The Cardinals' Dream Off-Season, IMO

[stretchthefield]

no more Steeler castoffs please

 

[DevonCardsFan]

1. Trade Anquan Boldin to the Dolphins for QB Tyler Thigpen and the Dolphins' 3rd round pick.

2. Trade Matt Leinart, Cody Brown and the #26 pick (1st Round) to Denver for OLB Elvis Dumervil.

3. Hire Keith Butler (Steelers' LB Coach) as defensive coordinator.

4. Sign NT Casey Hampton (Steelers UFA) to a 3 year $19M contract with $7M guaranteed.

5. Sign LB Larry Foote (Lions UFA) to a 3 year $9M contract with $3m guaranteed.

6. Sign QB Jeff Garcia as Thigpen's backup and mentor.

7. Re-sign:

TE Anthony Becht
G Deuce Lutui
C Lyle Sendelin
T/G Jeremy Bridges
FS Matt Ware

8. Release CB Bryant McFadden. Sign FS Antrel Rolle to a 5 year $30M contract with $7M guaranteed.

9. Draft:

Round 2: WR Mardy Gilyard, Cincinnati
Round 3a (from the Dolphins): CB Brandon Ghee, Wake Forest
Round 3b: QB Dan LeFevour, Central Michigan
Round 4: LB A.J. Edds, Iowa
Round 5: CB Devin McCourty, Rutgers
Round 6: WR Andre Roberts, Citadel
Round 7a: John Fletcher, DE, Wyoming
Round 7b (supplemental): FS Marcellus Bowman, Boston College

10. Re-sign HC Ken Whisenhunt to a 5 year $30M deal.

Wow That would be a horrible offseason, I doubt 99% percent of this does not happen besides Whiz, signing.

1. Trade Boldin for Thigpen and a 3rd, Horrible trade and I think Boldin should go, Fitz, Breaston and early are a great tandem.

2. Trade the Cards 2 biggest young rising stars, that have been groomed and but have not had a chance to show potential, plus the Cards 1st, when the Cards have been nailing it in the draft for Elvis Dummerville? Ehere is the bong Pic?

3. Not as bad as some of these, but Davis is staying, Whiz does not need a coaching cauresel, Thats why Davis was promoted he knew the system and tweeked it, a new guy could bring in a whole new one.


Sorry not a knock just dont see it happening.

 

[Mitch]

I like Thigpen a lot. I think he would be a nice fit in Arizona. Two years ago he threw for 19 TDs in KC and I saw several of those games and saw that he's the kind of QB who can get red hot. Sometimes you get a sense of what kind of player would be a good fit and I have that sense with Thigpen.

What so many of you are forgetting is that the Cardinals are most likely looking at a one and done situation with Leinart: if he plays well, he'll want the $14M in 2011 and may not be so amenable to redoing his contract (esp. with Pete Carroll looming), and if he plays poorly, he'll be released.

As for the defensive moves, adding Dumervil on the edge and Hampton at the nose and adding a solid ILB in Foote, (and adding the right coach who would bring the right scheme and fresh attitude) would be a boon. I figured the Cardinals had to give up a lot to get Dumervil, so I took what I thought it would take. Plus, adding the young talent to the secondary in Ghee and McCourty to DRC and Toler would be exciting.

 

[cardpa]

I think we should release the entire team and sign 53 free agents

 

[Cards Czar]

1. Trade Anquan Boldin to the Dolphins for QB Tyler Thigpen and the Dolphins' 3rd round pick.

2. Trade Matt Leinart, Cody Brown and the #26 pick (1st Round) to Denver for OLB Elvis Dumervil.

3. Hire Keith Butler (Steelers' LB Coach) as defensive coordinator.

4. Sign NT Casey Hampton (Steelers UFA) to a 3 year $19M contract with $7M guaranteed.

5. Sign LB Larry Foote (Lions UFA) to a 3 year $9M contract with $3m guaranteed.

6. Sign QB Jeff Garcia as Thigpen's backup and mentor.

7. Re-sign:

TE Anthony Becht
G Deuce Lutui
C Lyle Sendelin
T/G Jeremy Bridges
FS Matt Ware

8. Release CB Bryant McFadden. Sign FS Antrel Rolle to a 5 year $30M contract with $7M guaranteed.

9. Draft:

Round 2: WR Mardy Gilyard, Cincinnati
Round 3a (from the Dolphins): CB Brandon Ghee, Wake Forest
Round 3b: QB Dan LeFevour, Central Michigan
Round 4: LB A.J. Edds, Iowa
Round 5: CB Devin McCourty, Rutgers
Round 6: WR Andre Roberts, Citadel
Round 7a: John Fletcher, DE, Wyoming
Round 7b (supplemental): FS Marcellus Bowman, Boston College

10. Re-sign HC Ken Whisenhunt to a 5 year $30M deal.

Remember this is a Dream Offseason of mine.

