Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
As many of you know, every year I get excited about players that, IMO, have a chance to turn heads in camp and earn significant roles with the team. Here are the players that intrigue me a great deal:
1. RB Roger Robinson. Robinson was the leading rusher in NFL Europe last year. He's fast and surprisingly tough. Was placed on the IR after an injury riddled camp. This year he has a golden opportunity to make the team as the #3 RB, especially if he shows ability as a kickoff returner.
2. WR/PR/KR Michael Spurlock. May be a poor man's Randle-El. He's quick and very nifty in the open field. Played QB at Ole Miss...is a gifted athlete. Showed in brief appearances this past year that he's a sure-handed and elusive WR in the slot. Like Robinson, Spurlock's chances of making the team would increase significantly if he could win the punt returner job.
3. QB Shane Boyd. I really like this kid's package of talents...he's got excellent mobility, is a constant running threat from the pocket and has a very good arm. He lacks experience and needs grooming, but learning behind Leinart and Warner should help, as will running the scout team in practice if he wins the #3 QB job.
4. T Brandon Gorin. A forgotten player last year, despite costing the team a 6th round draft pick. He played well in the 2004 Super Bowl for the Pats...but hasn't asserted himself as a regular starter. Witht the right coaching and a vote of confidence, I think Gorin has an opportunity to be a factor in the team's plans this year.
5. TE/FB John Bronson. I am very curious about his prospects. Here is one of the most physically gifted athletes on the roster...a big, physical player with good wheels. A special teams ace in the making, for starters. Might be the answer at FB, especially now that the HC wants to employ a power running game. Whiz wants to play tough, physical football and Bronson has the goods to make a splash.
6. DE A.J. Schable. This kid has a non-stop motor and a nose for the football. An old-fashioned blue collar player who leaves it all out on the field. I think this kid is a winner.
7. DT Jonathan Lewis. I was very excited that the Cardinals drafted this kid. Lewis played big in big games at Virginia Tech. He's a little undersized, but has a knack for penetration and finishes his tackles very well. I think he can help the team as a rotation DT and nickle DT pass rusher.
8. LB Brandon Johnson. If this kid puts on some muscle this off-season and maintains his outstanding speed, he could help the team as a cover LB and might eventually challenge for good playing time at OLB.
9. CB Darrell Hunter. Talk about speed...Hunter is the fastest player on the roster. The rap on him was playing soft, but he showed some toughness and tenacity on special teams while showing outstanding chase-down speed.
10. G Elton Brown. The Big E...was ineffective and seemingly unmotivated last year. But, this kid has real talent...he's got a big frame and yet he is suprisingly agile and effective on the move. He's got a clean slate with the new staff and the opportunity to impress this time around.
1. RB Roger Robinson. Robinson was the leading rusher in NFL Europe last year. He's fast and surprisingly tough. Was placed on the IR after an injury riddled camp. This year he has a golden opportunity to make the team as the #3 RB, especially if he shows ability as a kickoff returner.
2. WR/PR/KR Michael Spurlock. May be a poor man's Randle-El. He's quick and very nifty in the open field. Played QB at Ole Miss...is a gifted athlete. Showed in brief appearances this past year that he's a sure-handed and elusive WR in the slot. Like Robinson, Spurlock's chances of making the team would increase significantly if he could win the punt returner job.
3. QB Shane Boyd. I really like this kid's package of talents...he's got excellent mobility, is a constant running threat from the pocket and has a very good arm. He lacks experience and needs grooming, but learning behind Leinart and Warner should help, as will running the scout team in practice if he wins the #3 QB job.
4. T Brandon Gorin. A forgotten player last year, despite costing the team a 6th round draft pick. He played well in the 2004 Super Bowl for the Pats...but hasn't asserted himself as a regular starter. Witht the right coaching and a vote of confidence, I think Gorin has an opportunity to be a factor in the team's plans this year.
5. TE/FB John Bronson. I am very curious about his prospects. Here is one of the most physically gifted athletes on the roster...a big, physical player with good wheels. A special teams ace in the making, for starters. Might be the answer at FB, especially now that the HC wants to employ a power running game. Whiz wants to play tough, physical football and Bronson has the goods to make a splash.
6. DE A.J. Schable. This kid has a non-stop motor and a nose for the football. An old-fashioned blue collar player who leaves it all out on the field. I think this kid is a winner.
7. DT Jonathan Lewis. I was very excited that the Cardinals drafted this kid. Lewis played big in big games at Virginia Tech. He's a little undersized, but has a knack for penetration and finishes his tackles very well. I think he can help the team as a rotation DT and nickle DT pass rusher.
8. LB Brandon Johnson. If this kid puts on some muscle this off-season and maintains his outstanding speed, he could help the team as a cover LB and might eventually challenge for good playing time at OLB.
9. CB Darrell Hunter. Talk about speed...Hunter is the fastest player on the roster. The rap on him was playing soft, but he showed some toughness and tenacity on special teams while showing outstanding chase-down speed.
10. G Elton Brown. The Big E...was ineffective and seemingly unmotivated last year. But, this kid has real talent...he's got a big frame and yet he is suprisingly agile and effective on the move. He's got a clean slate with the new staff and the opportunity to impress this time around.
