CARDINALS 2022/23 Arizona Cardinals Thread

[CGI_Ram]

Conner had some nice runs against us week 4, but this deal is pretty big.

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Cardinals' deal for James Conner considered head-scratcher

ESPN’s Field Yates questions the amount of money the Cardinals are paying Conner in his new three-year deal.

cardswire.usatoday.com

Cardinals' deal for James Conner considered head-scratcher​

After two weeks of free agency, teams have made a number of moves. The Arizona Cardinals have mostly re-signed their own free agents. One of the first deals they made was a three-year, $21 million contract for running back James Conner.

He was a critical piece of the offense, especially in the second half of the season. He was second in the NFL in touchdowns and led the Cardinals in rushing and yards from scrimmage.

However, the deal has been met with some criticism.

ESPN analysts were asked to react to free agency and give their thoughts on the best and worst signings.

For Field Yates, Conner’s deal was a head-scratcher.

I’m thrilled for Conner, who just kept finding the end zone last season and emerged as a leader for the Cardinals. The part that I’m more skeptical of is the money involved, as Conner’s deal makes him the 10th-highest paid back in the league. That felt like a premium for a player who finished 27th in the league in rushing yards and 43rd in yards per carry.

The Cardinals have not been afraid of paying their top running back premium money. They paid David Johnson and then Kenyan Drake in 2020.

Conner’s contract doesn’t exactly match his 2021 production because he was not the featured back. He shared the offensive load in 2021 with Chase Edmonds.

The Cardinals paid him that much to be the No. 1 back and workhorse for them over the next couple of seasons.

He will get more touches and will be a featured part of the offense.

If he can take that shared load that produced more than 1,100 total yards and 18 total touchdowns and turn that into more than 1,500 of total yards and 10-15 touchdowns, that deal will look just fine.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I wouldn’t be shocked if Murray suddenly decided to play baseball.

I have lost a lot of respect for Murray after hearing some of the things that were reported. He was entrusted to be the leader of the team. Right now he doesn’t seem to be capable.

 

[Ramlock]

I have lost a lot of respect for Murray after hearing some of the things that were reported.

Never had any respect for him and I’ll be damned if he’s considered a great player and leader.

 

[Psycho_X]

View: https://twitter.com/mysportupdateee/status/1508863631802486790?s=21

 

[gogoat1]

Murray sux. We proved it.

 

[ROD-BOT]

Cardinals must ace the 2022 draft after doing little in free agency

An underwhelming approach to free agency will force the Arizona Cardinals to land flat-out studs during the upcoming 2022 NFL Draft.

raisingzona.com

Cardinals must ace the 2022 draft after doing little in free agency​

An underwhelming approach to free agency will force the Arizona Cardinals to land flat-out studs during the upcoming 2022 NFL Draft.

It’s been a disappointing offseason thus far for fans of the Arizona Cardinals.

Just last season, the Cards spent several weeks at the top of the NFL’s power rankings. Things began to go awry, however, and the 2021 campaign ultimately ended in disaster. Following last year’s disheartening finish, those who follow the Cardinals were fully expecting the team’s front office to acquire a couple of difference-making free agents this spring.

Unfortunately, that hasn’t happened. Sure, Arizona general manager Steve Keim deserves a pat on the back for retaining tight end Zach Ertz and running back James Conner. Even so, the Redbirds are going to need much more than just those two to get over the top this coming fall.

The Cardinals hierarchy did add a couple of significant outsiders to the mix. Starting right guard Will Hernandez was a fine addition, and cornerback Jeff Gladney could turn out to be a bargain. But are these the type of acquisitions that a franchise with Super Bowl aspirations would make?

It’s hard to keep using a lack of salary-cap space as an excuse for the Cards. The Los Angeles Rams, the organization’s top rival, also have a limited amount of cap room. Nevertheless, Rams GM Les Snead found a way to ink top-tier linebacker Bobby Wagner to a $50 million contract just this past week.

In case Keim and company haven’t noticed, Arizona will have to go up against a brutal schedule in 2022. Besides facing the Super Bowl-champion Rams the usual two times, head coach Kliff Kingsbury’s squad will take on a vastly-improved AFC West division as well.

Arizona Cardinals will have several directions to go with their first-round pick

Jones isn’t the only member of the Cardinals roster that left town this spring. The loss of Christian Kirk, and potentially A.J. Green, has left the team devoid of a number-two wide receiver. Some possibilities in the opening round include Ohio State’s Chris Olave, Arkansas’ Treylon Burks, and Alabama’s Jameson Williams.

Arizona could also elect to address the edge-rusher position in the first round, now that Jones has flown the coop. Purdue’s George Karlaftis can fill that role and may still be there at No. 23 overall.

The Cards’ next selection will come in the second round, the 55th-overall pick. Washington cornerback Kyler Gordon would be a solid option in the second round. Another possibility at the spot could be Michigan State’s Kenneth Walker III, a running back who’d be a superb replacement for the departed Chase Edmonds.

When the third round of the 2022 draft rolls around, the Cardinals will have the 87th-overall selection to work with. Some prospects who would make sense at that point include Oklahoma edge-rusher Nik Bonitto, Penn State cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields, and Clemson wide receiver Justyn Ross.

Expecting Keim to come out of this month’s draft with at least three viable contributors could be nothing more than a pipedream. But if he can’t, Arizona can probably kiss a second-consecutive trip to the playoffs goodbye.