1. Cardinals trade A. Boldin for 2 2nd rounders # 47 & 53. Welky wont be back until mid season and will he be fully healed?? R. Moss regressed from his previous years and is slowing down. Boldin is an instant upgrade for the Offense.

2. C. Dansby signes with another club.

3. Sign NT Casey Hampton (Steelers UFA) to a 2 year $13M contract with $7M guaranteed. He would be or major pick this off season. Our DL looks pretty scary now.

4. Sign LB Larry Foote (Lions UFA) to a 3 year $9M contract with $3m guaranteed. Good vet pickup.

5.Signs FS Antrel Rolle to a 4 year $26M contract with $10M guaranteed.
He wanted more guaranteed money due to his Tax problems but settles for the 10 mil. Cards did cave in and added that extra 3 mil in guaranteed money. He's happy we are happy.


5. Signs David Carr UFA Giants to a 2 yr 4 mil contract. Good quality QB that never had a OL to help him out. Has taken a ton of sacks and the Cardinals check out his head. His head is ok and not Green Eggs and Ham.

6. Cardinals get really lucky and receive a 4th rounder as a comp pick.

7. Re-signed:

TE Anthony Becht
OG Deuce Lutui (RFA)
OC Lyle Sendelin (ERFA)
T/G Jeremy Bridges
FS Matt Ware
TE Ben Patrick (RFA)
DT Gabe Watson (RFA)
OC Ben Claxton(ERFA)
FB Justin Green (RFA)
WR Steve Breaston (RFA)
FB Dan Kreider

Draft

1. Serigo Kindle OLB, Texas, Will make an excellent rush backer for our Defense he just needs to refine some of his rush moves. Cardinals love his hustle and attitude. I wanted Weatherspoon but he went to ATL at 19, and Graham went 22 to NE.

2A.#47 NE. T. Cody DT, Alabama, He falls down the draft board due to his weight. Graves screams in the phone Get that pick up there now. Lott will do wonders with this kid and he can learn from Hampton. I know that we signed Watson but he has dissapointed me last year.

2b#53 NE. Brandon Ghee CB, Wake Forest. He is an very good man-to man cover corner and will give Mcfadden a run for his money for the nickle.

2C. Daryl Washington, ILB TCU. Fast sideline to sideline backer that can cover the RB & TE.

3. J. Skelton QB Fordham, After the combine he shoots up to board with his intellgance, passiing but needs to work on his footwork which is correctable. Trust me on this one. Will give D. Carr a run for the #2 QB. I have been saying all year this guy has the IT factor.
http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/2010-draft-quarterback-grading-scale.html

4A. Jared Veldheer LOT, Hillsdale, Big Time Sleeper who is 6.68ft 325 and runs a 4.85 40. Has good footwork and nasty hand punch. Can slide outside and is good in the run support. Can play left or right side.

4B. Colin Peek TE, Alabama,TE with good hands and blocking skills. Would give Leinart a good over the middle target.

5. J. Chancey ILB, Mississippi, under the radar ILB who was hurt in 08. Would be a great back this year for G. Hayes. Could replace Hayes in the near future.

6. Seyi Ajirotuti WR, Fresno State 6-3 210 4.55 , This kid has a ton of upside. Good hands and moves extremely well in space. he will make you forget about J.Urban.

7. O'brian Schofield, OLB Wisc. He got hurt in the Senior bowl but when he was on the field he looked very very good as a OLB.

 

[WildBB]

I think we should release the entire team and sign 53 free agents

WarnerHOF

Might as well trade our entire team for Aaron Rodgers while we're at it.

Now that's some serious football banter...why go there?

Be critical, but come up with a realistic plan if you respond negatively.

 

[TJ]

Tyler Thigpen is this years BSP. Divide is VERY right with this. It's gonna be a long off-season of long threads with very specific things that no one could guess, and with the only constant being Thigpen.

Didnt Tyler Thigpen catch a TD pass a couple of years ago??

In that case...

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Tyler Thigpen is this years BSP. Divide is VERY right with this. It's gonna be a long off-season of long threads with very specific things that no one could guess, and with the only constant being Thigpen.

Simple solution to this problem, if you don't like it, don't read it. Mitch can get on a theme and be repetitive, but his contributions are some of the best the board has to offer. Some of his stuff is off the wall, but at least he has the guts to put it out there. Don't want to single you out, because you're obviously not the only one, but it's so tiresome that so many members habitually focus on these things.

