Whoa Whoa Whoa... Hold on a minute there campers...

[Crimson Warrior]

10 wins? Playoffs? Superbowl?

Please. I think everyone is just a little too excited. Lets all calm down, and take a realistic look at our situation.

First let me sing the praises of Denny and Rod. We've had what appears to be another great draft, and productive free agency period.

I think we've improved the 12th ranked defense in 04'. No bagging on the D' is allowed. It's off the table.

But what was really the problem in 04? Special Teams? Offense. Oh yeah.

We stunk up the field on offense in 04'. Are we sure we have the horses in place in 05' to get us 10 wins?

Three positions were in bad shape in 04. RG, QB and RB. So were gonna plug two rookies and broke Kurt Warner in those spots and book our tickets for the superbowl?

Come on guys.

I wanna believe that Warner will regain his old form. And Brown will be the answer to our prayers at RG, and Arrington will light up opposing defenses the way he did in college.

I get a little giddy when I think of Warner standing behind that massive O-Line, throwing laser beams to our WRs. Or JJ turning the corner after Ross and Brown have mauled the right side of the defense.

But we need to face the fact that the RB and QB positions might still be broke, because Warner and JJ are certainly not sure things. If Warner melts down, and JJ struggles, and Josh can't stup up his game a notch, we probably wont make the playoffs. Pendergast's crew might will us to six or seven wins by themselves, but the offense is what needs to improve dramatically if are to make the second season in 05.

Right now, thats a big if.

 

[GreenCard]

Great Blue North Draft Report has us drafting another player from Virginia,Brooks--ILB

Drafting from the #5 hole. In the 2006 Draft.

 

[Capt'nCard]

Party pooper..... Let the kids drink their kool aid and have some fun!!!!

 

[azdad1978]

Let the kids drink their kool aid and have some fun!!!!

You must be registered for see images

 

[ThunderCard]

Three positions were in bad shape in 04. RG, QB and RB. So were gonna plug two rookies and broke Kurt Warner in those spots and book our tickets for the superbowl?


Right now, thats a big if.

Also add in RT and TE were also broken in 04. i think our line is finally fixed or at least I hope so. With TE I am convinced Rowen can work with what he got and make the position a huge uprage over last year.

You are right though and QB and RB are big question marks still. At least I rather go with Warner and JJ over Josh and a over the hill E Smith.

Out of all the choices for QB, Warner made the best choice and RB is still to be determined. I think what was left on the table and what was possible to place together we made a GREAT choice. So Henry vs JJ would be a great question.

 

[Buckybird]

He is just mad that Jason White didn't get drafted. I'm joking but could not
resist.

 

[arthurracoon]

 

[Crimson Warrior]

You are right though and QB and RB are big question marks still. At least I rather go with Warner and JJ over Josh and a over the hill E Smith.

.

JJ over Smith definitely.

And Warner was the best of a bad QB lot in FA. If anybody can get him back to 99', its DG.

 

[Crimson Warrior]

He is just mad that Jason White didn't get drafted. I'm joking but could not
resist.

That's it Buckybird, you're on my list!

 

[slanidrac16]

JJ over Smith definitely.

And Warner was the best of a bad QB lot in FA. If anybody can get him back to 99', its DG.

Do you realize that if Warner is on 80% of what he was , that still translates into 30 td's and 3000 yds?

 

[JasonKGME]

10 wins? Playoffs? Superbowl?

Please. I think everyone is just a little too excited. Lets all calm down, and take a realistic look at our situation.

First let me sing the praises of Denny and Rod. We've had what appears to be another great draft, and productive free agency period.

I think we've improved the 12th ranked defense in 04'. No bagging on the D' is allowed. It's off the table.

But what was really the problem in 04? Special Teams? Offense. Oh yeah.

We stunk up the field on offense in 04'. Are we sure we have the horses in place in 05' to get us 10 wins?

Three positions were in bad shape in 04. RG, QB and RB. So were gonna plug two rookies and broke Kurt Warner in those spots and book our tickets for the superbowl?

Come on guys.

I wanna believe that Warner will regain his old form. And Brown will be the answer to our prayers at RG, and Arrington will light up opposing defenses the way he did in college.

I get a little giddy when I think of Warner standing behind that massive O-Line, throwing laser beams to our WRs. Or JJ turning the corner after Ross and Brown have mauled the right side of the defense.

