15 Days Until Training Camp Opens(!); 15 Top Stories of Training Camp

[kerouac9]

I know it's the dog days of summer. I know that I'm personally responsible for not stirring things up and keeping the conversation going around here. But we're just, just under two weeks away from 2014 Arizona Cardinals Training Camp opening, and it's time to start wildly speculating about things that we have no information on.

The 2014 offseason has oscillated like your office fan between boring and disappointing. Losing Karlos Dansby - Disappointing. Free Agency Acquisitions - Boring. Draft - Boring. Daryl Washington suspension - Disappointing. OTAs and minicamps - Boring.

As the Cards turn off the fans and get ready to blast the A/C at University of Phoenix stadium, here are the 15 things to look for in training camp this year.

1. Carson Palmer's Control Over the Passing Game. Much has been made this offseason of Palmer's increasing comfort level with and mastery of Bruce Arians's complex passing game. What has been unspoken is that the Arizona Cardinals are going to be integrating 2-4 new receivers into that passing game, and they'll be starting from square 1 in digesting the offense. Palmer may continue to master the offense by helping to teach Ted Ginn, John Brown, and John Carlson the offense, but so much depends on the offense being able to hit the ground running Week 1.

2. Influence is a Two-Way Street? Because it happened late in the free agency period, I think many fans have underrated what a great addition Antonio Cromartie may be to the defense. Comparisons to Karlos Dansby aren't unwarranted. Both are underrated players with unique physical skills and, as importantly, both guys are natural leaders. The challenge is that the Cards in 2013 established themselves as a feisty, physical defense in the running game. Cromartie is somewhat notorious for attacking the line of scrimmage with something less than enthusiasm. Can Cromartie give leadership to the defense while learning from the example of his teammates?

3. The Battle for #2 RB. For the first time in what feels like ages, the Arizona Cardinals go into 2014 training camp with a clear starter at running back. Andre Ellington was spectacular in limited exposure his rookie year, and the secret to building on that performance will be finding a solution for the gritty yards on first and ten and third and short. Stepfan "Kulabafi" Taylor had a steady but less than scintillating rookie season, and will be challenged by Arians favorite Jonathan Dwyer for the pass blocking/H-back/short yardage/battering ram role.

4. Kevin Minter's Big Steps Forward. Here's what we learned about Kevin Minter in 2013 -- the kid can hit, and the kid can find the runner. In significant special teams play, Minter showed that he could move through trash and lay a lick on an opponent when he's moving forward. But to take the next step from special teams to special player, Minter is going to have to learn how to take steps backward. Minter was drafted to be a starting inside linebacker, and he'll have that role in 2014. To keep it into 2015 will require him to understand the pass defense and produce accordingly.

5. Game of Thrones. He's sat the Iron Throne for so long that we take for granted that Larry Fitzgerald (sigil--Japanese Fighting Fish) is the top wide receiver on the Arizona Cardinals. Very quietly, 2012 first-round draft pick Michael Floyd has challenged the throne. It's possible that Fitzgerald takes advantage of his multiple role in the offense in 2014 the way that Reggie Wayne more quickly adapted in 2012 to put up near-career highs as a 34 year old. Of course, Fitzgerald's averages over the last 5 games of the 2013 (6 receptions, 70 yards, 2 total TDs) suggests winter is coming for Fitzgerald's tenure as the Cards' top wideout.

Check back later today for Stories 6-10!

 

[iRobot]

Nice write-up kerouac..

I think Minter is going to give us good production in the middle.. but it's not proven and that's always going to be interesting to see if hope meshes well with reality.

Cromartie is an underrated signing, part because if he's injury free he's shown he can still play coverage well. Also, it slides Powers into the slot where I feel he is in a more natural position. If coverage can hold up, that Defense line should feast. Abraham is up there in age but he's shown he can still get it done pretty well.. also, we're getting a lot of returning depth at the OLB spot. Only issue, none of them are very well at rushing the passer.

Still, on paper, the D-line would appear to be upgraded with great depth and hopefully will take some pressure off the ILB corps to show out like DWash/Dansby did last year.

 

[Garthshort]

While it didn't work out, I think we went into last year's TC with a clear-cut favorite at RB. At least in BA's mind.

