While the Cardinals season has been over for a few weeks now, there is some heavy lifting to be done by the front office. The Cardinals have 12 unrestricted free agents to deal with, all of which either started or saw significant playing time in 2009.
To help sort through the offseason labyrinth, here is the current state of the Cardinals’ roster. The roster and contract expiration dates were obtained at azcardinals.com.
LEGEND
UFA is an unrestricted free agent.
RFA is a restricted free agent (and whose movement can be controlled with a tender offer, which gives right of first refusal).
ER means exclusive rights, meaning a player must accept a tender offer.
PS means practice squad.
* means free agent will become unrestricted if new collective bargaining agreement is reached by free agency.
QUARTERBACKS
Matt Leinart; contract expires in 2011; his future is calling
Brian St. Pierre; FA; viable # 3, but team needs a veteran back up behind Leinart
RUNNING BACKS
Tim Hightower; contract expires in 2010; the # 2 running back
Dan Kreider (FB); UFA; bring him back
L. Stephens-Howling; contract expires in 2011
Beanie Wells; contract expires 2013; the # 1 running back
Jason Wright; contract expires in 2010
WIDE RECEIVERS
Anquan Boldin; contract expires in 2010; trade for value while there’s still time
Steve Breaston; RFA; definite keeper
Early Doucet; contract expires in 2010; lock him up long-term
Larry Fitzgerald; contract expires in 2012; make sure he retires a Cardinal
Sean Morey; UFA; expendable
Jerheme Urban; RFA*; let him go
TIGHT ENDS
Anthony Becht; UFA; good blocker, but that’s it
Ben Patrick; RFA; only legitimate pass catcher at TE
Stephen Spach; RFA; no loss if he leaves
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
Jeremy Bridges (G/T); UFA; if around, will battle with Brandon Keith for staring job
Levi Brown (T); contract expires in 2012; still a disappointment
Ben Claxton (C); RFA
Mike Gandy (T); UFA; should be gone, hopefully
Herman Johnson (G/T); contract expires in 2011; likely a 2011 starter
Brandon Keith (T); contract expires in 2010; possible starter if he has a good camp
Deuce Lutui (G); RFA*; don’t let him go
Lyle Sendlein (C); RFA; top o-line priority
Reggie Wells (G); contract expires in 2010; if Johnson is ready early, Wells is likely gone
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
Alan Branch; contract expires in 2010
Calais Campbell; contract expires in 2011; will probably be a star
Darnell Dockett; contract expires in 2011; will be a resigning nightmare if ignored
Keilen Dykes; PS
Kenny Iwebema; contract expires in 2010; showed some promise to develop
Bryan Robinson; UFA; no great loss if he leaves
Gabe Watson; RFA*; if resigned great; if not, ok too
LINEBACKERS
Monty Beisel; UFA; adds depth, but nothing more
Cody Brown; contract expires in 2012; possible future asset in currently depleted LB core
Karlos Dansby; UFA; 99.9% gone; will leave a huge void behind him
Will Davis; contract expires in 2011; must fill Dansby void, tall order for green player
Clark Haggans; contract expires in 2011
Gerald Hayes; contract expires in 2011; does not deserve a new deal
Ali Highsmith; contract expires in 2010; needs to bounce back quick before contract time
Chike Okeafor; UFA; way over priced for production level
Reggie Walker; contract expires in 2010
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Hamzah Abdullah (S); RFA
Michael Adams (CB); ER
Ralph Brown (CB/S); UFA; no loss if he leaves
Greg Toler (CB); contract expires in 2011; must replace McFadden
Bryant McFadden (CB); contract expires in 2010; a mistake; bench him, then let him go
Rashad Johnson (S); contract expires in 2011; could be FS fix if this is Rolle’s last year
D. Rodgers-Cromartie (CB); contract expires in 2012; 100% resign when time comes
Antrel Rolle (S); contract expires in 2010; give him an extension or gamble on Johnson
Matt Ware (S); UFA; best nickel back right now, which doesn’t say much
Adrian Wilson (S); contract expires in 2013
SPECIALISTS
Ben Graham (P); contract expires in 2010; reward fantastic year with a contract
Mike Leach (LS); contract expires in 2011
Neil Rackers (K); UFA; if they make the smart play, he’ll be let go
[…] Andrew602 wrote a very interesting post today. Here’s a quick excerpt:While the Cardinals season has been over for a few weeks now, there is some heavy lifting to be done by the front office. The Cardinals have 12 unrestricted free agents to deal with, all of which either started or saw significant … […]