Whiz & Graves Speak at Combine Re: Campbell, Manning, etc...

[Dr. Jones]

Oh holy lord.....

INDIANAPOLIS -- Ken Whisenhunt and Rod Graves just passed through. Jim Harbaugh is within minutes of hitting the podium.

It's an NFC West free-for-all, with no time to catch up -- at least yet.

Graves, the Arizona Cardinals' general manager, said he thought the team would get a long-term deal with defensive end Calais Campbell. Graves chooses his words with care and tends to speak broadly. He called discussions "fruitful" and struck an optimistic tone, I thought.

Graves, mindful of speculation that the Cardinals could pursue Peyton Manning, said he thought the Cardinals were pretty much set at quarterback with Kevin Kolb and John Skelton.

"I think we are," he said.

Graves added the usual disclaimers about always wanting to upgrade at all positions. But he did not go out of his way to suggest the status quo could change.

Whisenhunt, now entering his sixth season as the Cardinals' head coach, said the team had not even discussed the $7 million bonus payment due Kevin Kolb on March 17. The overall tone from Whisenhunt and Graves did nothing to fuel Manning speculation.

According to Whisenhunt, Skelton would be competing to unseat Kolb as the starter.

Board meltdown in 3.....2....1.....

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcwest/post/_/id/59442/cards-updates-on-campbell-qb-situation

Graves thinks we are set at QB.
They haven't discussed Kolb's bonus.
I guess we have some positives regarding CC.

 

[BigRedRage]

no use discussing kolbs bonus. Get manning - dont pay kolb. dont get manning - pay kolb.

 

[BigRedRage]

Cardinals continue to leave door wide open for Manning

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on February 23, 2012, 1:36 PM EST
Kevin Kolb’s future with the Cardinals in 2012 is not guaranteed. If it was, Cardinals G.M. Rod Graves and coach Ken Whisenhunt would declare from the mountaintops that he’s their starting quarterback and will be back with the team.
The reality is that the Cardinals want to leave the door open to go after Peyton Manning. So there are no perfect answers when it comes to Kolb’s future. As the picture to the right shows, Manning is looming over the Cardinals quarterback depth chart at the moment.
Whisenhunt indicated that the team has not discussed Kolb’s option bonus (due March 17) internally, but admitted that the team is always looking at “opportunities” to “get better as a team. G.M. Rod Graves recognized that the situation could change if a certain quarterback became available.
“We’re all looking to get better,” Graves said. “If those opportunities present themselves, so be it. But otherwise we’ve got an outstanding group of quarterbacks right now and believe we can win with those quarterbacks.”
Right now is the key phrase. Graves used it repeatedly because he recognized the quarterback market could change. PFT asked Graves specifically about the decision to pick up Kolb’s option.
“Right now, you have to work with the information you have at hand. And right now as I look at it we fully expect Kevin is going to be with us and we’ll honor that contract as it is obviously,” Graves said. “And we’ll see what every day brings forward and make our decisions accordingly. Right now, we’ve got three quarterbacks that did a great job for us . . . right now, as it stands today, we’re not anticipating anything different.”
The Cardinals know there is a gap between when Peyton Manning is likely to be cut (by March 8) and when Kolb’s option is due. During that window, they are going to have an opportunity present itself.
We’d be surprised if the Cardinals didn’t explore that opportunity to get better.
(Photo courtesy of Danny O’Neil of the Seattle Times.)

 

[Pariah]

Yeah, I don't think you're going to see a board meltdown. While many (most?) of us would like to get Manning, I don't think many (most?) of us really expect it to happen.

I'll bet they call Manning to check out his interest level, and the rest will likely be dictated by him. It's kind of out of our hands.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Screw Manning and Kolb.

What about Campbell. Fruitfull discussions mean jack.

Why isn't he signed.

 

[BigRedRage]

Screw Manning and Kolb.

What about Campbell. Fruitfull discussions mean jack.

Why isn't he signed.

I would think its not that hard. Dont understand our FO sometimes.

 

[ajcardfan]

I would think its not that hard. Dont understand our FO sometimes.

Once the season was over there was no pressure on either side to get a deal done. They won't get serious until the last day or two before free agency starts. The Cards FO lost their best leverage by not getting a deal done during the season.

