Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
I have completely different thoughts...
It would come as no suprise that I am not nearly as high on Leinart or Carr. I don't think either one of them is the answer, and I wouldn't even want either of them as the #2. Sorry. I don't either one of them is tough or poised enough.
The guy that I think is the perfect heir to Kurt Warner is Jason Campbell, and today the Redskins made the possiblity of acquiring him all the more possible and realistic.
The Redskins decided to put a first round tender on him instead of a first and third, and if he stays with them, he plays this year for $3.2M.
However, if any team offers Campbell a long term contract...the Redskins are most likely not going to match it, and he can be acquired for the price of a 1st round draft pick.
If the Cardinals don't wish to part with the #26 pick, they certainly would have the option to try to make a trade with the Redskins, perhaps offering Anquan Boldin in some kind of package.
I know the love for Matty on this board, and while I do not share in your optimism for reasons I have outlined previously...especially the thought that he could actually play well this year and force his way out of town the way Antrel Rolle just has...some of you seem to be donning blinders to this very possible reality...I will tell you this, under no circumstances will the Cardinals pay Matt Leinart $14M to stay around next year. Just won't happen. if Matty wants to go play for Pete or anyone else, he'll be free to do it.
I strongly believe that Campbell is the most natural fit in Whiz's offense of any QB that can be acquired this year or next, including the rookies.
What strikes me as so telling is that the very things that Whiz had to correct and improve in Kurt Warner are the things that Campbell needs to improve...the tentative aspects of his game, for one, especially in the red zone...where Campbell is actually better equipped to succeeed in some ways than Warner was because of his athleticism.
But most important quality that Warner and Campbell share is poise and patience in the pocket. Both are fearless in that regard, and in Whiz's offense this is a priority.
This is what Scouts, Inc. wrote about Campbell last year (if you don't want to just hear my own thoughts):
* 6-5, 230, 6, Auburn
* patience and poise in the pocket to find 2nd and 3rd options.
* can power the ball into tight windows or get it deep on long throws, as well as showing good touch on shorter routes.
* has improved vision and ability to read defenses.
* runs well for his size and can move the chains on scrambles.
* has all the tools to be an excellent QB in the NFL.
When I have watched Campbell, to me his talent is unmistakable...but what I thought hampered him quite a bit was not only the play calling and the porous offensive line (43 sacks last year...twice as many as Warner's), but two of his top three WRs were smurfs (Moss and Randle-El). It's hard to throw down at smurfs when you are 6'5", especially when you have to pass over defensive linemen and their outstretched hands.
With the Cardinals Campbell wouldn't have this problem. Imagine him thowing to Fitz, for one! He also would be coached in the timing of the offense to where he can play like Warner did with much greater alacrity.
The other thing is despite not having the line of weapons Warner had last year, look at their 2009 stats:
Warner: 339/513/3753/66.1%/26-14/93.1
Campbell: 327/507/3245/64.5%/20-15/86.4
Note: Campbell played a much tougher schedule this year...just look at his own division.
Thus, imagine how Campbell can improve on last year's numbers in a more talented offense, a system that would cater to his strengths, and profitting from the astute coaching Whiz would provide.
Campbell is only 28 years old is just now heading into his prime.
Would I give up the #26 for him? Yes. I don't want the offensive momentum of the last two and a half years curtailed. And, most importantly, just as I thought with Warner, I believe he can win a Super Bowl in Cardinal red.
I believe that with Campbell the offense can continue to roar on to the tune of 26-28 points per game.
If it's anything we've learned the past two years the QB position is the most important by far.
We wrap him up for the next four years and we have our QBOF and we don't have to be at anyone's mercy.
Plus, we can then get a draft pick for Leinart and at least get something in return for two top 10 draft picks in Rolle and Leinart. We keep Leinart this year, and we get nothing.
My biggest fear is that the Bills' HC Chan Gailey (another GT offensive guru) will be after Campbell as well. But, the Bills would have to give up the #9 pick. But I believe Gailey would strongly consider that.
The Cardinals may gamble that they can make a move on Campbell next year when he becomes a UFA...but...this year I honestly believe that Campbell and his agent Joel Segal (same agent for Levi Brown) would be very willing to agree to an incentive laden contract that has base salaries in the $7-8M range, especially to come to an offense like the Cardinals'.
If you have a chance to acquire the QBOF now, you do it.
What happens next year? Leinart becomes a free agent. You want David Carr or a rookie?
It is my opinion that if the Cardinals don't settle the QB situation sooner rather than later this will set the team back for several years.
We have the monetum of two straight NFC West Championships and one year removed from the NFC Championship. We still have a Super Bowl quality offense if the QB can deliver. Let's get that QB.
