Fix-a-Bad Team: Arizona Cardinals

I still always say, no matter how involved I get in the entertainment industry, radio, and podcasting…My dream job will always be to have a GM position in the NFL. (I’d take an NBA GM position too if it was offered) I knew long ago that I couldn’t make it as a player, coaching seems like too much of a headache to me, but putting together the pieces of a championship team would just be awesome.

So, I’m going to give my opinion on how to “fix” some bad professional teams. A lot of times these will be solutions that will never happen, and even more that will seem like no-brainers. Argue with me if you will…but this is what needs to happen to the Arizona Cardinals this offseason.

They started 4-0, but went straight downhill quick. The defense tried to keep them in games, but the offense sputtered. Wisenhunt seemed to lose control and confidence of his team, so despite taking Arizona to their only Superbowl – he’s been replaced by Bruce Arians – Which I think is a great hire, he’s a big reason the Colts were so successful this year. But now the team needs to…

5. Keep Kolb, ditch everyone else – We now know that Skelton, Lindley, and Hoyer are NOT starting QB material. Kolb, we still don’t quite know. But when he’s not injured, he seems to have flashes of talent in there. He does need competition though; Alex Smith, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Matt Flynn all might be available…not sure about drafting a guy this year though.

 

A hero. Not the hero we deserved but the hero we needed.

 

4. Find receiving weapons – It was painfully obvious that Larry Fitzgerald was the only dangerous player wearing red on their offense. Housler is an ok receiving TE, but because of his drops, I’d be looking to draft a new TE. The Cardinals are one of the last teams that don’t have a Gronk, Gonzalez, Graham-type threat. Eifert or Ertz could be available to draft at the top of the 2nd round.

3. Find more weapons – The Cardinals were the worst team in the league in rushing. Now, mostly this gets attributed to playing from behind and then injuries galore. Beanie Wells has been a huge disappointment, Ryan Williams can’t seem to stay healthy, and Stephens-Howling is an unrestricted free agent. Look to the mid-rounds of the draft for a quick, pass-catching threat…If they could figure out how to get Chris Ivory from the Saints – possibly one of the most under-used players in the league.

 

John Skelton and Ahmad Brooks - San Francisco 49ers v Arizona Cardinals

…its fine, no one was open anyway

 

2. Slight upgrades to the Defense – The lone bright spot of their season was the defense. Its a solid unit with elite players like Peterson, Rhodes, Washington, Campbell, and an aging Adrian Wilson. However, they need someone to take a page from Seattle and bring in a 2nd shutdown corner to pair with Patrick Peterson. Dockett is a great player, but isn’t quite fitting the 3-4 scheme and he could make for attractive trade-bait. The Cardinals have a high first round pick, so Damontre Moore, Bjoern Werner, or Barkevious Mingo could make for a good choice.

1. Trade Larry Fitzgerald – look, this may be seen as blasphemous…but only having one elite weapon is not the way to get things done in today’s NFL. This is the best possible time to cut Larry loose. Everyone knows his down season was due to terrible QB play…but what about in the next year(s)? Before Larry gets a day closer to 30, the Cardinals just need to place him on the trade block and watch the offers come in. And, he’s their most expensive player - pay for 2-3 solid players with his freed salary cap space.If Michael Floyd steps up, then they only need to find a solid #2 so they can shift Andre Roberts into the slot. Dream situation: Fitz traded for Kirk Cousins or Ryan Mallett (Plus, picks and/or players)

 

Dear 8 pounds 6 ounces, new born, infant Jesus, don’t even know a word yet…

 

One thought on “Fix-a-Bad Team: Arizona Cardinals

  1. Your Fitzgerald move is a bold suggestion, but I think (despite his age) you need to cling to the only building block left on the offensive side of the ball.

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