NFL GridIron Gab Daily Digest

The cornerback position opposite Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie will most likely be one of the most pivotal positions for the Cardinals in 2010.  Granted, Matt Leinart's play at quarterback is important, but the Cards don't necessarily need Leinart to play too far above average to win.  The defense, however, particularly the secondary, must be at the top of its game for the Cardinals to repeat as Division Champions.  Greg Toler (pictured above) and the rest of the Cards' secondary could be a large part of the team's success.  Let's take a look at a few reasons why.

It's axiomatic that a championship team must be well balanced.  Knowing that, let's start analyzing the Cards' defense in 2010 by talking about the offense.  The Cardinals' offense is going to change, which is not to say that it will necessarily be worse; just different.  Specifically, the Cardinals are not going to have their traditional quick strike, spread the field style that suited Kurt Warner's terminator-like defense reading capabilities.  Matt Leinart, unlike Warner, doesn't want to be blitzed.  Leinart wants to get under center and run a methodical, run-heavy drive down the field, complemented by a possession focused passing attack.  This will have an immense impact on the defense; I did say this article was about defense.

A team with a possession-driven offense puts much more pressure on its defense than a team with an explosive offense.  For example, the 08-09 Cardinals could afford an admittedly below average defense because their offense was always within striking distance.  There's simply a greater margin for defensive error.  The Cards' offense that is currently taking shape will not afford the defense as long a leash; not even close.  Chalking up 31-28 wins just doesn't seem like a possibility for the 2010 version.  If the defense starts giving up huge amounts of yardage and points, the offense isn't going to catch up, which could mean big trouble for this team.

A large part of the burden will rest with the defensive secondary.  The Cardinals' defensive bane the past few seasons has been a feast or famine secondary.  The unit would look phenomenal and fit-inducing on a play-by-play basis.  This group must establish a greater degree of consistency in 2010; there's real hope of establishing that goal.  DRC and Adrian Wilson are obviously locked in at cornerback and strong safety respectively.  In addition, the Darren McFadden nightmare is finally over and a  star may be born in the wake.  Finally, listen to my case that losing Antrel Rolle was actually good for the Cardinals.

There's no doubt that Rolle is a playmaker, but for every game he positively impacted for the Cardinals in 2009 with an interception or sack, he negatively impacted another with spotty tackling and horrendous coverage blow-ups.  Rolle is not right for the Cardinals defense.  Antrel is much better suited for a defense that already has solid and reliable coverage from its CBs, which would allow him to be a ball-hawking playmaker like Darren Sharper in New Orleans.  The Cardinals, however, desperately need a free safety that provides solid and consistent coverage without giving up big plays or committing major breakdowns.  Whether Kerry Rhodes is that player remains to be seen, but he's much more polished at free safety than Antrel Rolle.  We won't know how Rhodes fits until we see him play, but we can remain hopeful.

Any Cardinals fan knows that McFadden was just plain horrible last season and I won't even waste an entire paragraph on him.  McFadden, however, did leave a spot to be filled.  Greg Toler is the most likely man for the job, although Michael Adams has technically been getting the reps with the first team defense so far this offseason.  Despite the meaningless pre-training camp depth chart, Adams is not a legitimate starter at cornerback.  Toler, on the other hand, was very impressive in the limited action he saw during his rookie year (120 snaps).  Toler replaced the injured DRC in the Divisional Round game and played quite well, although the Cardinals were getting annihilated.  There are those in the Cardinals organization that even believe Toler to be more physically gifted than DRC, which would obviously make for an outstanding 1-2 punch at CB.  Exactly how Toler will respond to the pressure to step up this training camp and preseason will ultimately determine whether he finds his way into the starting defense.

There are obviously questions regarding Paris Lenon at weak inside linebacker and whether the Cardinals can muster a sufficient pass rush, but I believe that this year's defense will be much improved if Toler fulfills his projected potential and Kerry Rhodes turns in a quality veteran effort.   A resurgence from Joey Porter, quick development of Dan Williams and Daryl Washington, and continued strong play from DRC, Adrian Wilson, Darnell Dockett, and Calais Campbell could mean a drastically improved defense in 2010.  Why should we mourn a defense that gave up an embarrassing 90 points in two consecutive playoff games, anyway?

Not surprisingly, the teams that needed to make the most headway in the NFC North – the Bears and Lions – have been the most aggressive since their epic showdown in the'09 season finale. Will those moves translate into Ws for either team in 2010?

I'm guessing one big, half-enthusiastic YES. This could be the homer in me, but I think the North race could be the most interesting in the league next year. The bad teams have gotten better, and the good teams have kept their rosters intact.

Here's a recap of each team's offseason as of mid May…

Bears – "A" for effort.

