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Post by devongent on Dec 7, 2023 2:06:39 GMT -7
3. All the above can be done without affecting the cap with a few releases, like WR Zach Pascal and CB Marco Wilson and K Matt Prater ($6.5 million) I'm not sure what the plan will be for Marco Wilson; will he be retained as a 'Depth Guy', tried out and then used at the slot position, or have the FO had enough and he is let go? I wouldn't be surprised on any of these outcomes.
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Post by devongent on Dec 7, 2023 2:15:26 GMT -7
1) Based on the above - it would seem FA for the Cards should be laser-focused on Center, Left Guard, IDL, backup vet QB and a top end CB. I think management will decide to roll with Hjalte Froholdt and Jon Gaines II as the pair for next season. This is assuming the latter has made a full recovery from injury. The rest I certainly agree with and they would also be my estimated positional choices that the FO will take.
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Post by CardsFanQC on Dec 7, 2023 4:36:43 GMT -7
1) Based on the above - it would seem FA for the Cards should be laser-focused on Center, Left Guard, IDL, backup vet QB and a top end CB. I think management will decide to roll with Hjalte Froholdt and Jon Gaines II as the pair for next season. This is assuming the latter has made a full recovery from injury. The rest I certainly agree with and they would also be my estimated positional choices that the FO will take. JV podcast yesterday went over the guys who are signed for next year and then possible FA's to target. The center position was discussed and I might concur to stay with Froholdt who is on a very reasonable contract with Gaines being the "center in waiting" for 2025. I think if the LG is shored up with a 27 yr old or younger vet that Froholdt's play will also improve. The absolute sieve at the LG position I believe has impacted the play of the LT & Center. It was mentioned on the podcast from "sources" of JV that LG, DL & a #1 corner will be the prime targets. Cards badly need an outside corner as it appears the coaching staff really likes rookie CB Garrett Williams at slot. They put up a list of defensive FA's at DL, Edge & Corner and imagined if the Cardinals could get one at each level or even two of their list on the defensive side. The podcast briefly discussed what would the Cards do if they drift to draft slot #5 or #6 and miss out on MHJ. Trade down (which would also be my choice) as many mocks are now showing at least 4 QB's in top 10 selections so trade partners could still be available. Hopefully the targets might be Ezra Cleveland or Michael Onwenu [LG], Jaylon Johnson (CB - Bears) & Justin Madubuike (DL - Ravens). I am hoping Monti brings back Carlos Watkins who was effective the first few games of the season before tearing his bicep. A good player DL Teair Tart from the Titans might also be a target for depth and won't break the bank - Monti will be very familiar with him. BTW - I didn't know Roy Lopez DL was under contract for 2024. So a 7 man rotation DL consisting of Madubuike, Roy Lopez, Dante Stills, Carlos Watkins, Teair Tart and draft picks 2nd rounder (Brandon Dorius DT Oregon)* & 4th round selection (either Nazir Stackhouse, DT, Georgia or Jordan Jefferson, DT, LSU. This would be a MASSIVE improvement over 2023.
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Post by devongent on Dec 7, 2023 13:49:13 GMT -7
Cards badly need an outside corner as it appears the coaching staff really likes rookie CB Garrett Williams at slot. On that basis we may need to recruit TWO Cornerbacks, both for the perimeter. I would be happy enough drafting one at the top of Round 2 (I just don't consider the value is there in the first round). - If we did secure a suitable Trade Down then we would acquire an additional high second rounder, hence giving four picks in the Top 40. Should this happen then my preferred positional mix would be (in alphabetical order) Cornerback, Defensive Line, OT and WR. This outcome would cover a lot of needs at premier positions. Going back on topic, a talented Cornerback, via FA, would be hugely beneficial for the team. Apart from the obvious requirement to cover top WR's the additional experience at this position would be very welcomed.
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Post by devongent on Dec 7, 2023 13:56:16 GMT -7
JV podcast yesterday went over the guys who are signed for next year and then possible FA's to target. The center position was discussed and their conclusion?
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Post by devongent on Dec 7, 2023 14:21:01 GMT -7
I think if the LG is shored up with a 27 yr old or younger vet that Froholdt's play will also improve. The absolute sieve at the LG position I believe has impacted the play of the LT & Center. Concerns about the Left Guard position is a universally held belief (or, so it would seem from all postings). There is a divergence of opinion when it comes to a solution with some preferring the drafting of a suitable prospect. From listening to recent pundit commentary then I wonder if the Cardinals have fallen lucky and found a good back-up Left Guard option, Trystan Colon. If so, then this would be a significant and very welcomed step-forward.
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Post by devongent on Dec 7, 2023 14:45:26 GMT -7
So a 7 man rotation DL consisting of Madubuike, Roy Lopez, Dante Stills, Carlos Watkins, Teair Tart and draft picks 2nd rounder (Brandon Dorius DT Oregon)* & 4th round selection (either Nazir Stackhouse, DT, Georgia or Jordan Jefferson, DT, LSU. This would be a MASSIVE improvement over 2023. I notice that you have banished quite a number of current players from the projected 2024 roster; Kevin Strong, Jonathan Ledbetter and Leki Fotu in particular. I'm thinking the turn-over in DL personnel will not be as extensive as per your example (when only three players are retained). - My own view would be to keep five and supplement these with one via the draft and one from FA. There are certainly lots of available combination options to consider.
