Arizona Cardinals Make Cuts; Release Pope, Francisco, and Hobson

by Andrew602 on Sep 4, 2009 4:39 PM MDT in 2009 Camp & Preseason Comment 36 comments

Arizona Cardinals safety Aaron Francisco (47)

After one of the more lackluster performances of the preseason, the Cardinals have made their final cuts of the off season before the home opener against the 49ers. Within the last 24 hours, the Cardinals were able to make their decisions and release the remaining 20 players on the bubble. Among them were some notables, including Aaron Francisco, Leonard Pope, and Victor Hobson. Aside from the cuts, those that were left untouched were undrafted rookie linebacker Reggie Walker and second year linebacker Ali Highsmith.

The cuts also show just how much trust the coaches have in the young players on defense. Now backing up Wilson and Rolle will be Matt Ware and Rashad Johnson. Highsmith, Walker and Will Davis will also fill in behind the starters at linebacker. On offense, the Cardinals cut quarterback Tyler Palko, along with fullback Tim Castille. Aside from Pope, the offense remains virtually the same.

Players that were able to survive the cut may come as the real surprise. Fan favorite Lance Long, just barely made the team. With Pope being the odd man out, that means the Cardinals will carry Dominique Byrd, Anthony Becht, and Stephen Spach. Since Ben Patrick doesn't count against the roster until week four, we can only assume that one of these tight ends will be released at that point. Other notables that survived the cut were Michael Adams, Greg Toler, and more importantly, LaRod Stephens-Howling. The most obvious reason for LSH's spot on the roster has to be return duties, which he should be ready for on September 13th. What's everyone's take on the roster cuts? Would you have handled the cuts any different?

For a complete list of the roster cuts, click here.

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Most surprised about Hobson

I wonder how the safeties are going to look when Wilson and Rolle move up, now. Will they be playing deep more often, or are Ware & RJ going to get a shot at it? Do we use Adams as the nickel and keep Rolle down the field?

Does Long get the nod at PR after a steady, albeit zero-gain, outing against Denver?

And how long do Walker and Highsmith have when Whiz takes a look at the rest of the league’s wire? What about Bert? I imagine Will Davis stays on the roster now, no matter what, which puts Bert’s spot the most at risk if we try to acquire someone from outside.

I see the Steelers released Isaac Redman, who someone had mentioned here before. I like what I’ve seen from Redman, but I’m pretty sure we don’t have room for 5 RBs, so I’m thinking that he’s out of the question for us.

by tw3kr on Sep 4, 2009 5:18 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I was surprised about Hobson the most.

Relieved that Francisco is finally gone, same with Pope too. I’m guessing Rolle, Breaston or Long will return punts and LSH should get the majority of kick returns.

Hey, hey, hey hey hey, watch the language, ok? I have a family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on Sep 4, 2009 5:37 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I appreciate what Francisco brought to the team via special teams, but I’m relieved he’s gone, too. I can only see that Super Bowl touchdown pass with him in coverage so many times before wanting to rip his face off (even if it wasn’t entirely his fault).

by jonofthedead on Sep 4, 2009 5:49 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I always kinda liked him

but I can definitely see where he was a victim of potential. His ceiling as a safety never seemed to improve, and his play was always either pretty good or pretty bad. He filled a good role for us, but I don’t really see the team being worse off for moving on. Probably a guy that will find a job elsewhere, albeit not a high-paying one…

Urban said that he figured Walker had a higher ceiling than the level Hobson was able to play at, which may have factored into the decision. We know Walker’s physically gifted from his interview, and he seemed to be getting better and better on the field for us. Not sure if he’ll be a casualty of the impending waiver-depth-hunt, but we’ll see. Glad he made it this far.

by tw3kr on Sep 4, 2009 6:31 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

thank the good lord Francisco’s gone. He’s not good. That level of craptitude to be relied on in the secondary is not worth whatever value to special teams he has.

by KDean75 on Sep 4, 2009 6:39 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

He wasn't needed

Francisco plays better near the line. We have that already in Wilson and Rolle. Ware and Johnson seem to play deep better than Francisco. Plus he was owed over a mil.

MBN

by mbn on Sep 4, 2009 6:52 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Right

And they were playing Ware a lot near the line during the preseason. He seemed to fare well there.

by tw3kr on Sep 4, 2009 7:16 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

YES

no i will never see him again in a AZ uniform and think of that terrible play in the super bowl.

by cinsana88 on Sep 5, 2009 12:25 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ware is also can play cornerback and is a beast on Special Teams

Ware is as close to a utility player (like baseball) that the Cards have (aside from Wilson who could play every position on the D aside from NT). Francisco will find a home somewhere…in the UFL.

