HEADLINES

Carson Palmer

Extension Candidate: Carson Palmer

November 5th, 2014 at 10:35pm CST by Rory Parks

We learned several weeks ago that the Cardinals had opened extension talks with quarterback Carson Palmer, who is set to become a free agent at the end of the 2014 campaign. The Cardinals have been desperate for consistency under center since Kurt Warner retired after the 2009 season, and their search has taken them through eight different quarterbacks in a little less than five years.

Carson Palmer

Given Arizona’s quarterback woes and the success that Palmer and second-year head coach Bruce Arians have enjoyed together—the Cardinals are 14-7 under Arians when Palmer starts—it is easy to see why the team would want to secure Palmer’s services for at least the next couple of seasons. This is despite Palmer’s age (35) and recent injury history.

Although Drew Stanton went 2-1 this year in Palmer’s absence, the 30-year-old did little to prove that he is anything more than a career backup, and fourth-round rookie Logan Thomas is very much a work in progress. Furthermore, the top quarterbacks in the 2015 free agent class, assuming neither is re-signed by their current clubs, are Michael Vick and Brian Hoyer, and the 7-1 Cardinals are unlikely to have a shot at the top signal-callers in the 2015 draft unless they trade up.

As our Zach Links pointed out, even with the shortage of quality quarterbacks available, Palmer is unlikely to receive a significant hike in annual salary. He is earning $9MM this year, and that seems to be about right for a quarterback who is having something of a late-career renaissance but who does have age and injury concerns.

Palmer has amassed a 99.3 quarterback rating this season, throwing 11 touchdown passes to just two interceptions, and Pro Football Focus (subscription required) rates him as a solid but unspectacular passer, akin to Alex Smith and Andy Dalton. The naked eye test supports the PFF assessment, but as of right now, Arizona does not need Palmer to be an All-Pro. The Cardinals simply need continued stability and consistency, which, combined with their excellent defense, have created a surprising championship contender.

So if Palmer does not get a big boost in average annual value if and when he signs an extension with Arizona, and if Arians is right in his prediction that Palmer can play until he is 36 or 37, then a two-year pact worth between $20-22MM would appear to work well for both sides. The Cardinals could continue to groom Thomas, if they still believe in him, and the young talent they have at the offensive skill positions—not to mention the return of players like Daryl Washington and Darnell Dockett on the defensive side of the ball—should keep the Cards in contention for at least a wild card berth during the life of Palmer’s deal.

Wherever his next contract takes him, it will likely be the last in what has been an up-and-down, but nonetheless successful, career, the highlight of which may be yet to come.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

Cardinals, Palmer Discussing Extension

October 16th, 2014 at 6:56pm CST by Zachary Links

The Cardinals have opened contract negotiations with quarterback Carson Palmer‘s agent, David Dunn, and hope to reach agreement before the end of the season, according to Kent Somers of The Arizona Republic. Palmer, for all intents and purposes, is scheduled for free agency at the conclusion of this season.

“I won’t get into specific points of the negotiations but we’ve had some dialogue with Dave Dunn,” General Manager Steve Keim said. “He (Palmer) has done a great job for us.”

Palmer, 35 in December, has already missed three games this season thanks to a nerve injury in his right shoulder. However, he played last week against the Redskins and the Cards are confident the injury won’t affect Palmer long-term. In total, Arizona is 14-7 with coach Bruce Arians on the sidelines and Palmer under center.

Backup Drew Stanton is under contract through 2015 and rookie Logan Thomas, who got his opportunity to start earlier this year, has a four-year deal. Still, it sounds like the Cardinals are intent on sticking with Palmer in 2015 and possibly beyond.

Palmer is making $9MM this season and even with a dearth of quality quarterbacks out there, it would be a surprise to see a significant pay bump in average annual salary. And, at 35 with some health troubles, the veteran doesn’t seem likely to get a substantial guarantee beyond 2015.

