NFL 2012 Free Agent Class: What Should The Arizona Cardinals Do Part One. Re-signing Their Own Men

by cdeveau on Nov 10, 2011 3:00 PM MST in NFL Offseason/Free Agency

Halfway through the 2011 season the Arizona Cardinals have struggled. I'm going to call it what it really is, a rebuilding season. 2 - 6. A new QB, a resigned #1 WR. A solid when healthy RB in his third season. A new DC with a new scheme. But while rebuilding, the organization cannot lose vital people. With that in mind, hit the jump to see who from the Cards roster is a free agent in 2012.

The folks over at the NFL Trade Rumors site have created a listing of 2012s free agents, and it can be seen here. I've complied a list of the Arizona Cardinals players below.

QB Richard Bartel: Current third string QB. Played well in preseason. I'm sure the Cards wouldn't mind having him back for the right price.
RB LaRod Stephens-Howling: Dynamic KR. A change of pace back. Makes plays when he touches the ball.
TE Mike Leach: Never underestimate the value of a good long snapper.
OT Levi Brown: I blame the coaching staff here. He is not who you think he is. Move him to RT, let him compete for the spot.
DE Calais Campbell: As I've already read, re-sign him now, the cost just keeps rising.
DE Vonnie Holliday: He was going to retire when he was traded. Provides nice depth, but might not be viable for 2012.
OLB Clark Haggans: Having a solid year. If I were to keep a vet around to tutor the young, he would be it.
CB Greg Toler: Injured himself to start the 2011 season. Shows potential. Is the type of physical QB Horton likes.
S Rashad Johnson: He's starting due to injury. I've yet to see why they drafted him in the 3rd round. It's just not there. Could they bring him back? It's possible.
K Jay Feely: He's consistent with the PAT. He places the kickoff deep. He's struggled with the FG this season.

But what do you think? Who should the Cards re-sign?

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Comments

I would resign

LaRod Stephens-Howling – too much of a dynamic player to let go. We DO NOT use him as we should be, but he needs to stick around and the coaching staff needs to start using him better.

Calais Cambell – Completely proven to me with his play this year that he needs to stick around. I have never been THAT high on CC but this season his play just speaks for itself really. A must sign and #1 priority this season.

Greg Toler – Really like this young CB. Plays physical and can really tackle for a CB. He fits Ray Hortons style of defense absolutely perfectly and I see no reason why he isn’t locked up. I look to see him continue to improve in this league so stay healthy!

Clark Haggans – Bring him in for a 1 year deal for some depth to the LB group also providing a solid veteran presence who is an intelligent player.

Rashad Johnson – I would personally release him but that would mean drafting a S in the draft (something I am completely rooting for (SS)) for the replacement of A Dub (eventually). Not sure what kind of other free agent safeties are out there so we could possibly bring one in that way as well, I just am not a big RJ fan.

Also, Jay I am pretty iffy on bringing him back he has had trouble with FG’s so it is time to test the market. Would sign Mike Leach and Richard Bartel.

by Airwave on Nov 10, 2011 3:14 PM MST reply actions

No

on Bartel, Leach, Haggans, or Holliday, once we get rid of Kolb, they need to take that money and sign Ben Grubbs.

Formerly known as Cardsfan928, If you wanna grab a quick game of madden, my screenname is also my Xbox name.

by INSOMAN1ATIC on Nov 10, 2011 4:22 PM MST reply actions

Dude

Kolb isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

We all bleed Cardinal Red, but most of us don't recognize it!

"It takes no talent to give great effort"--Chris Petersen

Patrick Peterson is the 2nd coming of Deion Sanders. They even wear the same number.

by robloosli on Nov 10, 2011 9:24 PM MST up reply actions

Then someone in the coaching staff

should be.

Formerly known as Cardsfan928, If you wanna grab a quick game of madden, my screenname is also my Xbox name.

by INSOMAN1ATIC on Nov 10, 2011 9:41 PM MST up reply actions

Out of curiosity

How long have you been a GM, talent evaluator, coach or coordinator in the NFL?

You sure know more than any of those types of people so you must be one of them…

We all bleed Cardinal Red, but most of us don't recognize it!

