The offseason has officially begun, and so now have the questions about who will stay and who will go for the Arizona Cardinals. These decisions will be first and foremost on the minds of Valley sports fans, many of whom will anxiously await Kurt Warner’s return, Anquan Boldin’s possible departure, and any other pieces that could be added to the mix. The buzz and scrutiny this organization will now face is similar to that which the Suns faced following their own “close, but no cigar” championship run two years ago. In the two years since, the Suns have lost their identity, and lost the imagination of sports fans in the Valley. The Cardinals will to avoid that fate:
The Suns and Cardinals parallels.
SUNS: What not to do
2 years ago the Phoenix Suns were EXACTLY where the Arizona Cardinals are right now. Talk of the town- most exciting brand of basketball in the NBA. They had a veteran quarterback (if you will) running their offense that everyone loved (Steve Nash). They had a young superstar that everyone was certain would lead the team into the future (Amare Stoudemire). Like the Cardinals the Suns came sooo close to achieving their goal, and if certain things hadn’t happened (David Stern suspensions) - they might have. Like the Cardinals the Suns had many offseason questions. There was the unhappy player the Suns didn’t trade (Shawn Marion). And the unhappy player the Suns didn’t trade for (Kevin Garnett). Now two years later Marion is gone, Garnett is an NBA Champion, Amare is still an NBA underachiever, and the Phoenix Suns are lost.
CARDS: What will they do?
Like the Suns two years ago, the Arizona Cardinals are the talk of the town, the most exciting brand of football in the NFL. They have a veteran point guard (if you will) running their offense that everyone loves (Kurt Warner). They have a young superstar that everyone is certain will lead the team into the future (Larry Fitzgerald). Like the Suns the Cardinals came sooo close to achieving their goal, and if certain things hadn’t happened (James Harrison 100 yard TD return) - they might have. Like the Suns the Cardinals have many offseason questions. There is the unhappy player that wants a trade (Anquan Boldin). And there are several players the Cardinals will have to determine if they’re worth paying for (Karlos Dansby, Antonio Smith, Antrel Rolle, Adrian Wilson, Darnell Dockett).
So, the question becomes what steps do the Cards need to take to avoid becoming like the Suns. Burnsy says re-signing players (like Dansby to hefty contracts, in order to avoid the perception of being cheap is the 2nd major step. (First step, of course, being re-signing Kurt Warner).
Terry Porter also stopped by for his weekly visit to talk about the Suns big (in every sense) home win over Sacramento and road visit vs. Golden State tomorrow.
Suns and Cards parallels [6:23m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (17) Terry Porter [13:30m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (26)
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I think you have to sign Rolle for 3 years, as he is becoming a great safety. Resign Dockett as well as Wilson. I know the Cards have been cheap in the past so here is what cheap should do. SIgn Warner to a 2 year deal (this next year will likely be his last as a starter anyways. Lienart will start the next year or even next year if Warner gets injured. I think Dansby should be signed but for the cheap cardinals i think they should slap the franchise tag on him once again and use him to get another draft pick so that they can increase their depth at that position. and with the money they have they can go get a veteran. I dont know too much about Smith, but i am sure they could resign him or not, if he wants too much money. They could pick up a fullback in the draft or convert one of their many tightends.
as far as the suns go. well, they cant do much of anything this year to save their season. i dont think they can do anything for next year either. There is not one single (or several) trade that can give us (AZ fans) a chance at contending in the next 2-3 years. I say Keep Porter, fire the GM trade Amare for some scrub or scrubs and 1-2 draft picks if you can get them. Shaq and Nash are gone after this year. i say keep Barbosa for the point, Jay Rich and Grant HIll can stay too. The suns cant get by the Spurs right? well rebuild the team to run and play defense at the same time. in 3 years Dumbcan (spelled wrong on purpose) will be retired and Ginobili will be gone as well. That is when the Suns will have their best shot at going to the big show.
Of course once the Knicks get Labron and Kobe that is the end for every other team.
I would trade Boldin to Chicago,for Devin Hester and Daniel Manning.Keep Smith,Dansby,Wilson and Rolle as far as the defense goes.I would draft a Middle linebacker to replace Hayes,Cardinals need a player to control the middle of the field.A defensive end would be great,we also need a big and nasty Center to deliver punch in the middle of the line.Sendlein is a good center but not much of a run blocker.I believe the Cards also need another Corner,Hood gets beat way to much,he would be better as a nickle back.But most of all we need to keep Kurt around at least another year.My wish list for this years draft…I like DE-Tyson Jackson in the first round,and C-Max Unger in the second round.CB-Asher Allen in the third round,OG-Louis Vasquez in fourth,OT-Ruben Brewster in the Fifth round,LB-Antonio Appleby in the sixth,and finally RB-Frank Summers.That would be a pretty good draft.