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Free Agency: What Pass Rushers Remain On The Market?

After watching Thursday's night game featuring the Arizona Cardinals and the Oakland Raiders, it became quite evident that Arizona does not have a massive need for a #2 wide receiver. Andre Roberts showed flashes, Early Doucet could be an option and the crew of Stephen Williams, Chansi Stuckey, DeMarco Sampson and Isaiah Williams could all be contributors this season. 

However, after Arizona only recorded two sacks throughout the whole game and let quarterbacks sit in the pocket, picking off the secondary at will, it also became obvious that they could use an upgrade at the pass rushing outside linebacker spot. 

Star-divide

Right now, Joey Porter and Clark Haggans are the starters at OLB. Both of them are veterans that obviously do not have the explosion that they once did. In steps O'Brien Schofield. Many have pegged him to be the replacement for Porter as the ROLB, but he is still stuck on the second team and looking for his rhythm. Outside of those three, the position looks pretty thin with Will Davis, Cyril Obiozor, rookie Sam Acho and some undrafted rookies. 

The Cardinals could be in the market for a new pass rusher to put in the rotation, but is there anyone in free agency that could peak their interest? Let's take a look at the Pro Football Focus chart of available defensive free agents.

Matt Roth recently signed in Jacksonville, so he is no longer an option. After him, there are three guys that make the list as outside linebackers: Tully Banta-Cain, Keith Bulluck and Pisa Tinoisamoa

Banta-Cain is coming off surgery for a torn abdominal muscle, so after being released by the Patriots, he probably isn't an option. PFF claims he does have 94 quarterback pressures over the past two years, so when healthy, he is an effective player. I'm not sure Arizona is willing to wait for his health to recover. 

Keith Bulluck was a guy that Arizona pursued during the last off-season, but at the age of 34 and only 0.5 sacks over the last four seasons, he probably would not be an upgrade for Arizona as an OLB. 

Pisa Tinoisamoa is about as injury prone as they come. In 2009, he suffered cartilage damage and in 2010 he had a knee injury that required surgery. He only recorded one sack in 12 games last season, so he probably would not be a boost to the linebacker corps either. 

In my opinion, Arizona should not really pursue any of these guys if the intent is for them to play a good amount of snaps. If used sparingly, Banta-Cain would probably be the best option, but again, his new team will need to show patience as he recovers from surgery. 

Letting O'Brien Schofield settle in and hopefully take a starting job by the end of the season could be the best option. But if he doesn't step up and Haggans and Porter have down seasons again, it could be a long year for the Cardinals defense. 

What do you think Cardinals fans? Should Arizona go for one of the free agent pass rushers or take a wait and see approach with what they already have?

Poll
Should the Arizona Cardinals go after a free agent outside linebacker?
Yes- Sign one of those three players, this team needs help
134 votes
No- Let's wait and see what we already have
327 votes

461 votes | Poll has closed

Comment 10 comments  |  0 recs  | 

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I think our starters

by season’s end will be Acho and Schofield, but depth is what wins championships.

by Cardsfan928 on Aug 14, 2011 5:36 PM MDT reply actions  

Keep an eye on cut players as well

Maybe someone better gets cut to get some cap space

by Drullin'OverDaCards on Aug 14, 2011 6:28 PM MDT reply actions  

Best possible available guy right now is Osi Umenyiora.

Two major problems with getting him though. First the Cardinals would have to give up something big in trade. After giving up next year’s 2nd round pick that seems an unlikely route for them. Furthermore he is not a 3-4 outside linebacker. He has played his entire career as a 4-3 end. The Giants don’t seem sure they want to keep him or not. As of now it looks like he will stay in NY but that could change again before preseason ends.

Keeping an eye on the waiver wire would be a better way to go than the three guys mentioned in the write up.

by hadrarius on Aug 14, 2011 6:30 PM MDT reply actions  

Ya I agree

Those are the 3 main guys available right now though. Once the waiver wire starts collecting some pass rushers, I am sure I’ll do another story.

by Tyler Nickel on Aug 14, 2011 6:43 PM MDT up reply actions  

Anyone know if Julian Peterson is available?

He was a much better 3-4 OLB than he was 4-3 OLB. He didn’t fit very well in Detroit last season. I would consider him if he was available.

Trading for a pass rusher is not an option due to the Kolb trade. Schoefield and Acho will be given the opportunity to step up.

by jdough on Aug 15, 2011 10:24 PM MDT reply actions  

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