Some Cardinal Rules We Need To Follow This Offseason In Reguards To Our Players

cardsfanmd

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Alright Wiz, sit back and let me do your job for you for a minute.

Before we start spending money to aquire players lets begin with the position we are hurting at the most--O-Line. For some strange reason people all over the place are making it seem like this can be fixed by either resigning Big, drafting Thomas or picking up a LT from another team. Um no, time to think guys. We had argueably the second worst o-line in football last year (the raiders hold the #1 spot however their guys outplayed ours when they beat us). That means the WHOLE line needs to be addressed. One player is not going to do it. You start by bringing in Russ Grimm (offensive line specialist as our OC). That shouldn't be impossible considering how tough it will be for him to swallow his pride in Pittsburgh after being rejected for Tomlin, not to mention his obvious relationship with Wiz. Next, I think we should try hard to resign Big. Then we make a hard run at the best available tackle or guard on the free agent market. Hopefully Thomas is there at the 5 spot and we can nab him. Snagging a quality center in the first three rounds wouldn't be a bad idea either. Many people on this forum want the LT from Buffalo is the answer. That is great except that MATT LEINART IS A SOUTHPAW--WE NEED A DOMINANT RIGHT TACKLE! Ask any pro and you will hear that moving from one side of the line to the other is not all that simple. Finally, we can go into camp with some hope at the line.

Next in line, the secondary must be revamped. Adrian Wilson is obviously fine so lets move to the other safety spot. Whenever people talk anout Antrel Rolle you hear the same things... Great size, freakish speed and crazy instincts. What you dont hear about is his horrible man coverage. Bottom line is that he is just too big for cb. I move him to fs immediately. That just gave us quite possibly the best safety duo in football. If we recruit like we did with Edge and aren't afraid to pay for what we want either Assante Samuels or Nate Clements will be in a 'Zona uniform. With those safeties and a shut-down Samuels/Clements opposite of him I believe Eric Green is capable of holding his own. I would use the draft to find him some competition/added depth.

Please stop with the chants for lance briggs and adalius thomas. We cant even come close to giving them the supporting classes that they are surrounded (and protected) by now so how could you possibly think it would be smart to make such an expensive investment on someone who could quite simply turn out to be a "good" role player.

Lastly, if Thomas isn't there @ 5 trade down. When we are a perrenial playoff team we can afford to reach for someone we want. Untill then its best to play it safe.

OK, here's the best part, THAT IS IT!!! Keeping a team intact (i.e. New England) is sooo underrated in today's game. Talent wise this is the best team the cardinals have had since i've been born (unfortunately I have been a fan since St. Louis). We dont need a total revamping, nor do we suck in numerous areas like seasons past. The only thing left is continued work on the overall team spirit and winning attitude and that is all up to you and your staff Wiz.
 
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Skkorpion

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Appreciate the effort you put in to your post. I'm not a fan of fixing things in free agency so I'll reserve comment until the free agency period begins.
 

devilfan02

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Antrel Rolle has always been tagged as too slow for a DB. Even at the combine, most scouts said his most natural position is FS due to his lack of speed. His speed is far from "freakish"
 

SuperSpck

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Building a solid founation at the lines is a good way to have a team that's competitive for a long time but it never happens all at once.
 

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I agree with Skorp, build through the draft. After Starks, Jackson I am ready to leave the FA market alone and live with resigning our own good players which includes big then use the draft.
 

seesred

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IMO when Lienart started and the line was finally fixed in the last 6 games we looked pretty good. Edge was making yards, Matt is faster on the trigger and puff we were up to the task. IMO we must sign Big, you just can't buy what he has got, and with a new great coach. Next we try to get a good O-line in the draft and maybe FA. If we have 2-3 guys that can play and you add two we should be real good.