But we need to face the fact that the RB and QB positions might still be broke, because Warner and JJ are certainly not sure things. If Warner melts down, and JJ struggles, and Josh can't stup up his game a notch, we probably wont make the playoffs. Pendergast's crew might will us to six or seven wins by themselves, but the offense is what needs to improve dramatically if are to make the second season in 05.

Right now, thats a big if.

Here's my 2 cents on the excitement...

Last year the defense was 12th in the league and kept us close in ALOT of games that the Offense unfortunatly couldnt get it done.

So keep that in mind, we improved the defense in my opinion, now lets assume it was only a slight improvement (I think slight is an understatement but lets leave it at that)

So in 2003 we gave up an average of 28.25 points per game on defense, we improved that in 2004 to an average of 20.2 points per game.

In 2003 our offense scored an average of 14.1 points per game, and improved that in 2004 to an average of 17.75 points per game.

The #10 ranked team last year on defense points gave up an average of 19 points per game, so assume we only improved 2 spots on defense (and like I said I think we are going to be in the top 10 for sure, and possibly even top 5 this year, but lets assume just #10).

Based on above that means we just need an additional 1.25 points per game better then last year or 7 additional FG's from the offense over the length of the season, thats an extra field goal less then every other game, but with it since the Cards lost 4 games by 3 or less points, that with the extra 3 points on the offense and the extra point less by the defense instead of being 6-10, now we are 10-6.


Now that means we have to figure did the offense improve by a whopping 7 FG's extra this year? lets look at additions and subtractions:

Addition, Anquan Boldin healthy all year long, lets assume that he will get 1 more TD this year during the extra 7 games he'll play over the Karl Williams who was filling in while he was gone. so there's 7 of our 20 points needed.

Loss Anthony Clement - started 7 games last year, Oliver Ross filling in this year for those 7 games, gotta say an improvement, any points, lets say no.

Addition Elton Brown - Could really push 2nd year Bridges or possible even replace him either way, will either be a wash or a plus.

Loss Freddie Jones - caught a whopping 2 TD's lets assume we can even that out with any tight end on the team, so wash

Loss Emmitt Smith - rushed for 937 yards on 267 carries for 3.5 yards per carry with 9 TD's. Emmitt was a GREAT RB during his days, these #'s are fairly pedestrian for the NFL, I am going to assume either Shipp comes back healthy and shows he can be the starter or Arrington can show some flashes on why DG loves him, and we can match these #'s especially with the upgrade of Ross over Clement and the addition of Elton Brown our RB's should get a few better holes to run behind so call this a wash as well.

Addition Kurt Warner - this is where we make or break this idea, there are 3 schools of thought here and to be honest noone knows for sure which its gonna be,
1. Kurt will return somewhat to his old form with 3 pretty good recievers, and a improved pass protecting O-line (heck we're better then NY thats for sure), if so, definitly think we should increase from McCown's very poor 11 TD's in 13 starts, lets assume Kurt comes back even 70% of his heydays in St. Louis which would be best scenario he would throw 1.6 TD's per game vs, McCowns .8 TD's per game, which means we dould double or TD's per game, over a 16 games season that would make 12 additional TD's or 84 additional points pushing us WELL past the 20 we need.
2. Kurt returns only a little to his old form looking better then 2004 form so he throws 1.2 TD's per game which would give us 6 more TD's then last year or 42 more points more then the 20 we need.
3. Kurt stays true to his last 3 years form, and plays at the same level as McCown and we suck in the passing game allowing teams to stack the box same as last year and we improve nothing here.

So you can see why there is some optimism for a 10 win season.









OK, I just read all my babblin above, and while I agree with it not sure how coherant it all is, please forgive me i have this flu bug and am on large doses of Nyquil. *GRIN* So if hard to understand, I do appologize.

 

[seesred]

Warner was 5-1 with the Giants when all hell broke loose in N.Y. The record became 5-4 and Kurt was replaced. What happened? Number 1 no running game. Number 2 a O-line much worse than ours was. Kurt is a two time MVP and Super bowl winner. I believe he is 33 nor 34 years old. He has 2-4 years left if the following does happen.

He gets an O-line that can give him time and a running back that can actually break through this massive line. Now the defense can't key in on a 1 dementional offense. Warner is a winner. His last two years was a time to finnally heal his wounds. He hasn't been tackled for 6 months or more. He has a new life and wants to prove he can be a winner again. MY money is on Kurt to bring us home. We were so cl;ose in so many games last year. New England 1 touchdown wins the game, the two SF games, and many more were winnable.We will be better and 4 wins better is a real strong possability. Heck we were the 12th best defense last year. With Mac in the middle and rookies starters and a problem with corners.Let's line em up boys it's going to be fun.

