Feels like we have a little bit of a quiet time, although we will hear from coach Mike LaFleur next week and then the players are going to be returning to the building the week after that. Nevertheless, the mailbag presses on. Don't forget to send a question for a future mailbag with at least a first name and last initial.
From Carter Hall:
"Any news on Calais Campbell? He was arguably our best defensive linemen last year. He still has plenty of juice. He's one season away from owning the all-time starts record for a defensive linemen. I know your opportunities to ask Monti or Mike questions on free agents have been few, but I'd argue CC is the No. 1 question that should be posed. If CC hasn't made a decision yet, is there a timeline we have to work with since his return (or not) affects our draft and remaining FA moves? Thanks."
Calais has not made a decision yet -- at least not publicly. If we go by last year's timeline, the announcement came with the Cardinals on the back end of the NFL owners meetings, which take place next week. That doesn't mean he will again make that choice on that timeline, but to be honest, I am not sure it would have *that* big of an impact. At most Campbell is another year, so if you see an excellent defensive lineman, you still pull the trigger.
I am curious to see what happens when he finally does make a call. Play at age 40? We will see.
From Pascal Pierre:
"Hi Darren. Thank you for your mailbag and your valuable insights. I am surprised that very few analysts see the Cardinals trading down from the third pick. Considering the history of Monti at third overall and the number of teams having two first-round picks, a trade down with the Browns or Vikings seems possible. It seems to me a bit of an overreach to draft RT with a 3rd overall pick. What is your take on this? Is this draft so deprived of potential generational talent that nobody would have enough of an incentive to move up the board?"
I mean, yes, it is missing that "generational" talent. There is not the QB that high that people are seeking, so unless it is Love from Notre Dame, you are missing that desire to move up like that -- and he's a running back, and do we know for sure he is Adrian Peterson? We can argue whether there is an offensive lineman "worth" No. 3, but there is always risk drafting that high. I am a fan of taking the best player at No. 3. If you really believe that it is Love, I suppose I would go that way. But a pass rusher works for me too.
From Larry G:
"Why would the Cards not pick Jeremiah Love if available at the third pick? He has to much talent to pass him up. He is probably the best athlete in the draft. Cards could pick a lineman in the draft later. Love can be a game changer for the Cards. You're talking Adrian Peterson talent. Didn't we pass on him the year he came out?"
Fair thoughts, although as good as Love has been, we will see if he is AD talent. If you think he's the best football player in the draft, OK. I don't want the best athlete. That doesn't necessarily help you in games. Isaiah Simmons was a hell of an athlete too. Yes, the Cardinals passed on Peterson because they had Edgerrin James in the second year of his megadeal and they wanted to build an offensive line. No, Levi Brown was not nearly as good as Peterson. He was part of an offensive line that got the team to the Super Bowl.
I'll say this: If you determine Love is the right pick this year, fine. If you are in any way basing a decision to take Love because in 2007 the franchise passed on AD, well, I can't think of a dumber way to draft.
From David McCommack:
"With the signing of Wilkinson (assuming to start at RT), and Seumalo (assuming to take Evan Browns spot on the OL) it looks like they have addressed the most pressing OL needs. I know it's always a good idea to have good quality depth there, but they are on the right track. Also, the same with signing Allgeier for the RB room. Do you think they will go elsewhere with the No. 3 pick? Then there is also the possible trade down with someone looking to get that generational RB. What do you think?"
I am not sure what happens at No. 3 at this point but to me, what they have done on the offensive line in free agency is what you should do -- try to build depth/plug holes and give you the option not to be forced into any particular pick, especially in the first round. Trading down is absolutely on the table, but they will have to measure opportunity cost in any scenario. As I mentioned before, I don't think anyone would want to move up for anyone other than Love, so yeah, that would have to be the carrot. Is someone gonna want to do that? I have my doubts.
I wouldn't assume Wilkinson will be the starter either. Let's see how this tracks.
From Scott Beltran:
"With Jalen Thompson now on the Cowboys, there is a starting position open on defense. We saw last season that Rabbit Taylor-Demerson fell out of favor at times, but he did flash earlier in his career. I for one think Rabbit has tremendous ballskills which will hopefully translate to more turnovers on defense. I would think Rabbit is the in-house favorite to be the starter, but if not, did you have anyone else in mind? I know we just signed that safety from the Jaguars."
One thing Andrew Wingard (that safety from the Jaguars) made clear was that he feels he is a starting-caliber safety in the NFL and I fully expect him to push to play. There will be competition between him and Rabbit. The entire defensive backfield is going to be a work-in-progress. Garrett Williams is still coming back from an Achilles. So does Sean Murphy-Bunting move into the slot role, a spot he excelled at earlier in his career? Will Johnson is starting at cornerback, but where is Starling Thomas V after his knee injury? How many strides will Denzel Burke take? Can Mex Melton get into the mix? And then there is safety aside from Budda Baker.
From Bill B:
"When are the Cardinals gonna get rid of those home uniforms that are all-red? Go back to the red jerseys and white pants plus totally get rid of those all-black uniforms. Have they even won a game in them since they've had them?"
The all-reds aren't going anywhere. The current uniforms were created so they weren't mix-and-match. Don't see that changing anytime soon. The all-blacks aren't going anywhere either. And I'll let you in on a secret, Bill -- whether they wear the black uniforms or not, it has zero bearing on the game's outcome. The Cardinals have had trouble winning games since the new unis came on line, so yeah, they aren't going to have a lot of wins wearing one particular ensemble either.
From Grant Guzman:
"Oh fine, I'll be the one who ask it. Tom Brady has been suggesting he's open to continue playing in the NFL and I want to know why the Cardinals would or would not throw the kitchen sink at signing him (there I said it). He's the GOAT QB. We happen to need a QB. Sure he's 50 but he's in better shape than most 20-year-olds. I know this is firmly in the realm of never gonna happen but just for my peace of mind I would like to think the team would try to get him, if able."
Hmm. Why would the Cardinals not throw the kitchen sink at Tom Brady trying to get him to sign.
I'm gonna go with the fact he is gonna be 49 this year. And hasn't played in the NFL for three seasons. And his last season (in which he threw a ridiculous 733 passes, a career high!) he looked -- despite some gaudy stats -- like he was running out of gas. And yeah, he might be in better shape than many 20-year-olds. But he's not in better shape than the 20-year-olds that play NFL football.