It would come as no suprise that I am not nearly as high on Leinart or Carr. I don't think either one of them is the answer, and I wouldn't even want either of them as the #2. Sorry. I don't either one of them is tough or poised enough.
The guy that I think is the perfect heir to Kurt Warner is Jason Campbell, and today the Redskins made the possiblity of acquiring him all the more possible and realistic.
The Redskins decided to put a first round tender on him instead of a first and third, and if he stays with them, he plays this year for $3.2M.
However, if any team offers Campbell a long term contract...the Redskins are most likely not going to match it, and he can be acquired for the price of a 1st round draft pick.
If the Cardinals don't wish to part with the #26 pick, they certainly would have the option to try to make a trade with the Redskins, perhaps offering Anquan Boldin in some kind of package.
I know the love for Matty on this board, and while I do not share in your optimism for reasons I have outlined previously...especially the thought that he could actually play well this year and force his way out of town the way Antrel Rolle just has...some of you seem to be donning blinders to this very possible reality...I will tell you this, under no circumstances will the Cardinals pay Matt Leinart $14M to stay around next year. Just won't happen. if Matty wants to go play for Pete or anyone else, he'll be free to do it.
I strongly believe that Campbell is the most natural fit in Whiz's offense of any QB that can be acquired this year or next, including the rookies.
What strikes me as so telling is that the very things that Whiz had to correct and improve in Kurt Warner are the things that Campbell needs to improve...the tentative aspects of his game, for one, especially in the red zone...where Campbell is actually better equipped to succeeed in some ways than Warner was because of his athleticism.
But most important quality that Warner and Campbell share is poise and patience in the pocket. Both are fearless in that regard, and in Whiz's offense this is a priority.
This is what Scouts, Inc. wrote about Campbell last year (if you don't want to just hear my own thoughts):
* 6-5, 230, 6, Auburn
* patience and poise in the pocket to find 2nd and 3rd options.
* can power the ball into tight windows or get it deep on long throws, as well as showing good touch on shorter routes.
* has improved vision and ability to read defenses.
* runs well for his size and can move the chains on scrambles.
* has all the tools to be an excellent QB in the NFL.
When I have watched Campbell, to me his talent is unmistakable...but what I thought hampered him quite a bit was not only the play calling and the porous offensive line (43 sacks last year...twice as many as Warner's), but two of his top three WRs were smurfs (Moss and Randle-El). It's hard to throw down at smurfs when you are 6'5", especially when you have to pass over defensive linemen and their outstretched hands.
With the Cardinals Campbell wouldn't have this problem. Imagine him thowing to Fitz, for one! He also would be coached in the timing of the offense to where he can play like Warner did with much greater alacrity.
The other thing is despite not having the line of weapons Warner had last year, look at their 2009 stats:
Warner: 339/513/3753/66.1%/26-14/93.1
Campbell: 327/507/3245/64.5%/20-15/86.4
Note: Campbell played a much tougher schedule this year...just look at his own division.
Thus, imagine how Campbell can improve on last year's numbers in a more talented offense, a system that would cater to his strengths, and profitting from the astute coaching Whiz would provide.
Campbell is only 28 years old is just now heading into his prime.
Would I give up the #26 for him? Yes. I don't want the offensive momentum of the last two and a half years curtailed. And, most importantly, just as I thought with Warner, I believe he can win a Super Bowl in Cardinal red.
I believe that with Campbell the offense can continue to roar on to the tune of 26-28 points per game.
If it's anything we've learned the past two years the QB position is the most important by far.
We wrap him up for the next four years and we have our QBOF and we don't have to be at anyone's mercy.
Plus, we can then get a draft pick for Leinart and at least get something in return for two top 10 draft picks in Rolle and Leinart. We keep Leinart this year, and we get nothing.
My biggest fear is that the Bills' HC Chan Gailey (another GT offensive guru) will be after Campbell as well. But, the Bills would have to give up the #9 pick. But I believe Gailey would strongly consider that.
The Cardinals may gamble that they can make a move on Campbell next year when he becomes a UFA...but...this year I honestly believe that Campbell and his agent Joel Segal (same agent for Levi Brown) would be very willing to agree to an incentive laden contract that has base salaries in the $7-8M range, especially to come to an offense like the Cardinals'.
If you have a chance to acquire the QBOF now, you do it.
What happens next year? Leinart becomes a free agent. You want David Carr or a rookie?
It is my opinion that if the Cardinals don't settle the QB situation sooner rather than later this will set the team back for several years.
We have the monetum of two straight NFC West Championships and one year removed from the NFC Championship. We still have a Super Bowl quality offense if the QB can deliver. Let's get that QB.
.
