Raising Zona
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Arizona Cardinals’ GM Having Unimpressive Offseason

By Jim Koch

Sep 13, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals General Manager Steve Keim looks on during the second half against the against the New Orleans Saints at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals General Manager Steve Keim looks on during the second half against the against the New Orleans Saints at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the Arizona Cardinals’ Super Bowl window closing fast, general manager Steve Keim has done little to keep it propped open

Steve Keim’s first three years as the GM of the Arizona Cardinals were impressive to say the least. His acquisitions, coupled with the coaching of Bruce Arians, brought Arizona out of the doldrums. He did a tremendous job of selling the organization to prospective free agents, signing many to team-friendly, one-year contracts.

His prowess did not go unrecognized. He was twice named “NFL Executive of the Year” by the respected Pro Football Talk (2013-14). It appeared that the club had a star in the making at the controls.

Things took a turn for the worst last year. Keim received major props for pulling off the Chandler Jones trade, but very little went right after that. His draft class was one of the worst in years, and the Cardinals subsequently limped to a 7-8-1 record.

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Keim was busy early on during this offseason’s free agent period, bringing some worthwhile pieces back to the nest. Jones was the most important player retained, although he was going nowhere after being slapped with the franchise tag. Other Cards re-signed included Jermaine Gresham, A.Q.Shipley, Frostee Rucker and Andre Ellington.

But free agent signings from other teams have been a bit on the underwhelming side. The best addition was probably kicker Phil Dawson, brought in to replace the shaky Chandler Catanzaro. The move was a decent step towards improving the Cardinals’ special teams, one of the NFL’s worst in ’16.

Karlos Dansby, a sentimental favorite, arrived to replace inside linebacker Kevin Minter. Like Dawson, he should also be an upgrade. But at 35 years old, it remains to be seen how much the three-time Card has left.

Antoine Bethea was signed to replace Tony Jefferson and D.J.Swearinger at safety. At this stage of his career, the 12th-year veteran is most likely a downgrade. Backup outside linebacker Jarvis Jones, a former first-round draft pick who underachieved with the Pittsburgh Steelers, replaces Alex Okafor.

With the free agent crop pretty much picked over at this point, glaring holes in the roster remain. The number-two cornerback spot has been inexplicably ignored. Help at right guard is needed and special teams contributors would be welcomed with open arms.

To expect Keim to fix the problems with next month’s NFL Draft is wishful thinking. As alluded to earlier, the team got no help from it’s rookies last season.

Next: Cardinals Need 2017 Draft to be Productive

According to “Over the Cap”, Arizona has just over $18 million of salary cap space left, so hopefully Keim still has a trick or two up his sleeve. Why that money wasn’t used early on in free agency to address the club’s remaining weaknesses is anyone’s guess, and something only Keim would know.

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