NFC Notes: Harbaugh, Orton, Palmer, Johnson

October 5th, 2014 at 3:01pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Amid numerous reports of discontent in the 49ers locker room stemming from head coach Jim Harbaugh’s management style, the team’s owner has taken to social media to dispute the claims. “Jim is my coach,” said Jed York on Twitter. “We are trying to win a [Super Bowl], not a personality or popularity contest. Any more questions?” Jay Glazer of Fox Sports reported earlier today that there is “no way” Harbaugh returns to San Francisco in 2015, even if the team wins the Super Bowl. Until Harbaugh agrees to a contract extension, York & Co. will be forced to continue to respond to queries on their coach’s status. Let’s look at more from the NFC.

  • Among the reasons that new Bills starter Kyle Orton left the Cowboys was that his relationship with Tony Romo was “untenable,” according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link via NFL Network’s Around the League). Ed Werder of ESPN reported (via Twitter) much of the same last week, noting that Orton “hated the offensive power struggle.”
  • Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer, out since Week 1, has been working with a nerve specialist and has shown some improvement, per Glazer (on Twitter). Arizona is hopeful Palmer can return to the field by Week 6 or 7.
  • Vikings defensive tackle Tom Johnson was arrested for trespassing and disorderly conduct last night, tweets James Monical of KSTP in Minneapolis.

NFC West Notes: Harbaugh, McDonald, Palmer

October 2nd, 2014 at 6:10pm CST by Zachary Links

Seth Wickersham of ESPN The Magazine attempted to delve into the psyche and unusual methods of 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh. Despite his immense success, Harbaugh may be grating on some in the locker room and the front office and Wickersham’s entertaining read gives some insight as to why that might be. Here’s more out of the NFC West..

  • San Jose investigators have forwarded their findings about 49ers defensive end Ray McDonald‘s August arrest to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office, as Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee writes. The 49ers have allowed McDonald to play despite the allegations against him but reports indicate that they will sever ties if his account of the event differ from what is unearthed by local authorities.
  • Carson Palmer suffered a setback last week that resulted in him seeking a second opinion on the damaged nerve in his right shoulder. However, according to Ed Werder of ESPN.com, the Cardinals aren’t currently considering placing the veteran quarterback on injured reserve, even with the designation to return.
  • The Rams are working out former Southern Utah kicker/punter Brock Miller, a league source tells Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link).

NFC Notes: Giants, Durant, Washington, Floyd

May 24th, 2014 at 8:47am CST by Matt Feminis

“It seems everyone in the free world with an interest in football wants to know why the Giants didn’t draft a tight end and what they’re going to do to shore up the position,” writes Giants.com Senior Writer/Editor Michael Eisen. However, Eisen says GM Jerry Reese likes his two young, developmental tight ends (Adrien Robinson and Larry Donnell) and wants to see what the team has in veterans Kellen Davis and Daniel Fells and rookie free agent Xavier Grimble before addressing the position.

In other NFC news and notes…

NFC Notes: Orton, Saffold, Hardy, Palmer

February 21st, 2014 at 9:45am CST by Luke Adams

Kyle Orton has a year remaining on his contract with the Cowboys, but the team isn’t entirely sure that he’ll be back for the 2014 season, Clarence Hill and Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram hear from executive VP Stephen Jones and multiple sources. Orton is mulling the idea of retiring, and figures to make his decision before the new league year begins on March 11. If the Cowboys’ backup does call it a career, quarterback will become an even stronger area of focus for the club in free agency and the draft.

Here’s more from around the NFC:

  • The Rams will meet with Rodger Saffold‘s agent tomorrow to discuss a new contract for the offensive tackle, tweets Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
  • Speaking to the NFL Network about free agent defensive end Greg Hardy, Panthers head coach Ron Rivera said that GM Dave Gettleman told him they’re working to get something done with Hardy (Twitter link via Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer).
  • Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians told reporters, including Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com (Twitter link), that he thinks quarterback Carson Palmer can play until he’s 36 or 37. That would mean another two or three seasons for the Arizona signal-caller.
  • The 49ers haven’t had trade discussions involving LaMichael James, according to GM Trent Baalke, who says the running back will “continue to be a 49er” (Twitter link via Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee). A report earlier this month indicated James could be on the trade block this offseason.
  • We rounded up several NFC East items earlier today.