 

[Chopper0080]

Main Points (translation):

1: ON QB-We are happy with Kolb and Skelton for now, but if Manning becomes available, we will explore that option.

2: ON CAMPBELL-We have the ability to franchise him, so there is no immediate hurry to get this done. We think that our salary expectation is close to his market value, and so we expect negotiations to heat up when Campbell is able to see this.

3: ON LEVI BROWN-We aren't going to pay him 17 million, but we want him back because he is young and the market is crap. We want to sign him to a lower contract that is relative to his level of play. Levi wants to stay, but might check out free agent market.

I hate Graves because he is so reactive.

 

[Totally_Red]

Main Points (translation):

1: ON QB-We are happy with Kolb and Skelton for now, but if Manning becomes available, we will explore that option.

2: ON CAMPBELL-We have the ability to franchise him, so there is no immediate hurry to get this done. We think that our salary expectation is close to his market value, and so we expect negotiations to heat up when Campbell is able to see this.

3: ON LEVI BROWN-We aren't going to pay him 17 million, but we want him back because he is young and the market is crap. We want to sign him to a lower contract that is relative to his level of play. Levi wants to stay, but might check out free agent market.

I hate Graves because he is so reactive.

The only real NEWS I see is the specified interest in extending Levi Brown, especially for more than one year. Given the Cardinals situation at offensive tackle, we probably could have assumed it, but now it is spelled out that there is mutual interest. If Brown hits the open market, I suppose it's possible that he comes back, but other than Kurt Warner, once Cardinals hit the free agent market, they don't seem to come back to AZ.

 

[bankybruce]

Once the season was over there was no pressure on either side to get a deal done. They won't get serious until the last day or two before free agency starts. The Cards FO lost their best leverage by not getting a deal done during the season.

There will not be any pressure then either. They will tag him and they have until a certain date prior to the season in which he must sign it and they can negotiate a new deal until then.

http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/53912/a-few-quick-notes-on-2012-franchise-tags

Deadline for long-term deals: Franchise players have until July 16 to sign their franchise players to long-term contracts. The date is usually July 15, but it is the 16th this year because the 15th falls on a Sunday. Past that date, teams can sign their franchise players only to one-year deals. They cannot reach extensions until after their final regular-season games.

 

[Buckybird]

I also heard the human snail on Sirius radio a few hours ago: "Calais Campbell is a core player". Those words are usually the kiss of death.

 

[Cards Czar]

What do you want Graves or coach Wiz to say. They cant say a word or its tampering. Now i agree with Rugby on Campbell. This should of been done before the start of last season.

I am really thinking of following Graves with a shaker of salt to get his rear in gear.

 

[bankybruce]

They way I look at it with Campbell is, as long as they get a long term contract done before July 16th, who cares. I know most wanted them to use last years left over cap money, but they can carry over the 7 million from last year and use that. In reality, as long as it gets done, it doesn't matter how or when it got done. They do need to focus on Levi if he is in their plans since they have to make a decision really soon or he could walk.


http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...-right-to-carry-over-cap-space-automatically/

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Main Points (translation):

1: ON QB-We are happy with Kolb and Skelton for now, but if Manning becomes available, we will explore that option.

2: ON CAMPBELL-We have the ability to franchise him, so there is no immediate hurry to get this done. We think that our salary expectation is close to his market value, and so we expect negotiations to heat up when Campbell is able to see this.

3: ON LEVI BROWN-We aren't going to pay him 17 million, but we want him back because he is young and the market is crap. We want to sign him to a lower contract that is relative to his level of play. Levi wants to stay, but might check out free agent market.

I hate Graves because he is so reactive.

I like Graves because he is deliberate, thoughtful and leaves open all possibilities.

 

[Buckybird]

They way I look at it with Campbell is, as long as they get a long term contract done before July 16th, who cares. I know most wanted them to use last years left over cap money, but they can carry over the 7 million from last year and use that. In reality, as long as it gets done, it doesn't matter how or when it got done. They do need to focus on Levi if he is in their plans since they have to make a decision really soon or he could walk.


http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...-right-to-carry-over-cap-space-automatically/

While in theory you're right, in the long run it just costs the franchise more cash. Have the Cards ever during Graves tenure worked out a multi-year deal with a player they franchised?