 

[PoolBoy]

Simple solution to this problem, if you don't like it, don't read it. Mitch can get on a theme and be repetitive, but his contributions are some of the best the board has to offer. Some of his stuff is off the wall, but at least he has the guts to put it out there. Don't want to single you out, because you're obviously not the only one, but it's so tiresome that so many members habitually focus on these things.

no. any other poster who posted that would get ripped to shreds, sometimes by Mitch himself. Just because Mitch has whined in the past doesn't mean I'm gonna throw out the textbook response for everyone on here when he posts. "Great post Mitch! Love the insight!"

 

[Mulli]

If Thigpen and Garcia are the Qbs, I finally give up this team forever. No offense Mitch.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

no. any other poster who posted that would get ripped to shreds, sometimes by Mitch himself. Just because Mitch has whined in the past doesn't mean I'm gonna throw out the textbook response for everyone on here when he posts. "Great post Mitch! Love the insight!"

You completely miss the point, but that's cool. Like I said, just know that as tiresome as it may be to hear Mitch beat the BSP or Thigpen drum, it's just as annoying to hear the Mitch detractors pick at him as well. No need to blow smoke up his ass if you disagree, but no real need to say anything at all, especially if it's repetitive. It's just as annoying. Maybe something consider...

 

[dogpoo32]

If Thigpen and Garcia are the Qbs, I finally give up this team forever. No offense Mitch.

Quitter.

 

[Mulli]

Quitter.

As if I could ever quit them.

 

[TJ]

You completely miss the point, but that's cool. Like I said, just know that as tiresome as it may be to hear Mitch beat the BSP or Thigpen drum, it's just as annoying to hear the Mitch detractors pick at him as well. No need to blow smoke up his ass if you disagree, but no real need to say anything at all, especially if it's repetitive. It's just as annoying. Maybe something consider...

We all have guts on this board. Sometimes we are concise with what we say, sometimes we're asinine. Hell, people rip me all of the time, but I am thick skinned. Does that mean I have detractors? Perhaps.

One thing Mitch needs to understand is that with his diatribes, he is going to receive praise but equal criticism, like in politics. That's just the nature of the beast when it comes to message boards. I'm sure if we all sat down and enjoyed a beer together, the conversations wouldn't be as crass. But it's not fair to LaxMan for him to be singled out in this matter.

But hey Mitch. If you're listening, I'm glad we're on the same bandwagon about LeFevour.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

We all have guts on this board. Sometimes we are concise with what we say, sometimes we're asinine. Hell, people rip me all of the time, but I am thick skinned. Does that mean I have detractors? Perhaps.

One thing Mitch needs to understand is that with his diatribes, he is going to receive praise but equal criticism, like in politics. That's just the nature of the beast when it comes to message boards. I'm sure if we all sat down and enjoyed a beer together, the conversations wouldn't be as crass. But it's not fair to LaxMan for him to be singled out in this matter.

But hey Mitch. If you're listening, I'm glad we're on the same bandwagon about LeFevour.

Like I said, I'm not singling out Cuse, it's a matter of degree. Mitch takes his fair share of the criticism, and I think a lot of it is repetitive and excessive. Nothing more, nothing less.

 

[red desert]

I like Thigpen a lot. I think he would be a nice fit in Arizona. Two years ago he threw for 19 TDs in KC and I saw several of those games and saw that he's the kind of QB who can get red hot. Sometimes you get a sense of what kind of player would be a good fit and I have that sense with Thigpen.

What so many of you are forgetting is that the Cardinals are most likely looking at a one and done situation with Leinart: if he plays well, he'll want the $14M in 2011 and may not be so amenable to redoing his contract (esp. with Pete Carroll looming), and if he plays poorly, he'll be released.

As for the defensive moves, adding Dumervil on the edge and Hampton at the nose and adding a solid ILB in Foote, (and adding the right coach who would bring the right scheme and fresh attitude) would be a boon. I figured the Cardinals had to give up a lot to get Dumervil, so I took what I thought it would take. Plus, adding the young talent to the secondary in Ghee and McCourty to DRC and Toler would be exciting.

Mitch, I love you man, but don't be taking credit for my earlier suggestion that we pick up Tyler Thigpen.

If anyone wants to bash the Thigpen idea, bring it baby. I think he would have mega success with the cards.

 

[PoolBoy]

One thing Mitch needs to understand is that with his diatribes, he is going to receive praise but equal criticism, like in politics. That's just the nature of the beast when it comes to message boards. I'm sure if we all sat down and enjoyed a beer together, the conversations wouldn't be as crass.

