The Plan???

[Crazy Canuck]

I don't think it's that quiet. You do have deals getting done. Monster contracts for a couple guys. But the bidding war aspect hasn't really come into play. The big deals may come, but I suspect that teams'll be more interested in keeping their own.

It might only take one BIG move (Nmandi moving out of Oakland or something) to open the floodgates. Teams might have found that a conservative approach to free agency last year felt pretty good.

You can bet that both front office personnel and agents are feeling their way around the new CBA. As you say, the Nmandi deal will set the cornerback market (and the high end of the FA market). And a few signings at a variety of positions will do the same. At that point, with the comfort of those market setting deals, the "floodgates" will open.

 

[kerouac9]

You may be right. My point is, Rod Graves and this organization have not put up a track record that encourages any of us to trust them or their judgment. They rarely sign FAs and the ones they do, especially at the OL position, have been horrendous.

That's true. But you can judge individual deals at this point in the process (I'm preparing to judge the bejeezus out of the Kolb trade when it gets announced tomorrow), but Graves is right that you need to judge the team that takes the field in Week 1.

Until we lose Breaston, Lutui, Sendlein, or Branch (or DRC for that matter), I'm not going to sweat it. I thought this was a 7-win team with an average QB last season, and we've added a little to that and not taken anything away except a retired 4th string RB and an over-the-hill LG. There are still solid linebackers to help that group; no one's gotten away.

It's perfectly right to look at the Cards' moves with skepticism. Let's just let them make some moves.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

I may be wrong but don't teams have till Friday both they can no longer match contracts offered.

That may be slowing things down as well.

It is completely understandable that other teams are taking things slow. Not the Cardinals, it is unacceptable they are not taking advantage of the opportunities in front of them. They have the money, the massive amount of urgent needs, and the room to get some good talent. This free agency period will have better talent then what will be available for some time.

If they are trying to get the perfect deal, well then they are niave and stupid. You don't get to have that kind of leverage when your team sucks, and everyone in the league knows it. The Steelers, Pats, Colts, and Packers have earned there leverage through wins, sacrifice, and being a competitive NFL team year in and year out.

If the Cardinals think they have earned any respect for a two year period that is proving to be a fluke, then those front office people are far dumber than I first thought. The only thing they are known for is losing, being cheap, and letting good talent go. They are going to have to do more to get what good organizations get for less.

They have no one to blame but the people in the front office. They have their fan base, stadium, and everything a NFL franchise could ask for. They have no more excuses. They fail now it is because they are ignorant, negligent, and cheap.

We have no idea of who is on the Cards Free Agent Board, and certainly no idea as to whom they've made offers. After Friday at 6PM - we'll all have a better idea, and be in a position to judge.

 

[BigRedRage]

That's true. But you can judge individual deals at this point in the process (I'm preparing to judge the bejeezus out of the Kolb trade when it gets announced tomorrow), but Graves is right that you need to judge the team that takes the field in Week 1.

Until we lose Breaston, Lutui, Sendlein, or Branch (or DRC for that matter), I'm not going to sweat it. I thought this was a 7-win team with an average QB last season, and we've added a little to that and not taken anything away except a retired 4th string RB and an over-the-hill LG. There are still solid linebackers to help that group; no one's gotten away.

It's perfectly right to look at the Cards' moves with skepticism. Let's just let them make some moves.

somers reported breaston is not staying here.

 

[kerouac9]

You can bet that both front office personnel and agents are feeling their way around the new CBA. As you say, the Nmandi deal will set the cornerback market (and the high end of the FA market). And a few signings at a variety of positions will do the same. At that point, with the comfort of those market setting deals, the "floodgates" will open.

Not only that, but there are still teams trying to gauge their own free agency budgets--a bunch of teams are trying to get under the cap.

It's clear that signing UDCFAs is the NFL's biggest priority right now, as well as getting their financial houses in order w/r/t 2011 payroll. I think once guys like Leonard Davis, Derek Anderon, Marion Barber, and Gerald Hayes get off teams' books, we'll see more action.

This first week has been interesting. I think this next weekend will be crazy.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

We have no idea of who is on the Cards Free Agent Board, and certainly no idea as to whom they've made offers. After Friday at 6PM - we'll all have a better idea, and be in a position to judge.

Agreed.

Just think the Cardinals have been given an opportunity to be aggressive and land some seriously needed talent, and have completely dropped the ball.

If there is any true frustration from me, then that is it.

So, while it my opinion is spread out amongst a bunch of posts, it pretty much boils down to missed opportunities.

If there is any real personal frustration, it is that Steve Breaston seems like he is gone, and we are relying, IMO, on guys that would struggle to be 3rd WR in the NFL to play across from Fitz. Not to mention Breaston is one of my favorite players, so that would be my 3 favorite Cardinal players let go in three straight years.

