Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
Larry Fitzgerald stated that "Whiz has the recipe" for him staying in Arizona and retiring as a Cardinal. I don't think Fitz is grasping at straws when he says this. One can't help but infer from this that Fitz is privvy to Whiz's plan---and Fitz's optimistic tone implies that he is on board with what Whiz has told him.
Fitz says that he loved being in the playoffs the past two years and that he wants every chance he can get to hoist the Lombardi...and thus he wants to be on a perennial winner.
So what is Whiz's plan to ensure that this past year was an anomaly and that the Cardinals will return to being a perrenial winner and contender for the Lombardi?
1. Making the defense stand up. I don't know about you---but when I was watching Anquan Boldin in the playoffs this year, I couldn't help but think that Q must be out of his mind to play on a team that doesn't have to score almost every time it has the ball in order to win...that playing on a team with a defense that can shut the other offense down is such a welcome relief to a player like Q who has never had such a thing in Arizona.
As we know...the defense under Whiz has been a perennial house of cards. It can sit pretty for a few seconds until the winds of pressure roll in and woosh...it folds to the ground.
Whiz inherited DC Clancy Pendergast...and one may imagine that Whiz rues that decision probably more than any other, because he could have placed the defense in the hands of the right DC, right from the get-go.
Yet, Whiz misfired miserably when he handed the defensive keys over to his incumbent LB coach, Bill Davis.
Whiz now knows---without question---that this next hire of the DC is his most important hire. He cannot afford to misfire on this one---because, quite frankly, if his defense keeps rolling over to the tune of 40 something points a debacle---no one will take him and his Cardinals seriously.
My hunch is that Whiz already has a beat on the coach he is going to hire and that not only that, there have been some discussions as to whatever defensive assistants can and should be added. But---in this case---and I have believed all along that it is Dick LeBeau.
Even though LeBeau has said all the right things to take the focus off himself during the Super Bowl preparation---I think LeBeau welcomes the new challenge and welcomes the notion of being able to golf year-round (which keep him the youngest looking and fittest 73 year old in the USA).
Now---would Larry Fitzgerald know about Whiz's plan for offering the job to Dick LeBeau?
Not specifically...
But...I would be willing to bet that Whiz has indicated to Fitz that he (Fitz) will be very pleased with what he (Whiz) has in mind for the defense.
Hiring the right DC is half the battle...the other quarters of the battle are (a) getting the returning players to commit themselves to the new program, both physcially and mentally; and (b) adding the right complementary talent at need areas such as OLB.
Whiz is right to believe that he has a good core of young talent on defense...
But he know they are way too old at linebacker...he addressed that with the selections of Daryl Washington and O'Brien Schofield in last year's draft...and one would expect the Cardinals to use two more picks this year on linebackers...almost certainly using the #5 pick to draft a stud edge pass rusher.
What Whiz believes---and again rightly so---if Dick LeBeau becomes the new DC---the free agents will line up at the chance to play for him. Pittsburgh was never big on adding free agents...but for LeBeau to get his type of players in place, he will have that chance in Arizona.
If LeBeau does elect to retire or stay on in Pittsburgh, the new DC will have ties to LeBeau and his system---that, it would seem, is a vital ingredient in the recipe.
2. Fixing the QB Situation.
There is no question that Whiz and Fitz have talked about this...and that they have examined all the possible options...and that there indeed is a plan in place.
This one could turn out to be quite a surprise...or maybe not. My hunches are:
(a) They will not draft a QB at #5. The plan is to keep grooming Skelton as the starter in two to three years. They see enough in him to believe he is worth being the young QB to groom. Of course, Fitz had a 100 plus yard game versus Dallas with Skelton supplying the strikes...and that has helped.
(b) The QB at the top of their list? No, it's not Marc Bulger...Bulger was just the only serviceable vet available in May after Whiz became more convinced during mini-camps that the combination of Leinart and Anderson wasn't going to cut it.
I am convinced it is Carson Palmer...and that it is no coincidence that Palmer has been adamant about wanting to be traded. Palmer would like to go back west and having Fitz (the anti-Ocho, anti-TO WR Superstar) and the rest of the talented Cardinals' WR corps to throw to---is ideal.
