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Don’t look at me like that. I swear I’m not crazy.
Yes, the Arizona Cardinals could have the best offensive line in the NFC.
Adding a nine-time Pro Bowler will do that for you (Alan Faneca ).
Many of you are probably laughing right now. The rest are probably scoffing and using four letter words to describe my level of intelligence.
I’m okay with that. Really. This is just an opinion.
Many of you out there scoffing probably thought that Jay Cutler was going to be the best NFC quarterback last year.
Or that the New York Giants were going to win the Super Bowl.
Or that the New Orleans Saints weren’t even going to win their division.
You see, we all like making predictions. But we don’t like accepting the consequences when we’re wrong.
I know. I’m one of them. So feel free to make fun of me if the Cardinals offensive line absolutely tanks this year.
But that doesn’t mean we stop making predictions. It makes for a great NFL offseason, doesn’t it?
So, with that, are you ready to hear me out?
Good.
Let’s look at some statistics from last year for offensive lines before we go into this year’s offensive line for Arizona.
But first, let me clarify. There are usually two big statistics when looking at how good an offensive line really is: yards per carry and sacks allowed.
These don’t tell the whole story. But then again, when do statistics really tell the whole story, aside from JaMarcus Russell ?
So with that, here are some startling stats from last year:
1. The Cardinals had the least amount of rushing attempts in the entire league.
That’s something you absolutely need to keep in mind as I share some more stats.
Ready?
The Arizona Cardinals were 12th in the league with 16 TDs.
Rushing on the left side of the line, they were 18th in terms of 10 yard plus runs (19 in all), 16th when rushing up the middle (10 in all), and 5th when rushing on the right side (22 in all).
That may be due to finally having a legitimate running back (Beanie Wells ).
But even then, those numbers are actually shocking considering the lack of rushing attempts.
2. The Cardinals were sixth in the league in sacks allowed.
They allowed 26. That’s it.
In comparison, Indianapolis allowed 13. Green Bay allowed 51.
Both playoff teams.
Now, again, some of it may be due to Kurt Warner and his quick release.
But not all. It’s the way the Cardinals run their offense as well. They usually created plays where Warner got rid of it quickly.
However, an alarming stat is the number of hits Cardinals QBs took—95, good for eighth worst in the league.
But that can actually be somewhat attributed to the fact that Warner didn’t ever move out of the pocket, making him an easy target for pass rushers.
And finally,
3. The Cardinals had the 12th most experienced offensive line last year (according to nfl.com).
This does make a big difference. Some of the more experienced lines last year included the New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys, and the Indianapolis Colts, all very solid lines.
Of course, Green Bay’s was the seventh most experienced, so it’s not all relevant.
My point is this: The Cardinals had the 12th most experienced last year, and now, they added Alan Faneca.
Now, granted, they did let go of a veteran themselves in Mike Gandy . And they will probably feature a second year guard/tackle in Herman Johnson at some point this year.
But they also added an experienced starter in Rex Hadnot this offseason, they feature a former first rounder on the line in Levi Brown , and have one of the more underrated centers in the game in Lyle Sendlein .
Experience is a big thing when it comes to offensive lines.
So looking to this year, a year when the Cardinals will need a good offensive line, they could have one of the best in the NFC.
If you factor in an improving running game that is sure to see more carries, a more mobile QB in either Matt Leinart or Derek Anderson, and one of the best line coaches in the game in Russ Grimm, the Cards line should be nothing if not solid.
We all have opinions. We like to share them.
I’ve thrown down the gauntlet.
Now, let’s hear your opinion.
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The Lions has been very active in adding pieces to the puzzle in Detroit, but it seems that Daniel Loper is not a piece.
The news today is the Detroit Lions have released Daniel Loper after one season with the team and playing under a former Titans coach in Jim Schwartz.
Loper was a designated restricted free agent and had a tender of about $1,226,000.
When Loper signed the tender, it was expected that he be able to compete for the starting LG spot on the team, and that possibilty was cut out when the Lions made the deal for Rob Sims out of Seattle.
The LG spot was getting a bit crowded after re-signing Mike Gandy, and it seems that Loper was going to be the one to receiver the axe.
While in my mind, it would have been Manny to be cut, it seems that Loper has never quite caught onto his job like he did in Tennessee.
This relased makes Loper an unrestricted free agent and he is now free to pursue signing with any team of his choice.
The Lions were unable to use Loper to his full potential, and while I still think keeping him would have been best, the experiment with Loper is over.
Hopefully, Loper is able to attach to an organization better suited for his talents.
Thanks for the time, Loper.
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With a little less than two weeks until the NFL Draft, teams will have an eye on what veterans are available in free agency in case they do not address their needs via the draft.
The following is a list of the top five free agents at each position, and what positive and negative aspects they can bring to a potential suitor.
