RugbyMuffin
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If you have not stopped by the Arizona Cardinals official site, I would recommend it. The blog entries based on the Combine interviews lets loose some news torwards the Cardinals plans for free agency, which also effects the draft.
For those poor souls that "enjoy" looking over rosters and concocting offseason plans, and how to build a roster these notes, and the information given through the combine help you shape your plan.
#1 - New NFL TV contract in 2014. The cap will be increases very little before then, and expectation are that when the new TV deal is reached there will be a spike in the cap number. The players know this, and obviously want to try and make the best of the increased cap number. A smart GM would still be able to sign a player, and have some clause to make sure that a player doesn't feel he is "loosing out" in 2014.
#2 - Still haven't signed Campbell. While this is damaging when it comes to time spent, and being ready for free agency, Campbell is not going anywhere. He will be franchised no doubt. My biggest problem is it puts the Cardinals, who I already feel are at a disadvantage in free agency for their snail like pace, at an even greater disadvantage since the tag will eat up cap space, and waste time up till the final day the tag can be used.
#3 - Richard Marshall has been named a priority. I like this, and feel it means nothing towards the draft if he is signed. As for Marshall's worth, think of it this way. He is going to be the 5th DB in the game 95% of the time if he stays in AZ. He is the "3rd safety, or the 3rd CB". With the amount the Cardinals play the 2-4-5, he will get as much or even more snaps than Dan Williams, IMO.
#4 - The Cardinals want Levi Brown back, long term, BUT at the right price.
I take it this way, the Cardinals want Levi back but at the right price. So, I would give Levi Brown a 40-60 chance of coming back. Though this is a Rod Graves "plan", you must realize Graves is a politician, and his plans come to light about as much as your local politician plans, so not too much. Furthermore, if Levi Brown tests the market I could see a team overpaying him , Dallas, Washington, etc. This is all great news, but what constantly enters my mind every single time I think of Levi Brown is, "Worst tackle in the league over the last 3 years." Per statistics, and general play there are free agents that are upgrades to Brown. They are not world beaters, they are not lock down LT's but they are upgrades. Jared Gaither, Jeff Backus, Matt Starks. Even if the Cardinals bring Brown back as RT, is he going to be better then a Tria Essex, or a promising prospect like King Dunlap who will be available ?
Levi Brown. So, what would I do if someone said, "He is coming back whether you like it or not, so what would your plan be?"
Fine. Sign him to a 5 year contract with a final year that brings both parties back to the table. In four years Levi Brown will be 31 years old.
Jeremy Bridges has 1 year on his contract, and is 31 years old.
The Cardinals are going to draft some offensive linemen this draft. If they sign Brown they can leave themselves in a position to be in a psuedo-free position to not be drafting for need. To be clear they need an offensive linemen, but now the need is not at a point where, not only is there a need for an offensive linemen, but he has to be a hit, and has to be able to play ASAP.
Put Brown at LT and Bridges at RT, and hopefully things in the draft go well enough that your OT off the bench will be the predecessor at LT in a year or so. Optimally, the Cardinals draft a player that takes over Bridges spot by the end of next year.
For those poor souls that "enjoy" looking over rosters and concocting offseason plans, and how to build a roster these notes, and the information given through the combine help you shape your plan.
#1 - New NFL TV contract in 2014. The cap will be increases very little before then, and expectation are that when the new TV deal is reached there will be a spike in the cap number. The players know this, and obviously want to try and make the best of the increased cap number. A smart GM would still be able to sign a player, and have some clause to make sure that a player doesn't feel he is "loosing out" in 2014.
#2 - Still haven't signed Campbell. While this is damaging when it comes to time spent, and being ready for free agency, Campbell is not going anywhere. He will be franchised no doubt. My biggest problem is it puts the Cardinals, who I already feel are at a disadvantage in free agency for their snail like pace, at an even greater disadvantage since the tag will eat up cap space, and waste time up till the final day the tag can be used.
#3 - Richard Marshall has been named a priority. I like this, and feel it means nothing towards the draft if he is signed. As for Marshall's worth, think of it this way. He is going to be the 5th DB in the game 95% of the time if he stays in AZ. He is the "3rd safety, or the 3rd CB". With the amount the Cardinals play the 2-4-5, he will get as much or even more snaps than Dan Williams, IMO.
#4 - The Cardinals want Levi Brown back, long term, BUT at the right price.
I take it this way, the Cardinals want Levi back but at the right price. So, I would give Levi Brown a 40-60 chance of coming back. Though this is a Rod Graves "plan", you must realize Graves is a politician, and his plans come to light about as much as your local politician plans, so not too much. Furthermore, if Levi Brown tests the market I could see a team overpaying him , Dallas, Washington, etc. This is all great news, but what constantly enters my mind every single time I think of Levi Brown is, "Worst tackle in the league over the last 3 years." Per statistics, and general play there are free agents that are upgrades to Brown. They are not world beaters, they are not lock down LT's but they are upgrades. Jared Gaither, Jeff Backus, Matt Starks. Even if the Cardinals bring Brown back as RT, is he going to be better then a Tria Essex, or a promising prospect like King Dunlap who will be available ?
Levi Brown. So, what would I do if someone said, "He is coming back whether you like it or not, so what would your plan be?"
Fine. Sign him to a 5 year contract with a final year that brings both parties back to the table. In four years Levi Brown will be 31 years old.
Jeremy Bridges has 1 year on his contract, and is 31 years old.
The Cardinals are going to draft some offensive linemen this draft. If they sign Brown they can leave themselves in a position to be in a psuedo-free position to not be drafting for need. To be clear they need an offensive linemen, but now the need is not at a point where, not only is there a need for an offensive linemen, but he has to be a hit, and has to be able to play ASAP.
Put Brown at LT and Bridges at RT, and hopefully things in the draft go well enough that your OT off the bench will be the predecessor at LT in a year or so. Optimally, the Cardinals draft a player that takes over Bridges spot by the end of next year.
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