2014 Cardinals Roster Surprises?

[Mitch]

39 RB Robert Hughes (5-11, 235, 24, 2, Notre Dame). This is a player BA can pound the rock with. Has a great attitude, great work-ethic and runs hard with a low pad level and superb toughness.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/532434-notre-dame-senior-robert-hughes-overlooked-power-back

33 SS Orhian Johnson (6-3, 211, 24, 1, Ohio St.). This guy is a super sleeper at a position of great need for the Cardinals: a SS who has the size, speed (4.52) and cover skills to blanket TEs. A 38.5" vertical to boot. Had some big interceptions at Ohio St., highlighted by a key one to seal the win over Nebraska in 2012. Could be a good role player as a cover safety.

http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/johnson_orhian00.html

85 TE Darren Fells (6-7, 281, 27, 1, Cal-Irvine). Superb athlete. Big, strong (weight room warrior) and agile. College basketball convert who has been learning the craft of being an NFL TE. If he shows he can catch the ball, he has a great chance of not only making the 2014 roster, but of being an immediate contributor. BA has been raving about Fells' hands and body control.

http://espn.go.com/blog/arizona-cardinals/post/_/id/3776/second-chance-for-fells-means-shot-at-nfl

48 Dan Giordino (6-4, 260, 24, R, Cincinnati). Spent 2013 on the IR with a toe injury. When scouts use the term "motor" it applies to relentless players like Giordano. The player he compares very well to is Matt Shaughnessy. He's a weight room warrior and a tough, physical player. Good bull rusher. Good shed and tackle type of player. The Cardinals outbid all other teams last year after the draft to sign him---and were thinking of drafting him from the 5th round on.

http://southtownstar.suntimes.com/s...dan-giordano-signed-by-arizona-cardinals.html

80 Andre Hardy (6-6, 245, 26, 1, Cal St. Fullerton). Runs a 4.6. Dad played RB in NFL. Another b-ball convert who has been in training with Jeff Garcia and an array of NFL coaches. See video. Superb athlete at his size. Coaches say he's been mastering the TE blocking techniques and route tree. Video shows how good, big and soft his hands are.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4zhxydL9YE

65 G Christian Johnson (6-4, 325, 27, 1, Kentucky). AFL All-Star who led their leagues best o-line in rushing a fewest sacks. Has leadership qualities.

http://www.philadelphiasoul.com/index.cfm?go=news&id=11048

62 NT Anthony McCloud (6-2, 313, 24, 1, Florida St.). Has ability as a run stuffer and may allow the Cardinals some added time as Almeda Ta'amu rehabs his way back to the active roster.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2011/profiles/anthony-mccloud?id=2539939

50 OLB Dontay Moch (6-2, 255, 25, 2, Nevada). We will find out this year if Mock is a contender or a pretender. He has the kind of speed off the edge the Cardinals need. The one game he stood out was at Tampa where he recorded 3 tackles and a sack. After that he was beat out by Marcus Bernard. Moch is a hometown kid whom the Cardinals hope can have a breakout season.

http://www.azcardinals.com/videos-p...-roster-/7771f4fe-55af-4f96-8076-efff6d98ade8

47 OLB Adrian Tracy (6-2, 248, 3, William & Mary). A 2010 6th round pick of the New York Giants, Tracy was too light to play DE in their 4-3 and was used as a situational edge rusher. It would seem that he is best suited to play 3-4 OLB, where he can utilize his quickness, agility and speed.

http://arizonasports.com/40/1690697/Cardinals-sign-Tracy-to-a-future-contract

64 C/G Phillip Blake (6-3, 310, 2, Baylor). Canadian born All Big-12 center who was drafted in the 4th round by the Denver Broncos in 2012. Was RGIII's center at Baylor and started all 38 games in his three-year career at Baylor. Big framed and strong (squats 635 pounds). Suffered a thumb injury his rookie year and was placed on IR. The year on IR hurt him and he wound up getting waived this past season when he was unable to beat out veteran swing C/G Manny Ramirez.

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_23387224/philip-blakes-chances-at-starting-broncos-likely-better

54 ILB Kenny Demens (6-1, 242, 1, Michigan). One of the nice surprise UCFA bright spots for the Cardinals last pre-season, who, after a year on the PS, has a legitimate chance to make this year's team. He was brought up to the active roster for a short time this past year (after the Alexander injury), was waived (to bring in WR Teddy Williams) and then re-signed to the PS. He is tough and instinctive---and showed better side-to-side range than expected. Here are three nice plays he made in the pre-season versus Green Bay:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wUEuPTO0EY

 

[Catfish]

Good stuff Mitch. I can't imagine anyone on this board who is more ready for the 2014 season to begin than you are. You have covered this team from top to bottom, and side to side. Your coverage has been very thorough. Thank you for your hard work.

I love how the Front Office has stockpiled these players who show promise and athleticism. Best of all, they are self-starters who play very hard, (and work very hard at learning, or re-learning, their craft). Most of these are players who could surprise by becoming apparent 'overnight successes' on the roster due to their long and hard work and willingness to overcome obstacles. I love how Steve Keim has improved this scouting unit that they can find talent and character like this. Several of them could possibly save us from having to draft a player, and that is no small feat.

 

[cardncubfan]

Nice read Mitch. Didn't know some of these guys were even on the roster.

 

[blindseyed]

Mitch with the beginning of the Cards new year already love it, much better than having to hear about the Hags again
I like Hughes, don't know if Mendenhall will be back or not (because I just don't know lol) and I never hear about Ryan W. anymore, so I like Hughes as a tough runner that gets yards , only going off from what limited times I've seen him play

 

[juza76]

Nice read Mitch. Didn't know some of these guys were even on the roster.

