The Cardinals Off-Season Pt. I

The Cardinals had their first promising season in a decade and this off-season will be key to their future success. They have several key free agents set for big pay raises, and the price tag for super bowl role players can sky rocket after a big game (remember Dexter Jackson? Rod Graves does...).

Over the course of a few posts I'll be commenting on Cardinal decisions, rumors, and other league happenings. I'm going to start with key free agents and make predictions on if they will return, and what kind of year we can expect from them.

Kurt Warner
What he did: Led the Cardinals to a Super Bowl while putting up MVP numbers for most of the season.

What he didn't do: Instill confidence. I still can't trust him. They went to the super bowl, but nine wins will not cut it next year. He gets a guilty look when he tries to look confident. Kind of like when my dog gets into the trash can and plays it off like nothing happened.

What will happen in the off-season: If Anquan Boldin commits to 2009 then Warner will be back. If not, it's a 50/50. He has a maturing offensive line that played great in the playoffs and emerging receivers in Steve Breaston and Early Doucet. I'm thinking he gets resigned and puts up high 60% completion percentage, about 2500 yards, 20 TDs, 8 INTs, and 6 fumbles in 12 games and 11 starts.

J.J. Arrington
What he did: Arrington has never succeeded at the level his 2nd round draft status projected since leaving Cal. He was inactive for the first 4 games of the season before earning some playing time from Whisenhunt. He was effective in the return game (including a game-breaker against Dallas for 6) and proved valuable in 3rd and long situations with screens and flat routes.

What he didn't do: Provide stability. His average yd/att was much improved thanks to some long runs but he was never the feature of the offense.

What will happen in the off-season: J.J.'s vision and patience has shown much improvement under RBs coach Maurice Carthon. With the projected departure of Edgerrin James as a cap casualty, Arrington will most likely be resigned to a smaller deal with incentives for production. He should end up on the kickoff squad and continue to get some more reps as Whisenhunt finds more ways to employ his speed and shiftiness. 400 yards rushing, 400 yards receiving, and 5 TDs (2 rushing, 2 receiving, 1 return) is what I see for J.J. in 2009.

Bertrand Berry
What he did: Berry took a restructured deal for less money to stay on an Arizona team he felt had potential, and for that he gets my vote as a fan favorite. Berry does not have the speed he once had but he uses solid technique with good football instincts to make plays.

What he didn't do: Stop the run. Berry is not longer a starter on a good football team but he is a solid backup and can still play series as a down line backer or upright end based on personnel needs.

What will happen in the off-season: Bertrand is the kind of guy Whisenhunt likes on his teams and will definitely want him back. Look for him to sign another one or two year contract around his pay from last year. For production, I can see similar 30 tackle and 4-5 sack kind of season.

Karlos Dansby
What he did: He played Pro Bowl caliber defense and led a blitzing linebacking core that surprised teams in the playoffs with their tough short-yardage defense.

What he didn't do: The Cardinals missed too many tackles and Dansby was another culprit. Like Antrel Rolle and Adrian Wilson, Dansby gets jacked on the big hit. Sometimes that means strong runners can bounce of his shoulder tackles and get extra yardage in the second level. There isn't much negative in his game though. He is an emotional leader and a key player to the Cardinals D.

What will happen in the off-season: Dansby scares me because of his potential. He is still a young player and flashes brilliance. He has the speed, size, and determination to become a perannieal Pro Bowler in the right system. He can play in a 3-4 or 4-3 which also helps his market value. There has been rumors over him going to Jersey A, but I feel this is just promotion to drive his price up. There is a chance he could recieve an offer like Calvin Pace got from Jersey B, and the Cardinals might not want to commit that much money. If a long-term deal can't be worked out, I expect Dansby to be franchised. Either way I think he will be back. Look for 100 tackles, 6 sacks, 2 INTS, 3-4 forced fumbles and a reel of big hits from Dansby in 2009.

Antonio Smith
What he did: Antonio has always been a favorite player of mine and with the move to the starting unit full time in 2009 we see the potential from this 5th round pick out of OK State. He is average in run stopping and above-average in pass rush because of his ability to give a second effort and beat his man on a busted play. He was another Cardinal who really stepped it up in the playoffs and if he can play with that intensity game in-game out he could be a force for this team.

What he didn't do: His first full year as a starter was good, not great. He didn't always make his presence known and his production varied game to game. His play recognition could use some work but if he continues to improve as he has so far, he will be a solid player for years.

What will happen in the off-season: Antonio Smith has the bad fortune of being low in line. The Cards first priorities will be Dansby and Warner while trying to get new deals for Boldin and Dockett. There is a chance free agency could start before Smith gets a deal and a team might swoop in with a little more money than the Cardinals would like to pay. Unfortunately, I think Smith will get a better deal from another team while the Cardinals are still trying to figure out their own cap configuration. Starting on his new team, he will have 50 tackles, 8 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles.

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More to come later. Some posts will be funny, some more like this one. Some will involve irrelevant stats that I found. Some will be long, some will be a few sentences.

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Playlist: Ludacris - Release Therapy