 

[kerouac9]

6. Declining Dockett? It feels weirdly like we've underappreciated Darnell Dockett's time with the Arizona Cardinals. He's been the third-best and lowest drafted member of the Cards' blockbuster 2004 draft class, but he's also been the most consistent leader and best value to the franchise of that group. Darnell Dockett has been to three Pro Bowls in his career, but it seems like he's never really had the franchise cornerstone profile of Adrian Wilson. Dockett turned 33 this offseason. His skills are likely in decline. But his leadership is as valuable as ever. Fans who visit training camp this year should make sure to provide Nine-Oh with the appreciation that he deserves.

7. Race to Third Place. Between Ellington, tight end Rob Housler, and new additions John Brown and Ted Ginn, Jr., the Arizona Cardinals offense has never had more speed at its disposal. Ginn and Brown are competing for the lion's share of the more than 55% of offensive snaps that Arians allocates to having three or more receivers on the field. With one player a tenured veteran, you'd expect Ginn to have a decided advantage, but despite tours with three other ballclubs, Ginn remains unrefined as a pass catcher.

8. @MrDanWilliams. Dumpster Dan Williams plays an unsung role. Battling injuries for much of his career, Williams seemed to take a big step forward in 2013. He faces a great opportunity in 2014 with Alameda Ta'amu sidelined with a severe knee injury to take control in an all-important contract year. We likely won't know if he's capitalized on that opportunity until February or March 2015, should he be extended an offer sheet by the Cards. That said, he could be a primary in-season extension candidate for Steve Keim and Michael Disner.

9. Homeless Rob Housler? Rob Housler may be Steve Keim's favorite player going into training camp. Ryan Williams was cut this spring, so Keim's pet project takes center stage. Housler has done little more than tantalize Cardinals fans in his career, and this is an important year for the tight end. That stage may be on the sideline and in very limited reps, as John Carlson has shined in offseason activities and minicamps, and Jake Ballard is the more accomplished blocker.

10. PP21 vs. the #2s. Patrick Peterson is a bona fide NFL star and is poised to assume the mantle of face of the franchise if Larry Fitzgerald's contract situation can't be rectified next offseason. The problem is that Peterson, only 24 years old today (happy birthday!) is not yet a complete cornerback. He's regularly frustrated by smaller, shiftier wide receivers. In training camp, Peterson will have the chance to refine his skills against jitterbug prospect John Brown.

Stay tuned for #11-15 later this afternoon!

 

[MadCardDisease]

This is Housler's last chance to prove he belongs. So far he hasn't been much of a factor and when the ball does come his way he often drops it. Not good for a guy who was originally brought in as more of a pass catching TE.

 

[Krangodnzr]

I like it, and I agree on all points.

One thing to consider is that the Cardinals may only have a major setback at ONE ILB position. No one is willing to consider that Kevin Minter might be a pretty good starting ILB. I'm confidant he won't be bad and we won't see a massive step down. Where I think he will be better is against the run, but we'll see a little bit of a downturn as a pass defender.

Cromartie is definitely a major upgrade over Powers, who I thought was a decent starting CB to begin with. I think Kerouac nails it; Cro is going to be a major addition for this team, and improves the depth by pushing Powers into the slot.

No mention of Veldheer, who is potentially the best offensive lineman this team has had in over a decade (Lomas Brown)? I would put that top five storylines of the offseason.

Great write up; we need more threads like this.

 

[Cardinals.Ken]

15 days until I can change this avatar!

 

[Capital Card]

Anxiously awaiting the final 5, nice work K9. Best thread of the off-season.

 

[BigRedRage]

CC was on the radio last night talking about how excited he is to have cro on the team and how having two man corners is going to open up their blitz potential.

 

[kerouac9]

11. Battling behemoths on the inside. In terms of snaps available, the most impactful competition in all of training camp is the battle between Paul Fanika and Earl Watford. Fanika is a known quantity at this point and has benefitted immensely from the move inside to guard--without such a move, he'd likely be out of the league. Watford was chosen in the 4th round of the 2013 NFL draft and made no impact whatsoever against quality competition in the preseason. The team would without question prefer that Watford win the competition--his combination of size and agility would upgrade the position. But Fanika is a known quantity on an offensive line where otherwise only one player was a starter the prior year.

12. Special Teams Standing Out. The attention in training camp will be on the development of the offense, but the real factor where the Cards need to become at least average in 2014 is on special teams. According to FootballOutsiders' advanced metrics, the Cards special teams ranked 27th in the NFL, and the only area where the Cards were above average was in the punting game. The Cards can only get better in the punt return game, and for the first time in a while, kicker Jay Feely may have real competition for his job. Both kick and punt returner jobs are open to competition, where Patrick Peterson should take a back seat to someone who can be more regularly productive.