We need a saftey and I agree on Rolle completely. He made some plays but most of the time he got beat. But boy can the kid hit. Very athletic! Green is also a hitter and at times played well , he must get better or he will be a second teamer all his pro life. I would like to see us draft Patterson if he is there and Thomas isn't. A big , fast hard hitting DE would be great considering Berry's injury problems. If Berry is okay the kid will learn behind the best.

WE also could use a kick returner/punt/fast WR type. The corner thats ranked in the top ten Nelson could be that man. We have the money and we are not that far from being a real good team.

GBR
40
 

ajcardfan

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I agree with Skorp, build through the draft. After Starks, Jackson I am ready to leave the FA market alone and live with resigning our own good players which includes big then use the draft.

I'd rather spend our cap money on players that might actually help rather than pay a fine to the NFL. We can't spend enough on draftpicks and UDFAS to get to the minimum.
 

Goldfield

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The better you are at drafting the less people you gunna need to sign as free agents. But you should only sign players for need, because you should allways draft BPA over need unless you have little need for that position.

If you allways draft BPA eventually your team should allways be stocked with talent.
 

Duckjake

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I agree with Skorp, build through the draft. After Starks, Jackson I am ready to leave the FA market alone and live with resigning our own good players which includes big then use the draft.

The poor results from the drafts of 1999-2002 made it impossible for the Cardinals to even field a team without having to rely heavily on free agents.

Hopefully the results of the last 4 drafts will change that as they are actually getting and keeping some guys who can play.
 

slanidrac16

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I don't believe in "rebuilding" through fress agency, but I certainly feel your biggest need should be addressed thru free agency.
With Francisco being signed to an extension I wonder if he is our next fs? Whiz will have to decide early on if Rolle is a cb or should he be moved to safety. I think we should go and get us a guy like Clement and maybe a o-lineman in addition to tagging or resigning Davis.
I said it before and I'll say it again....the draft of 2007 is for the 2008 team. The draft is for the future. That is why you take the BPA, sometimes even if you have strength at that position. Any drafted players contribution in 2007 shold be considered a bunus. If anybody thinks Davis should be let go and Joe Thomas suddenly is to become our starting left tackle is delusional if for no other reason being that its not a sure thing he will be there when we pick.

My guess is Whiz will want to keep Davis and we will end up drafting an impact player on the defensive side of the ball.
 

john h

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Alright Wiz, sit back and let me do your job for you for a minute.

Before we start spending money to aquire players lets begin with the position we are hurting at the most--O-Line. For some strange reason people all over the place are making it seem like this can be fixed by either resigning Big, drafting Thomas or picking up a LT from another team. Um no, time to think guys. We had argueably the second worst o-line in football last year (the raiders hold the #1 spot however their guys outplayed ours when they beat us). That means the WHOLE line needs to be addressed. One player is not going to do it. You start by bringing in Russ Grimm (offensive line specialist as our OC). That shouldn't be impossible considering how tough it will be for him to swallow his pride in Pittsburgh after being rejected for Tomlin, not to mention his obvious relationship with Wiz. Next, I think we should try hard to resign Big. Then we make a hard run at the best available tackle or guard on the free agent market. Hopefully Thomas is there at the 5 spot and we can nab him. Snagging a quality center in the first three rounds wouldn't be a bad idea either. Many people on this forum want the LT from Buffalo is the answer. That is great except that MATT LEINART IS A SOUTHPAW--WE NEED A DOMINANT RIGHT TACKLE! Ask any pro and you will hear that moving from one side of the line to the other is not all that simple. Finally, we can go into camp with some hope at the line.

Next in line, the secondary must be revamped. Adrian Wilson is obviously fine so lets move to the other safety spot. Whenever people talk anout Antrel Rolle you hear the same things... Great size, freakish speed and crazy instincts. What you dont hear about is his horrible man coverage. Bottom line is that he is just too big for cb. I move him to fs immediately. That just gave us quite possibly the best safety duo in football. If we recruit like we did with Edge and aren't afraid to pay for what we want either Assante Samuels or Nate Clements will be in a 'Zona uniform. With those safeties and a shut-down Samuels/Clements opposite of him I believe Eric Green is capable of holding his own. I would use the draft to find him some competition/added depth.