There should be an ASFN beer night. that would be interesting haha

 

[RugbyMuffin]

I like Thigpen a lot. I think he would be a nice fit in Arizona. Two years ago he threw for 19 TDs in KC and I saw several of those games and saw that he's the kind of QB who can get red hot. Sometimes you get a sense of what kind of player would be a good fit and I have that sense with Thigpen.

I like Thigpen too, but I think he will be released by the Dolphins. Then we can sign him.

What so many of you are forgetting is that

You put DREAM in the title. Fun read, I may not agree with it all but fun none the less.

 

[BigDavis75]

I'm glad Mitch at least put himself out there. I do disagree with a few things though but others already covered these points. I don't think Graham will be available in the 2nd when we pick, in fact, he probably won't be there at #26. I really like the idea of getting Elvis but we would just have to give up way too much, I would rather draft another young player and come out with Brown, Davis, Haggans, and a draft pick at OLB.

 

[kerouac9]

Why would the Broncos want Matt Leinart or Cody Brown?

I don't mind Mitch's usually insane trade scenarios, but I wish that he'd explain why the other teams would make the trade.

If I started 15 threads over 2 months that stated that the Cards ought to trade Matt Leinart and the #25 overall for Peyton Manning, then I'd be deservedly pilloried.

 

[CardLogic]

Draft:

Round 1: DT Terrence Cody, Alabama if we don't get Wilfork. Hampton is getting old and we'll need a replacement in a couple years.
Round 2: Brandon Graham OLB, Michigan
Round 2: Akwasi Owusu-Ansah CB/FS Indiana University of Penn.
Round 2: Eric Norwood OLB SCU
Round 3: Linval Joseph DT/DE, East Carolina 6'6 320lbs versatile enough to be an outstanding rotational DE in our system, and can really solidify our goal line/short distance defense
Round 4: Micah Johnson ILB Kentucky
Round 5: Sean Lee ILB Penn State
Round 6: Crezdon Butler CB Clemson
Round 7: Chris Scott OT Tennessee
Round 7 (supplimental): John Skelton QB Fordham

I heard that he is pretty good but, is this realistic; a Round 2 pick for a guy from IUP? I would be very surprised.

Quick: What IUP football player has had the most successful NFL career? Hint: It wasn't LeRon McCoy.

 

[Mitch]

1. Trade Anquan Boldin to the Dolphins for QB Tyler Thigpen and the Dolphins' 3rd round pick.

2. Trade Matt Leinart, Cody Brown and the #26 pick (1st Round) to Denver for OLB Elvis Dumervil.

3. Hire Keith Butler (Steelers' LB Coach) as defensive coordinator.

4. Sign NT Casey Hampton (Steelers UFA) to a 3 year $19M contract with $7M guaranteed.

5. Sign LB Larry Foote (Lions UFA) to a 3 year $9M contract with $3m guaranteed.

6. Sign QB Jeff Garcia as Thigpen's backup and mentor.

7. Re-sign:

TE Anthony Becht
G Deuce Lutui
C Lyle Sendelin
T/G Jeremy Bridges
FS Matt Ware

8. Release CB Bryant McFadden. Sign FS Antrel Rolle to a 5 year $30M contract with $7M guaranteed.

9. Draft:

Round 2: WR Mardy Gilyard, Cincinnati
Round 3a (from the Dolphins): CB Brandon Ghee, Wake Forest
Round 3b: QB Dan LeFevour, Central Michigan
Round 4: LB A.J. Edds, Iowa
Round 5: CB Devin McCourty, Rutgers
Round 6: WR Andre Roberts, Citadel
Round 7a: John Fletcher, DE, Wyoming
Round 7b (supplemental): FS Marcellus Bowman, Boston College

10. Re-sign HC Ken Whisenhunt to a 5 year $30M deal.

___________________________________________________________

I am quoting my own post so I can refer to all I wrote here and respond to K9's fair request that I try to explain why Denver would make the trade I proposed...and while I am at it, I will try to explain my thoughts on some of the other proposals:

1. I've been reading a fair amount of articles about the Broncos and HC Josh McDaniels...and these are some of the common themes I've read:

a. McDaniels is not sold on QB Kyle Orton.

b. It would take a major offer to tempt the team to trade OLB Elvis Dumervil...but Dumervil is upset that the team parted ways with DC Mike Nolan. He becomes as UFA next year (and would have been this year had it not been for the uncapped year)...thus the Broncos will listen to offers seeing as Dumervil may opt to sign his one year tender and become a UFA in 2011.

c. The Broncos are lamenting that they do not have a 1st round pick in this year's draft, and would very much like to add one---there are questions as to whether they would be able to get a first rounder in a trade for WR Brandon Marshall---but Marshall has now admitted his faults and had implied he wouldn't mind staying in Denver...which is a curious development to say the least---and it's very unclear as to whether the Broncos would be able to acquire a 1st rounder for him.

