FanNation - The Republic of Sport

This little thing called life caused me to go M.I.A, let's just say ROUGH TIMES!!!  Despite my absence, I have been following my beloved teams!  DUKE SUCKS, KNOW that I hate them more today, than I did yesterday!  Carolina is still MY number one and thats all that matters...darn Maryland too...enough for now about Carolina basketball, before I pop a blood vessel!  In positive Carolina news, did everyone see Madison Hedgecock win the superbowl?  Also, its worth mentioning that my former bridge student (mentee) Kentwan Balmer is expected to be a first round NFL draft selection...here's hoping he goes to AZ or SD...SERIOUSLY doubt the AZ selection, lol!

On to some interesting Rhonnie news, I was unable to attend the superbowl this year due to financial concerns.  This was devastating, especially considering that Phoenix is my favorite city and football is my favorite sport....I really missed out, so in light of this disaster, I've decided to actually move to Phoenix in May!   I kid I kid,  yes I am moving to Phoenix but not because I missed the superbowl...I'm FINALLY graduationg so in the words of Matchbox 20, "it's closing time, time for new beginnings!"

Now, for some sports chatter....I am REALLY excited about the recent Shaq/Marion(and other) trade....I just wish Shaq was bringing his ex-wife Shaunnie...I liked her style...oh well!  I intend on doing a better job of following the NBA when I move to Phoenix, I think the Wizards are pure garbage.  Gilbert Arenas is BEYOND bizare...and Deshawn Stevenson strikes me as a retard.  Although, I was in the building when they beat Boston...VERY interesting?  But, then the Wizards lost to Memphis, so the excitement did NOT last long!

Off Season rebuilding time....What the Card's need in order to make the post season in '08-'09!!

Free Agency 

First, work it out with Fitzgerald (which I think will happen by free agency, although Fitz strikes me as a sneaky little ****).  So we can only hope that he realizes that he needs to be willing to take one for the team, extend the contract and and helo clear some salary cap space...in the end, he will get his money, it's just a matter of timing!  I read somewhere that the Cards realized that  "1,400 yard seasons don't come cheap".... yeah but 14 mill, darn that sure is a lot of money for some running?  If AZ, can freeup some loot with a Fitzgerald extension then they can better address Karlos Dansby's concerns!  Keeping him is really a good look...now, as for Calvin Pace, Arizona can part ways with him, "Calvin, thanks but no thanks, your work here is done."  As for the rest of the free agency period, who knows...only time well tell! 

The Draft 

Now on to the draft.., I am starting a personal campaign for Antoine Cason to go to AZ as the number 16 pick...we desperately need a CB, and as a Jim Thorpe winner, who could be better...no I don't want Aqib Talib, Leodis McKelvin or Mike Jenkins! Cason went to school in AZ, he has a great fan following in Tuscan. Arizona does not want to be a Houston Texans type team and pass on the hometown favorite and regret it when he shows up and pioneers his team to victory (ok, admittedly Cason is no Vince Young, but you get the picture!)   To advance my argument,  the **** has FINALLY moved Rolle to the FS positin (Rolle and Wilson..I'm excited!)  This move TOTALLY leaves the CB position wide open, Arizona is primed for a top CB draft selection, this draft is rich with powerful, talended and dangerous CB's...so watch out!

As for Arizona's RB issues, they are REAL!  I admit that it would be appealing to select a young RB in the first round but let's be real, do we REALLY think Arizona is ready to part ways with the EDGE???  Yes, at 30, he is over the hill, and a replacement is needed, but must that replacement come in the first round?  Looking at the prospects...unquestionably the best option would be Darren McFadden, but we all know Atlanta isn't passing on that option (oh and there is a rumor that Dallas is attempting to trade Marion Barber to MIA in return for their draft pick, a.k.a an attempt at McFadden.)  Regardless of validity of this rumor, I can assure you McFadden WONT be in AZ, if Arizona did take a RB it would be either Rasard Mendenhull or Jonathan Stewart.  I would opt for the beast that is Jonathan Stewart...his size is SCARY!  Mendenhall's speed is questionable....BUT we do have to remember that there are some predicted late round RB's (Kevin Smith, def. a GREAT investment especially if he falls to the second round).  In conclusion, Arizona is having some money problems so from the financial perspective, take the CB first and the RB second!

In terms of the offense we are set.  We have an explosive WR core and a promising QB situation, which combined really gives us SERIOUS hope on offense.  Not to mention, Levi should be back into the mix of things.  I will admit that an OL, preferrably a tackle would be a bonus, but I PRAY, that we have the sense enough to acquire an OL later in the draft!  It is no secrete that AZ went 8-8 and just barely missed the post season by a  few missed defensive plays...note the operative word being DEFENSIVE plays.  So, we MUST build on D!

I cannot finish the draft discussion without mentioning that Arizona had the worse net punting average in the league, so a punter should be an eventual focus in this draft.  Also, there are discussion concerning Neil Rackers abilities.  I would be most bothered if AZ parted ways with Neil, however I would suggest that AZ consider brining in a place kicker, ONLY to spark some compeition between the old and the new...we see how that got us going in the QB position..I'm just sayin, a little comp never hurt NO BODY!!  Speaking of competition, that darn Eric Green sure could use a spark of competition himself...at the CB position...Cason for PRESIDENT!

So, If I were Rod Graves and crew... I'd take a great CB/Jim Thrope winner in the first round and a RB later (Kevin Smith), then a OL and a punter.  Bottom line, AZ SUCKS defensively, Terrence Holt was NOT the answer!