Quarterback
1. Marc Bulger
Positive: Veteran leadership
Negative: Injuries
2. Daunte Culpepper
Positive: Chip on his shoulder
Negative: Declining
3. Josh McCown
Positive: Athletic
Negative: Career backup
4. Brian St.Pierre
Positive: Strong arm
Negative: Limited experience
5. Kyle Boller
Positive: Experience
Negative: Poor Stats
Running Back:
1. Brian Westbrook
Positive: Athletic, production
Negative: Injuries
2. Jamal Lewis
Positive: Production
Negative: Declining
3. Justin Fargas
Positive: Ability
Negative: Limited experience as main back
4. Adrian Peterson
Positive: Good change-of-pace
Negative: Career backup
5. Aaron Stecker
Positive: Role player Negative: Limited ability
Fullback
1. Justin Griffith
Positive: Receiving threat
Negative: Limited blocking ability
2. Brad Hoover
Positive: Experience
Negative: Injuries
3. Dan Kreider
Positive: Run blocker
Negative: Limited athleticism
4. Jeremiah Johnson
Positive: Run blocker
Negative: Limited athleticism
5. Jason McKie
Positive: Ability
Negative: Inconsistent
Wide Receiver
1. Terrell Owens
Positive: Ability, career production
Negative: Declining, locker room distraction
2. Kevin Curtis
Positive: Speed
Negative: Limited role
3. Torry Holt
Positive: Veteran leadership
Negative: Decline
4. Josh Reed
Positive: Solid hands
Negative: Limited role
5. Laveranues Coles
Positive: Experience
Negative: Decline
Tight End
1. Billy Miller
Positive: Production as backup
Negative: Limited starting experience
2. Randy McMichael
Positive: Receiving threat
Negative: Inconsistent
3. L.J. Smith
Positive: Past production
Negative: Decline
4. Quinn Sypniewski
Positive: Youth, ability
Negative: Limited experience
5. David Martin
Positive: Down-field threat
Negative: Injuries
Offensive Tackle
1. Damion McIntosh
Positive: Experience
Negative: “Wanderer”
2. Flozell Adams
Positive: Ability
Negative: Discipline issues
3. Mike Gandy
Positive: Experience on winning team
Negative: Decline
4. Levi Jones
Positive: Ability
Negative: Disappointing production
5. Orlando Pace
Positive: Veteran
Negative: Decline, injuries
Offensive Guard
1. Shawn Andrews
Positive: Great ability, strength
Negative: Disappointing production
2. Bobby Williams
Positive: Experience
Negative: Decline
3. Chester Pitts
Positive: Experience
Negative: Plateau in development
4. Jamar Nesbit
Positive: Experience
Negative: Lost starting job
5. Montrae Holland
Positive: Strength
Negative: Limited athleticism
Center
1. Kevin Mawae
Positive: Veteran leadership, production
Negative: Decline
2. Ben Hamilton
Positive: Experience
Negative: Decline
3. John Wade
Positive: Experience
Negative: Limited playing time last season
4. Dennis Norman
Positive: Young
Negative: Limited experience
5. Seth McKinney
Positive: Size
Negative: Lack of production
Defensive End
1. Adewale Ogunleye
Positive: Experience, career production
Negative: Decline
2. Leonard Little
Positive: Experience, career production
Negative: Decline
3. Derrick Burgess
Positive: Production
Negative: Disappeared last season
4. Raheem Brock
Positive: Role player on winning team
Negative: Limited experience as starter
5. Greg Ellis
Positive: Experience
Negative: Decline
Defensive Tackle
1. Cornelius Griffin
Positive: Size, ability
Negative: Decline
2. Vonnie Holliday
Positive: Production, veteran leadership
Negative: Age
3. Marques Douglas
Positive: Experience Negative: Plateau in development
4. Rob Meier
Positive: Experience
Negative: Decline
5. Bryan Robinson
Positive: Size
Negative: Lack of production
Outside Linebacker
1. Keith Bulluck
Positive: Production, veteran leadership
Negative: Injury
2. Jason Taylor
Positive: Career production, veteran leadership
Negative: Age
3. Angelo Crowell
Positive: Athleticism
Negative: Lack of production
4. Danny Clark
Positive: Experience
Negative: Plateau in development
5. Tracy White
Positive: Youth
Negative: Lack of experience
Inside Linebacker
1. Antonio Pierce
Positive: Leadership, production
Negative: Injury
2. Akin Ayodele
Positive: Experience
Negative: Plateau in ability
3. Ryan Fowler
Positive: Size, ability
Negative: Lack of recent starting experience
4. Jeremiah Trotter
Positive: Veteran leadership
Negative: Decline
5. Nick Greisen
Positive: Role player
Negative: Limited starting experience
Cornerback
1. Lito Sheppard
Positive: Experience, ability
Negative: Lack of production
2. Fred Smoot
Positive: Experience, ability
Negative: On-field discipline issues
3. Ken Lucas
Positive: Experience
Negative: Lack of recent production
4. Deshea Townsend
Positive: Veteran leadership
Negative: Decline
5. Adam Jones
Positive: Athleticism
Negative: Off-the-field issues
Safety
1. Darren Sharper
Positive: Veteran leadership, production
Negative: Age
2. Ken Hamlin
Positive: Physical play, ability
Negative: Plateau in development
3. Mark Roman
Positive: Coverage skills
Negative: Limited role
4. Jermaine Phillips
Positive: Run stopper
Negative: cover skills
5. Aaron Rouse
Positive: Youth
Negative: lack of production
Kicker
1. Shayne Graham
Positive: Production
Negative: Missed field goals in playoffs last season
2. Matt Stover
Positive: Career production
Negative: Decline
Punter
1. Hunter Smith
Positive: Strong leg
Negative: Decline
2. Mitch Berger
Positive: Experience
Negative: Decline
3. Chris Hanson
Positive: Experience on winning team
Negative: Decline
That is the list. Comment on which available unrestricted free agents your favorite team should sign.