Great. Lots of fun to be had being a fan today.

EDIT: Crow to eat #2 if this is true -----> http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/vb/f4/per-jureki-reason-the-cards-have-been-so-slow-168505.html

 

[CtCardinals78]

Agreed.

Just think the Cardinals have been given an opportunity to be aggressive and land some seriously needed talent, and have completely dropped the ball.

If there is any true frustration from me, then that is it.

So, while it my opinion is spread out amongst a bunch of posts, it pretty much boils down to missed opportunities.

If there is any real personal frustration, it is that Steve Breaston seems like he is gone, and we are relying, IMO, on guys that would struggle to be 3rd WR in the NFL to play across from Fitz. Not to mention Breaston is one of my favorite players, so that would be my 3 favorite Cardinal players let go in three straight years.

Great. Lots of fun to be had being a fan today.

In Wiz we trust...

 

[sportznutt]

What if they tried, but nobody wanted to come here? Would you be happy if they overpaid?

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

I may be guilty of being impatient but don't tell us your ready to go and are going to be aggressive and then only sign your own punter and a backup TE through the first 2 days.

 

[CtCardinals78]

Josh Wilson is now off the list. I mean seriously DRC is gone. Why is this team not AGRESSIVELY pursuing any top CB FA? They should be on the phone with Jonathan Joseph. What are they waiting for??

 

[Chopper0080]

Friday and Sat should set the tone for what the Cards want to do. I keep forgetting that these deals aren't valid until Friday so who knows if they stay true the team that they are reported to when Friday rolls around. Personally I'm frustrated that we don't have any rookies signed, no handshake deals w/ our FA's other than P, and the Kolb deal (where we will get fleeced) isn't done.

I guess I don't have much faith in Graves, and am very unsure of how much influence Whis has with him.

 

[Matt L]

What if they tried, but nobody wanted to come here? Would you be happy if they overpaid?

YES! I would be happy if they overpaid. Did you watch last season? Did you see our linebackers? our quarterback? our defensive backfield?

Are we only happy if we underpay?

 

[oaken1]

if they have a plan, a big part of it needs to be focused on guys looking for their first FA contract....guys around 25 to 27 years old, who have shown steady improvement over their 4 or 5 years in the league,....but not yet at their full potential...... they may get fooled a couple times but for the most part the team would gather young players just hitting their prime.
I like the King signing, it gives us some breathing room in the search for O-line....a tackle would be good, but if we cannot get one, having a blocking TE there to help can really mask a weak tackle.

 

[Tyler]

The Plan: Why do today what you can put off until tomorrow!!

 

[AsUdUdE]

Jureki is on 910 now and will supposedly tell why the Cards have been so quiet so far

 

[MadCardDisease]

Jureki is on 910 now and will supposedly tell why the Cards have been so quiet so far

Please recap. Thanks

 

[WarnerHOF]

Offseason plan:

KOLBKOLBKOLBKOLBKOLBKOLBKOLBKOLBKOLBKOLBKOLBKOLBKOLBKOLBKOLBKOLBKOLBKOLBKOLBKOLBKOLBKOLBKOLBKOLBKOLBKOLBKOLBKOLBKOLBKOLBKOLBKOLBKOLBKOLBKOLBKOLBKOLBKOLBKOLBKOLBKOLBKOLBKOLBKOLBKOLBKOLBKOLBKOLB

 

[Tyler]

Jureki is on 910 now and will supposedly tell why the Cards have been so quiet so far

SO is he saying that people are signed but they cant announce? How are other teams leaking stuff out?

Breaston gone for sure.

 

[Longcolts]

No he's saying they may have agreed to terms but they aren't announcing.

 

[oaken1]

maybe,...they want to hold one of those "Big Deal" type press conferences,...where they introduce all the new additions to the 2011 Cardinals squad at the same time?

 

[Longcolts]

maybe,...they want to hold one of those "Big Deal" type press conferences,...where they introduce all the new additions to the 2011 Cardinals squad at the same time?

Actually I believe that is the case. Also, evidently the league has told the teams not to talk about any of these deals, so I don't know where the heck the information is coming from.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

SO is he saying that people are signed but they cant announce? How are other teams leaking stuff out?

Breaston gone for sure.

the Cards are a strictly by the book franchise. If they can't announce until Thursday, they won't.

 

[Longcolts]

SO is he saying that people are signed but they cant announce? How are other teams leaking stuff out?

Breaston gone for sure.

My best guess is the agents are leaking it.

 

[Duckjake]

Graves is exhausted and has gone to take a nap.

The Cards new Assistant Director of Player Personnel.