When any talking head in the sports industry mentions the cheapest franchise's in the NFL, the Arizona Cardinals owner The Bidwill's generally tend to make the top of the list or have made a knock down drag out slug fest (much like the highly televised one in Frisco' over the weekend)  with someone else that can turn a penny into copper wire.  Michael Bidwill has seemingly been taking more and more control of the team,  it started with making Adub one of the top earners at his position, then they paid Dockett handsomely, this year they did something that the jury is still out on with Kevin Kolb and gave him a sweet deal, but the cherry on top was giving Fitzgerald the blockbuster deal of the year(which will be worth every penny) last but not least all of these players received mid-long term contracts.  So the culture is finally changing out here in the desert as long as Mike Bidwill is calling the shots we won't even belong in the Top 25 money misers.  The NFCW crown will run through AZ this decade.

Now that the annual red and white scrimmage is over.  Mr. Michael Bidwill promised us at the beginning of what was a mess of a off season, that the front office would be aggressive in making the team better. We lost one a great WR in Breaston as soon as it started, but  the front office DELIVERED this free agency period.   We got quite a healthy mix of free agents that were not just Steelers' cast offs and no namers, they went out and grabbed us some producers, an aging superstar (but this is his hometown), and packed the roster with a heavier dose of veteran depth than we have added since Whisenhunt came to town (Correct me if I am wrong).  Then they were EXTRA aggressive in the trade market. Quarterback was our biggest problem and question mark, and this has led to some heated discussions here at ROTB, but as the free agency period is dwindling down,  In Whiz I Trust.

So, Rod Graves and Ken Whisenhunt just got us a new signal caller, one that has not proven a damn thing except he is capable of being somewhat good and then capable of being just as bad, and is not tough enough to take a good shot and stay in the game.  Then it comes a day after a division opponent (Seattle Seahawks) who have Big Mike Williams the guy who scorched the secondary last year with almost no supporting cast, well Petey Carroll went out and got Sidney Rice.  Then for Kolb they gave away our best CB and a 2nd round pick, and if that was not enough they gave him a hefty new contract to go along with it.  I was saying that giving up that much for a Qb better earn us an appearance in the NFC game, but I've changed my mind and getting us into the post season might be ok, but anything short of that, then I say it is time to give Rod Graves and Ken Whisenhunt the pink slip. 

P.S.  I hope my gut feeling is entirely wrong on Kolb.

Alright we seemingly grabbed an upperhand in the leverage game in the Kolb sweepstakes that we've heard waaay to much about.  Michael Bidwill promised aggression this offseason, so let's not get to worked up.  This media frenzy has had us bickering far FAR to much about our QB situation, when in reality even a decent QB would not make us a 10 win team, we have a long ways to go, but for now all we have done is sign Jeff King (no sizzle there) but may be a producer, then later we heard the FO actually offered DRC and a 2nd for Kolb (rumors, I hope).  Today we lost Steve Breaston, and Breaston gives me some hope on how Whiz and Co. are actually developing talent, Breaston got better every single season, and if Hightower or Keith are not Cardinals, that is a 5th and 7th round pick flippped into two 2nd's, that folks is progress for sustaining success, so let's not get to hasty, just yet.

Note:  I do not want Kevin Kolb if he can not be signed as a free agent.

  So after the worst offseason in my time of following the NFL offseason, the billionaires and millionaires decided to quit acting like old lady's and get back to giving us something to follow.  The rumor is Kolb is coming and we are shipping off DRC, with Andy Reid possibly wanting more than that, to me that is just plain crazy talk.  There have also been whispers of Seattle entering the Kolb sweepstakes.  The one team I have not heard about making any noise is Washington, and while I think Shannahan may be changing the way things are done over there in D.C., something tells me Dan Snyder wants a shiny new piece to his team, given that Kolb has to be the shiniest name rumored to be on the market (Not that he is deserving of being considered the best QB), and given what the rumors Philly's asking price is I think Washington takes a fleecing at the hands of Andy Reid.  Does anyone really believe that they are going to go all in on John Beck this year?

