Arizona Cardinals: Flying Around the Round Table
By Baily Deeter
Jan 13, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive end John Abraham (55) and free safety Thomas DeCoud (28) run out of the tunnel prior to the NFC divisional playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports
The Arizona Cardinals made a huge splash earlier this offseason. On Thursday, they made a bigger splash.
Eric Winston and John Abraham were both locked up by the Cardinals on Thursday, which filled two holes. Depth was added on the offensive line, and a pass-rusher opposite Calais Campbell was also added. Both players made big impacts last season, and both will help the Cardinals this season.
But how much will they help the Cardinals? To answer that question, we turned to our staff, which weighs in on how it felt about the signings.
Rich Cantrell
The signings of Winston and Abraham are just another positive sign the Cardinals made the right choice hiring GM Steve Keim. Signing Winston adds depth to a revamped line, and the addition of Abraham gives the Cardinals a pass rush specialist they desperately needed as long as he still has something left in the tank. It is hard to remain competitive in a transition year, but moves like these should provide Cardinals fans hope for this season and beyond.
Lamarr Harrison
They were pefect. Make people work. A lot of Madden players happy. Time to win. The Cardinals do not wahnt to lay down in the NFC West great tough pick ups.
Earl Burnett
Very good signings in my opinion, cards need more seasoned veterans to help all the youth they have in both positions. Think they need two more, one at WR and one DT, I think Brandon Lloyd and Richard Seymour should be looked at. Seymour will make them a defense that could compete in the division for sure , he is still a good run stopper and Lloyd would be a good threat on offense, then they would be able to make some noise.
Baily Deeter
I think both signings were good, but I’m not sure if Abraham will fit schematically. Abraham played in a 4-3 defense in Atlanta, and he hasn’t played in the 3-4 in a long time. He won’t play defensive end in Arizona’s base 3-4 package, so the Cardinals will either have to move him to outside linebacker or play more 4-3. That could cause some chaos in the defense.
As for Winston, he will add depth to the line. In addition, he could take over at left tackle and allow the Cardinals to shop Levi Brown.
Cyle Gill
With the signing of Eric Winston, they get a seven year starter, who was projected to be a first round draft pick until an ACL injury. With this signing, the cardinals strengthens their line even more.
With John Abraham, they signed a proven pass rusher, he will help out Alex Okafor and Sam Acho become better players and is an upgrade over everyone else but he’s also on the wrong side of 30.
Sean McConnell
I think these signings really show Steve Kiem’s true colors. This man isn’t afraid to go after pieces that the Cardinals need. The signing of Winston is great just because our line has been so shotty and this guy I don’t believe has missed a game in years. Signing Abraham however tells me one thing, the Cardinals want to win…now. Abraham can do a lot of things for the defense scheme that will only help. Sure he is aging, but he really has no signs of stopping.