There’s one quarterback who could be on the open market during the 2012 off-season that has the Cardinals’ attention, however: first-ballot Hall-of-Famer and likely to be departing Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning.

According to reports, the Cardinals have expressed interest in Manning, especially if it happens that Manning is released by the Colts prior to the March 13th NFL transaction deadline. If the Colts desire to move Manning, the only way they can do so is to release him outright prior to March 13th. After March 13th, the Colts could attempt to trade Manning, but receiving equal value given what remains on his back-loaded contract could be easier said than done.

Obviously, the Cardinals cannot express their interest directly to Peyton Manning given the league’s tampering rules, but there are plenty of ways to show interest indirectly to get the point across to Manning and get the ball rolling with the Colts’ front office.

If Manning were to land in Phoenix, there would be plenty of weapons for him to work with, including All-Pro Larry Fitzgerald and the emerging threat, Early Doucet. The Cardinals could quickly become a competitor again not only in the NFC West, but the NFC as a whole if they can somehow convince Manning to play at least one season under the dome at University of Phoenix Stadium.

For the third straight offseason, a big name head coach joins the NFC West. Two years ago, Pete Carroll left USC to become the head man in Seattle with the Seahawks. Last offseason, Jim Harbaugh moved on from Stanford to revive the 49ers and led them to 13 victories in his first season in San Francisco.

Now you can add Fisher onto that list.

Obviously, adding another great head coach to the division makes things tougher for the Cardinals, but Fisher taking the Rams job means that defensive coordinator Ray Horton stays in Arizona. Horton really impressed the St. Louis organization in his interview last week, according to numerous reports.

We will never find out if Horton was a serious candidate or if they were interviewing him because of the NFL’s Rooney Rule, but Ken Whisenhunt has to be an extremely happy camper with this breaking news.

In his first season as a defensive coordinator, Horton’s Cardinals defense got off to a very rocky start in the first half of the season. The Arizona D was giving up yards in big chunks and opposing offenses were putting up tons of points on the scoreboard as well in the early portion of the season.

Things changed once the second half came around. As soon as the players got more comfortable with Horton’s philosophy and defensive scheme, the Cards defense finally lived up to their immense potential.

Arizona’s young and inexperienced corners improved in coverage after being bad in the first eight games, the young linebackers got to the quarterback and the combo of Darnell Dockett and Calais Campbell gave opposing offensive lines all sorts of problems. The Cardinals 6-2 record down the stretch was solely based on how well their defensive unit played.

Now with Horton back, he will have a full offseason with OTA’s and a training camp to implement his defense and continue coaching up some of the Cardinals young defensive players. Horton didn’t have that luxury last year due to to the league’s lockout.

Seeing the Rams add Fisher didn’t make trying to win the NFC West any easier. The Rams may be a bad football team at the moment, but that won’t last long given how good of a head coach Fisher is and how much money St. Louis will have to spend on free agents in the coming months ahead

At least, this means that Horton will be back and that is terrific news for this football team. He can continue building a defense that quietly could be one of the best units in the NFC come the 2012 season.

Since Ken Whisenhunt has taken over as head coach the Cardinals’ drafts have grown stronger and stronger with 2011′s class being no different.  He has strayed away from the strategy of drafting need and selecting the best talent on the board at the time of the pick.

First, lets quickly refresh our memories on the selections that were made.

1st Rd.  5th Pick  Patrick Peterson

2nd Rd. 38th Pick  Ryan Williams

3rd Rd. 69th Pick  Rob Housler

4th Rd. 103rd Pick  Sam Acho

5th Rd. 136th Pick  Anthony Sherman

6th Rd. 171th Pick  Quan Sturdivant

6th Rd 184th Pick  David Carter

7th Rd 249th Pick Demarco Sampson

Unless, college football is the one sport you follow you may have only recognized one maybe two of these names come draft day.  Patrick Peterson probably being the most recognizable.  It is hard to determine what kind of talent each one of these men hold and what they will bring to the team. That being said Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN’s expert on analyzing draft talent, graded each team before and after the season.

