Record Prediction

[AzCards21]

Never trust a doctor when it comes to your health. What do they know?

 

[pinnacle]

OK...how about an extreme example of what "could" happen between now and training camp. We have $14M - the following could be done:

1. sign chester mcglockton
2. trade for dan wilkinson and smoot..give up jones, bell and a 3rd rounder next season... this trade could be possible under some scenario - not what I have..but I am sure washington would talk...
3. Sign jamir miller (never will happen in reality). he is currently a man without a team.
4. Sign terry fair - another backup corner.
5. Sign receiver muhammed from panthers ..he is most likely to be cut.
6. Sign shane matthews to be our 3rd string qb...the Bucs cut him after just signing him.
7. sign a veteran backup safety..kwamie is still out there (again..ain't going to happen).

Keep in mind that most of the above (wilkinson, smoot, miller) are not that old and could help for a few seasons..not a one time fix...


If the above happened...what projected record would you give the cardinals?

 

[Cheesebeef]

7-9 - if one of the kid receivers is a stud - posible 9-7- that is a pretty big pipedream there - not just for the Cards, but for any team. Personally - I would at least bring in Jamir for a look.

 

[pinnacle]

cheesebeef..I threw a bunch of players into the mix who pretty much do not have teams right now. I think they are all signable..except perhaps mcglockton - do not know his situation. We are probably the only team out there who would take on wilkinsons contract and take smoot off of washington's hands - and give them something in return.. I have heard on the radio (bob kemp) that jamir absolutely will not play here...but the ravens are out..and cleveland will have to cut guys to sign rookies..

 

[Young Gun]

Re: Mr. Negative says

Originally posted by Chris_Sanders
anything less than 7 wins will be very disappointing.

The question is...will I be disappointed?

6-10.

 

[KingofCards]

9-7.

 

[Ed B]

Until we see VISIBLE signs of an improved pass rush (in camp, in Preseason, etc) this is still a 5-11 team.

 

[PJ1]

No better than 3-13. No proven receivers and nothing improving the pass rush.

 

[Rattler Rod]

2-6 at home. 1-7 (maybe 0-8) on the road.

 

[arthurracoon]

9-7

 

[Rattler Rod]

Originally posted by arthurracoon
9-7

Seeing as I am new here, I would be interested in knowing where you see 9 wins from this team?

First, how many of them would be against division opponents, and which ones? And, why?

Second, how many victories will they get on the road, and against whom? And, why?

Once you have answered, I will respond with my opinion, game by game.

 

[Northern Card]

Originally posted by Rattler Rod
Seeing as I am new here, I would be interested in knowing where you see 9 wins from this team?

First, how many of them would be against division opponents, and which ones? And, why?

Second, how many victories will they get on the road, and against whom? And, why?

Once you have answered, I will respond with my opinion, game by game.

.... while you're at it, you might want to explain why the team to be fielded this year, should it remain healthy, is somehow weaker than last years....

 

[Rattler Rod]

It's not a case that this team is weaker than last years team. It, probably, is a little bit better.

However, as the Cardinals may have improved themselves, so have most of the other teams in the league, particularly their division rivals, namely the Seahawks and the Rams, while the 49ers still have a fairly good football team.

And, if you peruse the schedule, you will see that most of their opponents have done very, very well in free agency, and the draft.

Cincinnati, for example, made vast improvements.

Detroit has done well.

And, one of the most active teams in free agency, etc. was the Panthers.

These are the three teams on the schedule that, normally, one would say that the Cardinals should beat, however, for as much as the Cardinals may be a better team than last season, so are those teams.

Realistically speaking, of the six division games, the three on the road must be figured as potential losses.

Home games against the Rams and 49ers will be no picnic and, lets remember, that the Seahawks won here, last season, and they are vastly improved.

Normally one would have to say that, based on last season, the Lions game would be a walk in the park, but it is Their home opener, and they are a revamped team, especially with their hapless head coach gone. Winning on the road, on opening day, is not easy.

Can you honestly say that this Cardinal team will win At Cleveland, AT Pittsburgh and AT Chicago? An honest answer has to be NO.

Then there are the other home games, Packers and Ravens, and the Ravens are as good a defensive unit as there is in the NFL.