 

[ROD-BOT]

J.J. Watt could be Cardinals' replacement for Chandler Jones

His ability to play outside in passing downs might be why the Cardinals haven’t signed someone to replace Jones.

cardswire.usatoday.com

J.J. Watt could be Cardinals' replacement for Chandler Jones​

The Arizona Cardinals lost outside linebacker Chandler Jones in free agency after he joined the Las Vegas Raiders on a three-year deal. Thus far, they have made no moves.

It has been almost puzzling to see pass rusher after pass rusher land deals with other teams while the Cardinals stand pat.

Where will Jones’ replacement come from?

Perhaps the lack of movement in free agency is calculated. There is the possibility they have Jones’ replacement already on the roster — not Dennis Gardeck, Devon Kennard or Victor Dimukeje. Perhaps it is J.J. Watt.

For pretty much his entire career with the Houston Texans, Watt was used on the interior in base defensive packages and then slid out to the edge to rush the passers in nickel packages.

Last season, his first with the Cardinals, all he did was play the interior.

Watt’s versatility gives the Cardinals some choices.

They redid Devon Kennard’s contract to bring him back. Because he can be stout in the running game, he can play outside linebacker opposite Markus Golden with Watt inside in their 3-4 base front. In sub packages, Watt can replace Kennard off the edge, giving them Golden and Watt as their edge rushers.

It allows the Cardinals to be flexible in the draft and in the later stages of free agency.

If they land a first-round pass rusher, Watt could stay inside more. If they land a stud defensive tackle, then Watt could play the edge.

Perhaps they envision Leki Fotu, Rashard Lawrence and Michael Dogbe to be good enough to play alongside Zach Allen and give them what they need in the interior with Watt outside.

It will be easier to find a stout interior defender in the later weeks and months of free agency than an impact rusher.

Watt can be the impact pass rusher.

Perhaps Watt, when he was signed to a two-year contract last offseason, was at least the backup plan on the edge in the scenario where Jones would end up leaving.

As the Cardinals continue to leave Jones’ spot in the lineup empty, this might be the reason why.

 

[hotanez]

Watt can be the impact pass rusher.

Perhaps Watt, when he was signed to a two-year contract last offseason, was at least the backup plan on the edge in the scenario where Jones would end up leaving.

As the Cardinals continue to leave Jones’ spot in the lineup empty, this might be the reason why.

 

[1maGoh]

View: https://twitter.com/mysportupdateee/status/1508863631802486790?s=21

What did this say? The account has now been suspended and we can't see it.

 

[oldnotdead]

All you have to do is look at how the Cards spend their money. Last year they paid DJ Humphries their LT $19.9M. IMO when it comes to LTs Humphries is a JAG. In 5 years the Rams paid Whitworth a total of $53.5M for an average of $10.7M. Then they wonder why they can't keep talent? What a bunch of jagoffs the Card FO is.

 

[Mojo Ram]

Keim's team building philosophy

 

[Loyal]

Over at one of the main Card fan boards, they are eating their own. As Mojo knows, they have a subset of fans who call themselves the "Darksiders" and you can guess what POV they represent. Dark vs Light, and the battle continues on page 14. and before....

Rams continue to grow money: sign Bobby Wagner

I warned him time after time to stop calling people out. He didn't listen. And no I'm not trying to show off. I was very compassionate giving him only three days. I hope we can go back to football talk. We all obviously aren’t going to agree on everything, but sheesh there’s plenty of...

www.arizonasportsfans.com

 

[Neil039]

I believe JJ Watt is regretting not signing with the Rams. He jumped st the cash the Cardinals offered him. LMAO

 

[Merlin]

What's really funny with the Cards fan base is the fact they subscribe to the media nonsense about the Rams going "all in." Rams have an owner that allows them to creatively move cash around. The Cards have a shitter of an owner like we used to have, whose empty pockets lead to a lack of creativity.

What the Cards need to do is go find a good GM. Hit on that hire, then give him the resources he needs to hunt for a great coach and improve the scouting group. You can build a winner year to year with careful moves. It isn't sexy but it's possible. Problem is they have a GM with his head up his ass. An owner with his head up his ass too but not much you can do about that but change teams.

 

[RamFan503]

Over at one of the main Card fan boards, they are eating their own. As Mojo knows, they have a subset of fans who call themselves the "Darksiders" and you can guess what POV they represent. Dark vs Light, and the battle continues on page 14. and before....

Rams continue to grow money: sign Bobby Wagner

I warned him time after time to stop calling people out. He didn't listen. And no I'm not trying to show off. I was very compassionate giving him only three days. I hope we can go back to football talk. We all obviously aren’t going to agree on everything, but sheesh there’s plenty of...

www.arizonasportsfans.com

Well THAT's 10 minutes I'll never get back.

 

[RamFan503]

I believe JJ Watt is regretting not signing with the Rams. He jumped st the cash the Cardinals offered him. LMAO

Did we actually have interest in him? I don't recall and too lazy to research it.

 

[Loyal]

Well THAT's 10 minutes I'll never get back.

Turn back time! After all, you are Stu Almighty...

 

[Tano]

Well THAT's 10 minutes I'll never get back.

I liked the link on page 3 that showed the Spotrac breakdown of our contracts.

We have got to be hoping that the CAP goes way up in 2024 because 190M with 18 players might be a bit much.

Or we will be doing extensions again lol

 

[Neil039]

Did we actually have interest in him? I don't recall and too lazy to research it.

I know his name came up but, it may have just been lip service. It’s was the whole having 2 3-time DPOY on one team.

 

[AvengerRam]

The Cardinals have lost their leading receiver, second leading rusher, second leading tackler, and second best pass rusher. They sputtered down the stretch, going 1-4 in their final 5 games, then getting blown out in the Wild Card round.

I don't see them as a threat.