SB Nation - Scott Peters

Arizona Cardinals and Bertrand Berry Agree on One Year Contract

Hawkwind — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 12:37:03 -0000

The Arizona Cardinals continue to take care of their own, as they signed another of their veteran free agent. Bertrand Berry signed a one year contract yesterday, but financial terms were not disclosed. Berry had a bounce back year in 2008 after being plagued by injuries in the previous three seasons. He was the Cardinals best pass rusher in 2008 and he figures to still be a force on passing downs despite not being a starter.

		Sacks		Interceptions			Tackles
	G	Sacks	YdsL	Int	Yds	IntTD	Solo	Ast	Total
2008 - Bertrand Berry	13	5.0	27	0	0	0	15	7	22

Berry will be 34 years old before the season starts but, as he showed last season, he's still got some left in the tank. With Berry resigned the only remaining free agents who were on the team last year include offensive linemen Elton Brown and Scott Peters, tight end Jerame Tuman, fullback Terrelle Smith and cornerback Ralph Brown.

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The Cardinals also signed a free agent defensive/nose tackle Rodney Leisle. He's a 6'3 315 pound tackle who hasn't played in an NFL regular season game since 2006. He was drafted in the 5th round of the 2004 draft by the Saints and played in 17 games over his first three seasons before being cut in the training camp of 2007. He resurfaced with the Giants during their training camp last year but a rib injury ended his season before it even got started. He spent some time in Canadian football with the Saskatchewan Roughriders during their 2008 season. At best, this could be a way to push Alan Branch further down the depth chart.

Tuesday links and notes; more reaction to Houshmandzadeh's departure; taking a quick look at FA centers

Kirkendall — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 19:17:04 -0000

+ When MRIs become a formality. Oh how we love this. Now that he signed his deal with the Seattle Seahawks, it's being reported that Houshmandzadeh is getting an MRI as a formality. Joe Reedy makes the point that since he's being paid well, that the MRI could be standard to make sure they are getting a healthy wide receiver. Every player typically receives a physical before they are signed just in case guys like Jim Bowden are dealing undisclosed injured players. But an MRI? We're not sure how many instances we've hard of this being a formality.

What's impressive is that overall reaction around the community of blogs is fairly sided with the Bengals, rather the receiver. Can't place blame | Did it the right way | Not really upset | Blessing in disguise.

James Walker points out that by making a run for Laveranues Coles, that the Bengals have little to no confidence in their younger receivers, which reestablishes the long standing argument. Who the hell are drafting these guys? An alternative point is that the Bengals are positioning themselves to letting Chad Johnson go, either their trade or outright release (the latter will bring Cincinnati into a riot).

C Trent agrees, saying, "now it's time for Andre Caldwell, Jerome Simpson, Chris Henry and Chad Ocho Cinco to step up." His point is that another 31-year old receiver isn't the biggest need.

Carson Palmer says after Houshmandzadeh's departure, "we'll be OK."

+ The Bengals have yet to address center in free agency, a position that's long been underachieving since Rich Braham's retirement after two games in 2006. Matt Birk is expected to visit the Baltimore Ravens on Tuesday. Other centers available include:

Jeremy Newbery, Chargers
Melvin Fowler, Bills
Tom Nalen, Broncos
Chris Gray, Seahawks
Al Johnson, Dolphins
Nick Leckey, Rams
Chris Morris, Raiders
Rudy Niswanger, Chiefs
Scott Peters, Cardinals
Duke Preston, Bills

Moving on.

The Miami Dolphins signed former Raiders center, Jack Grove, to a five-year deal worth $30 million. Jason Brown signed a five-year deal worth $37.5 million with $20 million guaranteed. Center Eric Ghiaciuc is testing the market, writes Joe Reedy, however, he could be re-signed. Oh, joy.

Any interest for Vonnie Holliday?

While saying that Laveranues Coles would find a fit with Cincinnati more lucrative, Matt Bowen writes, "He would get to play with quarterback Carson Palmer and line up opposite Chad Ocho Cinco Johnson. Receivers always go where they’re going to get the ball and where they see the best option at the quarterback position."

NFP position rankings in the upcoming draft includes the following running backs.

Knowshon Moreno, Georgia (5-11, 208)
Chris Wells, Ohio State (6-1, 237)
Shonn Greene, Iowa (5-11, 235)
LeSean McCoy, Pittsburgh (5-11, 210)
Donald Brown, Connecticut (5-10, 210)
Rashad Jennings, Liberty (6-1, 232)
Jeremiah Johnson, Oregon (5-9, 208)
Andre Brown, N.C. State (6-0 224)
Glen Coffee, Alabama (6-0, 209)
Javon Ringer, Michigan State (5-9, 205)

Both Ray Lewis and Derrick Brooks are available in free agency. Who would have thought that the market for those two would be so quiet?