 

[Cardinals.Ken]

Screw Manning and Kolb.

What about Campbell. Fruitfull discussions mean jack.

Why isn't he signed.

I was reading on PFT that one of Campbell's stips on a new contract is that you take a long walk off a short pier. While the the Bidwills/Graves have agreed (in principal) they haven't decided on which pier it should be.

 

[thephoenixson28]

Forget everyone. Why not brees. We would have to give up 2 1st and 20+ mill but we would have no worries.

 

[Buckybird]

Forget everyone. Why not brees. We would have to give up 2 1st and 20+ mill but we would have no worries.

I thought of that earlier, but if he's an exclusive tag(the Saints have a right to match), but it would be worth the gamble IMO. Chances are he gets that tag.

 

[sunsbo]

Plus, to add fuel to the fire, they mentioned on KTAR early today that Graves likes Trent Richardson as their first round pick if he is available

 

[Dr. Jones]

I wonder if Beanie would be worth a #2?

 

[Buckybird]

Plus, to add fuel to the fire, they mentioned on KTAR early today that Graves likes Trent Richardson as their first round pick if he is available

If that's not a smokescreen, the human snail is more dumb than I ever imagined. I can see the possible need given the questionable health of our RB's, but it seems the Cards rarely tip their hand before Dday. I still think Richardson will highly disappoint in the NFL.

 

[Mitch]

If that's not a smokescreen, the human snail is more dumb than I ever imagined. I can see the possible need given the questionable health of our RB's, but it seems the Cards rarely tip their hand before Dday. I still think Richardson will highly disappoint in the NFL.

I think Richardson is a stud. Talk about toughness.

Problem is he just had a knee procedure---which is good in that he might be staring the Cardinals in the face at #13---but might be risky, especially since both Beanie and Ryan Williams are coming off knee surgeries.

If the Cardinals don't re-sign Levi Brown---this draft HAS to be for need, because you just know that the FO's efforts in free agency are going to be frustratingly fruitless and quiet.

 

[Buckybird]

I think Richardson is a stud. Talk about toughness.

Problem is he just had a knee procedure---which is good in that he might be staring the Cardinals in the face at #13---but might be risky, especially since both Beanie and Ryan Williams are coming off knee surgeries.

If the Cardinals don't re-sign Levi Brown---this draft HAS to be for need, because you just know that the FO's efforts in free agency are going to be frustratingly fruitless and quiet.

IMO Richardson runs too stiff, don't like him...we'll see.

Luv me some Doug Martin!!! A round 3 steal IMO.

 

[Duckjake]

What do you want Graves or coach Wiz to say. They cant say a word or its tampering. Now i agree with Rugby on Campbell. This should of been done before the start of last season.

I am really thinking of following Graves with a shaker of salt to get his rear in gear.

Not only that but they have to be politicians. Anything they say that is not football politically correct will get them crucified by the media. The media and fans complain endlessly about coachspeak but the minute anyone says anything that isn't, the internet and radio and tv shows go ballistic with criticism of the speaker.

That is why you hear Graves say crazy stuff like this: "we’ve got three quarterbacks that did a great job for us." Well I hope its being diplomatic. I mean Graves can't be that oblivious can he?

 

[Stout]

They way I look at it with Campbell is, as long as they get a long term contract done before July 16th, who cares. I know most wanted them to use last years left over cap money, but they can carry over the 7 million from last year and use that. In reality, as long as it gets done, it doesn't matter how or when it got done. They do need to focus on Levi if he is in their plans since they have to make a decision really soon or he could walk.


http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...-right-to-carry-over-cap-space-automatically/

Who cares? How did that really stupid, crisis-causing, pressure cooker situation work out in the negotiations for Dansby? Oh yeah--he simply played out his franchise tags and walked. Have we ever signed a guy long-term that we've used the tag on? This is highly worrisome and, with our negotiating team, the franchise tag is pretty much the kiss of death for long-term negotiations.

And yes, count me in as worried that the FO hasn't even discussed the Kolb bonus. Um, earth to our FO--it's just around the corner. You might just want to go ahead and talk about that bonus now.