13. Crowning Calais Campbell. There isn't a more deserving player on the Arizona Cardinals than Calais Campbell. He's been remarkably productive the last several years, and he's taken a back seat to Adrian Wilson, Daryl Washington, and Patrick Peterson in the Cards' acclaim. Campbell deserves a Pro Bowl position in 2014, and the Cards should marshall their resources to promote him. After J.J. Watt, there isn't a better 3-4 defensive end in the NFL, and there aren't many better 4-3 defensive ends, either.

14. Warm Country for Old Men. Larry Foote and John Abraham shouldn't be playing football anymore. Foote was able to take an involuntary year off after an early-season triceps injury. Abraham was impossibly productive last season. Both players are going to have to find the fountain of youth somewhere in the backcountry of South Mountain Park, because the Cards don't have much of promise behind either player.

15. Sorting Out the Other OLBs. Without productive rushers from the ILB positions, the Cards are going to have to manufacture a pass rush from their defensive linemen and outside linebackers. There are plenty of bodies to do the job. Sam Acho has been productive in the past, but couldn't recapture the promise of his rookie season in two subsequent campaigns. He has to prove that he's more than a special teams standout and locker room presence. Lorenzo Alexander was the biggest head-scratching free agent acquisition of 2013. Alex Okafor may find himself out of a roster spot. If the Cards' intend to play more than 16 games in 2014, they'll have to find a way to get productive snaps from guys who aren't Matt Shaughnessy and John Abraham.

 

[Catfish]

GOOD LORD-----I have been through 1-15, and I can't find any real wrong with any of it. What are the odds of Catfish and K-9 seeing eye-to-eye just two weeks before the beginning of Training Camp?

Nice work-up K-9. I really hope that we find some very solid answers to the questions you have raised while the Cards proceed through Training Camp. If I had just one to wish for, I guess it would be that Watford is able to win-out over Faniaka at the RG position. Then, (if Massie were to win the RT slot), we could be looking at a pretty good, pretty deep, and pretty formidable OL for a long time.



CARDS WIN-----I BELIEVE

 

[kerouac9]

I like it, and I agree on all points.

One thing to consider is that the Cardinals may only have a major setback at ONE ILB position. No one is willing to consider that Kevin Minter might be a pretty good starting ILB. I'm confidant he won't be bad and we won't see a massive step down. Where I think he will be better is against the run, but we'll see a little bit of a downturn as a pass defender.

Cromartie is definitely a major upgrade over Powers, who I thought was a decent starting CB to begin with. I think Kerouac nails it; Cro is going to be a major addition for this team, and improves the depth by pushing Powers into the slot.

No mention of Veldheer, who is potentially the best offensive lineman this team has had in over a decade (Lomas Brown)? I would put that top five storylines of the offseason.

Great write up; we need more threads like this.

On Minter--I guess I'd be more confident in Minter if he'd been able to take snaps away from Jasper Brinkley last year in-season. I expect Minter to be exceptional against the run, but we're losing a lot not only in coverage, but also in the pass rush--Dansby and Washington combined for 9.5 sacks last year.

On Veldheer--He's an above-average offensive tackle. He's probably about as good as Leonard Davis was as a left tackle, and not as good as Davis was as a guard. I guess my reason for his exclusion is what's the story, exactly? Kind of like Jonathan Cooper--he's here, he has a starting job, it's not going to matter until the regular season begins.

 

[cardncubfan]

Thanks for the write up K9. I wish you would post a lot more often. Excellent read in these dog days of summer. I appreciate the time & effort you put in to these posts.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

But we're just, just under two weeks away from 2014 Arizona Cardinals Training Camp opening, and it's time to start wildly speculating about things that we have no information on.

LOL.

Excellent. Got my attention immediately.

 

[seesred]

Thanks for your thoughts. I think that we are very throng on the D line and at the safety and corners. I too am hoping that Minor can do what's second round LB can do. He should know the play book. Ache is one of my favorites when he came up. He knows it's time and so doe Okeafer.?spelling.

Offensively we are clearly better.Qb second year in the system. RB can't wait for the best guy we have had since when? I like our speed outside. The line will be much approved on the left side. I am hoping it all comes together on the right.
Can't wait for camp.

GBR
40

 

[kerouac9]

Thanks for the write up K9. I wish you would post a lot more often. Excellent read in these dog days of summer. I appreciate the time & effort you put in to these posts.