GBR
40
IN Green we trust

 

[clif]

You do realize this team won 6 games last year WHILE losing 2 games to the 49ERS and a heartbreaking one to the Falcons.

that's 8 games right there. Throw in the first game of the year against the rams when they got robbed on a holding call and there are 9 wins.


add 1 more they win that they shouldn't and there you go!



Edit: thanks ajcardfan

 

[ajcardfan]

You do realize this team won 4 games last year

We won six!

 

[clif]

We won six!

DOH! i knew my math was off

I knew there was some way I could add to get 10

 

[ThunderCard]

Here's my 2 cents on the excitement...

Last year the defense was 12th in the league and kept us close in ALOT of games that the Offense unfortunatly couldnt get it done.

So keep that in mind, we improved the defense in my opinion, now lets assume it was only a slight improvement (I think slight is an understatement but lets leave it at that)

So in 2003 we gave up an average of 28.25 points per game on defense, we improved that in 2004 to an average of 20.2 points per game.

In 2003 our offense scored an average of 14.1 points per game, and improved that in 2004 to an average of 17.75 points per game.

The #10 ranked team last year on defense points gave up an average of 19 points per game, so assume we only improved 2 spots on defense (and like I said I think we are going to be in the top 10 for sure, and possibly even top 5 this year, but lets assume just #10).

Based on above that means we just need an additional 1.25 points per game better then last year or 7 additional FG's from the offense over the length of the season, thats an extra field goal less then every other game, but with it since the Cards lost 4 games by 3 or less points, that with the extra 3 points on the offense and the extra point less by the defense instead of being 6-10, now we are 10-6.


Now that means we have to figure did the offense improve by a whopping 7 FG's extra this year? lets look at additions and subtractions:

Addition, Anquan Boldin healthy all year long, lets assume that he will get 1 more TD this year during the extra 7 games he'll play over the Karl Williams who was filling in while he was gone. so there's 7 of our 20 points needed.

Loss Anthony Clement - started 7 games last year, Oliver Ross filling in this year for those 7 games, gotta say an improvement, any points, lets say no.

Addition Elton Brown - Could really push 2nd year Bridges or possible even replace him either way, will either be a wash or a plus.

Loss Freddie Jones - caught a whopping 2 TD's lets assume we can even that out with any tight end on the team, so wash

Loss Emmitt Smith - rushed for 937 yards on 267 carries for 3.5 yards per carry with 9 TD's. Emmitt was a GREAT RB during his days, these #'s are fairly pedestrian for the NFL, I am going to assume either Shipp comes back healthy and shows he can be the starter or Arrington can show some flashes on why DG loves him, and we can match these #'s especially with the upgrade of Ross over Clement and the addition of Elton Brown our RB's should get a few better holes to run behind so call this a wash as well.

Addition Kurt Warner - this is where we make or break this idea, there are 3 schools of thought here and to be honest noone knows for sure which its gonna be,
1. Kurt will return somewhat to his old form with 3 pretty good recievers, and a improved pass protecting O-line (heck we're better then NY thats for sure), if so, definitly think we should increase from McCown's very poor 11 TD's in 13 starts, lets assume Kurt comes back even 70% of his heydays in St. Louis which would be best scenario he would throw 1.6 TD's per game vs, McCowns .8 TD's per game, which means we dould double or TD's per game, over a 16 games season that would make 12 additional TD's or 84 additional points pushing us WELL past the 20 we need.
2. Kurt returns only a little to his old form looking better then 2004 form so he throws 1.2 TD's per game which would give us 6 more TD's then last year or 42 more points more then the 20 we need.
3. Kurt stays true to his last 3 years form, and plays at the same level as McCown and we suck in the passing game allowing teams to stack the box same as last year and we improve nothing here.

So you can see why there is some optimism for a 10 win season.









OK, I just read all my babblin above, and while I agree with it not sure how coherant it all is, please forgive me i have this flu bug and am on large doses of Nyquil. *GRIN* So if hard to understand, I do appologize.

Nice post !!!!

 

[EndZone]

You do realize this team won 6 games last year WHILE losing 2 games to the 49ERS and a heartbreaking one to the Falcons.

that's 8 games right there. Throw in the first game of the year against the rams when they got robbed on a holding call and there are 9 wins.


add 1 more they win that they shouldn't and there you go!



