Raising Zona
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Grading the Arizona Cardinals Offseason so far

By Erich Becker

January 16, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals fans gather before the NFC Divisional round playoff game against the Green Bay Packers at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 16, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals fans gather before the NFC Divisional round playoff game against the Green Bay Packers at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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How has the first three weeks of the offseason graded out for the Arizona Cardinals?

The Arizona Cardinals didn’t have to do much after a 13-3 season that saw them fall down on their faces in the NFC Championship Game, but still be a dominate force on defense and offseason all season. There were a number of holes that the team had to fill and a number of decisions that needed to be made. In no particular order:

  1. Shore up Calais Campbell’s contract hit for this season (and beyond)
  2. Sign a Pass Rusher in Free Agency, Draft or Trade
  3. Decide the Backup QB Position
  4. Fix the middle of the offensive line, mainly center
  5. Shore up the Secondary

In many regards, half of the offseason task list has been completed, the team traded for a pass rusher, sending first round disappointment (thus far) Jonathan Cooper and a second round pick to New England for Chandler Jones. Many feel as though the Cardinals got taken on this deal as they may not be able to afford Jones after this season, but the team is very clearly in win-now mode.

They decided the Backup QB position, at least for a few seasons, as Drew Stanton was resigned to the backup roll behind Carson Palmer, and Matt Barkley remains the number three, although that could change as the team moves through OTAs and camp.

The secondary will be naturally shored up when the Honey Badger returns from season-ending surgery, but for the time being, the loss of Rashad Johnson hurts, but the signing of Tyvon Branch appeared to be the plan all along as Johnson came out and said that the Cardinals did not extend him an offer.

That’s three out of the five I noted above, with the two heavy hitters still remaining.

The team needs to do something at center. There were rumors earlier in the offseason that Cooper was going to be given a try at center in OTAs and camp, but that won’t happen now, unless he’s doing it in silver and blue. Lyle Sendlein was a stop-gap, late camp signing, but the team needs to do better with so much invested on the line this season. Carson Palmer was healthy through 16 games, and the playoffs, which is excellent. That level of play has to continue.

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The signing of Evan Mathis is going to help them in the short term, but the line itself needs to be continually remade with a mix of veteran and new guys flowing into the mix. Could a center be had in the draft? Will another late camp signing do an admirable job for one season and the team can re-evaluate next year at this time? This is one question we do not know and rumors don’t appear to be going any which way than there’s a hole here.

The other item is one we have talked about at length, what to do about Calais Campbell’s contract. The team needs Campbell, not only from a performance standpoint, but from a publicity standpoint as well, he’s a valuable member of the community and the team, so cutting him outright won’t save them a lot in the eyes of the public, or on his contract.

Renegotiating seems to be the best option, but Campbell does not have an agent at the moment so not much can be done. There is this tidbit, while Campbell doesn’t have to do anything, he could have a career year this season with the double team moving from him to Chandler Jones, there are only so many guys on the field, and Calais can beat just about all of them if given the chance.

So far I think the Arizona Cardinals are in solid “B” territory as we approach the draft, losing the pick in the deal with New England hurts, I’m sure Steve Keim may decide to trade out of the first round pick if possible and pick up a few second rounders if it looks like a QB, Cornerback or linemen are not there (the three positions of need for the team), but you never know how these things will go.

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