Arizona Cardinals Free Agency: Should Early Doucet Be Re-Signed?
by Tyler Nickel on Jan 26, 2012 11:00 AM MST
in NFL Offseason/Free Agency
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Yesterday in our new free agency series, we took a look at running back Chester Taylor and whether or not he should be brought back to the Arizona Cardinals. Due to the young depth and lack of success that Taylor had, 86% of the voters said that the Cards should let him walk. In all likelihood, that is exactly what Ken Whisenhunt and the front office will say as well.
Next up on the list is a figure that is a little bit more polarizing. Early Doucet was a pretty good wide receiver for the Cardinals in 2011, but should the Cardinals look to bring him back?
Doucet, by far, had his best season ever in his young career as a Cardinal. He was able to stay healthy throughout the season, playing in all 16 games for the first time. He also had 54 receptions for 689 yards and five touchdowns -- all career highs. It was the consistency, however, that may have some fans scratching their heads.
According to Pro Football Focus, Doucet had eight drops last season. Three of them came in the game in which the Cardinals let the Baltimore Ravens overcome what should have been an insurmountable lead. During some of the most important games, Doucet almost seemed invisible.
Against the Dallas Cowboys, for example, he had two receptions for a total of zero yards. In the final game of the season against the Seahawks, he had one catch for seven yards. Then there was the fatal trip in the end zone against the Bengals that costed the Cardinals a chance at a comeback victory.
Overall, I think that the Cardinals should let Doucet test the free agent market. He is currently an unrestricted free agent, which means that he is free to sign with any team. He would probably like to stay in Arizona, but will only do so for the right price.
Early may garner some interest around the league and if a team drops a lot of cash to bring him on, then Arizona should let him walk. But if he only receives some lukewarm offers, then the Cards may consider matching them and at that point, Doucet would likely choose to come back.
Andre Roberts really started to come on down the stretch and the Cardinals may even consider drafting a wide receiver that would be the perfect complement to Larry Fitzgerald. If that happens, then they might not even make an offer to Doucet.
What do you think? Should the Cardinals re-sign Early Doucet? Leave your comments below and don't forget to vote in the poll.
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That Cowboys game also had a 3rd down drop from him
I think he should stick around though. Probably won’t take much to bring him back anyway.
Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan
Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Coyotes, Arizona Rattlers fan
[I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].
Leading the NFL in swagtangibles
Maybe he'll come back at a discount
His way of apologizing for the Bengals TD drop
by cardinalbrown on Jan 26, 2012 1:37 PM MST up reply actions
Sure, why not?
Early Doucet is a good football player, and he’s had some great games from time to time. I’ll never object to having players like him on the football team.
But the Cardinals cannot continue to rely on Doucet and Roberts to fill the #2 receiver role.
Doucet is the 2nd best receiver we've got.
We need someone to step up in a big way like Cruz did for NY or we need to bring in some better talent. I like Doucet. He is fine in his role. It would be wise to retain him. Everyone else has too much to prove yet (Fitz obviously excepted).
by hadrarius on Jan 26, 2012 11:55 AM MST via mobile reply actions
Exactly how I feel
Doucet is fine as a 3rd receiver, IMO. We need someone else to fill the void of the #2 though but it wouldn’t cripple the team to lose him. We still have Roberts as well. Obviously I am saying one of these 2 should be enough to fill the #3 but someone else needs to be our #2.
"If Gortat pulls off a real Dream Shake in-game this year I will shave my head.
Mark my words." Piotr Szczesniak 12/12/11 2:12 PM
Cardinals, Suns, D-backs for life!
It all depends on price
In a market flush with free agent WRs, I could see him testing the market and coming back with his tail between his legs. I could also see us signing a player of similar talent level for relatively cheap and not missing a beat. Either way, Doucet is a decent enough player but I don’t think the future success of this team depends on him sticking around and his injury history certainly doesn’t help his case for a long term deal.
If he does come back, I hope it’s on a relatively short deal stacked with incentives.
Go big or go home!! Bet big to win big!!
by Steamin' Beamin' on Jan 26, 2012 12:11 PM MST reply actions
I like Early
But he’s a #3 WR right now, so you can’t break the bank for him. The only reason to exhibit any urgency in bringing him back would be if we can’t pick up a legit #2 somewhere. Otherwise, he’d be a good #3 for the right price, but we have others who they can give a chance to step up rather than overpay for him.
I like Early
But the thing is, both him and Roberts are made for the slot. We desperately need a real legit #2 Target. And we will most likely look at FA for that guy. So that means bringing Early back would hinder Roberts development as they will both be playing the #3 WR role. And his return almost eliminates any high hopes that people have for Stephen Williams.
If the FO decides to bring him back then I’m cool with it, if they don’t, I’m also cool with it.
by cgcardzfan on Jan 26, 2012 3:49 PM MST via mobile reply actions
Well said
I agree that losing one of the 2 (Doucet and Roberts) would not hurt the team. To me they are fighting for the same spot and someone else needs to fill the #2.
"If Gortat pulls off a real Dream Shake in-game this year I will shave my head.
Mark my words." Piotr Szczesniak 12/12/11 2:12 PM
Cardinals, Suns, D-backs for life!
Roberts is a big time playmaker
I think he will be a valuable guy to have next season. When we get the ball in his hands, good things happen
by forget on Jan 26, 2012 9:21 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
Doucet
isn’t worth it to resign him to the team. I am sorry if others like him but he hasn’t had the consistency in his plays. He drops too many passes and has been injured too far often. I think the past injuries have hurt his production in that he should have been a better WR by now. I have already said it in other posts but I don’t think Doucet will be back on the team. There will be someone to draft or take in FA that will provide a better WR.
He should stay at the right price
Part of the consistency issue for Doucet and Roberts is the flip flopping QB’s we had this year. I think if you go back and look at their productive games it depends on who was at QB. Doucet seemed to have his best games with Kolb and Roberts had his best games with Skelton. I think it is a matter of who had the better rapport.
Completely indifferent
“Only at the right price” is a moot answer. He hasn’t had much of a career. With a bevy of wide receivers hitting the market this year I will be stunned if Early gets signed for much more than league minimum.
here's something to think about.
who can we get that’s better? There are a few better WR out there, but which ones would sign for a low salary? Doucet is by far our best option.
Why is "low salary" a requirement?
Who says that we can’t/won’t spend for one of the better WRs out there? No, we’re not going to spend big bucks to get a “1A” option in FA, but there are some solid #2’s out there that are more proven/consistent than Doucet is, and I haven’t heard anything about the team not being willing to look in that direction this offseason.
by CardsFan1976 on Jan 26, 2012 6:42 PM MST up reply actions
Fitz is getting 17 mil
how much more money would they want to spend on another WR? Especially one who wouldn’t produce much more than doucet?
Doucet had almost 700 yards receiving with dumb and dumber playing QB this season. not too shabby.
i think you guys are basing your opinion of Early on one game from this season (Cincy). He tripped on that 4th down play, and everyone turned on him! lol. He came up with a lot of big plays this season. I want him back.
I don’t think that adding another WR should be a priority for this team. We have more important issues. Plus, Andre Roberts was coming up big at the end of the season. Next season will be his 3rd season, he’s given us no reason to believe that he won’t continue to improve.
He had almost 700
When in reality a WR playing next to Fitz should hit somewhere near 900-1000yrd. Early is good but inconsistant and really is a Slot reciever. Adding a guy like colston, Wayne, Jackson, branch, Garcon would really help us. Doucet is good enough, but how could you not want to bring in a guy that can improve our offense? Doucet is not taking defenders off of fitz and that really hurts us. We need somebody at least capable of doing that. Breaston would’ve had 1000yrd yards this season if he stayed here in AZ.
Also Darren Urban has said many times that cap space is no issue as far as FA this season.
by cgcardzfan on Jan 26, 2012 8:57 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
You have to take into account
That we had two of the worst QBs in the league last season. Would our QBs be able to get a new guy the ball? Skelton and Kolb missed many open receivers this season.
And what do u mean by inconsistent? Are you talking about his drops? Because his numbers were relatively consistent throughout the season.
by forget on Jan 26, 2012 9:18 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
You have a point about the QB play
But let’s forget all outside influences and stats. Let’s look at nothing but Doucets talent and skill set.
Reliable but not great hands
Average speed
Average size
Average strength
Average route runner
He’s basically just your average NFL reciever. Not saying he can’t nor won’t improve. And considering this was his first real “healthy” year, he likely will improve.
I think most of us including kolb/skelton and Fitz, want a reciever that can create on his own. Create space, create plays, and more then anything be an option that the other team has to respect. If Fitz is getting double and triple covered, somebody isn’t doing there job. Our offense as a whole is going to be limited because of that.
Getting a playmaking WR with some above average skill sets that can bring another dimension to this offense should be a big priority this offseason IMO. Early Doucet, at this point in his career, just isn’t that guy. But id like to see him back if he is willing to work hard and try to become that guy. Could be valuable in the future.
by cgcardzfan on Jan 27, 2012 4:03 AM MST via mobile up reply actions
" If Fitz is getting double and triple covered, somebody isn’t doing there job"
I would argue that the QB’s weren’t doing their jobs.
Early has shown he can make plays, he made a number of big ones this season.
And have you studied his route running enough to evaluate him? Just wondering. And he can make guys miss, which
you didn’t list on your skill list.
In terms of value, early is our best option right now. I have no problem going into the season with Roberts and Doucet as our #2 and #3 guys.
by forget on Jan 27, 2012 8:58 AM MST via mobile up reply actions
lol qb play has nothing to do with the secondary rotating extra guys on Fitz
If we had Boldin or even a Victor Cruz would fitz be getting doubled? Nope. And yea I have watched enough of Doucet to know he doesn’t run great routes… He’s average at best.
That’s cool if your fine with Roberts and Doucet. Your entitled to your opinion and your certainly not wrong.
But saying Doucet is our best value is crazy because you have no idea how much any of the free agents are seeking. If we landed Deon Branch for 3.5 million a year that’s certainly a better value.
I think I speak for most in saying we need to upgrade our WR corp.
by cgcardzfan on Jan 27, 2012 2:10 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
um QB play has a lot to do with it.
if the QB isn’t finding the open guy when they double and triple fitz, then defenses will keep doing it
so you watch game tape where you can see doucet run all of his routes? or are you at the game only paying attention to doucet and his routes? he’s probably not great at it, but he gets open. The QB can’t get him (or anyone else) the ball.
Now your incisting
That Early Doucet or any receiver getting man on man is winning every matchup and getting open every time. Nope. That’s wrong. Instead of busting my balls about “watching tape” and questioning my observations when u haven’t even watched it yourself, you should take other peoples observations into account.
Because yes, I HAVE watched a lot of Early Doucet, have watched games over and over focusing on numerous different players. And no, Doucet doesn’t consistantly beat his man and get make space, and his route running leaves a lot to be desired. He gas like 1 move.. And he hardly makes people miss. You need to watch some tape sir.
by cgcardzfan on Jan 27, 2012 4:02 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
Haha I know u can't see all of the routes.
The TV shot doesn’t show them! Obviously doucet isnt getting open every play, but he had 700 yards primarily working out if the slot, with two horrible QB’s.
There were open guys all over the field this season, the QB’s missed a lot of them. That’s all I was saying.
by forget on Jan 27, 2012 5:14 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
You keep phrasing it like
it’s a decision between “ultra-cheap” and “big money”, but there’s no reason with their salary cap position that they can’t spend 3-4 million/yr on a true #2 WR, which Doucet is not at this point. Remember, he was our #3 last year, which is a different position with different players on the D covering it. If he’s elevated to #2, there’s no guarantee he even puts up the same numbers at a different position with different coverage.
Bottom line is that there are better #2 options out there, so if someone’s willing to pay Doucet standard #2 money, we should let him walk and try to get an established #2. Otherwise, if he’s willing to re-sign for low #2 or standard #3 $, bring him back.
by CardsFan1976 on Jan 27, 2012 12:10 PM MST up reply actions
right.
he should have the same role next year as he did this year. i don’t know what our cap situation is, but we have to pay Calais, and Washington will have to be paid at some point. Its just pretty tough to have 20+ million taken up by two WR.
Considering
We will be saving either 16 million or at the least about 8 million off of Levi Brown alone we are good on cap space. Add that yo the 7 million we currently have. We definately have no issues as far as cap space and it affecting FA or resigning anybody. Darren Urban told me so himself.
by cgcardzfan on Jan 27, 2012 4:05 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
Like Doucet but
I don’t think he will ever be what the cards thought he would be. And that Bengal game, It sucks but that costs us a game and you only get so many opportunities in this league. it’s time for a true number two receiver. Someone who can get more than just man to man so fitz can get away from double coverage ever play.
by ptwice21 on Jan 26, 2012 7:15 PM MST via mobile reply actions
flashes like the green bay playoff game
have me wanting to keep him. I think he is better than roberts
The Devil Birds just got cha
by DaCards on Jan 27, 2012 2:02 AM MST via Android app reply actions
Doucet stayed healthy all season,
and was every bit of the “Boldin-lite” we hoped for keep him around.
Formerly known as Cardsfan928, If you wanna grab a quick game of madden, my screenname is also my Xbox name.
he should stay
he should stay but as # 3, behind Roberts and fitz. Roberts shows more potential than doucet. then move LSH to 5 reciever. we need a burner. he’s fast and can catch. just too small to be an effective rb at least with this offensive line.
by aaroncrooks14 on Jan 27, 2012 7:36 PM MST via Android app reply actions
They actually did use LSH flanked wide quite a bit this season.
Seeing more of that with other teams too. Strange seeing fullbacks motion out to play receiver but it’s happening.
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