The Midway Monsters were the most aggressive team at the start of free agency, adding three shiny new toys in one wild day – Peppers, Manumaleuna and Taylor. They drafted another potential starter in third-round safety Major Wright; then bolstered the secondary a week later when they traded for strong safety Chris Harris. You have to factor OC hire Mike Martz into the offseason upgrade too. The only area of need that hasn't been addressed is O-line, but the annual June 1 cuts could present some options. Give Angelo an "A" for effort as he's worked diligently to fill a bunch of holes.

Lions – Roar restored?

The Bears had better get their interior O-line figured out, because big, bad #2 overall pick Ndamukung Suh is going to be a force from day one…and the Bears get to face him Week One. Throw in Vanden Bosch at DE and the Lions have the most improved D-line in the conference. Kevin Smith is a solid starting RB, but first-rounder Jahvid Best gives them a gamebreaker. They still have questions on the O-line, although the trade for Seahawks guard Rob Sims was a decent maneuver, and it kept him out of Chicago, where he was also wanted by the Bears.

Packers – No news is good news…I guess?

Even more so than the Bears, GB believes in building through the draft. The only notable free agent signing they made was bringing back tackle Chad Clifton. Paired with Mark Tauscher, the Pack's starting tackles are both on the wrong side of 32. That's why they spent a first rounder on Iowa tackle Bryan Bulaga. It'll be interesting (hopefully not painful) watching how Green Bay's third round safety – Morgan Burnett – who they traded up to grab just a few spots in front of the Bears, will compare against the Bears' Major (Wright).

Vikings – The rich get deeper.

The Vikings were somewhat limited in what they could do free agency wise. With the expiration of the collective bargaining agreement, the Vikes – as a final eight participant last year – could not sign a free agent until they lost one. With no glaring holes (damn, it hurts to say that), the Vikes chose to add depth in the draft. They went CB (Chris Cook, UVA), RB (Toby Gerhart, Standord) and DE (Everson Griffen, USC) with their first three picks.

And allow me to play spoiler before Favre Watch 2010 fully kicks into high gear – old no. 4 is coming back.

Erin Henderson was kind enough to take some time and answer a few questions for all of us fans here on the Sports Gab Network with Vikings Gab writer Mike Halldorson.

Mike: How are you spending the offseason? Any big vacations? What types of training do you do? Are you training with any other NFL players?

Erin: I have really just been trying to relax as much as possible. We don't have much free time during the season so it feels good to be able to sit around and do nothing from time to time. I do the basic training at the facility that the Vikings ask us to complete as well as working out at EJ's facility on Fridays. I also started doing yoga as well this year to help loosen me up a little bit.

Mike: Do you look forward to mini-camps and OTAs at all? Or are they just a pain in the player's ass?

Erin: I look forward to any chance I have to put on a Viking uniform and go out and show and prove. As a free agent you can never let an opportunity to prove to your coaches and teammates that you belong pass you by. At the same time I have learned that the coaching staff may not put the same emphasis on it as I do but I know they are watching none the less.

Mike: What do you expect your role to be this year?

Erin: As of right now I believe the Vikings want to see me become a special teams ace. I'm all for it if that's what is needed of me. However, I believe I will go out there this year and really put some pressure on them to take a serious look at me as the starting will backer, or at least work my way into some kind of rotation.

Mike: You're a huge reason our ST has improved so much, think you could out do Farwell and be a Pro Bowler this year? (Certainly pulling for you)

Erin: That's hard to say. Farwell has done an excellent job on special teams since entering the league and has worked hard to become one of the best, as is evident with his Pro Bowl berth this past season. I just want to continue to work to be the best I can be and if that means I make my way to the pro bowl than I am all for it.

Mike: Even though E.J. has been hurt (is he coming along o.k.?) it has to be great playing with your brother, what is the sibling rivalry like when you're playing on the same team, same D, even so close as both being LBs?

Erin: EJ has recovered great from his injury and I think he is outdoing anyone's expectations as to where he would be right now. I love playing on the team with my brother. Nothing like having a best friend that you can always talk with about anything at anytime and know that he is going to know exactly what you're going through. We have a sibling rivalry that would rival even the worse cases. But it is all in fun and games. We might make a bet about a certain practice to see who makes the most plays. Loser may have to carry the other person's pads in, or treat to lunch. Things like that. We compete at just about everything. On the field and off. We are each other's biggest critics and biggest cheerleaders at the same time. I think friendly competition like we have will do nothing but make us both better in the future. Think about this Vikes fans…2 Hendersons on the field at the same time making every play there is to be made trying to outdo the other. Scary thought!

Mike: Erin, thanks so much for your time!

