Why I for one am optimistic

[football karma]

For the past 19 years or so -- what has been the common theme with all the losing?

The continual search for a quarterback.

They have tried youngsters, veterans, reclamation projects, high draft picks, undrafted free agents, world league mvps, etc, etc, etc

-- and all have thrown interceptions by the bucketful.

As Duckjake pointed out earlier -- the team has a horrific history of td to interception ratios. Even the 98 year, I beleive Jake had a robust +1 TD to Int ratio for the whole year. Its hard to win when the QB position produces more interceptions than TDs.

Finally, the Cardinals dont have to go into an offseason thinking ---I really hope that retread we signed can play, or, I hope that youngster who threw a bunch of picks this past year can get better.

Winning in the NFL is so much easier when you have a QB that can efficiently operate an offense.

 

[CtCardinals78]

Even w/o a top 10 draft pick this is a playoff team next year @ 10-6 or 11-5. I think this team is going to shock people and I am going to say that they will win the NFC West. This team reminds me of the Panthers in 2001 where they won their remaining games and went to the Superbowl in 2002. I don't think they won't be in the Superbowl next year, but they will be in the playoffs. They have the attitude and now they have winners who will refuse to lose. They have tasted victory now and they want it. They needed to win a close one against a good team and they did. Regardless of who the coach is this team will romp next year.

 

[Buckybird]

Oh, how our thought's have changed over the past four weeks! I still think
we need more playmakers on defense: a CB, FS and another LB. We are
getting closer.

 

[CtCardinals78]

Oh, how our thought's have changed over the past four weeks! I still think
we need more playmakers on defense: a CB, FS and another LB. We are
getting closer.

I have been saying since June we were a 5-11 team this year and playoffs the year after. We should get A. Thomas or Lance Briggs, and Nate Clements or Asante Samuel this offseason, and move Rolle to FS. Draft an Olinman and we'll be all set.

 

[JeffGollin]

Optimistic? Pessimistic? Trying to predict the future is (a) like trying to play darts blindfolded against a moving target and (b) sets us up for disappointment.

That said -

- Although there are a few spots we could improve, I like the players who make up the lion's share of our current roster. (I wouldn't trade our roster for any other roster in the NFL)

- If nothing else, the Cards are an exciting team to watch - on both sides of the ball. (They're certainly not "beige")

- This team has controlled its own destiny in all but one or two games this season. The talent is there. The so-called "intangibles" (poise, discipline etc. haven't always been. ("It hasn't been about the other team. It's been about us")

- A really good off-season program (one that makes our younger guys stronger, hones their techniques, adds to team cohesion and makes everyone a smarter football player) could put us over the top big time. Don't underestimate its value. I really hope coaches and players do everything permitted under NFL labor regs to put in the extra hours needed to achieve this.

 

[Pariah]

I really think we're three players (and a coach with some common sense) away from the playoffs.

We need another solid player at these positions:
OT
OLB

And we need a better than solid player at CB.

JMHO

 

[Captain Matt]

Hopefully we resign Dansby so he doesn't hold-out (or have a mystery injury)

Hopefully we resign Green (he says he wont continue without a contract extension) or get way freaking lucky finding a replacement (I think firing Green sets us back yet again)

Darft BPA but hopefully that is a DB. Forget about the O-Line in the draft. Our guys actually look like unit cohesion is developing.....

Get the next Devon Hester.... I know, I know he's the type of player that only comes along once every 10 years or so, but still....

 

[Mulli]

I really think we're three players (and a coach with some common sense) away from the playoffs.

We need another solid player at these positions:
OT
OLB

And we need a better than solid player at CB.

JMHO

Once again, just wait for Par..Jason to post what I was going to post.

 

[Pariah]

I take back what I said, partly because I don't like being so closely associated with Mulli, and partly because I forgot about a C. We need a better C very badly.

 

[Mulli]

I take back what I said, partly because I don't like being so closely associated with Mulli, and partly because I forgot about a C. We need a better C very badly.

Oh yeah, I meant to post that we needed a center. Thanks.

 

[Skkorpion]

I take back what I said, partly because I don't like being so closely associated with Mulli, and partly because I forgot about a C. We need a better C very badly.

Disagree. We need a backup center in case Leckey gets hurt. Barring injury, Nick will start for many years. The team lists him as 6'3", 291 lbs. That's big enough and he's already making great line calls.

 

[football karma]

I guess my point is this:

There is almost a perfect correlation between the quality of the QB the Cardinals have had and their record. Not to say that Qb has been their only problem, but it has been the biggest problem.

The Cardinals now have a legitimate top 10 type QB. While there is still work to be done on other aspects of the team -- next year the will win more than they lose. Book it.

 

[az1965]

Disagree. We need a backup center in case Leckey gets hurt. Barring injury, Nick will start for many years. The team lists him as 6'3", 291 lbs. That's big enough and he's already making great line calls.

 

[Goldfield]

I have to agree about Lecky. I dont care how big/small he is. The guy is playing hard & is also a pretty fast linemen. Somthing this OLine has not had in along time.

 

[seesred]

As a strong cool aid person as far as the Cards go, I can honestly say that I love the make up of this team. I look foward to every game knowing that the talent level can compete with anyone. Next year with a good off season in the FA market, a solid draft, and Green staying put (if he is let go things tend to change with a new coach coming)we can go very far in the playoffs. We certainly can compete for the Western title.

We have the RB, QB, WR's, a line coming together. A defense that is a couple of players shy of being dominate. We may need a FG kicker as well. Bring Em on in 2007 it's going to be fun!

GBR
40

 

[TruColor]

I really thought that the Cardinals could have ended up 11-5 this season. Before the season started.

Now, I'm jumping in head-first into the Cardinals Kool-Aid vat and puttin' it down for 2007.

 

[CtCardinals78]

Optimistic? Pessimistic? Trying to predict the future is (a) like trying to play darts blindfolded against a moving target and (b) sets us up for disappointment.

I think that's the problem. People don't expect great things from the Cards ever. I would agree with you if we had average players. We have superstars at skilled posistions. It's time to put pressure on them and demand excellence instead of 8-8 after a 5-11 or 6-10 season. If you take this roster and move it Indy do you think people would be just hoping for mediocrity? This is not a 5-11, 8-8, or even a 9-7 type roster. This is a minimum 10-6 roster when everyone plays together. How many close ones did we lose this year? We need a real coach and a couple of players. Ever year there is a dark horse in the NFL that comes out of nowhere and surprises people. This year it's New Orleans. In 2007 it's Arizona you can count on it.

 

[CtCardinals78]

Jeff, I don't mean to imply that you don't want this team to succeed it's just that I think it's about time we set some expectations for this team. Predicting may be silly at this point, but hey why not we competed with good teams this year,and with everyone coming back pretty much, why not try to hang paper on next season? If I get disappointed so be it, it won't be the first time they let me down. I just need something to look forward to after a dismal season.

 

[Duckjake]

I guess my point is this:

There is almost a perfect correlation between the quality of the QB the Cardinals have had and their record. Not to say that Qb has been their only problem, but it has been the biggest problem.

The Cardinals now have a legitimate top 10 type QB. While there is still work to be done on other aspects of the team -- next year the will win more than they lose. Book it.

Since Brett Farve made his first start for Green Bay the Cardinals have had 17 different QB's. I believe only the Bears have had more.