You are the GM of the Cardinals, what do you do?

[Buckybird]

I would immediately start the search for my replacement.

The way Graves handles some of the extensions & redoing contracts, I agree. The "human snail" better be ready this offseason.

 

[Zeno]

So you are telling me that in all 4 of those years, we didn't win one game by 3 points or less that included a field goal kicked by Rakers?

Nope. 1 Game against the Falcons in 2007

Edit 2 games in '07 we won by 3 but were not settled on the last drive.

Otherwise our margin of victory was 4 or higher.

 

[Buckybird]

Nope. 1 Game against the Falcons in 2007

Edit 2 games in '07 we won by 3 but were not settled on the last drive.

Otherwise our margin of victory was 4 or higher.

I thought Rackers kicked a game winner against the Seahawks a few years back

 

[Zeno]

I thought Rackers kicked a game winner against the Seahawks a few years back

You are right...2007 week 2 we won by 3...so he is 2 for 7 on game winning or tying kicks since 2006

 

[CardShark]

First thing is to shore up Whiz and his staff. I would give him a lonnng term contract.
Next, I need a decision from Warner. If he wants to retire, I would see if he would stay on as a QB coach.
Don't know who would be available as a free agent, and wouldn't invest too much into it. It rarely works out.
I would try to extend Boldin, but if it's not close I would pursue a trade that would move us up to grab Rolondo McClain in the first round.
If a Dansby contract is reasonable, I would bring him back.
My draft would have a strong defense theme. We need LB's and CB's. We need a legit LT as well, but I would like to know what we have in the two tackles we have that haven't played.

 

[artp]

These post season posts (does that make sense?) are about the same every year. We are replacing 5- 6 players who contributed to consecutive NFC West titles with 5- 6 guys we don't know. It is not easy to come up with 4 guys who can play Playoff level football in the Draft. If Waner retires, it will be a rebulding year.

 

[Totally_Red]

These post season posts (does that make sense?) are about the same every year. We are replacing 5- 6 players who contributed to consecutive NFC West titles with 5- 6 guys we don't know. It is not easy to come up with 4 guys who can play Playoff level football in the Draft. If Waner retires, it will be a rebulding year.

I agree on that. His decision will influence a lot. If he goes another year, then Boldin stays to keep the offense intact. If he retires, all bets are off. In that case, the Cardinals have more money, but realistically it is at minimum a reload year, if not a rebuilding year. There are a lot of needs, backup QB for Leinart, ILB for Dansby, OLB to replace Okeafor and Berry, cornerbacks for depth and for dime packages replacing Adams and Brown, offensive tackle to replace Gandy or backup starter from current roster.

This offseason will be the toughest in a while for the front office and Whis.

 

[Duckjake]

You are right...2007 week 2 we won by 3...so he is 2 for 7 on game winning or tying kicks since 2006

That was the game where Hayes sacked Hasselback and recovered the fumble giving the Cards the shot at the win.

But it doesn't matter what else Rackers did. He missed the FG against the Bears that would have eliminated "Monday Night Meltdown" from the NFL dictionary.

 

[stewdog1]

1. Resign Whiz to at least another 4 year deal.

2. Sign Marc Bulger if he is released whether or not Warner is here. Why? If Warner remains, trade Leinart and draft a QBOF in the mid rounds of the draft. If Warner retires, keep Leinart, but make it an open competition in camp. We don't need a complacement Matt. He needs to earn the starting spot. He hasn't done that in my mind. As for Bulger, I've written before, he would be a great backup if he has the time to heal up and regain his confidence. Much like Warner had with us.

3. Trade Boldin for as much as you can get. If not, keep him at his current contract and let him walk at the end of next year.

4. Get a new Punt Returner. It is obvious that Breaston wants nothing to do with punt returns. Either draft someone who can do it, or find someone on the team that can.

5. Cut Urban. No brainer there.

6. Comb free agency for any and all linebackers. Preferably ones with pass rushing skills.

7. Consider upgrading at center and drafting a tackle. But give big Herman a chance to win a spot at LT in camp.

8. Seriously consider what to do with DC. Was it injury issues that caused us to give up 90 points in two games or was it the scheme?

 

[Doug]

One name not mentioned in most posts is the fact I'd definately try to keep Ware as he finally learned to tackle in the offseason and was around the ball a lot while he was healthy.

In many ways we need to become a much faster team.Maybe becoming a younger team brings that along with it. Also try again with Garvin and see if we can get a former track guy to be our returnman.

