Expert: Steve Overmyer - 3/3/2000

Question
Steve, I`ve been a Cardinals fan since 1974. I`ve suffered year after year of good players but bad teams. Just when I thought W. Bidwell was moving in the right direction (1998) they took a slide last year (I`m willing to chalk it up to injuries and poor decisions by management. But they just don`t seem to care about putting a winning team on the field. Do they ( the Cardinals Organization) want to improve their team or am I just wasting my time and money backing this team year after year? Give me some hope.....Thanks

Answer
Dave,

Thanks for asking.  My personal belief is that the Cards DIDN'T  want to spend the money to buy free agents, and they really didn't make winning thier top priority.   However, this offseason is the first one with a real FOOTBALL GUY running it.  GM Bob Ferguson now has the power to pick and choose the right guys.  Even last year it all had to go through the man in the corner office.  Now its Fergi's to handle.  He's brought in Hardy Nickerson, Marco Coleman for interviews (though niether signed), but the stigma that the organization has earned over the past 10 years is one that doesn't care about thier players.  That in itself is the toughest hurdle for the NEW front office to overcome.... their own history!  Did you know during the games, the team doesn't have a parking lot for players wives?  Its widely known around the NFL that this organization treats its players like meat, not people.  But like I said, that's different now.  Fergi told us that "We're going to do things different (now that I'm in charge)... We're gonna do it right!"  Now they have to contend with owning up to these rediculous contracts they've given.  Namely Eric Swann. While I believe he may have some good games left in him, I don't want someone who's making an average of  $1 Mil every game! That's what it was last year!  This team is so strapped for cap room cash we're not sure if they can sign all they're draft picks.  While the players have always wanted to win, now so does the front office.  Expect them to take either Thomas Jones RB Virginia with the 7th pick or Shaun Alexander RB Alabama.  If both are gone, they will try to trade down to maybe 13 or 14.  That's where they'll be able to get RB Shyrone Stith.  Make no bones about it, this years team will have an explosive offense.  The line is in place.  I believe all of those linemen who were injured are fully healthy and will succeed admirably.  My biggest concern is what we're going to get for Simeon.  The Jets have offered a first and 2nd rounder for him, and I believe the Cards should jump on it.  Bottom line, don't give up hope yet.  This year winning is much more paramount, especially with the Stadium Vote on the table.  Expect the Cards to win 10 this year and re-solidify themselves as a playoff team.  Don't bail now, its just about to get interesting.

If you have anymore questions feel free to contact me at sovermyer@kpnx.com

Later
Steve