Armchair GMs

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While I have a hard time watching sports (except basketball), I do enjoy reading about them or listening to a game on the radio every now and then. It's the process of assembling the pieces, comparative analysis, seeing how different statistics can be used to represent various strengths and weaknesses... and as a result, I tend to play 'armchair GM' for various teams. Admittedly, I am biased towards some teams, but I try to be balanced (Check out RealGM for their NBA Trade Checker) and reasonable.

Couple things running through my head right now:

Arizona Cardinals need to improve their defensive front, and has a disgruntled top-10 receiver in Boldin as potential bait. Why not offer the Rams WR Boldin and the Cards' first round pick for St. Louis' first-pick-overall in the draft? Suh would be a great fit for Arizona, while giving St. Louis a deep distance receiving threat and a low first rounder that would still allow them to bolster their team?

Phoenix Suns are my favourite team... basketball is like jazz to me, I love the interplay and rhythm of the game. And they need size, while Golden State needs maturity. Richardson for Randolph or Biedrins (as pieces of a deal) would go a long way towards helping their weaknesses, while losing some salary obligation.

Anyone else find themselves constructing solutions like this randomly? Admittedly, I can find myself spending considerable time researching the teams, their box scores, articles by local and opposing journalists... the number of athletics are a special interest, I guess, though I never thought of it that way since it came and went in spurts.


M.

Yes, I spend a lot of time discussing this sort of thing on ESPN's forums. The only problem I see with your Cardinals idea is that the Rams may be looking to draft a quarterback, and Bradford and Claussen figure to be gone before the Cardinals pick. Maybe the Browns could be a possibility. The money they still have tied up in Brady Quinn could make them think twice about drafting a quarterback early, and their defense isn't as bad as the Rams', so they might be looking to add more offensive weapons.

There's always Leinert, but then AZ is in the same dilemma - no QB for the future. NFL is such a pain on trades that it makes figuring out what would work a real challenge for me... tend to stick more with basketball. I think the deal is only worthwhile if they get Suh; none of the other DT/ILB options seem worth the sticker shock.


M.

I'm more of a football junkie myself, and I prefer college hoops to the pro game, although if the Knicks get LeBron I'll be watching a lot more NBA next season. The challenge of figuring out what's going to happen in the NFL I think is part of the attraction for me. I'm always trying to find the patterns that the experts are missing. For example, I predicted Thomas Jones would lead the AFC in rushing last year based on the history of running backs who played with Brett Favre and Tony Richardson. I'm sure there are 100 other, similar examples that I didn't notice, and that's what keeps me looking. I also like doing March Madness brackets for the same reason.

Trade Idea: Phoenix Suns & Sacramento Kings

Suns get: Martin, Nocioni, Armstrong
Kings get: Richardson, Barbosa, Collins

Thoughts?


M.

My thought is that would be a great trade for the Kings, although I don't know enough about those particular teams to know the salary logistics for those players.

In that scenario though I think instead of Armstrong, Spencer Hawes would be a better fit for the Suns. He's not as good an athlete (not even close) as Armstrong, but he is a MUCH better offensive player, which is something obviously that the Suns emphasize. He's only 21 years old, and already he has legit post moves going both right and left, can shoot mid-long range jumpers, and is an excellent passer; as long as his knees hold up (which admittedly is far from a given ) he has a much higher ceiling.

Also (as you can see I am an armchair GM as well ) about the Cardinals-Rams trade... I definitely think the Rams should unload that #1 pick for a boatload of other picks. The Rams have SO many holes that no one guy is going to be of any significant help. If I were the Cardinals (and was sure I wanted Suh) I'd offer them something like 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th round picks this year, and maybe a 2nd or 3rd rounder next year.

Then I'd turn around and trade Boldin separately (along with either a late-round pick this year, or a mid-rounder next year) for a mid-late-first-round pick this year to a team without too many needs aside from at receiver (like Tennessee for example).

I doubted that they would move Hawes; I would find him preferable to Armstrong, but the important aspect to me was to add size behind Stoudemire, Lopez and Frye. Richardson is getting a bit older; Nocioni represents a defensive upgrade (poor man's Raja Bell) at the 3, and Martin is a better scorer at the 2.

Well, the Cardinals have needs to. Leinart isn't a sure thing at QB; Boldin seems to get nagging injuries and lacks motivation at the end of the season; the secondary produces numbers but the defensive line doesn't do much other than provide enough delay for the linebackers to provide the stop - when they are able to. Suh makes the defense pretty scary on paper, especially with the addition of some depth or a complement ILB in the draft/FA. If they stay, I don't know who they take who legitimately makes a difference. I like the Tennessee suggestion for Boldin, though there are several teams who need a No. 1 receiver which he can be for most of them.


M.

I don't think Sacramento wants to move Hawes, but they definitely want to move Martin, and probably should move Nocioni as well. The Suns might have to fatten the deal a bit (i.e. maybe Channing Frye instead of Collins), but it would likely be worth it for them.

And I'm too out of touch with college football to have a clue who could make an immediate impact with the Cardinals, but I agree they have a definite need at quarterback. But I think they (as well as the Rams) should wait another year to draft a QB, as the collective bargaining agreement is going to be restructured after next season, likely meaning the top picks will no longer command such outrageous guaranteed contracts, and this year's class at QB is pretty thin anyway.

If they're getting Hawes, then I think Frye can be considered - but I think Frye is significantly underrated and is an excellent complement to Stoudemire, plus his outside shooting is ridiculous for a big man. If it's Hilton Armstrong, then Collins should be as high as they go.

The great unknown of the NFL - the future of the salary cap. I think STL is greater need than AZC; Leinart is under contract if Warner walks, whereas if Bulger retires the Rams have little in reserve. The unknown also presses the need to move Boldin, preferably for a mid-to-low 1st/3rd or 1st/4th/5th scenario.


M.