Harry
ASFN Consultant and Senior Writer
This has to be a major focus if the Cards are to succeed. There are major concerns here. I’m going to presume Johnson’s late season decline may have been due to an injury that gradually worsened. Playing through significant injury at Left Tackle, because of speed rushers, is extremely difficult. At Right Tackle the Cards made a big free agent signing, Jonah Williams. He’s played well though injuries are a concern after this season. This is a strong OT draft, but I think the Cards will try to push through another year. I expect them to sign Beachum to another contract. He played extremely well despite being 35. Tackles can play for a long time though they hope not to use Beachum so much if re-signed. I thought Barton played well and should be considered for retention. The Cards seemed to like Jones so they may go with him and try to stash Barton on the practice squad again. Of course the extent of Williams’ injury this late in the season may make this all academic.
Right Guard presents another injury issue. Will Hernandez has been a solid player since the Cards signed him. He’s had a few significant injuries during his career, but the MCL is the first major knee injury. It was a bad injury because of the amount of time he was out tells us it was grade 3. Typically linemen return fine from this injury but that’s never fully certain. I expect him to re-sign if he passes the physical, as he likes the Cards.
Left Guard is a different issue. Brown is a UFA. He can be kept to backup guard & center if affordable. Gaines doesn’t impress me; he goes. Adams is improving, but I’m not confident he’s the starting guy here. I’d rather sign someone else to start. Adams could be maintained to backup up both Guard spots. I’m releasing Colon.
A position I thought was secure began to concern me this season. Froholdt was very good at pulling again this season, though he may have been tipping the move. I had expected him to improve his strength this season. He didn’t seem to do so. Therefore he struggled in drive blocking on runs. In pass protection, despite his agility, he did not do well at protecting the A gap. Some of his problem may have come from the Guard weakness. Admittedly the problem got worse after Hernandez was injured. Forholdt got too many holding penalties, setting back the offense. The question is, has he reached his peak? Brown clearly isn’t the answer at Center on a continuing basis. So should the Cards draft a Center? Maybe. I have a prospect, but it’s a weak draft for Centers. So he may go to early. I’ll cover him when I do my draft analysis. He’s got stuff to learn, but he’s dynamic.
With a power guard, this could be an outstanding unit; just what Murray and the Cards need. There are a couple available in free agency, but that’s a big investment. They may have to gamble on Froholdt, but he’s got a chance to improve with much hard work. I do not believe that strengthening the Oline is optional.
Right Guard presents another injury issue. Will Hernandez has been a solid player since the Cards signed him. He’s had a few significant injuries during his career, but the MCL is the first major knee injury. It was a bad injury because of the amount of time he was out tells us it was grade 3. Typically linemen return fine from this injury but that’s never fully certain. I expect him to re-sign if he passes the physical, as he likes the Cards.
Left Guard is a different issue. Brown is a UFA. He can be kept to backup guard & center if affordable. Gaines doesn’t impress me; he goes. Adams is improving, but I’m not confident he’s the starting guy here. I’d rather sign someone else to start. Adams could be maintained to backup up both Guard spots. I’m releasing Colon.
A position I thought was secure began to concern me this season. Froholdt was very good at pulling again this season, though he may have been tipping the move. I had expected him to improve his strength this season. He didn’t seem to do so. Therefore he struggled in drive blocking on runs. In pass protection, despite his agility, he did not do well at protecting the A gap. Some of his problem may have come from the Guard weakness. Admittedly the problem got worse after Hernandez was injured. Forholdt got too many holding penalties, setting back the offense. The question is, has he reached his peak? Brown clearly isn’t the answer at Center on a continuing basis. So should the Cards draft a Center? Maybe. I have a prospect, but it’s a weak draft for Centers. So he may go to early. I’ll cover him when I do my draft analysis. He’s got stuff to learn, but he’s dynamic.
With a power guard, this could be an outstanding unit; just what Murray and the Cards need. There are a couple available in free agency, but that’s a big investment. They may have to gamble on Froholdt, but he’s got a chance to improve with much hard work. I do not believe that strengthening the Oline is optional.