Thanks. I've been lurking around all offseason, but there just hasn't been much to share or talk about. As I said, it's been a boring offseason. We were a 10 win team that missed the playoffs in the NFLs toughest division, and we haven't generated a ton of media in the offseason that was worth using as a touchstone for a discussion.

But the FootballOutsiders almanac will be coming out in late July or early august, and that'll be worth delving deeply into.

 

[desertdawg]

Good stuff vato!

 

[Snakester]

Nice write up! To me this team needs to be on fire right out the gate. The offense needs to be strong game one. The two players that I expect to step up this year on defense are Alex Okafor and Kevin Minter. They should be looking pretty good by mid season. I really liked Okafor coming out of College. I think he will make a very good SOLB and should give us 7 to 10 sacks a year. I hated that he got hurt last year. Playing would have really helped him with both learning the defense and in building confidence.
The O-line looks much better but I have a feeling we will be drafting a RG next year. Neither Watford or Fanaika impress me. I think Bobby Massie will win the starting job and give us a solid RT for years. The left side of the line may be the best we have had since the 70's. I fully expect this team to make the playoffs.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Nice write up.

#5 - I expect Fitzgerald to have a monster season. The Cardinals have plenty of guys to stretch the field. I think Fitzgerald makes a killing in the middle of the field this year.

#6 - When it comes to Dockett, IMO, it is about power. How much strength does he have at this point in this career. He may have "lost a step" but he had one to give. May not be a dominant player, but he can hold his own, at 33 years old that will be enough for this season.

#8 - Dan Williams and Lyle Sendlein improved last season, IMO. The only difference I see is that the coaching staff was changed. They both seemed to plateau until Arians and company came in last year. Williams seems even more athletic than in years past.

#11 - I would put the battle as Watford, Fanaika, and Larsen. The right guard position is not as interesting as the right tackle position in my opinion. You can at least look back and see that Fanaika is the incumbent at the position. No such tell at RT. One would think the front runner would have to be Massie, right ? ...........right ?

#4, #14, #15 - Linebackers, Linebackers, Linebackers. We have issues at linebacker, inside and outside. Foote, Shaughnessey, and Abraham are our best linebackers. I've seen younger faces on cash. (to steal a good joke). They are a tough commodity to come by these days, dare I say more so at the inside linebacker position because of the college game which resembles more of a passing skeleton. Thus those do it all inside linebackers are few and far between. At least there are 3-4 defensive in college, and under sized DE's to replenish some of the talent in the NFL, but inside linebackers is the defensive equivalent to the running back in the NFL. If you can get an elite talent at inside linebacker, he is worth a 1st round pick, but when I say elite, it has to be E-LITE. Luke Kuechley type talent. They are rare very rare.

Right now ? Dare I say the Cardinals linebacker situation is starting to resemble the problems we have seen with the offensive line. Are we ever going to have a young OLBer ? As for the inside linebacking position, not much you can do about bad, untrustworthy people, but such is life in the NFL. Another hole to fill in the future.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

But the FootballOutsiders almanac will be coming out in late July or early august, and that'll be worth delving deeply into.

Yeah buddy. That is good for a 14 page debate or two.

 

[cardncubfan]

Thanks. I've been lurking around all offseason, but there just hasn't been much to share or talk about. As I said, it's been a boring offseason. We were a 10 win team that missed the playoffs in the NFLs toughest division, and we haven't generated a ton of media in the offseason that was worth using as a touchstone for a discussion.

But the FootballOutsiders almanac will be coming out in late July or early august, and that'll be worth delving deeply into.

I'll be waiting for your write up after this comes out K9.

 

[WildBB]

But we're just, just under two weeks away from 2014 Arizona Cardinals Training Camp opening, and it's time to start wildly speculating about things that we have no information on.

 

[BigRedRage]

15. Sorting Out the Other OLBs. Without productive rushers from the ILB positions, the Cards are going to have to manufacture a pass rush from their defensive linemen and outside linebackers. There are plenty of bodies to do the job. Sam Acho has been productive in the past, but couldn't recapture the promise of his rookie season in two subsequent campaigns. He has to prove that he's more than a special teams standout and locker room presence. Lorenzo Alexander was the biggest head-scratching free agent acquisition of 2013. Alex Okafor may find himself out of a roster spot. If the Cards' intend to play more than 16 games in 2014, they'll have to find a way to get productive snaps from guys who aren't Matt Shaughnessy and John Abraham.

