste, OL
Nick Eason, DL - Re-sign, 2 years, $2.25 million
Mike Gibson, OG
Quentin Groves, OLB - Re-sign, 2 years, $5 million, $2.5 guaranteed
Vonnie Holliday, DL - Retired
Brian Hoyer, QB - Re-sign, 1 year, $1 million
Rashad Johnson, DB - Re-sign, 4 years, $6 million, $2.5 million guaranteed (Johnson has quitely played himself into a core member of this roster)
Paris Lenon, ILB - Re-sign, 1 year, $2 million
Pat McQuistan, OL
William Powell, RB (RFA) - Minimum tender
James Sanders, DB
Alfonso Smith, RB
LaRod Stephens-Howling, RB - Re-sign, 3 years, $3.25 million, $1 million guaranteed
Greg Toler, CB - Re-sign 3 years, $4 million, $2 million guaranteed​

5. Other current roster management:

Stewart Bradley, LB - Released, $2 million cap savings ($3 million dead money)
Kevin Kolb, QB - 2013 Salary Reduced to $4 million (from $9 million), 2013 roster bonus paid, 2013 Salary Cap value $9.9 million (from $14.9 million)
John Skelton, QB - Released, $650K cap savings ($45K dead money)​

6. Free Agency Needs & Wish List:

Offensive Guard - Love Andy Levitre (BUF), Like Eben Britton (JAX), Would Settle For Chris Spencer (CHI)
Outside Linebacker - Love Paul Kruger (BAL), Like Manny Lawson, Would Settle For Niko Koutovides (NE)
Inside Linebacker - Love Daryl Smith (JAX), Like Chase Blackburn (NYG), Would Settle For Dannell Ellerbe (BAL)
Defensive Line - Love Issac Sopoaga (SF), Like Shaun Cody (HOU), Would Settle For Maake Kemoeatu (BAL)
Tight End - Love Martellus Bennett (NYG), Like Delanie Walker (SF), Would Settle For Anthony Fasano (MIA)
​

7. 2013 NFL Draft

1 (9) - Tyler Wilson, QB, Arkansas - Actually lines up with The Huddle Report's 12/1 value board ranking (which I use for evaluating who should go where). Wilson may not be great value here, but will sell some tickets and give fans something to hope for the future.
2 (41) - Larry Warford, OG, Kentucky - Massive (6'3", 343 lbs) offensive guard should fit right in on the right side next to Massie and allow more effective interior OL play and personnel flexibility.
3 (73) - Christine Michael, RB, Texas A&M - Cards have to continue to add talent and players in the hope of finding some answers at the tailback position.​

So... I don't expect this plan to make a lot of people very happy, but I think this is a realistic path back to contention.

I have some minor preferences over some moves you have made, but the premise is solid.

My draft preference would be to take Chance Warmack in round 1 and then trade up for Tyler Wilson with our 2nd round pick, but your plan is much less risky and gets the top QB (IMO) in the draft.

Fun read.

 

[CtCardinals78]

Decent article about the Cards and their options

http://www.ibtimes.com/sportsnet/bl...coaches-staff-which-changes-are-coming-983386

 

[Totally_Red]

Decent article about the Cards and their options

http://www.ibtimes.com/sportsnet/bl...coaches-staff-which-changes-are-coming-983386

The only thing less likely than Kurt Warner becoming Cardinals' offensive coordinator is him returning as quarterback. I see a .00000000001% chance of him becoming the Cardinals O.C.

 

[Catfish]

Theres been SO MUCH talk about Keim moving up, you guys dont think theres any way a new contract hasnt been discussed already, do you? TO fear him throwing a wrench in the works by holding out for more money seems far fetched. I know its the Cardinals and all, but the way the word leaked, surely theres a handshake deal already in place, right? RIGHT?!?!?!

It was announced last week already that contract negotiations with Keim were on-going. That alone tells me that what I fear most is already happening. While other organizations are moving forward, clearing up their messes, the Cards are 'trying' to sign a GM that may already be looking at another offer by some other team. It seems to me that getting THIS contract done should have been the #1 priority for Michael Bidwill, and the fact that they cannot announce today that Keim is our new GM gives me pause for concern.