The championship team of the 2000 season will always hold a special place in the hearts and minds of Raven fans.

But to anyone else outside the city limits that group was remembered for it's star linebacker who had run afoul of the law, it's arrogant coach that questioned the media's ability to do its job and for a record setting defense that not only loved to punish the opposition but also wasn't shy about telling you how good they were.

"The Baltimore Bullies"

The Sports Illustrated cover summed up the national view of our champions.

They didn't like us. Our offense was an ugly smash-mouth mess led by a rookie bulldozer in the backfield, a scrap heap quarterback formerly from Tampa Bay and a  Pro Bowl receiver who loved to talk and talk and talk. Our defense was one of the league's best and perhaps one of the best in history but often the focus was on off the field transgressions more than what happened between the lines.

But I don't think any of the Ravens fans cared, in fact I think many people enjoyed rooting for the media villains. (I know I did) Baltimore football had been robbed years ago and no one seemed to flinch. The city was made to jump through hoops for an expansion team that never came. Then finally when the NFL returned the media questioned how Baltimore fans could support gaining a team in the same fashion in which they had lost one.

Baltimore needed some swagger and they got a big dose of it with the team that produced the city's first pro sports championship since 1983. They needed to vent all that frustration from all those years of loss and heartache.

But for all the boasting that became a Ravens trademark it didn't always produce victories during the Billick era. After Baltimore returned to the playoffs that following season the rest of Coach Billick's tenure seemed to follow a roller coaster path.

A Divisional crown one year, out of the playoffs the next. It started to become a familiar pattern. The bragging by some teammates led to division in the locker room when things did not go as planned. More times than not a team that was packed with Pro Bowlers often played recklessly and was among the league's most penalized year after year.

So when Steve Bisciotti made his most critical decision in his four years as owner of the Ravens and decided to let go of the winning-est coach the franchise had ever known it was a move that was bound to controversial. Bisciotti's next hire would have to be someone special and it would have to be someone who could bring the veteran group together after a disastrous 5-11 campaign in 2007. But the owner wasn't just looking for a coach, he was looking for someone who would help change the culture of the team and the perception of how Baltimore conducts business around the league.

"You have to be willing to do things that the masses wouldn't do, or I don't think you will be able to separate yourself from the masses." Bisciotti said as he unveiled the untested Special Teams Coach John Harbaugh to the media.

Bisciotti said a lot with his choice of Harbaugh. He wanted a young, energetic coach who would not be afraid to hold his players accountable. He wanted someone to unite this group of very talented players into a team that consistently competed for the playoffs every season. He wanted his franchise to be like Pittsburgh. (Gasp. Imagine what that sounds like now) A consistent winner and a model for the league to follow.

Rex Ryan was never really under consideration. He'll always be popular among players and fans for his colorful quotes. But the decision had nothing to do with football knowledge but more about image. It was time for Baltimore to turn the page.

Harbaugh, in his two seasons at the helm is 20-12 and 3-2 in the playoffs in two consecutive appearances and if key players can stay healthy there is no reason to think that Baltimore couldn't make it's third consecutive playoff appearance. (1st in team history)

I'll admit I laughed a little bit at the P.R. campaign of "Play Like a Raven". It sounded like some kind of cheesy college chant or something that would sell a fe wt-shirts and not something that professionals would grab onto. But maybe it's become the mantra for the entire organization. Ozzie Newsome always talked about finding players who "Play like a Raven" so why not make that the embodiment of the franchise.

I also guess what I've also noticed is that not only are the Ravens settling into a level of success but that the off-seasons seem to be all about football or how players are making a difference in the community.

Just read the headlines.

"Ravens Serve as Waiters for Charity Dinner."

"Ray Lewis Shows the Way."

"Michael Oher to Appear on Extreme Home Makeover."

"Foxworth and Lewis Deliver Ant-Steroids Message"

"Matt Katula Foundation Golf Outing a Success"

It's refreshing and exciting to see the team and the players that we cheer for staying out of the scandal rags and doing right by people. It only adds to the civic pride that when you can support a team that you can truly feel proud of on and off the field. It's time to let go of that old negative image.

During the midst of this public image makeover the Ravens have been by no means perfect. The Terrell Suggs saga ended with the suit being withdrawn but was still a disappointment in a rough season for the defensive end. The recent signing of Dante Stallworth was almost met with skepticism and debate due to his past.

Overall the positives still outweigh the negatives and in general the team appears focused on football. The latest buzz surrounding last week's mini-camp should be evidence of that. Players and fans alike can all hope that the jewel of this makeover results in a second Super Bowl trophy to be hoisted in Arlington.

Maybe then some franchise out there might say, We want to be like Baltimore.