Talk is the Okafor looks solid and primed to be a threat in the pass rush, here is to hoping.

On Veldheer--He's an above-average offensive tackle. He's probably about as good as Leonard Davis was as a left tackle, and not as good as Davis was as a guard. I guess my reason for his exclusion is what's the story, exactly? Kind of like Jonathan Cooper--he's here, he has a starting job, it's not going to matter until the regular season begins.

I hope you are dead wrong about veldheer and he is much better than BIG.

 

[Cardiac]

I know it's the dog days of summer. I know that I'm personally responsible for not stirring things up and keeping the conversation going around here. But we're just, just under two weeks away from 2014 Arizona Cardinals Training Camp opening, and it's time to start wildly speculating about things that we have no information on.

Oh so true and funny but it's what most of us do.

The 2014 offseason has oscillated like your office fan between boring and disappointing. Losing Karlos Dansby - Disappointing. Free Agency Acquisitions - Boring. Draft - Boring. Daryl Washington suspension - Disappointing. OTAs and minicamps - Boring.

Not sure I was bored by our FA acquisitions. Veldheer was thrilling for me because we now actually have a legit NFL LT. Then with the addition of Cromartie I was thrilled again. I also thought Ginn was the perfect fit taking into account our CAP.

As the Cards turn off the fans and get ready to blast the A/C at University of Phoenix stadium, here are the 15 things to look for in training camp this year.

1. Carson Palmer's Control Over the Passing Game. Much has been made this offseason of Palmer's increasing comfort level with and mastery of Bruce Arians's complex passing game. What has been unspoken is that the Arizona Cardinals are going to be integrating 2-4 new receivers into that passing game, and they'll be starting from square 1 in digesting the offense. Palmer may continue to master the offense by helping to teach Ted Ginn, John Brown, and John Carlson the offense, but so much depends on the offense being able to hit the ground running Week 1.

Agree to a point but the lucky/good news is that the new WR's are the speed guys so they will be running more go routes ans such that won't demand mastery of the BA offense. Plus even if they are screwing up they are going to still demand the D's attention and MF and Fitz and Housler (hate giving you low lying fruit for rebuttal but..) and Juke are good enough weapons that one of them should be open even if the speed newbies are running around in circles.

Having said that you point does have merit.

2. Influence is a Two-Way Street? Because it happened late in the free agency period, I think many fans have underrated what a great addition Antonio Cromartie may be to the defense. Comparisons to Karlos Dansby aren't unwarranted. Both are underrated players with unique physical skills and, as importantly, both guys are natural leaders. The challenge is that the Cards in 2013 established themselves as a feisty, physical defense in the running game. Cromartie is somewhat notorious for attacking the line of scrimmage with something less than enthusiasm. Can Cromartie give leadership to the defense while learning from the example of his teammates?

I agree that Cromartie is not a fan of tackling and I'll add that PP is just a better actor as he isn't a fan of supporting the run either. Is there a stat out there on how many tackles our CB's made on RB's, not just tackling a WR who they were covering and caught the ball?

I ask because IIRC PP rarely if ever supported the run D and Powers didn't have to do it much either.

3. The Battle for #2 RB. For the first time in what feels like ages, the Arizona Cardinals go into 2014 training camp with a clear starter at running back. Andre Ellington was spectacular in limited exposure his rookie year, and the secret to building on that performance will be finding a solution for the gritty yards on first and ten and third and short. Stepfan "Kulabafi" Taylor had a steady but less than scintillating rookie season, and will be challenged by Arians favorite Jonathan Dwyer for the pass blocking/H-back/short yardage/battering ram role.

Fully agree, I would have liked for the draft to unfold in such a way that we took another RB at some point but it probably would have been frivolous.

4. Kevin Minter's Big Steps Forward. Here's what we learned about Kevin Minter in 2013 -- the kid can hit, and the kid can find the runner. In significant special teams play, Minter showed that he could move through trash and lay a lick on an opponent when he's moving forward. But to take the next step from special teams to special player, Minter is going to have to learn how to take steps backward. Minter was drafted to be a starting inside linebacker, and he'll have that role in 2014. To keep it into 2015 will require him to understand the pass defense and produce accordingly.

Good assessment and I think Minter will be an upgrade in the run D over Dwaste and Los but hopefully not too much of a step backward in pass D.