His preseason grade for the Cardinals was a B-.

“At the time I graded the draft, before trades and free agency, I had to point out that Arizona didn’t do very well when it came to targeting needs. I had quarterback, outside linebacker and offensive tackle among its top three needs, and it went cornerback, running back and tight end with its top three picks.”

After a full season of playing in the NFL, and keeping in mind that due to the lockout the rookies were kept from OTA’s, minicamps, and participated in a shortened preseason, how did Mr. Kiper grade them?

A solid B.

Mr. Kiper improved his grade based on the fact that Patrick Peterson became easily the most feared punt returner in the league.  He earned his way to the Pro Bowl by tying the NFL record for Punt Return Touchdowns (4) and becoming the only rookie to make the AP All-Pro Team.

Imagine what the grade could have been with a healthy Ryan Williams?

Mel also liked the selection of Sam Acho in the fourth round, which addressed a big need at linebacker.  Acho provided depth early in the season and later earned his way to become a starter. He finished the season with seven sacks.

Although, the standouts were few this draft provided the Cardinals with some great depth players and potential stars on both sides of the ball.  With the draft just a few short months away I look forward to keeping an eye on who Mel has slated as the next Arizona Cardinal.

Without a replacement being named this leaves a vacancy on the staff.  And with the heightened interest in Todd Haley in recent days this may be the opening the team needed to bring him back.  If that is the case, then what will happen with current Offensive Coordinator Mike Miller?  He was passing coordinator before being promoted.  This decision will be left to Ken Whisenhunt.

Who else could be on the list to be replaced?

The one name that continues to come to mind regardless of his resume as a player and a coach is Offensive Line coach Russ Grimm.  We experienced yet another season of inconsistency along the front four of the offense.  The players he has had over his tenure to try and mold and form into something extraordinary haven’t been star caliber.  Levi Brown definitely hasn’t the player we thought he would be.  Daryn Colledge came in as a free agent from the Green Bay Packers to help out as well.  Russ Grimm may be a Hall of Fame, but that doesn’t keep you safe as a coach.  I believe he will be looked at by Whisenhunt this off season.

The Colts currently hold the first pick overall in the draft and are most certain to take Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck. And with Manning owed a 28 million dollar bonus in March the team may decide to let him become a free agent.  Owner Jim Irsay has made some moves within the organization in the last week. Releasing Vice President and GM Bill and Chris Polian of their duties after a thirteen year tenure with the team.  The Polian’s were very close with Peyton having drafted him out of Tennessee in 1998.

This speculation arises from the comments made from CBS analysts Charley Casserly during yesterdays telecast.  It is quickly gaining momentum.  Former Cardinal quarterback Kurt Warner joined Gambo and Burns on Sports 620 KTAR and had this to say about the possibility of Manning becoming a Cardinal.

“Nothing against Kevin Kolb or John Skelton and all those guys, but if you get a chance to get Peyton Manning, and you can pull that off, you get Peyton Manning because he’s a once-in-a-lifetime type guy.”

The Cardinals already have the best wide receiver in the NFL in Larry Fitzgerald.  A up and coming defense.  And if Peyton were to join the Cardinals, they are a piece or two away from being the best team in league.  It’ll be very interesting how things play out. It is a long shot but sometimes the long shots are the surest bets.

His four return touchdowns not only tied league records, but set new ones for a rookie as well.  On 44 attempts, Peterson was able to gain a total of 699 yards, a rookie record. Tack that onto the four touchdowns of 80 yards or more and you can see why the Cardinals drafted him. Every time he touched the ball he had the ability to change the game.

Compile the stats above along with the fact that Peterson is in his rookie season and it is clear to see why he is headed to Hawaii to play for the NFC in the Pro Bowl.  Peterson may have received the nomination to play in the Pro Bowl, but he recognizes he couldn’t do it alone. As seen in his comment below.

“It’s quite an honor, not just for me but for the other 10 guys on the return unit and our (special teams) coach Kevin Spencer. The guy with the ball in his hands gets all the credit but I want those guys to know I appreciate them and what they do.”