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Post by CardsFanQC on Dec 7, 2023 15:05:55 GMT -7
So a 7 man rotation DL consisting of Madubuike, Roy Lopez, Dante Stills, Carlos Watkins, Teair Tart and draft picks 2nd rounder (Brandon Dorius DT Oregon)* & 4th round selection (either Nazir Stackhouse, DT, Georgia or Jordan Jefferson, DT, LSU. This would be a MASSIVE improvement over 2023. I notice that you have banished quite a number of current players from the projected 2024 roster; Kevin Strong, Jonathan Ledbetter and Leki Fotu in particular. I'm thinking the turn-over in DL personnel will not be as extensive as per your example (when only three players are retained). - My own view would be to keep five and supplement these with one via the draft and one from FA. There are certainly lots of available combination options to consider. Good point -- maybe I shouldn't post before 5AM. I think Strong is a decent rotation guy but Fotu/Ledbetter probably will be upgraded. Get the Ravens DL and use a 2nd or 3rd rounder on DL and that would be an appreciable upgrade. I don't know if anyone subscribes to PFF but I'd be interested how LJ Collier scored as it appears he didn't score well but I recall it seemed watching those early games he was effective.
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Post by Dry Heat on Dec 7, 2023 15:55:05 GMT -7
I notice that you have banished quite a number of current players from the projected 2024 roster; Kevin Strong, Jonathan Ledbetter and Leki Fotu in particular. I'm thinking the turn-over in DL personnel will not be as extensive as per your example (when only three players are retained). - My own view would be to keep five and supplement these with one via the draft and one from FA. There are certainly lots of available combination options to consider. Good point -- maybe I shouldn't post before 5AM. I think Strong is a decent rotation guy but Fotu/Ledbetter probably will be upgraded. Get the Ravens DL and use a 2nd or 3rd rounder on DL and that would be an appreciable upgrade. I don't know if anyone subscribes to PFF but I'd be interested how LJ Collier scored as it appears he didn't score well but I recall it seemed watching those early games he was effective. I posted players on the roster’s PFF scores on the first page and Lopez has gone up to 70.5 from 65, while Strong has dropped to 57 from 65. The rest of our DI has been awful. Collier 37 this year in limited snaps, 39 last year, 47 in 2021. That experiment is over. Fotu 45, 32 last year. Awful. Ledbetter 41, 43 last year. We can do…better.
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Post by devongent on Dec 8, 2023 2:33:13 GMT -7
Perhaps we can, although I am also a little skeptical of relying on PFF scores in isolation. Next man up, Naquan Jones, who has the opportunity to shine and join the pack of player's jousting (against each other) for a new contract and a place on the 2024 roster. A lot of money at stake for each individual, so I expect Naquan will give it his all between now and the end of the season. arizonasports.com/story/3539376/cardinals-sign-naquan-jones-roster-practice-squad/The list of our Defensive Line player's is extended to the following (hopefully no-one is excluded) - L J Collier Leki Fotu Naquan Jones Jonathan Ledbetter Roy Lopez Dante Stills Kevin Strong Carlos Watkins Could five survive into next season from that lot? I think this unit has performed better than many might have imagined (due to the perceived lack of quality within the ranks). I'm not saying they are great, but there are some decent guys, and all on lower end contracts (as far as I know without bothering to look up). I think we are missing two player's - A high performer who is a real bully up front and can rattle the opposition and lead the line. - I believe Free Agency would be most likely route here, hence the FO would need to spend big $'s to get in such a man. A player with speed, agility and the technical skills required to create pressure right through the middle. - Jer'Zhan Newton, Illinois, has these characteristics and I really would like us to draft him, but it will be difficult to achieve. We could significantly Trade Down (say into the #8 to #12 range) and hope he's available and take him there, or use the Houston pick as a basis to Trade Up in the first from that point using some of our additional draft capital. Anyway, only my view on things.
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Post by devongent on Dec 8, 2023 10:16:58 GMT -7
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Post by cardinalsins on Dec 13, 2023 12:19:08 GMT -7
Some of those teams are in really crappy CAP situations too. Some talent to be had.
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Post by Dry Heat on Dec 13, 2023 14:38:07 GMT -7
Some of those teams are in really crappy CAP situations too. Some talent to be had. You’ve been posting some gems lately…thank you and keep it up!
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Post by devongent on Dec 16, 2023 13:43:20 GMT -7
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Post by Dry Heat on Dec 16, 2023 14:03:26 GMT -7
Interesting. Tenn Titan Naquan Jones was similarly released by the Titans a month ago and Monti then signed him to our practice squad, and he has been moved up and will be on the roster for his first game this Sunday. I wonder if Tart joins him as another former DLine player from Tenn? He is #38 on the NFL’s Top 50 free agents…two above RB Hunter Henry. There are only 3 DT’s listed above him, #3 Chris Jones and #4 Christian Wilkins who probably will be re-signed, and #36 Justin Madubuike. For a waiver claim, it seems like a no brainer to get him in and take a look these last four games. His remaining 2023 contract is cheap. Unless Monti agrees with the conditioning and effort issues Vrabel has with Tart, and doesn’t think a change of scenery can help, go for it.
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