So, if you can see more than three victories with this schedule, assuming that all of the opponents have improved as much, maybe even more, than the Cardinals, please tell me where those victories will be.

 

[arthurracoon]

Seeing as I am new here, I would be interested in knowing where you see 9 wins from this team?

First, how many of them would be against division opponents, and which ones? And, why?

Second, how many victories will they get on the road, and against whom? And, why?

Once you have answered, I will respond with my opinion, game by game.

well.. I was being optimistic - aim higher than where you want to endup. I still could see us going 9 - 7.

Rams aren't looking that great, 49ers are in turmoil. Seattle is looking good.

We could (of course if we get some lucky bounces):

Regular Season
Arizona Cardinals @ Detroit Lions - L
Seattle Seahawks @ Arizona Cardinals W
Green Bay Packers @ Arizona Cardinals L
Arizona Cardinals @ St. Louis Rams L
Arizona Cardinals @ Dallas Cowboys W
Baltimore Ravens @ Arizona Cardinals L
San Francisco 49ers @ Arizona Cardinals W
Cincinati Bengals @ Arizona Cardinals W
Arizona Cardinals @ Pittsburgh Steelers L
Arizona Cardinals @ Cleveland Browns W
St. Louis Rams @ Arizona Cardinals W
Arizona Cardinals @ Chicago Bears L
Arizona Cardinals @ San Francisco 49ers W
Carolina Panthers @ Arizona Cardinals W
Arizona Cardinals @ Seattle Seahawks L
Minnesota Vikings @ Arizona CardinalsW

 

[Sack Daddy]

As I recall, Cards' were off to a 4-2 start before the injury bug went wild. 8-8 or 9-7 is not unrealistic. I don't see Blake throwing behind the back passes or jumpballs, which might help this team avoid those 1st Qtr deficits we always had to climb out of. There is a reason such a high percentage of Jake's starting Wins were comebacks. Know what I'm sayin'?

 

[Sack Daddy]

One other thing I haven't really heard mentioned: Know that guy, Marshall Faulk, he thought Hodgins was a lights out blocker. It's like having a 6th lineman. Knock some heads and eat some clock. 3-13, get outta' here!

 

[arthurracoon]

I don't see Blake throwing behind the back passes or jumpballs, which might help this team avoid those 1st Qtr deficits we always had to climb out of.

And this will help us use our running game

 

[Red Dawn]

Lots of negative thinkers on this board. I say were gonna go 9-7 this year. We are better at QB, have what could be an excellent running game, some young guns at WR, with a few signings on defense this team might gel and surprise some people.

With a new stadium coming, they gotta start winning. Even if they lose, it'll be fun watching.

 

[40yearfan]

I see the Cards beating the Lions, Cowboys, Bengals, Browns, Bears, Panthers & Vikings and spliting the season series with the Rams, 49ers and Seahawks. In other words 10 and 6. The Cards went 5 and 11 last year with a much tougher schedule and enough injuries to knock any team out of contention. <p>The players that they have on defense will have another year under the belts and will perform at a higher level. The addition of FA's and the draft picks will enable this defense to be right in the middle of the NFL defenses, especially if Vanden Bosch, Johnson and Bryant step up and play the way I believe they can.<p>On offense with the O line at full strength and the added depth through FA signings, upgraded FB position, upgraded RB position, upgraded QB position and a young, hungry receiving corps, the Cards will be able to score points in all quarters (not just the 4th quarter) and play ball control while doing it. By having and using a great running game with the ocassional deep ball threat from Blake to Gilmore/McAddely/Johnson and the ocassional over the middle pass to Jones/Boldin/Bush or the screen pass to Smith/Shipp, the Cards time of possession will be much greater than last years and they will not constantly go 3 and out during the first half. By keeping the other teams offense off the field, it will help the defense be a more cohesive unit, gain confidence and play tall.<p>Last year the Cards were in some close games that they could have won, but because of bone headed play calling, interceptions and fumbles, those games were lost. This year, they will lessen those mistakes and win the close games. That's one of the dimensions of having veterans like Emmit Smith and Jeff Blake on your team. They won't let the young guys quit and with a Coach like Mac, this team will stay fired up all season.