We must have a speedier reciever that isn't on our team as the season ended.The lack of a REAL fast deep threat to stretch the field allows Fitz to have too much coverage on him to be the reciever we need.The colts research got Garcon & Collie in late picks and a possible SB title the same year BYU is always a major passing team like Texas Tech was and the colts did thier due dilegence to find 2 such late round UNKNOWN diamonds.I'm sure having Manning working with them was a major factor in thier success.J.Urban experiment and nightmare memories needs to end!!!

The proposed thoughts on such high picks in trade for Q,I think are a pipe dream. Draft picks are too valuable once the draft is here.Those draft day trades are becoming rarer and rarer.I believe any deal for Q will be made before draft day and the 7 minutes you have to make a deal on draft day.

I'd make Gabe Watson get his knee cleaned up as fast as possible to avoid another season long weakness and hampering injury in such a key spot for our "D".

McFadden needs his walking papers pronto.Too late to ever fix him and his throw at me target.Toler with a great offseason can at least equal McFaddens ability and learn how to turn his head around and not BITE on every run fake like an unteachable rat.CB's have to have good instincts.McFadden has none.Plus good money saved.

How to get a proven pass rush threat I'll leave up to Joe as I doubt Graves knows how to do it on his own.

I think 2 years of respectability will help the CARDINALS in aquireing the folks we need.I pray so.We also need a proven fullback who can catch as a new weapon.Krieder must go.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

One name not mentioned in most posts is the fact I'd definately try yokeep Ware as he finally learned to tackle in the offseason and was around the ball a lot while he was healthy.

In many ways we need to become a much faster team.Maybe becoming a younger team brings that along with it. Also try again with Garvin and see if we can get a former track guy to be our returnman.

We must have a speedier reciever that isn't on our team as the season ended.The lack of a REAL fast deep threat to stretch the field allows Fitz to have too much coverage on him to be the reciever we need.The colts research got Garcon & Collie in late picks and a possible SB title the same year BYU is always a major passing team like Texas Tech was and the colts did thier due dilegence to find 2 such late round UNKNOWN diamonds.I'm sure having Manning working with them was a major factor in thier success.J.Urban experiment and nightmare memories needs to end!!!

The proposed thoughts on such high picks in trade for Q,I think are a pipe dream. Draft picks are too valuable once the draft is here.Those draft day trades are becoming rarer and rarer.I believe any deal for Q will be made before draft day and the 7 minutes you have to make a deal on draft day.

I'd make Gabe Watson get his knee cleaned up as fast as possible to avoid another season long weakness and hampering injury in such a key spot for our "D".

McFadden needs his walking papers pronto.Too late to ever fix him and his throw at me target.Tler with a great offseason can at least equal McFaddens ability and learn how to turn his head around and not BITE on every run fake like an unteachable rat.CB's have to have good instincts.McFadden has none.Plus good money saved.

How to get a proven pass rush threat I'll leave up to Joe as I doubt Graves knows how to do it on his own.

I think 2 years of respectability will help the CARDINALS in aquireing the folks we need.I pray so.We also need a proven fullback who can catch as a new weapon. Krieder must go.

My wrist will be ready by training camp.

- Just so you know Michael Ray Garvin was signed by the Lions, Jan. 5th

- I am with you on Matt Ware, most under-rated, and wrongfully abused player on this board.

 

[lauraw]

I'd put it on whizz to get the best GM in here while I extended his and John Lott's contracts. I'd give Whizz a 7 year deal, voidable after 5 if the unthinkable happens and he becomes stale. I'd make sure most of his coaches were re-upped for 4years and go over the D coaches with a fine toothed comb with him. Was it Personnel, injuries, scheme or a combination that allowed 90 pts in 2 games...? Is Bill Davis the answer? Put the pressure on Whizz.. Make the money decisions, Whizz...

 

[MoeIsBetter]

My wrist will be ready by training camp.

- Just so you know Michael Ray Garvin was signed by the Lions, Jan. 5th

- I am with you on Matt Ware, most under-rated, and wrongfully abused player on this board.

Not true. He is a free agent. He had surgery on his knee and reports were he signed with them but Urban said later that was untrue.

 

[Shane]

Not true. He is a free agent. He had surgery on his knee and reports were he signed with them but Urban said later that was untrue.

Funny considering he is listed at NFL.com as a member of the Detroit Lions.

http://www.nfl.com/players/michaelraygarvin/profile?id=GAR732619

 

[MoeIsBetter]

Funny considering he is listed at NFL.com as a member of the Detroit Lions.

http://www.nfl.com/players/michaelraygarvin/profile?id=GAR732619

You guys may be right but that's weird because he's not part of their 53 man roster. If he is, oh well. But I can't be the only one to remember that the reports were he signed but he never did. Anybody remember?

 

[Shane]

You guys may be right but that's weird because he's not part of their 53 man roster. If he is, oh well. But I can't be the only one to remember that the reports were he signed but he never did. Anybody remember?

