Matt Wilhelm Released. Should the Cardinals be looking in that direction?

by mbn on Jul 27, 2009 1:46 PM MDT Comment 17 comments

Matt Wilhelm was released by the Chargers (6'4" 245) and now is on the market. He is a solid ILB in my book and would provide solid depth along with Hobson for the Cardinals. Yet, with Camp being upon us is it wise to look elsewhere right now for depth... or is now the perfect time? I am just not sold on on either Togafau or Highsmith. Togafau is mid 240s and works hard but no big upside to speak of. Highsmith is very athletic but at 6' he is probably maxed out at 230lb and therefore doesn't reallly fit a 3-4. I am starting to feel comfortable with Hobson as one of the ILB. I just don't think there is a solid option for the 4th ILB.

Is it time to look to bring in the 7-year-vet Wilhelm, or another similar FA, if they will sign for min, or should the Cards just ride what they have through Camp and see how they feel come Sept?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Revenge of the Birds' (ROTB) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of ROTB's editors.

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Already 2 players to be cut after draft signings,

let’s see how our guys do in camp, were not signing any Released player in my mind unless they’re an established pass-rusher with no injury concern, highly unlikely! So no to Wilhelm and Levi Jones.

by 7ftCard on Jul 27, 2009 2:17 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Welcome to RotB.

Life's too short. Be a fan. Magic, Cards,Rays and "the U"! What a winning combo.

by hevchv on Jul 27, 2009 3:10 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Might be necessary

I agree with your assessment of our ILBs, and believe an upgrade at the 4th spot is in order with the loss of Beisel. The one question I’d have is how good is Wilhelm on ST?

by Long Beach on Jul 27, 2009 3:30 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

great question

If he’s adequate, which I’m assuming he is, I say why not bring him in. He’s young, should be cheap and our depth at LB is really bad. Go ahead and cut any one of a number of guys like Vincent, Shor, Ware, Ross etc etc who’s shot of making this team is next to nothing and get this guy.

Be careful....to a hammer, everything looks like a nail.

by Bezekira on Jul 27, 2009 4:04 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

The only reason I ask

is I believe he’s been a starter for most of his career, and if that’s the case (and I’m guessing either you or MBN may know) he probably doesn’t have a lot of ST experience, whereas a guy like Highsmith was performing pretty well there before he got hurt. But otherwise, he sounds like a he’d be a major upgrade to our backup ILBs and as you mentioned, we can find a number of guys who won’t make the team to release to create a roster opening for him.

by Long Beach on Jul 27, 2009 4:16 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well the past two seasons he’s been a starter but he was a backup (and I assume special teamer) for his first four.

http://www.nfl.com/players/mattwilhelm/profile?id=WIL062196

Be careful....to a hammer, everything looks like a nail.

by Bezekira on Jul 28, 2009 5:52 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

In that case

I don’t see a reason not to sign him if the price is right, there can’t be too many guys with starting experience, with his background in the 3-4, currently available.

by Long Beach on Jul 28, 2009 11:15 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Even after we sign all our picks we should have 2 mil left over cap wise so If he would agree to something under or around a mil, I say go for it. I would definitely prefer him over Hobson.

by Pyromnc on Jul 28, 2009 11:24 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mostly agree

except that I think Hobson will do well in the 3-4, so with him and Wilhelm I’d feel pretty good about our depth at ILB.

by Long Beach on Jul 28, 2009 11:39 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think Hobson is a good player....

but I prefer Highsmith. This kid has some upside and brought a lot to special teams before he got hurt. If we can keep all three of them along with Dansby and Hayes than I definitely would not complain.

by Pyromnc on Jul 28, 2009 11:45 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd prefer him over either of our UDFA linebackers

I like Hobson simply because he has starting experience on the outside in a 3-4 and I think there’s very little chance that Okeafor and Haggans make an entire season healthy. With that in mind I wouldn’t mind carrying 5 ILB’s and four OLB’s (Dansby, Hayes, Haggans, Okeafor, Brown, Berry, Highsmith, Hobson and this guy) considering that Hobson would fill in at both spots and really just make it 4 1/2 at each spot.

Be careful....to a hammer, everything looks like a nail.

by Bezekira on Jul 28, 2009 11:39 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs