Commentary

Top offseason needs: NFC West

What the Cardinals, Rams, 49ers and Seahawks need to address this offseason

Originally Published: February 15, 2012
By Brian McIntyre | Football Outsiders

This continues an eight-part series in which Football Outsiders looks at the biggest holes remaining on each team going into the offseason. Remember, some of these holes might not actually be holes if teams re-sign their own players, and other holes will be filled during free agency and the draft.

Today, Outsiders looks at the NFC West.

Arizona Cardinals: Offensive tackle, outside linebacker

In Kurt Warner's final three seasons as the Cardinals' starting quarterback, the offensive line ranked among the top 10 in ASR (adjusted sack rate, which measures sacks allowed per pass play adjusted for situation and opponent). For the second consecutive season with a quarterback other than Warner in the pocket, the Cardinals ranked 27th in ASR, a decline that can be attributed to Warner's pristine pocket presence and to the shuttling of 2007 first-round pick Levi Brown from right to left tackle. Having Brandon Keith and Jeremy Bridges manning the right tackle position did the team no favors, either.


To read the rest of Football Outsiders' analysis of the Cardinals, plus the biggest offseason holes for every team in the NFC West, sign up for ESPN Insider.

SPONSORED HEADLINES

MORE NFL HEADLINES

MOST SENT STORIES ON ESPN.COM