Body camp material.
Mitch has a lot of enthusiasm and put a lot of emphasis but the guys on the list are just mediocre.maybe Demens could but probably in CFL

 

[WildBB]

Thanks for the read.

Injuries unfortunately always real their head at any time.

Moch was someone the board was excited to see after his surprise showing last season. Many thought he could show something given an opportunity.

It's all about finding the field and beating out your competition. Bernard showed that he belonged out there and could make plays.

We are creating a team where many can step in and step up any given Sunday.

 

[Mitch]

Thanks for the read.

Injuries unfortunately always real their head at any time.

Moch was someone the board was excited to see after his surprise showing last season. Many thought he could show something given an opportunity.

It's all about finding the field and beating out your competition. Bernard showed that he belonged out there and could make plays.

We are creating a team where many can step in and step up any given Sunday.

Nicely said, WBB. The way Steve Keim has worked out deals to improve the overall depth of the team is impressive.

 

[PJ1]

Liked Demens in preseason also. The guy makes plays.

Didn't Moch also sack Newton for a safety that was huge in our win vs Carolina? One of many good signings to overcome the rash of injuries at this position.

 

[cardncubfan]

Body camp material.
Mitch has a lot of enthusiasm and put a lot of emphasis but the guys on the list are just mediocre.maybe Demens could but probably in CFL

I don't know. The video on Hardy was impressive. I think he may be someone who might develop into a good player.

 

[Jetstream Green]

I like Moch but Hughes does not have a chance because unlike a majority of fans, the coaching staff likes Taylor because he is a good back and his so called lack of speed is really no worse than Mendy in my opinion

 

[Jim Otis]

I like Moch but Hughes does not have a chance because unlike a majority of fans, the coaching staff likes Taylor because he is a good back and his so called lack of speed is really no worse than Mendy in my opinion

Agree JG , and there should be no arguement on the effort that Taylor brings to the field .

 

[Cardiac]

Body camp material.
Mitch has a lot of enthusiasm and put a lot of emphasis but the guys on the list are just mediocre.maybe Demens could but probably in CFL

FYI, correct phrase is Camp Body.

Harrison was cut a couple of times, Bertrand Berry was cut and out of fb for a year IIRC, and there are many more examples. Point is that not all of these guys will make the team but a couple could become key contributors in a year or two.

I really do hope Fells or Hardy comes through, we need help at the TE position and both of them have size and or speed.

 

[juza76]

FYI, correct phrase is Camp Body.

Harrison was cut a couple of times, Bertrand Berry was cut and out of fb for a year IIRC, and there are many more examples. Point is that not all of these guys will make the team but a couple could become key contributors in a year or two.

I really do hope Fells or Hardy comes through, we need help at the TE position and both of them have size and or speed.

thank u cardiac
do u know hardy will be 27 at the start of the season and fells 28.

 

[Snakester]

Dontay Moch is the guy I am excited about on this list. He has the speed and pass rushing skills to make the team. He just needs to become a complete player. I think once he learns how to drop back and cover properly he will make the team.

 

[Cardiac]

thank u cardiac
do u know hardy will be 27 at the start of the season and fells 28.

I knew Fells was older but thought Hardy was younger.

We need some of these UDFA's and lower rd draft picks to start contributing because of the CAP.

 

[Garthshort]

Mitch, with all the OLB's on the roster (including your surprises) I can't see us drafting one, unless a VG one is available when we pick. Too many other needs and if an OLB is the top rated player on our big board, he'd have to be head and shoulders over the next guy, no matter what the round. JMO.

 

[DoTheDew]

With our limited cap space, we definitely need to hit on a few low round prospects/UDFAs/cheap veterans if we want to contend next year.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

I don't know. The video on Hardy was impressive. I think he may be someone who might develop into a good player.

I thrown my hat in on Dan Giordano.

I liked him before the draft, after the draft, and was happy they "red-shirted" him on the PUP last year.

I think he may turn into something at OLBer, or DE. Possibly Rucker's replacement ? Its a stretch no doubt, but he is my dark horse for making the roster....well as it stands now. LOL.

 

[Catfish]

I believe that NT, Anthony McCloud will play a big part for this team by filling in as a backup until TaAmu can return from the IR to backup Dan Williams. This will save having to draft a replacement for TaAmu.

 

[Catfish]

I thrown my hat in on Dan Giordano.

I liked him before the draft, after the draft, and was happy they "red-shirted" him on the PUP last year.

I think he may turn into something at OLBer, or DE. Possibly Rucker's replacement ? Its a stretch no doubt, but he is my dark horse for making the roster....well as it stands now. LOL.

Good eye Muffin. I like Geordano a lot too. I think he could be something special coming off the edge this year. I love how the FO has stockpiled these very promising athletes to compete for positions. I believe that some of them will surprise this year.

I hope that they find a modicum of success with the two basketball conversions to Tight End. I one, (or both), of them could crack the lineup, we might find a diamond in the rough.

 

[BW52]

Another one hoping Giordano can contribute.Kind of doubtful about the 2 bball converts trying to play TE.Brett Brackett probably has a better shot that those 2.

 

[cardncubfan]

I thrown my hat in on Dan Giordano.

I liked him before the draft, after the draft, and was happy they "red-shirted" him on the PUP last year.

I think he may turn into something at OLBer, or DE. Possibly Rucker's replacement ? Its a stretch no doubt, but he is my dark horse for making the roster....well as it stands now. LOL.

Yep, I kinda forgot about him.