Arizona Cardinals Offensive Free Agents: Who Should be Re-Signed?

Hawkwind — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 17:44:04 -0000

The Arizona Cardinals have their share of unrestricted free agents on both sides of the ball this off season and we looked at the defensive free agents earlier in the week. That of course, leaves the offensive side of the ball for us to shift through. The guys on the offensive side are quite as noticeable as their defensive mates, with the one obvious exception, but there are still some critical decisions to be made.

Kurt Warner - The biggest name by about three miles is Kurt Warner, aka Grey Beard. He put up, arguably, the best season ever by a Cardinal quarterback and he topped the season off by having a spectacular playoff run that culminated in the franchises first Super Bowl. Warner was an MVP candidate for most of the season and was primarily responsible for the fueling the team's high octane offense. So what's the problem? Why hasn't a deal already by signed? Well Kurt wants a dump truck full of money and he's not hearing any of the "well you're about to be 38 years old" talk. He has stated that he really only wants to be in Arizona if he plays in 2009 so the pressure in on Graves to get this deal done. How high the final number will be is the question....

Prediction: Kurt re-signs a two year deal worth $25 million, but $15 is paid in the first year and just $10 in the second.

Terrelle Smith - Ah the sledge-hammer known as Terrelle Smith. The true, blocking full back is a dying breed, but Whisenhunt is very fond of the power running game that suits Smith's style. He's a bruiser who doesn't want the ball, just contact. The problem is though is that the Cardinals offense isn't built for a power ground game and Kurt Warner isn't being re-signed to quarterback a team that runs a Power-I. Smith is a valuable commodity but not to a team that runs more out of a shotgun formation instead of an I-set.

Prediction: Smith signs a two year deal worth $1 million per season with a team trying to establish a ground game.

J.J. Arrington - Arrington had a solid season and finally looked like a reliable NFL back. He's still young (26) and extremely quick and fast but the Cardinals have to decide how much they're willing to pay for a guy who underachieved for three seasons and then broke out in a contract year. If they believed that he truly turned a corner, then he's worth a decent contract and could be a big part of their future. With Sproles receiving the franchise tag, Arrington jumps to the forefront of quick free agent backs who can also return kicks.

Prediction: Arrington signs a four year deal worth $11 million total, elsewhere after turning down a modest offer from the Cardinals.

Elton Brown - Brown's a versatile backup lineman who didn't get a chance to prove himself this season because the top five starters were healthy all season long. He's had playing time at guard and tackle, which will drive up his price in free agency. He's waited around for a chance to compete for a starting job and he's probably looking for that opportunity in free agency. For the Cardinals to retain him, they'll probably have to promise him a serious chance to compete for Lutui's job as well as give him a pay raise. They've seen him in practice for four seasons so they know exactly what he can and can not do well. In the end, he might be too valuable to let go.

Prediction: Brown re-signs a three year deal worth $8 million total.

Jerame Tuman - Tuman suffered through an injury ravaged season and couldn't ever get on track. He's about to turn 33 years old and has played in a total of nine games over the past two seasons. His time in Arizona is most likely done and he might be on the verge of retirement.

Prediction: Tuman signs a one year contract for the veterans minimum elsewhere but gets cut at the end of camp. He announces his retirement but the Cardinals come calling around mid season after Pope and Patrick
are both nursing various ailments.

Brian St. Pierre - At some point the prospect label has to be removed and you're either a player or you aren't. That point could be fast approaching for St. Pierre. The 29 year old has appeared in one game during his six year career and it may be time to find a young guy to develop as the third QB. If the Cardinals don't resign him, his NFL days could be over as they were the only suitor last off season.

Prediction: St. Pierre signs a one year deal with a team like Chicago, St. Louis or the Jets but doesn't make it through training camp.

Scott Peters - Peters is a 30 year old center who hasn't played in a game since 2003 and he's coming off an injury his season on August 1st. Peters will likely have to wait around and see if a team gets a rash of injuries during camp.

Prediction: Peters waits by the phone during camp but no one calls.

Ben Graham - The Cardinals picked up the Aussie punter off the scrap heap after he was cut by the Jets. He finished the 2008 season with decent numbers but still won't command much attention on the open market. The Cardinals will likely bring him back but also bring in some competition during camp.

Prediction: Graham re-signs on a two year deal for the veteran minimum.

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As I'm sure you all know, the free agent flood gates open tonight at midnight (or 10pm AZ time) so tomorrow should be an interesting day. For now though, who would you keep? Who would say "See-Ya" to? Care to guess the contracts?