So I see Jurecki must be hurting to keep his job or something of that nature.  If this trade is to happen it is absolutely nuts.  Here we have a pro bowler having a down year (which part of his lousy play can be attributed to the lack of being able to pressure the QB consistently)  no doubts Rodgers Cromartie is a gambler, but given that Toler is a physical DB and Peterson certainly has the frame to be an elite kind of CB in the coverage and physical side of the game, DRC is perfect for when we need to shut down the speed demons that can burn us deep.  It's been years since we have had a CB group that opposing offenses might think twice about before testing.  So why on earth would we trade DRC for Kevin Kolb who in his very brief career has thrown more interceptions than touchdowns in a very QB friendly system.  I love the Whiz and he is the first coach to give us something to cheer for, but his job needs to be considered part of this trade as well if we don't dominate the division and at least make it to the conference championship.

Robert Mathis is the guy the Cardinals need to go after when the Colts don't want to pay him what he wants.  Now if we did sign Mathis that would mean we would have to to convert him to a linebacker, and Mathis also wants a huge payday.  Now Mathis is quite small for a DE even if it is in the 4-3 the Colts use, and he is pretty much a one trick pony, but can anyone deny his ability to pressure a QB? He is getting older, and he won't be a 20 sack a season guy, but just imagine if we had an edge rusher that got us 8-12 sacks a season, our defense could shut down offenses with the very best of them.  The tricky part is what kind of contract to give Mathis if he does become available.  I know this may sound a little crazy, but Mathis could step in and immediately add the pass rush our defense so desperately needs.

Since the constant talk about us making a big trade with the Eagles has been dominating this site, it's time to talk about what happens with Larry Fitzgerald if we throw away the kitchen sink for a free agent or stick with who we have on the roster and ride it out.  Some will say if we do not get a QB that Larry Fitzgerald is happy with then we can kiss him goodbye after this season (pending on the lockout).  After passing over this article, he mentions wanting to be a part of the philosphy the Whiz uses and how he wants to play in the desert for a long time.  Fitzgerald is the class act of the NFL, which is why I have no doubts that regardless of how this season pans out Fitzgerald will resign for the long term, because he has far too much class to be the LeBron James of the NFL.

So, in what will probably go down as the worst off season since the merger.  The latest news from the Cardinals is not about how our  newly signed draft picks and the group of free agents we singed.  So instead of hearing something like "Well, he's doing alright, we think with what he has been showing us in practice, he may get more playing time than we previously planned for",  we get to hear about the fact that our lawmakers got some free tickets from the Arizona Cardinals.  Is anyone really surprised that the Cardinals were lobbying officials?  We will probably hear a few more stories like this about other NFL franchises, but is it really anything new that elected officials have been taking bribes?  Anyways this lockout sucks and all I want to hear now is that come August any fan of the Arizona Cardinals will get to head up to Flagstaff for the Red and White scrimmage, because it's going to be hard to find things to do on a Sunday in the fall without football.

Since we are dealing with this stupid lockout, in what is now a time that should have NFL fans already talking about off-season champions.  How has free agency treated the Arizona Cardinals since Ken Whisenhunt arrived in Tempe.

2007 – T Mike Gandy, C Al Johnson, CB Rod Hood;  Not a single one of these guys is on the team anymore, but not a single one of them really stood out much either. After this season, I will say I was a bit hasty in wanting to see Gandy leave.

2008 – DE Travis LaBoy, NT Bryan Robinson;  Again, nobody really exciting here, one's been an average contributor, and the other was cut abruptly due to injury.

2009 – CB Bryant McFadden; Bryant McMuffin, I remember thinking how great would it be if we had a defensive version of Fitz and Q

2010 – QB Derek Anderson, LB Joey Porter, LB Paris Lenon, K Jay Feely; High Expectations, Underachiever, Steady Producer, Is here because an old fan favorite got himself fired, but I think he's an upgrade.

I would put something down for 2011 but again we fans are actually putting up with listening to a bunch of billionaires argue with a bunch of millionaires, on who is getting the short end of the stick, meanwhile every fan that literally put the funds into the stick that the previous mentioned parties are arguing about get nothing in the year 2011.

Anyone hope we get to see another version of "The Big Red Line", except a much more effective version?