Please stop with the chants for lance briggs and adalius thomas. We cant even come close to giving them the supporting classes that they are surrounded (and protected) by now so how could you possibly think it would be smart to make such an expensive investment on someone who could quite simply turn out to be a "good" role player.

Lastly, if Thomas isn't there @ 5 trade down. When we are a perrenial playoff team we can afford to reach for someone we want. Untill then its best to play it safe.

OK, here's the best part, THAT IS IT!!! Keeping a team intact (i.e. New England) is sooo underrated in today's game. Talent wise this is the best team the cardinals have had since i've been born (unfortunately I have been a fan since St. Louis). We dont need a total revamping, nor do we suck in numerous areas like seasons past. The only thing left is continued work on the overall team spirit and winning attitude and that is all up to you and your staff Wiz.

My understanding is Rolle is to SLOW to be a good CB. Good tackler and probably better suited to be a safety. True, our OL was the worst in the NFL the first part of the season. DG kept moving people and changing coaches. The last half of the season there was a marked improvement in the play of the OL. It was noted by announcers and by watching TV. The same guys finally played each game. Need to be careful about starting with the premise that the OL needs to be replaced! We clearly need more people in the OL position as backups and possible a starter or two. Whiz alluded to that in a recent speech. With all the new coaches it will be interesting to see how Whiz views what we have and what we need.
 

ajcardfan

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My understanding is Rolle is to SLOW to be a good CB. Good tackler and probably better suited to be a safety.

I think he's fast enough IF, he had more saavy and better technique. He could easily beat Ty Law in a foot race, yet Law is the better CB because of what's going on upstairs.
 

Goodyear Card

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I think he's fast enough IF, he had more saavy and better technique. He could easily beat Ty Law in a foot race, yet Law is the better CB because of what's going on upstairs.

I think both Green and Rolle will have better success with improved coaching. Remember, last season Rolle was recovering from knee surgery and sometimes it takes two years to fully recover. I am hoping with off season conditioning and a full preseason of practice he will improve dramatically. However, I don't have a problem with signing a veteran CB in free agency to improve the defensive backfield. Having 3 CB who are quality starters will be a luxury we aren't use to having.
 
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cardsfanmd

cardsfanmd

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I think both Green and Rolle will have better success with improved coaching. Remember, last season Rolle was recovering from knee surgery and sometimes it takes two years to fully recover. I am hoping with off season conditioning and a full preseason of practice he will improve dramatically. However, I don't have a problem with signing a veteran CB in free agency to improve the defensive backfield. Having 3 CB who are quality starters will be a luxury we aren't use to having.
i was hoping someone would remember that :thumbup:
 

JeffGollin

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Some Cardinal Rules We Need To Follow This Offseason In Reguards To Our Players
The most overlooked factor here is Offseason Development. We have a relatively young offensive line. Russ Grimm has already pointed out that a major goal will be to get everyone on the same page.

So to me - within the parameters of NFLPA rules - it's important that:

- Our players get stronger and build endurance (offseason onditioning and weight training).

- Our players need to perfect individual techniques (off-season mentoring and monitoring)

- Our players have to learn how to play better together (off-season unit work - from "how to hand off blocks when adjusting to blitzes, twists and stunts" to the choreography of taking the right number of steps and angles to your blocking target and disguising blocking assignments presnap.

- If there's new terminology and schemes to be learned, the earlier our players get used to it and become comfortable with it, the faster our take-off will be in the 2007 regular season.

Bill Walsh used to say that the biggest quantum leap in skill took place not during a player's rookie year (when his eyes are bugged out learning how to behave in the NFL) but during the period between his rookie year and his second season. I think there's much to be said for this.
 

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