Thus Whiz will be prepared to offer the Bengals this year's 2nd rounder (#38) and next year's 3rd rounder (with the possibility of it becoming a 2nd rounder based on the strength Palmer's performance---and/or if the Cardinals make the playoffs).
The Bengals are sitting at #4 in this year's draft...and it would not surprise me if they are quietly thinking about a QB there---in my opinion, the QB they are looking cosely at: Cam Newton.
They just fired their long-time OC in Bob Bratkowski---which could have significance too, in that they will want the right OC to work with Newton.
Then with the #35 and #38 picks early in round two they will be in a great position to add two very good puzzle pieces...or to trade back into the 1st round to pick a player they want.
There are two possible flies in the ointment here: (a) that Mike Brown remains adamant about not trading Palmer---but---if indeed they draft Newton at #4, it would be too expensive to be pay both Palmer and Newton big-time QB dollars; (b) that Pete Carroll wiggles in here as he did in the Charlie Whitehurst situation and offers their first (#21) and a third (with the same performance condition).
If the Seahawks make such an offer...the Cardinals' options then become:
(a) Offer a swap of the #5 and #35 picks...which could allow the Bengals to come out of the first round with both Cam Newton and A.J. Green (now that would be the talk of the draft wouldn't it?)...and would allow the Cardinals to get the QB they want and have the #35 and #38 picks to address other key needs with.
(b) Make the same offer of the #38 pick and a 2012 3rd (conditional) to Philadelphia for Kevin Kolb.
(c) Forget about giving up anything and simply sign Matt Hasselbeck. Hasselbeck could well be the right fit in this offense if he can stay healthy.
In addtion...the Cardinals will sign another free agent QB as insurance and to be the clear #2 while Skelton continues the grooming process.
My hunch is...it will be Troy Smith. Whiz was impressed with Smith when he helped to put a licking on the Cardinals on MNF. Smith is still young, has an active arm and good feet and could thrive in the right situation.
Recipe type players as free agent or trade targets:
TE Zach Miller---who would love to back to Arizona.
WR Robert Meachem---if they can't agree to terms with Steve Breaston.
G Logan Mankins---if he doesn't get f-tagged.
RB Mike Tolbert---pound it with the Toll Booth.
There are some of the major ingredients of Whiz's recipe...I think...
Sprinkled with salt, pepper, oregano and a dash of stardust...
Fitz says that he loved being in the playoffs the past two years and that he wants every chance he can get to hoist the Lombardi...and thus he wants to be on a perennial winner.
So what is Whiz's plan to ensure that this past year was an anomaly and that the Cardinals will return to being a perrenial winner and contender for the Lombardi?
1. Making the defense stand up. I don't know about you---but when I was watching Anquan Boldin in the playoffs this year, I couldn't help but think that Q must be out of his mind to play on a team that doesn't have to score almost every time it has the ball in order to win...that playing on a team with a defense that can shut the other offense down is such a welcome relief to a player like Q who has never had such a thing in Arizona.
As we know...the defense under Whiz has been a perennial house of cards. It can sit pretty for a few seconds until the winds of pressure roll in and woosh...it folds to the ground.
Whiz inherited DC Clancy Pendergast...and one may imagine that Whiz rues that decision probably more than any other, because he could have placed the defense in the hands of the right DC, right from the get-go.
Yet, Whiz misfired miserably when he handed the defensive keys over to his incumbent LB coach, Bill Davis.
Whiz now knows---without question---that this next hire of the DC is his most important hire. He cannot afford to misfire on this one---because, quite frankly, if his defense keeps rolling over to the tune of 40 something points a debacle---no one will take him and his Cardinals seriously.
My hunch is that Whiz already has a beat on the coach he is going to hire and that not only that, there have been some discussions as to whatever defensive assistants can and should be added. But---in this case---and I have believed all along that it is Dick LeBeau.
Even though LeBeau has said all the right things to take the focus off himself during the Super Bowl preparation---I think LeBeau welcomes the new challenge and welcomes the notion of being able to golf year-round (which keep him the youngest looking and fittest 73 year old in the USA).
Now---would Larry Fitzgerald know about Whiz's plan for offering the job to Dick LeBeau?
Not specifically...
But...I would be willing to bet that Whiz has indicated to Fitz that he (Fitz) will be very pleased with what he (Whiz) has in mind for the defense.