So, with all the hopefuls we have grabbed in the draft in the Whisenhunt era.  Early Doucet is the one I can not decide if he needs to stay or should go.  He has shown some flashes on becoming the physical player that I crossed my fingers would replace Anquan Boldin seamlessly.  Then in the '09 post season, he posts 14-145 2 TD's, Now again those numbers and that play he showcased was what we had all grown used to, with Anquan Boldin himself, when he took over games.  Now with this last year, our entire offensive play was bad from play calling to execution. Moving forward after the draft this year, we did pick up Demarco Sampson. I have not done much reading in to Sampson, did he post big numbers in any competitions pre-draft, or was he one that on film surely does not seem to play like his numbers would suggest?  Either way ROTB do we give Early another season or cut him loose?

So the site is heating up (let's invite everyone we know) on what the Arizona Cardinals need to do at Qb this offseason, or what ever you would call this debacle we are being put through since March.  First we had an understanding with Bulger.  Then Wolfley started talking about his man crush on Kevin Kolb.  Now it's about Kyle Orton.

I am going to say my choice is Kyle Orton he is the best value for any QB trade we could make this offseason.  Even for a 2nd and a 4th it's far better than what the eagles are asking for Kevin Kolb.  Andy Reid claims Kolb is a super bowl winning QB, so my question is why did Andy Reid not follow the man who has won plenty more conference championships (Bill Belichick) with a similar number of appeareances.  Bledsoe goes down in the season, Brady finishes season, and Bledsoe blows the first half of a playoff game, and look up the Patriots to see the rest.  Anyways why did Andy Reid not pull the trigger, if Kolb is what he claims he is?

Now onto Al Davis.  Shortly after the draft there was an article on a press conference he did, I believe it was after day one of the draft, he stated "Richard Seymour was better than any first round pick they could have gotten".  With all the chatter of the Eagles and Nnamdi Ashomugha, given how the Raiders are completely unpredictable.  I'm not sure if they have used the tag on anybody, but look for them to franchise Ashomugha then trade away him and a first to Philly for Kevin Kolb, and let the Raiders take the huge risk on Kolb. I hope the Cardinals stay the course and become one of the most solid franchises this side of Mississippi, rather than having a few seasons of razzle and dazzle every now and again.

Our freshly drafted linebacker seems to be gathering the nickname  "Q".  Since this off-season has got to be getting up as one of the most boring ever.  If Strudivant becomes a pro bowler where do we go with the nickname "Q".  Now the guy most of us know as Q is now catching balls for Joe Flacco in the purple and black of Baltimore.  While he is not a Cardinal anymore he was number two on my list of Arizona Cardinals, but then things got sour between him and managment.  Is there really anything else about what happened?

Now in the sixth round of this years draft we picked up a guy name "Q" Quan Strudivant, who some draftniks are calling an a total steal.  Let's say this kid works his way into the schedule and then ends up becoming  a defensive version  Boldin, Would you be willing to adopt a new Q

Now that the draft is over and we took what a lot of people are calling the best player in the draft in Patrick Peterson.  I heard on the local sports show that DRC had put on 8 pounds and said he has to get to tackling and helping in the run game or something to that nature I tend to focus on traffic so I get there in one piece.  Now there has been bits here and there about LeBeau and Capers and they both call the shots on arguably the best defenses in the league, and they are both former DB's and so is our new coordinator Ray Horton.

I know some of us at ROTB are not pleased that we did not go after a pass rusher.  Having said that we have a new DC and a DB coach, with the smallest question being that we know Horton may display a defense very similar to LeBeau's, but at this point in time, it's hard to say how he is going to utilize the talent we have on defense.  For all we know he may use Adub as our marquee pass rusher with a sprinkle of Schofield.  I think he'll find a way to maximize everything out of every defensive player we have, but what's your thoughts on how our defense is going to play this season?

Ok, so with Gabbert, Locker, and Newton dominating the talk of the best Qb's in this draft class.  With a few sprinkles of guys like Mallet, Ponder, and Dalton.  With a dash of Kaepernick and Stanzi (one being compared to Brady and the big 10).  After watching some videos on him, he did play in a small school, but also led the offense on a team that beat Boise State who had not tasted defeated in 24 matches. 

Well Kaepernick is big, fast, and now with things being published about him it seems he either knows exactly what to say in an interview, or actually has a grasp on transitioning from a small school to the pro's.  He does have an awkward looking release, but it is not slow like Tebow's was at this time last year.  Regardless of the awkwardness, he can chuck a ball downfield as fast as anyone, and is on target a majority of the time.