We all leave footprints in the sands of time, just watch out for the discarded fish hooks!

by Hawkwind on Sep 5, 2009 9:20 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Can he really though?

Mostly I remember Ware jumping off-sides on two kick-offs in one game and I kind of doubt they would trust him to actually play CB…

by tw3kr on Sep 5, 2009 4:25 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Possible that Wisenhunt kept Long for now as trade bait instead of giving him away for nothing?

I’m a Chiefs fan looking for an opinion from people who are better in the know. Theres a high probability the Chiefs wouldve taken him with a huge need at KR/PR and the need of another WR and you would have to imagine Wisenhunt is aware of that. Or is this just an insurance policy for Doucets injury proneness?

"Success is never ending, failure is never final."

by GenericBrand on Sep 4, 2009 5:48 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Could be bait

Sounds like Long could really help you guys, and I’m not sure how much he’s going to contribute here — at least not this year. After watching him fail to impress at WR some of us were certain they’d just let him go. However, he used to be pegged as the eventual replacement to Sean Morey, so Whiz might actually be intent on keeping him around for the special teams experience, and as health insurance. He also provides solid, if unspectacular, depth for us at KR and PR. He’s the only non-starter who’s been doing PR work.

If y’all have some LB depth you’re willing to send over, I can definitely see it…

by tw3kr on Sep 4, 2009 6:20 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

We have about as much LB depth as you, maybe a bit less...

The depth we have is young and learning. Long solves alot of issues for us with depth for Engram at WR, whos 36 and probably one solid hit from retirement, and as a returner. Ill take unspectacular returns over what we have. Just last night I watched a PR let two punts hit the ground instead of fielding it at the 15 yard line only to have it downed on our 2.

"Success is never ending, failure is never final."

by GenericBrand on Sep 4, 2009 6:28 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

We didn't get to see too much from him

Just about every punt was within the ten, or even deeper — couple fair catches, several bounces into the end zone. He handled himself well. He muffed one week three in the open field — lot of guys closing in, seemed to get nervous — but managed to fall on it. He’s a speedy guy, and had 32 KR average over two attempts, so he could have a few pretty good returns coming.

Our LB depth consists of frighteningly old, or just like you guys, young and learning. Two rookies, one 2nd-year guy, and then Berry (33? 34?) holding it down… I was thinking earlier, since you had like 7 RBs on your roster, that we might be interested there, but we ended up keeping all 4 of ours, so I very much doubt that now. A player-for-player still seems most likely given Long’s invisible pedigree, possibly D-line?

We have some use for Long here this year, and again, Whiz seems to be attached, so I’m not certain what to tell you at this point.

by tw3kr on Sep 4, 2009 6:41 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

You can have Beisel back :)

"Success is never ending, failure is never final."

by GenericBrand on Sep 4, 2009 7:04 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think we would all love to have Beisel back....Long for Beisel?

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

by Bezekira on Sep 5, 2009 7:08 AM MDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

+1

We all leave footprints in the sands of time, just watch out for the discarded fish hooks!

by Hawkwind on Sep 5, 2009 9:37 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hobson was the new Beisel

by tw3kr on Sep 5, 2009 4:40 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

+2

Section 102, Row 18

by CardsFan08 on Sep 5, 2009 5:28 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

HOBSON

Cutting Hobson was a shocker – he’s been one of the few guys whos’ consistently stuffed the inside run and his 2 sacks vs. Denver were sweet. Maybe we’ll get lucky and re-sign him after Doucet and/or Patrick return to action.

Ollie Ross was far from being a prototypical backup LT, but what will we do now should Gandy go down. Screw up 2 positions by shifting L Brown over? Or slotting E Brown at LT and praying he can do the job?

GBR

by jeffgollin@aol.com on Sep 4, 2009 5:55 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

One thought about Hobson

I am not saying this is the case, but if a Veteran is not on the roster his money is not guarnteed so it gives the team flexibility. But if you bring that Veteran back after the first game, as I understand, then he can under contract with out the guaranteed money. It is possible that Hobson could come back. I doubt it but it is the thought.