Hiring the right DC is half the battle...the other quarters of the battle are (a) getting the returning players to commit themselves to the new program, both physcially and mentally; and (b) adding the right complementary talent at need areas such as OLB.
Whiz is right to believe that he has a good core of young talent on defense...
But he know they are way too old at linebacker...he addressed that with the selections of Daryl Washington and O'Brien Schofield in last year's draft...and one would expect the Cardinals to use two more picks this year on linebackers...almost certainly using the #5 pick to draft a stud edge pass rusher.
What Whiz believes---and again rightly so---if Dick LeBeau becomes the new DC---the free agents will line up at the chance to play for him. Pittsburgh was never big on adding free agents...but for LeBeau to get his type of players in place, he will have that chance in Arizona.
If LeBeau does elect to retire or stay on in Pittsburgh, the new DC will have ties to LeBeau and his system---that, it would seem, is a vital ingredient in the recipe.
2. Fixing the QB Situation.
There is no question that Whiz and Fitz have talked about this...and that they have examined all the possible options...and that there indeed is a plan in place.
This one could turn out to be quite a surprise...or maybe not. My hunches are:
(a) They will not draft a QB at #5. The plan is to keep grooming Skelton as the starter in two to three years. They see enough in him to believe he is worth being the young QB to groom. Of course, Fitz had a 100 plus yard game versus Dallas with Skelton supplying the strikes...and that has helped.
(b) The QB at the top of their list? No, it's not Marc Bulger...Bulger was just the only serviceable vet available in May after Whiz became more convinced during mini-camps that the combination of Leinart and Anderson wasn't going to cut it.
I am convinced it is Carson Palmer...and that it is no coincidence that Palmer has been adamant about wanting to be traded. Palmer would like to go back west and having Fitz (the anti-Ocho, anti-TO WR Superstar) and the rest of the talented Cardinals' WR corps to throw to---is ideal.
Thus Whiz will be prepared to offer the Bengals this year's 2nd rounder (#38) and next year's 3rd rounder (with the possibility of it becoming a 2nd rounder based on the strength Palmer's performance---and/or if the Cardinals make the playoffs).
The Bengals are sitting at #4 in this year's draft...and it would not surprise me if they are quietly thinking about a QB there---in my opinion, the QB they are looking cosely at: Cam Newton.
They just fired their long-time OC in Bob Bratkowski---which could have significance too, in that they will want the right OC to work with Newton.
Then with the #35 and #38 picks early in round two they will be in a great position to add two very good puzzle pieces...or to trade back into the 1st round to pick a player they want.
There are two possible flies in the ointment here: (a) that Mike Brown remains adamant about not trading Palmer---but---if indeed they draft Newton at #4, it would be too expensive to be pay both Palmer and Newton big-time QB dollars; (b) that Pete Carroll wiggles in here as he did in the Charlie Whitehurst situation and offers their first (#21) and a third (with the same performance condition).
If the Seahawks make such an offer...the Cardinals' options then become:
(a) Offer a swap of the #5 and #35 picks...which could allow the Bengals to come out of the first round with both Cam Newton and A.J. Green (now that would be the talk of the draft wouldn't it?)...and would allow the Cardinals to get the QB they want and have the #35 and #38 picks to address other key needs with.
(b) Make the same offer of the #38 pick and a 2012 3rd (conditional) to Philadelphia for Kevin Kolb.
(c) Forget about giving up anything and simply sign Matt Hasselbeck. Hasselbeck could well be the right fit in this offense if he can stay healthy.
In addtion...the Cardinals will sign another free agent QB as insurance and to be the clear #2 while Skelton continues the grooming process.
My hunch is...it will be Troy Smith. Whiz was impressed with Smith when he helped to put a licking on the Cardinals on MNF. Smith is still young, has an active arm and good feet and could thrive in the right situation.
Recipe type players as free agent or trade targets:
TE Zach Miller---who would love to back to Arizona.
WR Robert Meachem---if they can't agree to terms with Steve Breaston.
G Logan Mankins---if he doesn't get f-tagged.
RB Mike Tolbert---pound it with the Toll Booth.
There are some of the major ingredients of Whiz's recipe...I think...
Sprinkled with salt, pepper, oregano and a dash of stardust...