"It takes no talent to give great effort"--Chris Petersen

Patrick Peterson is the 2nd coming of Deion Sanders. They even wear the same number.

by robloosli on Nov 11, 2011 12:46 PM MST up reply actions

I would bring back everyone except for Bad Bad Levi Brown

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by JoeCB1991 on Nov 10, 2011 5:08 PM MST reply actions

Worst OLine in the whole damn town

Liberen a Wilson!

by jeff550 on Nov 10, 2011 7:28 PM MST up reply actions

Levi Brown costs too much next year.

Moving him back to the right side makes some sense but not for the money he is due. He will get cut.

Campbell obviously need an extention.

Bartel should be kept on as the #3 QB.

Toler should be retained.

Stephens-Howling is a keeper.

Feely is worth keeping around unless someone better is available. Same goes for Zastudil too. Actually they should be more active in looking for an upgrade at punter than kicker.

by hadrarius on Nov 10, 2011 6:13 PM MST reply actions

The Cardinals Front Office

Said they’d start contract talks with Campbell starting next week so we’ll get him back. The people I’d resign are
1) Greg Toler- Up and Coming CB and will have benefit from being on the opposite side of Peterson

2) Bartel should be brought in to battle for that second spot and maybe even the third spot

3) Stephen Howlings is a definite keeper. Having him as our KR and Peterson as our PR would be an extremely dangerous Special Teams

4) I’d keep Feely because he’s been more consistent lately.

5) Cut Levi before the start of the new Season which is March 12th so that we only owe him his 2011 salary.

by Alex Mann on Nov 10, 2011 7:07 PM MST reply actions

Also Keep Rashad

but look for a SS in FA. Resign Haggans but have him battle for a roster spot. Leach is a keeper, and hopefully we can keep Holliday.

by Alex Mann on Nov 10, 2011 7:10 PM MST up reply actions

KEEP:
Bartel- has a quick release and can read defenses well.
C.C.- comment needed???
Leach- he could be 50 as long as he could still long snap.
Toler- great cover corner (Peterson), great physical corner (Toler). That’s the Steelers way, right?
LSH- he’s a bad mamma jamma.

TOSS:
Holiday- move over bacon, here’s something meatier (and younger).
Haggans- yes he’s been somewhat solid. But at this point, he’s stunting the growth of one of our younger LBs.
Feely- he could stay or go. Either way matters not.
Brown- either move him to RT or let him go. Regardless he needs to restructure.
Johnson- he started as a RB at Alabama. He would probably suck at that position too.

If you don't have anything good to say about the Cards this season, you'd be correct.

by hevchv on Nov 10, 2011 8:06 PM MST via mobile reply actions

great analysis of LSH and Holiday

didn’t know Johnson played RB, knew he was a walkon though. May mean he needs more time to adjust to NFL speed and the system. I’d like to keep him around for real cheap

by cardinalbrown on Nov 10, 2011 8:58 PM MST up reply actions

I'd keep Johnson

as long as the price is okay for a backup. He does a lot on ST.

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by Jess Root on Nov 11, 2011 10:37 AM MST up reply actions

LSH and CC are no brainers. Both play vital roles on this team.
Toler I think should be resigned, but good CBs are more common than we realize, and the Cardinals shouldn’t overspend on Toler.
Beyond those 3, maybe RJ. He has improved this year but not played up to his potential.

We all bleed Cardinal Red, but most of us don't recognize it!

"It takes no talent to give great effort"--Chris Petersen

Patrick Peterson is the 2nd coming of Deion Sanders. They even wear the same number.

by robloosli on Nov 10, 2011 9:26 PM MST reply actions

He was a 3rd round pick,

and it’s not like he’s playing behind safeties that wouldn’t start on any other team in the league.

Formerly known as Cardsfan928, If you wanna grab a quick game of madden, my screenname is also my Xbox name.

by INSOMAN1ATIC on Nov 10, 2011 9:40 PM MST reply actions

You don't expect a 3rd round pick to play a more prominent role on a team then RJ plays?

by Airwave on Nov 10, 2011 10:05 PM MST up reply actions

LSH, Toler, Bartel, and Johnson are all RFAs

i would expect them all to return next year. The only one who may get an offer sheet from another team would be LSH, and i think that the cards would want to match that offer. I dont think that those other players would get offer sheet, especially since Toler is coming of a knee injury.
Calais is definitely a our biggest in house priority and apparently the cards FO realizes this.

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by GreaZzy on Nov 10, 2011 9:52 PM MST reply actions