The Cardinals are an interesting team. With quarterbacking continuing to be a question, the team could be on the brink of major improvements. Could this team be one of those surprising upstarts in 2012? They made some good moves in the draft that could help them, namely the drafting of Michael Floyd to play opposite of Larry Fitzgerald.

But I’ll let the expert from Raising Zona tell you about it.

See below … or check out the links provided above. There is some great stuff on our fellow websites here on the fansided network. Enjoy.

If tagged with the franchise designation, would Jermichael Finley be considered a tight end or wide receiver? Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Today was the first day NFL teams could apply the franchise tag to a player of their choosing. Not any were done right away but this is to be expected as teams would prefer to see how free agency falls out before they make any large financial commitments.

So how should the Pack use their franchise tag, if they even choose to do so?

The most probable candidate will be tight end Jermichael Finley. At the beginning of last season, it was surely expected that the Packers would apply the franchise tag once the off-season came around. But after a disappointing year by the young tight end, it has made Packers fans somewhat uncertain as to using the tag on Finley – is he even worth it?

It’s only a one year deal, but it pays the player as being one of the tops at that position. There is an issue with Finley about this though. There has been some speculation that Finley may argue that he is a wide receiver and, therefore, would make double the money if he were to be considered a tight end. To determine this, they will have to review how many times Finley lined up as a wide receiver and compare it to the tight end. This would surely determine if the Packers decide to use the tag on Finley or not. If he is considered a tight end, then the Pack will most likely use the tag on him but if he is considered a wide receiver, then it would be more likely that the Pack decide not to use the tag and may have to let him go.

Obviously Packers fans would be saddened if this should happen but there would still be the chance the Packers could work out a 1 or 2 year deal. This is unlikely, however, and the Pack will be faced with either giving him the tag or letting him walk.

Another scenario the Packers could opt for is franchising quarterback Matt Flynn. This probably will not happen because if they chose to do so, they would be paying Flynn more money than MVP Aaron Rodgers next season. The benefit of doing this would be to get good trade value for someone who is considered by many teams as a franchise quarterback.

Last year the Philadelphia Eagles had Kevin Kolb and ended up trading him to the Arizona Cardinals for lots of picks and valuable players. It would be nice for the Pack to be able to get some nice pieces for Flynn but I just cannot see the Pack doing this.

The most probable scenario will be the Pack either franchising Finley as a tight end or letting him walk and the Packers opting not to use the franchise tag this year.

Though today was the first day teams were able to place the franchise tag on one of their players, the Packers’ crucial decision will still probably be a few weeks away.

Anyway, here’s what he had to say:

Any addition to the Cards O-Line is fantastic.  The O-Line is a major deficiency.  It used to always be that way and got better over the past few yrs only to digress last season again.  Colledge is a great pickup and anything less than him starting means nothing but shear disappointment.

He’d better be.  The Cards paid a pretty good price to get him.  With a long off-season of rumors and build-up, he doesn’t need to be Moses, but he’d better be able to lead to a promised land as far as many fans are concerned.  I just want him to win.  Doesn’t need to be a world beater, just win NFL games, at least put the team in position to win every Sunday.

Strengths: Tough call.  On offense, receiver is good at the number one with Larry Fitzgerald.  There is a good in-camp fight for number 2.  Running game has possibilities, and quarterback.  Kolb immediately brings respect back to the position for the Cards.

Weaknesses:  See question one with the offensive line.  Lack of experienced depth at the corners.  A solid pass rush.  An inconsistent linebacking core.

Keep Kolb, Todd Heap, and Fitz healthy.  O-Line needs to block to help make that happen.  With the state of the other three teams, it shouldn’t be a stretch for them to think they can re-gain the division title.  St. Louis will keep getting better.  San Francisco can’t win it with their quarterback situation.  Neither can Seattle.

My best guess, probably into the second quarter.  Might even see some of them for the entire first half.  Of course I thought Kolb would play into the second last week and he only played two series.  It will all depend on how the game is flowing.

How can the Green Bay Packers stop Michael Vick this coming Sunday when they square off with Vick’s Philadelphia Eagles in a first-round NFC playoff game? Here’s how: Personnel and scheme.

As we all know, Vick can beat you with his legs just as easily as with his arm and field awareness. In fact, in most cases, stopping him isn’t even a true option; containment is the goal.

No Packers fan will forget how Vick shredded the Green Bay defense during a furious Week 1 comeback attempt, to the tune of 175 yards passing with a score and 103 yards rushing. Granted, the Packers had game-planned for Kevin Kolb, but the defense looked bewildered at times while holding on for a 27-20 win. (more…)