Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Schedule
I am disappointed that the Cardinals do not have an opening weekend national TV. I know they haven't won games to deserve it, but Oakland? They have won 12 games in 3 years and they play on Monday night?
Bottom line - I want, at a minimum, to open at home. That is really all I care about. As long as they start the season at home - 2nd time in 18 years. My guess is that since they are pretty much assured they will sell out the first game - to maximize sales - they will have us play Detroit as the season opener. I'm ok with that. Could be a good story line if Josh McCown starts.
Looks like Denver will be here twice. They are slated as the last home pre-season game. Plus, they will be here for a regular season as well.
We open the pre-season against Pittsburgh at home. This will be fun.
Bottom line - I want, at a minimum, to open at home. That is really all I care about. As long as they start the season at home - 2nd time in 18 years. My guess is that since they are pretty much assured they will sell out the first game - to maximize sales - they will have us play Detroit as the season opener. I'm ok with that. Could be a good story line if Josh McCown starts.
Looks like Denver will be here twice. They are slated as the last home pre-season game. Plus, they will be here for a regular season as well.
We open the pre-season against Pittsburgh at home. This will be fun.
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Line troubles
I'm very glad they matched the offer to keep Reggie Wells. This was a good move and something the old Cardinals would have never done. Reggie was a 6th round pick from the McGuiness era, and it's not like you were going to find another 6th rounder like him come in and produce.
Now - go out and sing Larry Allen from the Cowboys. He is a 10 time pro-bowler, he is 34 and you could get him relatively cheap. A 2-year deal worth about $6m would be right. He would add instant credibility to your line and show the fans / team that you are serious.
Rod Graves has said they have little interest, they have invested a lot with Milford Brown and Reggie Wells, they are confident of their line's ability. It doesn't matter - sign Allen for what he adds, then you have good depth as well!
So far I give the Cardinals off season a "c" even with the Edge signing!
Now - go out and sing Larry Allen from the Cowboys. He is a 10 time pro-bowler, he is 34 and you could get him relatively cheap. A 2-year deal worth about $6m would be right. He would add instant credibility to your line and show the fans / team that you are serious.
Rod Graves has said they have little interest, they have invested a lot with Milford Brown and Reggie Wells, they are confident of their line's ability. It doesn't matter - sign Allen for what he adds, then you have good depth as well!
So far I give the Cardinals off season a "c" even with the Edge signing!
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Pat Kirwin from NFL.com
Words from Pat Kirwin:
" The Cardinals are going to have a hard time staying away from a three-receiver, one-tight end, one-running back package now that Edgerrin James is the running back and was very productive as a Colt in that personnel grouping. If Dennis Green gets a tight end like Vernon Davis from Maryland in the draft, watch out everyone. The spread offense in Arizona will be as dangerous as it gets."
Sounds fun - let go Cards!
Dan Z from Ourlads.com says that Milford Brown is a good signing, and Cardinals fans will be surprised. Scouting service could not understand why Milford wasn't the starter on the bad Texan line, but will add necessary toughness to the Cardinals.
" The Cardinals are going to have a hard time staying away from a three-receiver, one-tight end, one-running back package now that Edgerrin James is the running back and was very productive as a Colt in that personnel grouping. If Dennis Green gets a tight end like Vernon Davis from Maryland in the draft, watch out everyone. The spread offense in Arizona will be as dangerous as it gets."
Sounds fun - let go Cards!
Dan Z from Ourlads.com says that Milford Brown is a good signing, and Cardinals fans will be surprised. Scouting service could not understand why Milford wasn't the starter on the bad Texan line, but will add necessary toughness to the Cardinals.
Sunday, March 12, 2006
The Edge
It's clearly an understatement to say how excited I am to sign Edgerrin James. This is probably our biggest free agent signing ever. He can still play, and I think will do well in our system if we commit to giving him the ball.
Everybody wants to criticize the Cardinals -I know we need an O-line, but we are only 3 days into free agency. I realize they are not targeting big name lineman, but mostly back-up and fill guys, but the success of the offensive line relies heavily on quality coaching. I believe in Steve Loney - our new coach. I think we are not done signing -(Milford Brown is not exciting), and this team will be in the playoffs next year.
Lets go Cardinals!
Everybody wants to criticize the Cardinals -I know we need an O-line, but we are only 3 days into free agency. I realize they are not targeting big name lineman, but mostly back-up and fill guys, but the success of the offensive line relies heavily on quality coaching. I believe in Steve Loney - our new coach. I think we are not done signing -(Milford Brown is not exciting), and this team will be in the playoffs next year.
Lets go Cardinals!
Saturday, March 11, 2006
The latest
follow this link for free agent updates:
http://www.nfl.com/nflnetwork/story/9300482
Cards did sign DT Clancy - 4 years 8.1 Mil --Not the first guy I wanted, but might be a good back-up if we get Russel Davis back. Otherwise - he starts.
http://www.nfl.com/nflnetwork/story/9300482
Cards did sign DT Clancy - 4 years 8.1 Mil --Not the first guy I wanted, but might be a good back-up if we get Russel Davis back. Otherwise - he starts.