What I think will make him fit our offense best is his ability to extend passing plays with his feet, because he played behind a sieve of an offensive line. As long as Grimm is our line coach any QB we have will need to be comfortable in that situation.

So what are your thoughts on Kaepernick ROTB?

As I began browsing through CBS sports rapid reports, there was about half a dozen about Schofield, apparently the kid has put on ten pounds, and also made some comments about how he can not wait to be a part of Ray Horton's defense.  claims he has been studying film of Harrison and Woodley.

Now I touched on this in a few other posts the talking heads and pundits were all calling him the steal of the draft last year, even though he was not able to see the field most of the season.  In the two games he played I believe he totaled 12 tackles and 2 sacks, and just like John Skelton, he did this after the team had already thrown in the towel and called it a season.

I dont think I need to say much about how terrible our LB's were last year, but it would appear we may have a pass rushing menace in the making with Schofield, and just imagine if we can get Miller and he turns out to be even a Ware/Matthews-Lite...I see good things happening for us in the long term, how about you?

Since Gabe Watson probably won't be around next season (if we have a season), and it's more than likely that Bryan Robinson will be calling it a career.  Leaves us fairly thin at NT,  Dan Williams came on very strong at the end of last year,  which is all great but we are going to need more at that position, and since Whiz and Co. like the "mentor" type of veterans.  My question is do any of you think signing Jamal Williams to backup our own Dan Williams would be a good signing?  I know that Jamal is far past his prime, but any of you think he could help our defense sharing maybe 30 percent of the snaps with Dan Williams?

Before the combine most Mock Drafts had us selecting a QB now with combine over and pro days rising, Mock Drafts have us grabbing Von Miller at #5, do we actually grab  him?  Is it time to start purging the roster of everyone over 30 who is not named Wilson? Can we go you and use the players and Graves and Whisenhunt have drafted and field a winning product?

Now we have the debate moving on ROTB about Robert Quinn and Von Miller (see previous posts, nicely put together with highlight film, in the archives).  I have not seen to much talk about us going QB since the combine though,  Personally this crop of QBs does not exactly have anyone I can see behind center that is any better than Skelton can be this season.

Continue reading this post »

The Cardinals have free agency and the Draft in the near future, so let's touch on what happened last off-season.  We had star players Karlos Dansby and Antrel Rolle depart from our defense, along with Bertrand Berry calling it a career. Then, on offense Anquan Boldin signed with Baltimore, Kurt Warner retired and then, for some strange reason, we traded the O-line captain Reggie Wells to Philadelphia. 

On defense, we found a productive replacement for Dansby, and an upgrade at FS in Kerry Rhodes. Offensively the only thing we really did was sign Alan Faneca and our line play was flat out embarassing.

The draft of last year has yielded some great results: Daryl Washington was productive, Dan Williams made a noticeable difference when opponents ran up the middle on the back end of the season,  Andre Roberts started looking like he could be a problem shifting around in the middle and Jim Dray seems consistent.

Now, onto O'Brien Schofield.  He was being touted as one of the best pass rushers in last year's draft (Like Von Miller this year). He blows out his knee at the Senior Bowl. (Find many of the articles where this is mentioned on ROTB). We get him late in the draft, and he spends the preseason and most of the season rehabbing his knee.  The very limited time he saw on the field this season he recorded 2 sacks.  

Let's say Schofield progresses like Calais Campbell in year two,  then we take a guy like Von Miller at #5.  I'm thinking we may have one nasty OLB tandem.

I keep reading and hearing about how Kolb would make great sense for the Cards, please someone tell me how a virtually unproven commodity would help the Arizona Cardinals? Kolb has proved NOTHING...well let me take that back, he's proven he is not very durable.  Heck he couldn't keep Vick out of the starting gig AFTER Andy Reid gave him the reigns.  Kevin Kolb reminds me way too much of Matt Leinart for me to wanna touch him with a one thousand foot pole.  So if we are going to trade for Kolb my question is why the hell not just get Leinart back, it will not even cost a draft pick.  So this offseason if Bulger can not be gotten, it's time to use this free agency to get O linemen and a TE (Shockey being released intrigues me).  As far as the draft go offense late, and defense early and often.  Unless we could possibly trade Dockett for to Dallas for D. Ware or something.  That's the only trade I wanna see...Assuming we even have a season.