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With the NFL Draft nearing, many fans are forgetting there are still free agents out there. Free agents that can help our team.
While Detroit has been rather quiet on the signings front as of late, I still believe there are plenty of free agents that can help our team.
Many remaining free agents will likely wait to sign with a team until after the draft, and see what role they would be able to take on, but if Detroit was smart they would aggressively pursue these players now.
One that is a not so obvious name is former Titans linebacker Keith Bulluck.
Bulluck has shown no signs of slowing down, but coming off an injury could scare away a few teams. He had one of his best seasons last year with 108 tackles (81 solo), three interceptions, and did all this despite missing two games during the season.
Nature shows his injuries don’t linger long, as he has only missed one game while either playing or starting in every other game since his rookie year. And with the presence of former Tennessee defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, Bulluck may be pursued heavily to be a veteran presence alongside former teammate Kyle Vanden Bosch.
Bulluck would be priority No. 1. Then we get to the safety position, or the lack-there-of on Detroit, and the name of the former Bears and Chiefs safety Mike Brown pops up.
Brown, another veteran, had one of his best seasons last year with the Chiefs. However, he has had few bites from prospective teams, a bit of a shock to me.
But Brown signing in Detroit would make him the starter alongside Louis Delmas, pushing Bullocks and Ko Simpson into the backup role (which is great for depth I might add). Along with that, a bit of revenge could be in the wings for the former Bears safety, who could easily produce 100 tackles and one to three interceptions.
Last year, Mike had 103 tackles (79 solo) and three interceptions. He is a safety who can handle 100 tackles and show the aggressive nature that Detroit needs at the safety position.
That is something that may help Cunningham in his defensive gameplans, and with a safety who has the drive that Brown has could be what the secondary needs to help the younger players learn and thrive.
Brown would be priority No. 2.
Now let’s jump to the offensive side of the ball for a moment.
Former Cardinals offensive lineman Mike Gandy is currently on the free agent market, and could be the veteran lineman needed to join other veterans Jeff Backus, Dominic Raiola, Stephen Peterman, and Jon Jansen.
While Gandy wouldn’t become an immediate starter, the chance to compete for the spot alone should be enough for Gandy to consider the rising Lions.
Gandy is coming off an injury this year, and lost his job to fellow left tackle Jeremy Bridges on the Cardinals earlier this year. Also, he was told that he won’t be pursued by the Cardinals because they think he is on the decline.
Imagine Gandy when he was told he was on the decline. If it were me hearing that, I would be driven to show my former team I can still perform, and perform at a high level.
Why not try to do that on the line that offers one of the best opportunities for a starting position? It’d be a low risk for both Gandy and Detroit, as he could sign a one year contract much like the one Jansen did last offseason.
Gandy would be priority No. 3 on the market.
Another player who is connected to a current Lions coach is offensive coordinator and former Rams head coach Scott Linehan’s product Kevin Curtis.
After being released from the Philadelphia Eagles earlier this month, Curtis became unrestricted despite signing a six year, $32 million deal in 2007.
Curtis now probably realizes his best chance is not to be a number one, but to return to the the coach who was able to advise him, and let him go and sign a deal like he did.
And that coach is Detroit. Now, we know Calvin Johnson is the number one target and Nate Burleson is no one to ignore, but having Curtis could help make Matt Stafford’s job easier. Curtis could also work with the youngster Derrick Williams.
Curtis didn’t produce much last year after being buried on the depth chart behind DeSean Jackson, Jason Avant, and Jeremy Maclin, leading to his dismissal from the team. Not to mention the fact that he had knee surgery at the beginning of the year, causing him to miss the first 12 games of the season.