MBN

by mbn on Sep 4, 2009 6:57 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

A possibility

That’s what I figured was going to be Edgerrin’s fate before Seattle committed to him. Hobson did show some flashes in Denver, but as a former full time starter for the Jets he should have considering the talent/experience he was up against. Maybe he didn’t shine enough over the whole preseason. Or maybe Reggie Walker just plain outplayed Hobson and gives the Cardinals the best chance to win, the creed of Whisenhunt. Knowing that Highsmith and Walker are going to be on ST (with Will Davis too!) gives me confidence in our KR coverage teams. That will be a nice change.

We all leave footprints in the sands of time, just watch out for the discarded fish hooks!

by Hawkwind on Sep 5, 2009 9:42 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

i really think the cards did the right things here for the most part

moves like cutting ross despite not having a backup left tackle show:
a) they have confidence in their backups and in russ grimms’ ability to shuffle the line if needed
b) they recognise that it is more important to keep promising young players at a stacked position as opposed to old career backups

pope and francisco had to go though i’m intrigued by the decision to keep long
in retrospect, i think it makes sense – boldin, breaston and doucet have all been injured this preseason and long might even command trade value in the season

hobson was an odd choice and i believe the cardinals’ only mistake – he had the versatility we needed at a thin position, the experience (though we have plenty of that at linebacker) and borderline starter ability. perhaps it was his lack of ST ability…

other than that, really pleased! so glad adams is still with us

by beanbaglovers on Sep 4, 2009 6:39 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

No back-up for Gandy points to a possible Vallejo return?

Gotta root for my local UC Davis guy. You nailed it on the head with a) and b) beanbag.

Michael Adams showed stature don’t mean fecal as long as you play at 100% all the time. Adams showed some vertical ability on his INT Thursday so I’m not worried about his skills against #1s. He’s also another good player on STs and was usually the first guy there on downing punts inside the five yard line.

We all leave footprints in the sands of time, just watch out for the discarded fish hooks!

by Hawkwind on Sep 5, 2009 9:49 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

possible Vallejo return

has anyone heard the latest, I read somewhere that after the injury settlement we sign him after week nine. He will be healthy before then so it will be intersting if someone signs him prior to that.

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

by Bezekira on Sep 5, 2009 10:48 AM MDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Long and Patrick

Long is insurance for Doucet’s ribs. When Patrick comes back in 4 weeks Doucet’s ribs should be better. We assume that the Cards will cut a TE when Patrick comes back, but it may be they end up keeping 4 TE and cutting Long. That would give them 2 TE that are more receivers (Patrick and Byrd) and 2 that are more blockers (Becht and Spach), and they would also have 6 receivers like last year.

MBN

by mbn on Sep 4, 2009 7:30 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

Or Spach if he continues to blow.

by tw3kr on Sep 4, 2009 7:38 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Branch stays

that kinda shocked me. but i guess they want to give him one more go.

i guess they did it because watson is injured a lot.

did dykes do bad in preseason because i figured he would have made it if Branch did nothing which is what he did. i mean big deal he came to camp in shape.

by cinsana88 on Sep 5, 2009 12:34 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Dykes was injured the whole time.

by tw3kr on Sep 5, 2009 2:39 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry if I missed this

But did Michael Ray Garvin get waived/injured earlier this preseason?

by Irishcardinal on Sep 5, 2009 5:17 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

My bad

He did

by Irishcardinal on Sep 5, 2009 5:18 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

First round of cuts, I'd expect him to be a PS player as he can run scout WR and CB

We all leave footprints in the sands of time, just watch out for the discarded fish hooks!

by Hawkwind on Sep 5, 2009 9:51 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

=)

Finally bye bye Cisco kid!!

by azcardswinez on Sep 5, 2009 10:23 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

It's sad that the only things I can remember Aaron for are:

1) Breaking Boldin’s nose in training camp.
2) Fumbling an INT against the Eagles.
3) Being on every frakking Steelers’ SB hightlight reel feebly pushing at Holmes for the winning TD.

I love when rookie FA make a squad and I was firmly in Francisco’s camp for a couple of years but the past two have been painful. He’ll start at safety for one of the four UFL squads, likely Green’s team.

We all leave footprints in the sands of time, just watch out for the discarded fish hooks!

by Hawkwind on Sep 5, 2009 10:41 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Possible names to watch this week end

Hood was released by the Bears but If the Cards go after him I wouldn;t think it will be until after the first game. Marcus Freeman (LB) Vance Walker (DL), and Wilhelm ILB were all cut. Any others to watch?

MBN

by mbn on Sep 5, 2009 5:10 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs