Previously in our ROTB free agency series, we examined a player that has been both apart of the practice squad and the 53 man roster. Ronald Talley plays defensive end for the Arizona Cardinals and is now set to become a free agent, but the Cards do hold his exclusive rights. 63% of you voted that the organization should exercise those rights and tender him an offer, keeping him on the team for the foreseeable future. He will certainly need to prove that he deserves a spot in the upcoming training camp.

Today, we look at a player that was also undrafted coming out of college, but has had a greater impact for the Cardinals. Reggie Walker is one of the better special teams players for Arizona and he is also a valuable piece for depth at the inside linebacker position. He is listed as a restricted free agent, meaning he will be free to sign wherever he wants to this summer, but the Cards will have the right of first refusal. So what should the team do? Should they keep Walker in the fold? Let's find out after the jump.

Continue reading this post »

Last up in the free agency series, we took a peek at wide receiver Stephen Williams and asked, as always, whether or not the Arizona Cardinals should look to keep him on the team. 68% of the voters said yes, but many had the caveat that he must prove that he can be a contributor on the field this year. After a decent rookie season, Williams barely saw the field in 2011 and has proven to be inconsistent at times. He will need to show improvement in a variety of areas in order to remain with the team.

Today, we look at another one time undrafted free agent. Ronald Talley came out of Delaware in 2009 and became a member of the Cardinals in 2011 after coming over from the Green Bay Packers. The defensive end hasn't been a mainstay with Arizona, but he is a young talent that the team feels can have a larger role in due time. After the jump, let's look at some of Talley's résumé and decide if the Cardinals should keep him around for next season.

Continue reading this post »

Much speculation has been made as to where Peyton Manning will land once he is inevitably released by the Indianapolis Colts. Among his short list of suitors, the Arizona Cardinals have appeared to show interest according to multiple reports. In order for the Cardinals to be able to afford Manning (if they truly do plan on making a run at him, that is), they would need to release their current starting quarterback, Kevin Kolb.

The team paid a hefty price to acquire Kolb before the 2011 season began and for all we know, he could already be on the brink of having to find a new home. But as he tells the Arizona Republic's Kent Somers, he is planning on being an Arizona Cardinal by the time training camp rolls around.

Continue reading this post »

Last time in the free agency series, we took a quick look at running back Alfonso Smith and asked whether or not he is a player the Arizona Cardinals should consider keeping on their 53-man roster next season. 67% of you said yes, more than likely because the team will need a fourth running back anyhow and he is already familiar with the system. Smith has shown some potential, but will need to work hard in training camp in order to secure a spot on this football team.

Today, let's look at another one time undrafted free agent. Stephen Williams was not chosen by any team in the 2010 NFL draft, so he decided to sign with the Arizona Cardinals. Unfortunately, he hasn't really seen much time on the field up to this point. So I ask you yet again, should the Cardinals opt to re-sign him?

Continue reading this post »

Another day in the free agency series, another lopsided vote. 96% of you voted that the Arizona Cardinals should definitely keep LaRod Stephens-Howling on the roster by tendering the restricted free agent an offer. His skills both in the return game and as an agile running back definitely make him a candidate to return.

The Cardinals also have another running back's contract to deal with this offseason. They hold the exclusive rights to Alfonso Smith, an undrafted free agent out of Kentucky in 2010. He not only carried the ball out of the backfield for Arizona, but he has been a productive member of the special teams over the past two seasons. So the question is: should the Cardinals keep him around?

Continue reading this post »

Since the beginning of the offseason for the Arizona Cardinals, fans have been on their toes waiting for news on which coaching staff and front office personnel would be on the move. First there was Ray Horton, who interviewed to become the next head coach of the St. Louis Rams. Instead, they decided to hire Jeff Fisher, which will allow Horton to stay on as the defensive coordinator for the Cardinals.

More good news arrived yesterday because according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Rams have hired Les Snead to be their new general manager. With the hiring of Snead, the likelihood that Steve Keim leaves the Cardinals diminishes greatly.

Continue reading this post »

Yesterday's vote in the free agency series was a bit lopsided, as 83% of you voted that quarterback Max Hall should not be retained by the team. He really didn't show us that he could be a star in the future and there are too many better options available.

Today, we get to examine our first official "restricted" free agent. LaRod Stephens-Howling was drafted in the seventh round of the 2009 draft and has made significant contributions to the team since his arrival. He has already returned three kickoffs for touchdowns as the Cardinals' official kick returner. But now the kickoff rules have changed and LaSH is set to become a restricted free agent. Should the Cardinals tender him an offer? Let's find out after the jump.

Continue reading this post »

In the last episode of the free agency series, we asked whether or not the Arizona Cardinals should re-sign their third string quarterback, Richard Bartel. 70% of you, the voters, said yes, citing his comfort within the offense that the team runs and his relatively cheap cost. I would think that unless the team gets a rookie quarterback to sit for a few years, then Bartel will definitely be coming back.

Outside of Bartel and a rookie QB, there is also the option of Max Hall, who the Cardinals own the exclusive rights to. Hall injured his left shoulder before the 2011 season even began and was forced to have surgery on it. Because of that, he was placed on the waived-injured list, but was never technically released by the team. So since the Cardinals do have the opportunity to bring him back, should they? Let's find out after the jump.

Continue reading this post »