13 in 44: 2009 Cardinals Wide Recievers

RugbyMuffin

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Let's get this out on the table right now. I can care less about what the nation media, or anyone else thinks. This is the best WR core in the NFL, and arguably of all time.

Larry Fitzgerald: After getting lambasted on this board a year ago, does anyone still think he makes too much money ? Didn't think so. There is a reason why his contract was around 14 million. Because he is one of the few rookies every to hit every incentive on his contract, and that is a good thing. Whose is going to complain that a player that your team drafted turned out to be one of the best players in the league ? Regardless, that is over and done with, and we have a very younger reciever who is not only still growing atheletically, but he is taking HUGE mental strides as well. 2009 will be the year that Fitzgerald takes over as the offensive "face of the franchise. I see no real gaping holes in Fitz's game. He just needs to keep doing what he has been doing since he got here.


Anquan Boldin: Let's get this straight. Boldin is not happy, and he is going to continue not being happy. He is going to say he wants to be traded, that he has been done wrong, and the 2 year song and dance will continue unless he gets a new contract (unlikely until next year). Not only that, but his antics have left a sour taste in many fans' mouths, and the player who used to be the fan favorite is now chided.....rightfully so since Boldin, who does deserve a raise, went about trying to get it the wrong way (For the right way: See Adian Wilson).

Now onto what is important about Boldin. What he does when he gets on the field. Amidst the contract talks, the over shadowing of Fitzgerald during the playoffs, coupled with his injury during the playoffs, Boldin is the forgotten man on this team. I believe Boldin will be healthy this year, and knowing that the next offseason he will have one year on his contract, that he will have a MONSTER year. While images of Fitzgerald are fresh in oppponents heads, Boldin is going to take advantage of the lack of coverage. I don't know if Boldin will be the same, intense runner her was when he was young, but he will produce. Regardless what you think about the guy's personality, don't let it cloud your vision of what an amazing WR he is on the field.

Steve Breaston: How can you not like this guy ? Fearless and then some. It will be hard for Breast to match his numbers from last year, but he definately is the best insurance policy you can have. There is nothing about this guy that would make me believe he will be conplacent with last year. I think he will be bettter than last year, and have even more big plays in big situations. If our coaching staff sticks to what they have been teaching all, along I expect Breaston to do more after the catch this year.

In reality, our top 3 receivers have minor weaknesses. All three can get the job done in a #1, #2, or #3 role. It is a luxiary, and a HUGE advantage to the Cardinals. If Beanie Wells comes out and produces your will have to chose to face all 230lbs of Mr. Wells with a Nickle package, or have a LB covering Breaston or Boldin.......and good luck with all of that.

Jerheme Urban: I slam this guy constantly, but that last half of last season he finally found the consistancy he needed. Too many times have I seen this guy drop HUGE passes, but the last 8 games of last year, he caught them all. When he is consistent Urban is the best 4th WR in the game.

Early Doucet: All the promise in the world, but who knows anything about him ? Early Doucet is in the worse place for any young WR. He is on the Arizona Cardinals. In reality what can he do ? His best change is to compete for the 4th position against Urban.....the BEST chance. If you look at the situation on paper, and as a optimal situation then Doucet SHOULD beat out Urban and become our 4th WR. There has always been talk about Doucet, and his abilty to run with the ball, but we never get to see it. When it comes to Doucet there are nothing but question marks. It is going to take a lot from Doucet to work his butt off just to become a 4th WR. That is going to take some special motivation.

Sean Morey & Michael Ray Garvin (yes, I read they are making him a WR): See ST.

Attention: Onrea Jones, Shane Morales & Edward Gant - You guys better bring your A game to every practice, and make the most of every single snap you get during the pre-season games. Cause you have no chance at making the final 53 and you have too beat out Lance Long to just make our practice squad. Good luck, you will all need it.

Lance Long: The ultimate practice squad for life. What can you say ? He gets rave reviews by coaches, and the local media. Then why doesn't another team pick him up off our practice squad? Regardless the coaches like him, the QB like him, and he has the will to give it his all in any oppourtunity given to him. I know many on the board want this guy to get a chance, but if you look at the guys in front of him he is not getting one anytime soon. I like the guy, and am very happy for him to be on our team. Anytime you have good talent in the extreme emergency dept. it is a good thing.

All and all the 2009 squad is in place to be even more dominant than last year. That is a scary thought. The minute the Cardinals re-signed Kurt Warner it was extremely important to keep all the WR's on this team. From Fitzgerald and Boldin to Breaston, Urban, and Doucet. They all know the system, they have experience playing with each other, and they all are on the same page 99% of the time.

The Cardinals organization did a fantastic job of keep the offense as dangerous as it was last year. I expect this WR group to have its best year yet, and doubt that anyone will stop them.
 
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lauraw

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Great write up!! RM, I agree with everything you say except for I think that this may be Doucet's year to shine more than anyone foresees as of now.. All his extra work in the OTA's set him up to explode onto the scene, and I think as the 4th wideout he will be given 1/2 the chances to start and his ability will move him up to fulltime 4th WOut. Did You Say That? Wow some great insight about the others struggling just to make the 53 and PS!!!
 
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Garthshort

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Rugby, since he was a third round pick, I'm sure the Cardinals are rooting for Doucet to beat out Urban for the fourth wideout, and if it's even close, he'll get the call. Probably he and Urban will split the 16 games with each being inactive for eight games. And whoever has the best year will play in the postseason.JMO.
 

joeshmo

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Lance Long - The 5th and 6th WR on the roster is going to have to know how to play special teams. Something Morey and Garvin have over Long right now by a long shot IMO. Meaning Long is still a long shot. But if Long can show he even has 75% of the special teams ability that Morey has Long may have the upper hand becuase Long is the better WR and costs much less. Again Long is going to have to show some special teams ability to make this team becuase the Cards are going to be very hard pressed to cut the reigning NFC Special Teams Pro Bowler, Morey, no matter how much of a better reciever Long may be compared to Morey. So the part of Longs game we all need to watch in preseason wont be Longs recieving, I think the aspect of his game to watch will be special teams.
 

Perfectionist

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Nice Mitch, and this has to be the best and by far the deepest receiving core in the NFL. We will see how injuries play out, but we have plenty to step up and take over if it is necessary.
 

DoTheDew

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Here is a scary thought for you: Fitzgerald is still young enough that he can potentially get even better over the next 3 seasons, both from continued physical conditioning and fine tuning the tiny little flaws in his game that no one but him and the coaches are aware of.
 

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