 

[Northern Card]

Originally posted by Rattler Rod
It's not a case that this team is weaker than last years team. It, probably, is a little bit better.

However, as the Cardinals may have improved themselves, so have most of the other teams in the league, particularly their division rivals, namely the Seahawks and the Rams, while the 49ers still have a fairly good football team.

And, if you peruse the schedule, you will see that most of their opponents have done very, very well in free agency, and the draft.

Cincinnati, for example, made vast improvements.

Detroit has done well.

And, one of the most active teams in free agency, etc. was the Panthers.

These are the three teams on the schedule that, normally, one would say that the Cardinals should beat, however, for as much as the Cardinals may be a better team than last season, so are those teams.

Realistically speaking, of the six division games, the three on the road must be figured as potential losses.

Home games against the Rams and 49ers will be no picnic and, lets remember, that the Seahawks won here, last season, and they are vastly improved.

Normally one would have to say that, based on last season, the Lions game would be a walk in the park, but it is Their home opener, and they are a revamped team, especially with their hapless head coach gone. Winning on the road, on opening day, is not easy.

Can you honestly say that this Cardinal team will win At Cleveland, AT Pittsburgh and AT Chicago? An honest answer has to be NO.

Then there are the other home games, Packers and Ravens, and the Ravens are as good a defensive unit as there is in the NFL.

So, if you can see more than three victories with this schedule, assuming that all of the opponents have improved as much, maybe even more, than the Cardinals, please tell me where those victories will be.

Accepting your premise holus-bolus (which I don't) I'm surprised that we will win any games....

 

[Rattler Rod]

That premise is, always, a possibility, however not much of a probability.

Even the worst of teams, new teams, etc., find a way to win a few games, in may cases, games that have been lost by their oppontnet, rather than won by themselves.

But, a realistic look at the schedule, the way some of the opponents have improved themselves, and the unertainty of the new players on the Cardinals roster, the losses they have had during free agency, all point to a very disastorous season.

While this is only speculation, and that games are not decided until they are played onthe field, it appears, to a realistic observer, that 3-13 is, in all probability, about what this team will achieve this season.

 

[Chainthroer]

I count an 8-8. But, hope to be surprised with 9 wins. I think we'll take Detroit, the Seahawks here, Dallas, Cincinatti, Cleveland, Rams here, Panthers and Vikings. Hope it doesn't happen, but unless our Defense perks up we could drop both with the 49ers.

 

[Northern Card]

Originally posted by Rattler Rod
\While this is only speculation, and that games are not decided until they are played onthe field, it appears, to a realistic observer, that 3-13 is, in all probability, about what this team will achieve this season.

You might have placed a period after the word "speculation" and left it at that. The rest of the paragraph ... "realistic observer" ... "in all probability"... attempts insight that you, nor anyone else has....

 

[cardsunsfan]

I'm going with 7-9. We should be improved at QB, which often times is by far the most important position especially when our previous qb lost us several games. We should also be improved at running back because we don't have to worry about Jones getting the ball. We also have Hodgins now leading the way.Our Oline should not get hurt as often just based on probabilty and I think our depth is better there.

Our defense should be improved because our players have had time to develop, I expect KVB, Bryant and Johnson to be improved this year and possibly Bell and some of the guys should at least improve a little bit. I know many of you don't believe in Greene's teachings but how many of you don't think those players will improve? The secondary should have more depth, and Starks isn't injured which should help out things. I think our young linebacker corps should improve also.

The only area where I think we might possibly be worse is reciever but Boston was hurt much of the year so you can't actually count him as being reliable every game. I think Frank is on the down turn of his career and Jenkins never really showed that much. I think we have good reciever coaches to help train our new guys. The only worry I have is that with most recievers it takes quite a lot of time to become really good. Most first round reciever picks don't even look that great until at least their second season and usually it's their third or fourth.

We were one of the youngest teams last year and I think with some experience under their belts they will improve. I don't think some of the other teams that aren't as young should show as much improvement and in some areas should show a decline. I don't really see us declining in that many areas and according to the schedule makers we have an easier schedule this year compared to last year.

 

[jw7]

I'll say 8-8. It all depends on health.


*sigh* why did we get Minnesota as the last preseason game?