Edit: thanks ajcardfan

6 games plus 2 SF and 1 ATL is 9 plus the first game is 10.

 

[clif]

6 games plus 2 SF and 1 ATL is 9 plus the first game is 10.

hey i'm done with the math thing..


but I'm sure everyone got my point hopefully

 

[JeffGollin]

Realistically - Barring anythng unforeseen, will we be 4 games better than we were a year ago? (Buehler? Buehler?)

Let's go down the roster:

Warner, McCown and Navarre is better than McCown, King, Navarre

Arrington, Shipp and Hambrick are better than Emmitt, Shipp (inj.) and Hambrick (inj.)

Fitz, Q & BJ are back. The new crop of youngsters could make us better but, at the very least, this unit should be equal to last year only one year more experienced.

FJ is gone. But what production did he give us last year anyway. On paper this unit is the only one on the roster where you have to chalk up a questionmark talent and production-wise.

Davis-Wells-Stepanovich-Brown or Bridges-Ross is better than Davis-Wells-Stepanovich-Bridges/Spikes or Clement/Shelton

Okeafor-Dockett-Davis-Berry is better than Zellner-Dockett-Davis-Berry

Dansby-Hayes/Huff-Darling/Blackstock is better than Dansby-McKinnon-Darling

Macklin-Rolle-Wilson-Griffin is better than Macklin-Hill-Wilson-Ohalete.

Add to this better depth behind these guys, more competition at each position and a whole bunch of hungry backup guys we haven't even mentioned and, yeah, I think we're four games better than last year. Don't you?

 

[CardLogic]

Hells Yeah!

 

[Duckjake]

The number one factor in how this season will turn out is has the team learned how to win. They blew some chances to come from behind and couldn't close out some where they had the lead. Which is to be expected from a team that had lost as often as the Cards.

My bet is that Green will have them prepared to win ball games this season and have eliminated the snatching defeat from the jaws of victory syndrome that has plagued this franchise for years.

So I am excited.

Strange that Crimson Warrior would be the one starting this thread when you consider all OU did to go from the bottom of the Big 12 to a national championship was change coaches.

 

[Jersey Girl]

Party pooper..... Let the kids drink their kool aid and have some fun!!!!

As the commercial during the Super Bowl said ... as of tomorrow (today), we are all undefeated!!!

 

[Red Hawk]

10 wins? Playoffs? Superbowl?

Please. I think everyone is just a little too excited. Lets all calm down, and take a realistic look at our situation.

First let me sing the praises of Denny and Rod. We've had what appears to be another great draft, and productive free agency period.

I think we've improved the 12th ranked defense in 04'. No bagging on the D' is allowed. It's off the table.

But what was really the problem in 04? Special Teams? Offense. Oh yeah.

We stunk up the field on offense in 04'. Are we sure we have the horses in place in 05' to get us 10 wins?

Three positions were in bad shape in 04. RG, QB and RB. So were gonna plug two rookies and broke Kurt Warner in those spots and book our tickets for the superbowl?

Come on guys.

I wanna believe that Warner will regain his old form. And Brown will be the answer to our prayers at RG, and Arrington will light up opposing defenses the way he did in college.

I get a little giddy when I think of Warner standing behind that massive O-Line, throwing laser beams to our WRs. Or JJ turning the corner after Ross and Brown have mauled the right side of the defense.

But we need to face the fact that the RB and QB positions might still be broke, because Warner and JJ are certainly not sure things. If Warner melts down, and JJ struggles, and Josh can't stup up his game a notch, we probably wont make the playoffs. Pendergast's crew might will us to six or seven wins by themselves, but the offense is what needs to improve dramatically if are to make the second season in 05.

Right now, thats a big if.

Guess it's true what they say in Texas. Okey's don't no nothin about football!

 

[PortlandCardFan]

You'se guys are forgettin one thing..... we have new uni's!!!

That is easily one 'W'!!!!

 

[Rocco]

I'm excited about this year too but I think 8 to 9 wins is a reasonable prediction.

We still have an uncertain running game/run defense that could lead to some inconsistent performances. Plus I think the extra road game will have an effect on our season (at least adding to the late season fatigue factor). We definitely will need some luck with injuries.
I'll be ok with a .500 record. 9-7 would be great IMO. 7-9 would be a disappointment unless we have major injury problems. I think a lot of things will have to go right for us this year, along the lines of '98, to get to 10 wins. Hopefully we catch all the breaks but I'm not expecting it.