Now that there is nothing to look forward to on a Sunday and Monday, and select Thursdays, may as well add to the pile of what will soon be many. With all the speculations on ceilings, floors, smarts, talents, and life stories    Is spending the #5 pick worth getting another Levi Brown or Matt Leinart to make Fitz happy or Do we cash it in and address some of the other issues we have....Decisions....Decisions....

Now that we have our defensive coordinator in Ray Horton, let's talk about links, conspiracies, and every other link that may be why Horton could become the next great former defensive back turned defensive coordinator.  Dom Capers and Dick LeBeau, not going very far with this, but these two guys over the last decade and some change have fielded top tier defenses almost entirely through their own respective tenures, LeBeau may be ranked higher but Capers has done it on multiple teams. 

Horton and the Cardinals new position coaches have a mighty big task at hand, I dont think anyone in the NFL regressed as much as DRC last season.  Quite frankly I dont see another contract for him.  However Toler strikes me as a more effective DB for the kind of scheme we might be running? 

I was not much of a fan of Horton, but at No. 5 the Arizona Cardinals need to select Von Miller

Well since QB is a blatant need for the Cardinals, however it would be foolish to take any of this year's draft class in the first round.  I say we grab Colin Kaepernick out of Nevada in say...the third round (I'd still like to see Bulger).  Let  Skelton and this Kaepernick, duke it out for who gets the reigns after a season or two.  This guy fits the mold, but like everything else the draft can be a gamble....Anyone else think of any other Qb's we could snag later in the draft?

Alright so I'm down to hoping the Pack smacks the steel in SuperBowl 45, for a couple of reasons. One the Steelers arent in our conference, and do I really need to explain number two?  Then come out the reports of the different candidates being interviewed for our vacant DC spot.  I keep reading Whisenhunt has expressed interest in the DB coach from Pittsburgh.

Then I read he has also expressed interest in Keith Butler, but due to a clause in his contract (something about being a coordinator in waiting) he cant get permission for an interview. Then our ultimate koolaid drinking homer "Wolfley" talks about Lebeau's contract is expiring.  Is it crazy to think LeBeau could very well be coaching our Stars next year? What's your thoughts?

Well well well, ROTB unfortunately our season is lost, but at least we got see our future at Qb, huh?  Now I have been huge on Skelton since we picked him up, but tell me he didnt look awfully poised for coming into a situation behind and with a defense pinning it's ears back and blitzing everything INCLUDING the kitchen sink. let alone on his very first action in his NFL career.  For someone who was supposedly slow to learn his reads he sure did make a decent decision (albeit an intentional grounding), but does anyone here think that if Fitz ran a Go route on that double move that would have been 6?  Enough about Skelton now for the sh!tlist.

    I keep hearing about Russ Grimm coaching the Panthers next year, and let me tell you Carolina fans he is all hype in the coaching arena.  I think that saying about great NFL players never cutting it as coaches rings as true for Russ Grimm as it is with Mike Singletary.  Our offensive line just plain stinks, there is no sugar coating it.  In fact the only bright spot of this season has been Jeremy Bridges, it's time to scoot Brown to the inside and find another Clady, Oher, Thomas for the left side, and if Brown doesnt cut it inside it's time to start shoving these turnstiles out the door. It's been 3 years, and I'm not expecting the Hogs 2.0 just a line that can offer some type of protection.

That's all I've got.  Here's to hoping 2010 was just an audition for who stays and goes for 2011

Marc Bulger...I think it would good to have Bulger he used to look really good in St. Louis until the once great offensive line they used to have broke down and collapsed, and does anyone remember the season he played with what like 4 broken ribs while getting sacked more than anyone?

Tyler Thigpen- I dont know too much about him except he threw twice as many touchdowns than interceptions while getting sacked almost as much as Aaron Rodgers two years ago while he was with the Kansas City Chielfs

Michael Vick-  This is a longshot, because it's hard to say if Philly let's him go, but I dont think he would be as explosive here as he is in Philly,  while Breaston and Roberts are quick and shifty, i dont think they are like Jackson and Maclin, but our WR's are bigger targets, and the way he plays teams wouldnt be able to bring the kitchen sink, because in ol' No. 7 fashion that usually costs 15-40 yards if someone so much as hiccups out of assignment.