5. Game of Thrones. He's sat the Iron Throne for so long that we take for granted that Larry Fitzgerald (sigil--Japanese Fighting Fish) is the top wide receiver on the Arizona Cardinals. Very quietly, 2012 first-round draft pick Michael Floyd has challenged the throne. It's possible that Fitzgerald takes advantage of his multiple role in the offense in 2014 the way that Reggie Wayne more quickly adapted in 2012 to put up near-career highs as a 34 year old. Of course, Fitzgerald's averages over the last 5 games of the 2013 (6 receptions, 70 yards, 2 total TDs) suggests winter is coming for Fitzgerald's tenure as the Cards' top wideout.

This will be interesting to watch. I think most of us have faith that MF will continue to improve which should make him a true #1 WR. As that continues to unfold opposing D's will have too focus more on him and the double teams will lessen for Fitz which should improve his stats etc. Factor in how Juke will demand attention and the speed BASK added at WR and Fitz could have a huge year.

Check back later today for Stories 6-10!

Looking forward to your next installment.

 

[kerouac9]

Nice write up.

#5 - I expect Fitzgerald to have a monster season. The Cardinals have plenty of guys to stretch the field. I think Fitzgerald makes a killing in the middle of the field this year.

Thanks. While a monster Fitzgerald season would be bad for the Cards' balance sheet (it'd be easier to demand a pay cut if Fitz puts in 70/800/8), it would be good for the certainty that Fitz would remain a Card for his career.

That said, I'm looking for the evidence. So much depends on believing that it was Fitz's balky hamstring that was preventing him from being a 1200 yard receiver last year instead of Cris Carter 2.0.

#6 - When it comes to Dockett, IMO, it is about power. How much strength does he have at this point in this career. He may have "lost a step" but he had one to give. May not be a dominant player, but he can hold his own, at 33 years old that will be enough for this season.

I think it will be enough for this season. Dockett has never been a power player, but I'd like for him to garner a reputation as a dirty player this year. He's a grizzled veteran, and he should be using that savvy to cheat just a little bit.

#8 - Dan Williams and Lyle Sendlein improved last season, IMO. The only difference I see is that the coaching staff was changed. They both seemed to plateau until Arians and company came in last year. Williams seems even more athletic than in years past.

I think that Sendlein was the guy he's always been; the guys around him improved. I expect that Dan Williams got a wakeup call when the new staff came in, who had nothing invested in his success. I've been a Williams fan since before he was drafted; I'd love to see him extended.

#11 - I would put the battle as Watford, Fanaika, and Larsen. The right guard position is not as interesting as the right tackle position in my opinion. You can at least look back and see that Fanaika is the incumbent at the position. No such tell at RT. One would think the front runner would have to be Massie, right ? ...........right ?

On the RT question, I guess there's less interest because I'm not certain that there's a huge difference between Massie not trying mentally and Sowell trying his hardest. If Massie "decides he wants to be the best", then it's not a contest. If Massie doesn't, then I'm forced to watch Bradley Sowell be slightly better than Nate Potter for 16 games.

I just don't really believe that when you have a player that the staff invested a 4th round pick in and a starter who was just extended, an undrafted free agent is likely to come in and make something happen.

#4, #14, #15 - Linebackers, Linebackers, Linebackers. We have issues at linebacker, inside and outside. Foote, Shaughnessey, and Abraham are our best linebackers. I've seen younger faces on cash. (to steal a good joke). They are a tough commodity to come by these days, dare I say more so at the inside linebacker position because of the college game which resembles more of a passing skeleton. Thus those do it all inside linebackers are few and far between. At least there are 3-4 defensive in college, and under sized DE's to replenish some of the talent in the NFL, but inside linebackers is the defensive equivalent to the running back in the NFL. If you can get an elite talent at inside linebacker, he is worth a 1st round pick, but when I say elite, it has to be E-LITE. Luke Kuechley type talent. They are rare very rare.

Right now ? Dare I say the Cardinals linebacker situation is starting to resemble the problems we have seen with the offensive line. Are we ever going to have a young OLBer ? As for the inside linebacking position, not much you can do about bad, untrustworthy people, but such is life in the NFL. Another hole to fill in the future.

I disagree with this all over the place. There are do-it-all ILBs in the draft every year. We could've gotten one in 2013 in Kiko Alonzo. We're stuck with Kevin Minter because that's the guy that we chose because we made the mistake of depending on Daryl Washington.

I don't doubt that we have NFL-caliber players as starters and depth at the linebacker position. This is the difference between the LB corps today and the offensive lines of yesteryear.