Friday, March 10, 2006
The Edge
Edgerrin James is coming to town. His agent Drew Rosenhaus is comiung with him. I hope the Cardinals do not let hime leave until he has a contract. This would be great. If we can sign the Edge - Kyle Kosier, Kevin Mawae of the Jets and defensive tackle Ma'ake Kemoeatu of the Ravens. Don't forget Julian Peterson - this would be a great free agency coo.
Priority should be Edge - and Julian Peterson. I already know they are not going after LeCharles Bently - the best free agent Lineman available, but the other lineman are servicable. Kevin Mawae is old, 12 year vet, 6 time pro bowler, but could give us leadership and some nastiness our line needs.
Russel Davis update - according to Davis - the coaches have called him many times saying they want him back - but his agent says they are offering back-up money for Russel to start. So Russel is going to make a few trips to see what is out there. My guess - is he will return finding out that there won't be any huge offers out there for him.
I like Davis though and it would be nice to keep him - but Ma'ake Kemoeatu would be a run stuffing upgrade.
After figuring rookie pool, reserve for injured players, and re-signing their own players, Cardinals have around $18 million to spend.
O-Line Coach Steve Loney says that Reggie Wells is the best on our line. That is what McGuiness was saying all along - nice draft pick Dave!.
Priority should be Edge - and Julian Peterson. I already know they are not going after LeCharles Bently - the best free agent Lineman available, but the other lineman are servicable. Kevin Mawae is old, 12 year vet, 6 time pro bowler, but could give us leadership and some nastiness our line needs.
Russel Davis update - according to Davis - the coaches have called him many times saying they want him back - but his agent says they are offering back-up money for Russel to start. So Russel is going to make a few trips to see what is out there. My guess - is he will return finding out that there won't be any huge offers out there for him.
I like Davis though and it would be nice to keep him - but Ma'ake Kemoeatu would be a run stuffing upgrade.
After figuring rookie pool, reserve for injured players, and re-signing their own players, Cardinals have around $18 million to spend.
O-Line Coach Steve Loney says that Reggie Wells is the best on our line. That is what McGuiness was saying all along - nice draft pick Dave!.
Friday, March 03, 2006
Free agent list
Yeah - it's been awhile since I've updated.
Free agency will start Sunday at Midnight (eastern) after the extension, so alot of activity will happen then. According to Cardinals insiders, these are some of the guys they are targeting:
Julian Pederson - LB recently with San Francisco. I like this guy. He is a menace on the field. The problem is he has been injurey laden the last two years. But I still think this would be a great signing.
Milton Brown - OL Houston Texans - (Who?) exactly. Why do we want a lineman from the worst o-line in football. Why?
Kyle Koser - OL Detroit. Former ASU (That's always nice) Could be a consistent starter or a solid back-up. I like the guy.
Mike Anderson - RB Denver - He is a big runningback. Had over 1,000 yards last year, but it seems every Bronco RB gets that. He didn't show up much in the playoffs. He is older, but like Kurt Warner, his body is younger than most 30+ year olds in league because he was in the military and did not play football for a few years. He is probably better than Marcel Shipp - but who knows.
Will Allan - CB - A so - so cornerback. Would add nice depth to roster, no big splash.
That is what is frustrating - no big splash. Just because you have money, doesn't mean you spend it, but let's get a big signing in here. Show the fans and the team you are committed to winning.
I want them to go after Steve Hutchison from Seattle (OL). Seattle transistioned him, but we can still make a play. Cardinals excuse is that they do not want to negotiate for Seattle. I see it as a win-win situation. Make him a juicy offer that we can afford, but still slightly overpays. Either we get him and have a stud lineman - or we make Seattle pay more than they want to keep him. They are in the same division! Play hardball! WIN WIN for us to make big offer!
Free agency will start Sunday at Midnight (eastern) after the extension, so alot of activity will happen then. According to Cardinals insiders, these are some of the guys they are targeting:
Julian Pederson - LB recently with San Francisco. I like this guy. He is a menace on the field. The problem is he has been injurey laden the last two years. But I still think this would be a great signing.
Milton Brown - OL Houston Texans - (Who?) exactly. Why do we want a lineman from the worst o-line in football. Why?
Kyle Koser - OL Detroit. Former ASU (That's always nice) Could be a consistent starter or a solid back-up. I like the guy.
Mike Anderson - RB Denver - He is a big runningback. Had over 1,000 yards last year, but it seems every Bronco RB gets that. He didn't show up much in the playoffs. He is older, but like Kurt Warner, his body is younger than most 30+ year olds in league because he was in the military and did not play football for a few years. He is probably better than Marcel Shipp - but who knows.
Will Allan - CB - A so - so cornerback. Would add nice depth to roster, no big splash.
That is what is frustrating - no big splash. Just because you have money, doesn't mean you spend it, but let's get a big signing in here. Show the fans and the team you are committed to winning.
I want them to go after Steve Hutchison from Seattle (OL). Seattle transistioned him, but we can still make a play. Cardinals excuse is that they do not want to negotiate for Seattle. I see it as a win-win situation. Make him a juicy offer that we can afford, but still slightly overpays. Either we get him and have a stud lineman - or we make Seattle pay more than they want to keep him. They are in the same division! Play hardball! WIN WIN for us to make big offer!