John Kitna-  Now before anyone calls me crazy for throwing his name out there.  We're talking about a guy who got mangled for what 3 seasons in Detroit?  Someone also correct me if I am wrong he also threw for 4,000 yards while with the Lions one year, and right now in Dallas the guy doesnt look half bad, and if the coaching staff and front office is looking for a capable stop gap and mentor.  Kitna's played for some great coaches with some great Qb's and well like i just said he's been a quite a few different teams and been a starter here and there, but he's pretty old, but then again so was Warner (not comparing, just sayin')

who do you think would fit into Anderson's spot on the roster next year ROTB nation?

     Well well well, here we are sitting at 3-7 and dwelling in the cellar, in what I expected to not be a fantastic year, but not quite as disappointing as it has been so far, and I'm gonna jump on Whisenhunt this week, because I keep hearing the same ol' thing come week after week in his press conferences.  It would seem to me with some of the moves made, and actions taken this off season, the whiz has lost some of the humbleness and hunger that pretty much changed the culture of professional football in the valley of the sun.  The fact that most of us fans are so disappointed is proof he has done great things.  However like anything once you get that bit of arrogance after "arriving" you tend to lose sight on what got you to where you are (speaking from a personal standpoint there) and start believing the little things are not as important as they once were. ANYWAYS.....

     Let's talk about  our game against the man who when running our offense made it the most potent in the NFL while he was calling the shots on the offensive side of the ball.  Interesting tidbit anyone remember when the Steelers came to town after they passed on Whiz?  Look how that turned out for Tomlin the next season.  Our play calling has flat out stunk this year.  Anderson may be average on a good day, but does anyone else notice when we pound it with the beantower Anderson seems to find Breaston for a 15-25 yard gash? Back onto the beantower and the playcalling it's driven me mad all season long, when 34 rushes for 3 and we pass twice and then punt it away. Time to end that now and see if we need to start looking for some different linemen.  We need to keep Jeremy Bridges around for the long term.  Although Jim Dray made a few mistakes I think I see we may finally have a dependable solid go-to kind of Tight End, what about you?  Last thing....I've been asking for this all season long, is it so much to ask to commit to pounding the rock 40 times a game?

        On the defense, what happened to CC and DD?  I lost almost all my hopes for an average Linebacking Corps., and our secondary is still playing a Dr. Jekyll Mr. Hyde routine...Although did anyone else catch the Giants drama?  Rolle blew an assingment...LOL...Kerry Rhodes has proven to be quite an upgrade, and I noticed Johnson is getting more snaps, so that's good I like seeing Adub in the box more where he is most effective, what's your thoughts ROTB nation?

I skipped last week's Say what, because let's face it, the game against the Vikings looked like the Cardinals of old clutching defeat in the jaws of victory.  HOWEVER that guy albeit he's driven everyone mad with his retirement fiasco's for what seems like half a decade, well he became famous for pulling stuff like that off, and EVEN though he was in his twenties it was against the greats of his "Prime" if Favre even has one. Anyways......

This week's game was fairly disappointing, I was hoping we'd be getting it together after the bye, but after yesterday's game, we finally saw a smidgeon of efficiency from our O compared to week one, but only to have the defense crap it away.  As far as I'm concerned if we stink it up this week against the Chiefs it's time to bench our 30+ year old LB's...Hayes can stay because he is getting back up to snuff, but it's time to give Davis, Schofield, Washington and Williams there roles in the D, since if we lose next week the season is pretty much slipping away...Apparently mr. smith is being promoted from the practice squad, maybe he can be our savior at RB, but I'm not getting my hopes up, and the "Howling Beantower"...Well thank goodness for the little guy, and maybe Tim should be more reckless with the ball from my observations, he seems to run a hell of a lot harder when he is.  Anderson isnt as bad as he was, but our offense as a whole is stinking, Fitz is still on my shit list, and find it hard to believe Dockett being out is the reason our D stunk it up so bad....What's your thoughts?