 

On Friday, Peterson received even more accolades for his play this season.  He was named as the return man for the Associated Press’s All Pro Team.  He joins fellow teammate Larry Fitzgerald as the only members of the Cardinals to named to the team.  He has accomplished much in his first year in the NFL.  As his defense continues to improve look for him to anchor the Cardinals backfield for many years to come.

The Rams have already talked to Jeff Fisher, who is also being courted by the Dolphins and will make his decision next week, may just be interviewing Horton to appease the Rooney Rule. A rule that ensures minority coaches are given fair shots at high level coaching positions.  The Cardinals defense blossomed under Horton this year.  It’s only a matter of time before he gets his chance at becoming a head coach somewhere in the league.

Head coach isn’t the only vacancy in St. Louis as the General Manager position is also available.  Among possible candidates Steve Keim, Cardinals Director of Player Personnel, has been shown some interest from the Rams.  I am sure if Jeff Fisher is their man he will want some say at who his G.M. will be.  Only time will tell the direction they go, but with the draft just a little more than two months away I have feeling their decision will come quickly.

Here is a portion of Somers story describing the situation a bit more in detail.

Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt is expected to talk to former Chiefs coach Todd Haley about a position on the Cardinals coaching staff, according to NFL sources.

Haley, the Cardinals offensive coordinator from 2007 through 2009, was fired by the Chiefs in December when the Chiefs had a 5-8 record. Haley was 19-27 as a head coach and his Chiefs team won the AFC West title in 2010.

Haley and Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt have been friends for years, and Haley was offensive coordinator in 2008 and 2009 when the Cardinals won consecutive NFC West titles.

A week has passed since I last highlighted what needs to happen in order for the Cardinals to make the playoffs.  Lets update the situation shall we and take a look at the games to keep an eye on.

#1. Arizona Cardinals @ Cincinnati Bengals

This one is obvious.  The Cardinals need to beat Andy Dalton and A.J. Green to keep their playoff hopes alive.  Each team is battling for a spot in their respective leagues.  I can only hope that santa got my letter and delivers an early Christmas present with a Cardinals victory on Saturday.

#2. New York Giants @ New York Jets

I’m confused. If each team shares the same stadium which team is the home team?….  The Giants have lost five of their last six and trail the Cowboys by one in their divisional race.  The Jets currently hold the sixth spot in the A.F.C.. The Cardinals need Mark Sanchez to lead his J-E-T-S Jets Jets Jets to win to eliminate the Giants from the discussion.  The Giants due hold the tie breaker over the Cardinals if it comes down to a tie.

#3 San Diego Chargers @ Detroit Lions

The results needed from this game require no explaining.  The Chargers need to beat Detroit. If they don’t and Detroit wins they will clinch one of two available Wild Card spots.  Lets Go Chargers!

#4 Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys

A Dallas win here, along with a Giants loss would give the N.F.C East Division to the Cowboys.  Again eliminating the Giants from the discussion makes everything simpler.

#5 Chicago Bears @ Green Bay

Even though the Packers finally lost their first game to the season last weekend, they are still entrenched in a battle for first place. A win here not eliminates the Bears from the playoff discussion, but it would also allow the Packers to clinch the number one seed in the N.F.C..  This could pose a problem heading into week 17 where the Packers will play the Lions.  How motivated will the Packers be knowing they have the top seed locked up?

#6 Atlanta Falcons @ New Orleans Saints

A Saints victory only aids the Cardinals chances. Who Dat!

If all this happens and the Cardinals win they could be just one week away from making the playoffs after a 1-6 start to the season.

A potential media storm is brewing over the decision Ken Whisenhunt will make at quarterback this Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals.  Kevin Kolb and John Skelton received reps today with the starting offense, but Skelton was the one receiving the majority of the reps.  Its tough to say who should or who will start.  It is definitely harder to develop a game plan when your unsure of which key players will start.  I am not an expert nor a doctor,that may depend on who you ask, but I think that the Cardinals should start Skelton.  He has been a big part of this team winning six of their last seven.  Ken Whisenhunt is a wise man and will make the choice that is best for his team.