Musket Fire » Bruce Arians

Arizona Cardinals will not go after Ryan Mallett

Joe Soriano — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 15:28:41 +0000

The New England Patriots value Ryan Mallett higher than almost anyone at this point in time, so they aren’t just going to give Mallett a way in a deal. However, the Patriots are more than willing to deal Mallett if the pieces coming back to them are good enough, because the uncertain crop of incoming QBs in this year’s draft means that Mallett’s value is at its highest.

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The former third-round pick out of Arkansas tumbled that far in the draft due to bloated character concerns, and the Patriots have invested a considerable amount of time and effort in Mallett’s production through the first two years of his NFL career. As such, the Patriots are expected to accept no less than a second-round pick for the backup QB.

Thanks to the acquisition of Alex Smith by the Kansas City Chiefs from the San Francisco 49ers, Mallett’s value has increased. Not only did the 49ers receive a considerable package for Smith, but it also takes out the most valued QB on the trading block and could make Mallett a more attractive option for teams still a need of a quarterback.

Don’t count the Arizona Cardinals in, as the esteemed Mike Jurecki tweeted and confirmed that the Cardinals will not pursue Ryan Mallett this offseason. Bruce Arians runs a scheme that fits Mallett’s strong arm, but it doesn’t fit his lack of mobility. Based on what we’ve seen from Ben Roethlisberger, Andrew Luck, and his interest in Drew Stanton, Arians likes QBs with strong arms who also have enough mobility to extend plays.

The Patriots will be fine with keeping Mallett and further developing him, because they really like the guy. If they don’t get any great offers, then there is certainly no reason for the team to deal him.

You can follow Joe Soriano on Twitter @SorianoJoe.

Arizona Cardinals want Drew Stanton?

Joe Soriano — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 16:30:55 +0000

Indianapolis Colts backup quarterback Drew Stanton found his way into Indy by way of a trade, as the New York Jets traded the solid career backup to the Colts last offseason in late March. The Jets packaged a seventh-round pick with Stanton and received a sixth-rounder out of the Colts in what was a solid deal for Indianapolis. The Colts needed some depth leading up to the draft (where they obviously selected Andrew Luck), and they got it in a competitive leader.

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Stanton is 28 years old and will never be anything more than a career backup, but his competitiveness is contagious and he’s a pretty good backup. His accuracy is horrendous and throwing motion is awkward, but there is no denying Stanton’s arm strength and raw arm talent. He’s also a pretty tough quarterback and is always studying up on tape.

According to Dan Pompei of the National Football Post, “there are some rumblings” that the Arizona Cardinals are interested in signing Stanton this offseason, as he is set to hit unrestricted free agency. New Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians worked closely with Stanton in 2012 as the Colts offensive coordinator, and Pompei writes that Arians was impressed with Stanton’s performance in practices and in the preseason. He also liked Stanton’s meticulous preparation.

A number of teams will be interested in bringing in Drew Stanton this offseason as a backup, but Pompei thinks the Arizona Cardinals will have the edge. Not only is Stanton familiar with Arians and his offensive system, but Pompei also adds that Arizona presents the best chance that Stanton has at getting a starting role. The Cardinals need a quarterback, and even adding Stanton as a backup (his accuracy is too poor for him to be starting material, and I’d prefer Kevin Kolb to him) would be a good decision for Arians and the Cardinals. The familiarity that Stanton has is both good for the Cardinals and for the quarterback who could join them.

The backup the Cardinals signed this season as a quick replacement, former New England Patriots backup Brian Hoyer, is set to hit free agency as well and is unlikely to stick around in Arizona.

You can follow Joe Soriano on Twitter @SorianoJoe.

Philadelphia Eagles going hard after Chip Kelly

Joe Soriano — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 15:44:08 +0000

Chip Kelly is probably the hottest head coaching candidate in the NFL right now, and the Philadelphia Eagles are the latest team to reportedly identify Kelly as their primary target in their head coaching search. The Philadelphia Inquirer & Daily News reported that Kelly is the Eagles “prime target”, and they also reported the other coaches who have been identified as candidates for Andy Reid’s old position.

Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

Penn State Nittany Lions head coach and former New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien, Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy (another hot name), Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter (hot name for other teams), San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman, and Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Bruce Arians (huge interest from the San Diego Chargers among other teams).

The Inquirer also reported that the Eagles requested permission to interview Atlanta Falcons special teams coach Keith Armstrong and defensive coordinator Mike Nolan, in addition to asking to interview Koetter.

If owner Jeffrey Lurie wants to land his top choice (and the Cleveland Browns top choice) Chip Kelly, then he will have to grant his request to give Kelly almost total operational control over personnel decisions. That’s a rather outlandish request for a college head coach with no major NFL experience to request, and it seems like something Lurie or Kelly will have to make concessions for.

All the Falcons assistants and Roman will be able to interview with Lurie and the Eagles this weekend, because their teams have secured the two playoff byes in the NFC.

Lurie and GM Howie Roseman have been working together for some time now, and I highly doubt Lurie will give an incoming college coach power over Roseman. That’s something to keep in mind, and it’s the one thing that makes it hard to see Kelly coaching the Eagles.

You can follow Joe Soriano on Twitter @SorianoJoe.