Thus, here was my reasoning on the trade:

QB Matt Leinart: Josh McDaniels had great success with Leinart's backup, Matt Cassell, and since he's not sold on Orton, perhaps Leinart could be his guy.

OLB Cody Brown: would help fill the void left by Dumervil's departure.

The #26 Pick: Gives them the first rounder they are coveting.

From the Cardinals' point of view:

Leinart---is very likely one and done---if he plays well, he may stand firm on the $14M for 2011 which would force the team to overpay him or force the team to release him. Trading him at that figure would not seem possible, thus the team gets nothing in return---and not even a comp. pick the next year---if they release him. If Leinart struggles---again his release is inevitable...with nothing in return.

Cody Brown: With Dumervil starting at WOLB and Will Davis, Mark Washington and Stevie Baggs backing him up, the Cardinals can afford to include him in the package.

The #26 Pick: Is there a pass rusher in this draft that can be had at #26 as good as Dumervil?

Taking rookies, as we all know---is a crap shoot---and very few can step in and start immediately, let alone make an immediate impact.

Dumervil is the sure thing and he's exactly what the Cardinals need. Imagine a front 5 of:

Haggans---Dockett---Hampton---Campbell---Dumervil---!!!

2nd string: Davis---Iwebema---Watson---Branch---Washington/Baggs.

With this talent and depth up front...the Cardinals could start winning games on defense.

2. As I thought of young QBs who I think can keep the Cardinals scoring in the 20s per game, I kept thinking of Thigpen. He's one of the few young QBs I've seen the last two years who steps into his throws and likes to pound the intermediate zones...which is what the offense, at least, style-wise is used to. What I haven't seen from Leinart is a consistent ability to hit the intermediate passes, as his passes tend to sail on him. This could change, and will need to change if he is to have success this year. But, thus far, his passes into those areas have been shaky.

Plus, Thigpen has very good feet...he can add a scrambling dimension that could make DCs worry about playing strictly man-to-man.

It's no secret the Dolphins are interested in Q...and they already have a starter in Chad Henne and a backups in Pat White and Chad Pennington, thus having to only spend a 3rd rounder on Q by adding Thigpen may be what they would prefer.

3. The Cardinals need a fresh new face as their DC...one who comes from a traditionally prolific 3-4 scheme...and one who will bring aggressiveness, discipline and confidence. Keith Butler would fit that bill. But there are others.

If anyone wants me to explain my draft choices I will...there is plenty I can say...I did try to consider what players would be off the board---like Brandon Graham, etc.--so I didn't consider them. But, what the earlier moves did, especially on defense, was allow us to take the best fit for the team at each spot.

 

[Big Deal]

Uhh, the Broncos have a top 10 first round pick this year, thanks to Cutler.

Despite the moronic trade last year giving up a top 15 pick for a second round pick, they still have Chicago's #1.

 

[Mitch]

Uhh, the Broncos have a top 10 first round pick this year, thanks to Cutler.

Despite the moronic trade last year giving up a top 15 pick for a second round pick, they still have Chicago's #1.

I forgot all about that, thanks Big Deal...I guess what I was reading was about was them lamenting their trade of the #1.

Yes, come to think of it, they made the trade to get CB Alphonso Smith of Wake Forest, who thus far has been a huge disappointment.

 

[CardLogic]

From the Cardinals' point of view:

Leinart---is very likely one and done---if he plays well, he may stand firm on the $14M for 2011 which would force the team to overpay him or force the team to release him. Trading him at that figure would not seem possible, thus the team gets nothing in return---and not even a comp. pick the next year---if they release him. If Leinart struggles---again his release is inevitable...with nothing in return.

Quite simply - you don't give up three starters for one in exchange, period.

Regarding Leinart being "one and done" - Why? If he has a successful 2010 season, it becomes very easy to renegotiate that $14mil into a long term contract with an even larger guaranteed amount. For a long term starting QB contract $14mil is not that large of a number, after all they gave Warner more than that for a two year contract. It would be win-win; Leinart gets $14mil + and the Cardinals lock up a QB they are happy with for an extended period.

I agree that if Leinart is not the QB the Cardinals want to go with long term, i.e. - a less than successful 2010 season, he will be cut.

I think the former scenario will prevail.