Doesn't have to be on the active roster. Could be practice squad.

 

[MoeIsBetter]

So if he is on the practice squad he can still be had... Where is the issue?

 

[Shane]

So if he is on the practice squad he can still be had... Where is the issue?

I dont know if he is or he isnt. But if he is I'm quite sure whiz is smart enough to not go after him. the guy was an absolute bum in Training Camp.

 

[earthsci]

I dont know if he is or he isnt.

He is listed as on the Lions Practice Squad.

 

[Cards Czar]

I am worried about our RFA's Breston and Lutui. Even if we put a 1st rounder tag on them will a club try to snatch them away. Remember the Draft is a crap shoot and both of our RFA's are known quanities.

 

[Gaddabout]

- Hire DB Coach who teaches LOOKING for the BALL and tackling

There are Pro Bowl DBs who haven't mastered the skill of finding the ball in man coverage. Why do you think a DB coach is going to teach a roster of 7th round picks how to do this?

Requires an expertise in reading body language, strong peripheral vision, and a natural aptitude for anticipating what happens next. You can only do so much reading a route once you've turned your hips and have your back to the QB. The great cover corners are just naturally gifted and born to play that position.

Will agree the secondary took a step back this year, particularly in basic assignment football. I think it's because we played a lot more nickel and dime this year -- nickel and dime backs lowered the collective IQ of the coverage units.

 

[JC_AZ]

There are Pro Bowl DBs who haven't mastered the skill of finding the ball in man coverage. Why do you think a DB coach is going to teach a roster of 7th round picks how to do this?

Requires an expertise in reading body language, strong peripheral vision, and a natural aptitude for anticipating what happens next. You can only do so much reading a route once you've turned your hips and have your back to the QB. The great cover corners are just naturally gifted and born to play that position.

Will agree the secondary took a step back this year, particularly in basic assignment football. I think it's because we played a lot more nickel and dime this year -- nickel and dime backs lowered the collective IQ of the coverage units.

I guess I am of a different opinion since no one is above being 'coached up' in any job I am aware of...it was blatant with all of our DB's and has been for the last few years. I don't expect lesser-talented players to become pro-bowlers by improving our DB coaching techniques, but many of the long plays and PI's were directly related to not seeing the ball or even recognizing when to look for it...THIS can be coached and apparently it is not part of the effort being emphasized by the coach assigned to make these guys more effective in coverage...good Qb's playing the Cardinals were always EXPECTED to have good days against us because WE HAVE NOT IMPROVED... granted the pass rush was pretty inconsisent and often non-existent which will always make the DB's look bad, but improvement is a sign of LEARNING and this is NOT being accomplished with the current coach responsible to make that happen.

 

[Treefiddy]

#1 Extend Whiz. Players like him, and knowing he'll be around for a long time will make us a more attractive team for our players to resign, and free agents as well.

Resign Lutui
Resign Becht
Resign Spach
Resign Breaston
Resign Patrick
Resign Sendlein

Extend Rolle
Extend Reggie Wells

Originally had Branch and Doucet extended, but they'll be restricted so no need to take any action this year.

Attempt a front loaded extension for Dockett.

Trade Boldin to any AFC team for anything we can get for him. People keep posting their pipe dreams of getting 2 draft picks for him. Trade him for a 4th or 5th, don't care. I think Boldin is worth more than a 4th or 5th, but I think our offense is fine and we need to get something back for a sadly expendable Boldin.

Use a late round draft pick on a QB to serve as a backup (or get Palko on the squad). Along with this, sign a servicable second or third string QB. QB roster would look like: Leinart -> Draft/FA -> FA/Draft. Using a draft pick is unnecessary if Warner doesn't retire.

Use a first day pick on a OT.

All other draft picks to Defensive positions.

(Exceptions made for BPA with huge potential at any position).

With our one big Free Agent signing we'll get from Dansby, attempt to find either a high priced (but worth every penny) OLB, DB, or (last choice) OT.

If we put enough focus on bringing in Defensive Talent, then we can successfully make the transition to a defensive minded run first team that keeps our defense off the field and keeps them fresh throughout the season.

 

[earthsci]

Use a first day pick on a OT.

Hey Richard,
The first round is the only round on the first day. Don't know if that matters or not but just reminding.

 

[cardsfanmd]

So you are telling me that in all 4 of those years, we didn't win one game by 3 points or less that included a field goal kicked by Rakers?

No we didn't 40. His name is RaCkers!!! I have been watching you misspell it for years and I don't understand why. If he's so damned great then why don't you know how to spell his name? Nobody spelled Marino, Elway or Montana wrong