Another injury comeback story for the Lions, making Curtis priority No. 4.
Lastly, we get to former Super Bowl winner DeShea Townsend of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Townsend opted to become a free agent this offseason with due cause, losing his starting job and being forced into the role of a nickel package corner.
In Detroit, Townsend could have the starting gig back, and even be the tutor for the young players that play on the edge like Chris Houston and Jonathon Wade.
Townsend also had a down year, due to the decreased role, and only amassed 27 tackles. While that was better than his 2008 campaign, where he only totaled 20, in Detroit he could have around 50. With a ring already on his finger, Detroit could satisfy his financial need for a season and extend his contract the following year.
That makes five players; Townsend is the last veteran priority for Detroit.
Also take note: there are other players that need to be pursued, and then there are ones who will likely not be sought after (T.O., anyone?).
Now the question for you is: what player would you pursue the heaviest?
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Major Offseason Additions
Arizona signed veteran DE/OLB Joey Porter to a three-year contract on March 19. Porter had most of his glory years in Pittsburgh with Ken Whisenhunt and Russ Grimm, so Porter may have a couple good seasons in him. Porter will also thrive as a leader in the locker room.
Then, Arizona stole safety Kerry Rhodes away from the New York Jets. Rhodes was traded for a fourth and seventh round pick. Rhodes had a lot of success in New York, and he was even chosen as an All-Pro in 2006. Rhodes should fill in nicely for the departed Antrel Rolle, and he will cost the Cardinals much less.
One of the main concerns for the Cardinals this season will be at quarterback. Kurt Warner was one of the most dependable players in the league, and his loss is going to greatly affect the Cardinals.
However, Arizona brought in struggling quarterback Derek Anderson. At first this may seem like a questionable move, but Anderson may look different with good weapons and an excellent offensive line. Anderson will contend more for the starting job than people think.
Major Offseason Losses
Despite all of the positives for Arizona, there have been many negatives too. First off, Arizona lost long time quarterback Kurt Warner to retirement. This will hurt them on and off the field a lot.
Arizona then lost one of the best receivers in the league—Anquan Boldin. Boldin will now be dressing in the purple and black in Baltimore. This will put a lot of pressure on Larry Fitzgerald and Steve Breaston. They will be the go-to guys, and they may have to bail out Matt Leinart or Derek Anderson at times.
Next, Arizona lost one of the best true outside linebackers in the league in Karlos Dansby. Dansby was a tackling machine in Arizona, but he was never happy making his living as a franchise tagged player. The Cardinals will need to fill in that much needed hole now.
Finally Arizona lost Pro-Bowl safety Antrel Rolle. This would be a much bigger loss if they were not able to pick up Kerry Rhodes so easily from the Jets. However, Rolle was very adapted to Cardinals’ defense, and it will take some times for Rhodes to become fully accustomed.
Arizona also lost defensive end, Chike Okeafor; offensive tackle, Mike Gandy; kicker, Neil Rackers; and defensive tackle, Bryan Robinson.
Needs Addressing in the Draft
Offensive Tackle
Arizona decided not to sign long time tackle Mike Gandy. Gandy practically became a liability towards the end of the season, giving up multiple sacks and committing many penalties. Backup Jeremy Bridges played well, but he may not be a long term solution.
Defensive Line
Arizona could use help either in the inside at nose tackle, or at the hybrid defensive end position. Scouts still are not sold on Gabe Watson being a long term nose tackle, and Clark Haggans is not getting any younger on the outside.
Tight End
The Cardinals have gone far too long without a consistent tight end. This year veteran Anthony Becht appears to be the starter, with Ben Patrick backing him up. Neither are weapons in the passing game, and both are just average blockers.
Five First Round Possibilities
Anthony Davis: OT, Rutgers
Arizona has taken on problem players before—Allan Branch, Anquan Boldin, and Calais Campbell. Davis would become a franchise left tackle.
Bruce Campbell: OT, Maryland
Campbell had a huge scouting combine. He “wowed” everyone with his amazing athleticism and strength. Campbell would be a project, but he has more upside than almost anyone in the draft.
Charles Brown: OT, USC
Brown was an extremely hard worker at USC, and despite not being the most gifted athlete, he makes up for it with hard work.
Jermaine Gresham: TE, Oklahoma
Arizona has been lacking a big threat tight end for a number of years. Gresham would answer that need immediately. He is still a suspect blocker, but with coaching from Russ Grimm, this could easily be fixed.
Dan Williams: NT, Tennessee
Gabe Watson is only OK as an NFL starter. Williams could play immediately, but he would probably split time with Watson at first. Williams is a potential Pro-Bowler down the road.
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