53 Man Roster Prediction: Updated 8-10-03

[Walter Mitchell]

I will give you two predictions...the first is what I believe the Cardinals will do...the second is what I would do. Please offer your own and we can make adjustments each week throughout the pre-season.

THE CARDINALS' CHOICES:

QB (3): Blake, McCown, Parsons

RB (4): Smith, Shipp, Hodgins, Scobey

WR (6): Boldin, Johnson, McAddley, Gilmore, Kasper, Foster

TE (4): Jones, Bush, Banks, Diamond

OL (9): Davis, Kendall, Shelton, Clement, Spikes, Wells, Dishman, Starkey, Wragge

DL (8): Vanden Bosch, Bryant, Bell, Pace, King, Wakefield, Tanner, Davis.

LB (7): McKinnon, Thompson, Fisher, Darling, Hayes, Woods, Gilbert

DB (9): Jackson, Wilson, Barrett, Hill, Starks, Harris, Lucas, Rhinehart, Eason

SP (3): Gramatica, Player, Hodel

IR (1): Roundtree

SN (1): Garcia

PS (5): Quinn, Soliday, Newhouse, Anderson, Nelson

MY CHOICES:

QB (3): Blake, FA (a veteran), McCown

RB (4): Smith, Shipp, Hodgins, Anderson (I like him a little better than Scobey...but I want to keep Scobey on the practice squad).

WR (7): FA (a veteran), Boldin, Johnson, McAddley, Gilmore, Kasper, Foster

TE (3): Jones, Bush, Diamond

OL (9): Davis, Kendall, Shelton, Clement, Spikes, Dishman, Wells, Starkey (watch him play---he's solid, versatile and smart--give this guy some credit), Wragge

DL (8): Vanden Bosch, Bryant, Bell, Pace, King, Tanner (for goal-line and short yardage), Wakefield, FA (Add another speed rusher)

LB (7): McKinnon, Thompson, Fisher, Darling, Hayes, Gilbert (has real good upside), Burton (pass rushing threat)

DB (9): Jackson, Wilson, Barrett, Hill, Eason, Rhinehart, Lucas, Harris, FA (trade or waive Starks and add another corner)

SP (3): Gramatica, Player, Hodel

PS (5): Scobey, Banks, Grace, Quinn, Newhouse

 

[pinnacle]

On the cardinals choices..
I would say jones might stay at LB and gilbert goes to practice squad. Not sure quinn will make the practice squad..
Wragge - probably practice squad material - but I am not sure who to replace him with..perhaps a dlineman (moore or johnson). whoever it is will be bumped when garcia becomes eligible..
I do not see us keeping 4 tight ends..I am not that impressed with Banks - but I have read reports that he has had a great camp. Damond could go to practice squad..I saw that Rue guy (#46 - fullback) absolute level someone at the game..but I doubt he has a shot (2 fb's instead of 4 TE).

I may be off base about greg jones..I see him in the mix since he came back from his injury...he is a big tall Jamir MIller type of linebacker who not that long ago was a 2nd round pick..

 

[Walter Mitchell]

Pinnacle: I don't think the Cardinals will or should risk waiving Gilbert. Many teams were disappointed the Cardinals snagged Gilbert. His upside is too promising to ignore...and I'd be willing to bet you that Gilbert would be claimed...probably by the Bengals who would have the first dibs. I would be very shocked if Jones makes the team. He has fine natural ability but below average instincts.

You may be right about Wragge, especially if the Cardinals have their eye on a backup tackle, although I think Wragge could play RT in a pinch.

 

[Walter Mitchell]

Banks still has a decent chance to make the team, although Sully seems somewhat enamored with Diamond. Banks would pass through waivers, so would Diamond...so they will stick one way or another.

 

[pinnacle]

there are quite a few guys on the depth chart above Gilbert and I have seen him do little in camp...On the other hand, unless he is really awful (like the Newcombe kid from nebraska) - the cardinals usually give their draft picks a year or two..I have not really formed much of an opinion on gilbert..I think he is 3rd team now - but so are the other bubble linebackers..You are probably right on jones.. I would not count walker out on the practice squad..

But..I do think greg jones had a good game against dallas..and he is running 1st team on one of the special teams (kickoff return or something)..so he might have a chance..

 

[Walter Mitchell]

Jones is a veteran, so they are giving him some respect...but, unless he suddenly shows game instincts, it would seem unlikely for him to stick.

The depth chart doesn't mean as might as we might think. And there have benn some positive reports on Gilbert from camp...Levar Fisher was raving about Gilbert having a great nose for the ball. This guy was a stud at Georgia...for a reason.

Would Walker take well to being relegated to the practice squad? The way he moped around Tampa Bay last season, if he doesn't make the team, it would seem questionable that the Cardinals would keep him around. He is wasting a golden opportunity thus far...but he still has three weeks to step his game and his attitude up.

 

[pinnacle]

I was touting Nelson when we signed him..but I think cromatire (#37 - unsure of spelling). is outplaying him.. Cromaitre is like 5' 7" - but he also has a nose for the ball.. Rhett nelson is strong and fast and at least 4 inches taller - but I have not seen him make a play in the scrimmage or in the dallas game - and he has gotten alot of playing time...Nelson has the tools - but has not shown any ability to make plays. Mcginnis has mentioned #37 a few times..but nothing on nelson..

And by the way...I forgot about micheal young..he would more likely than jones push gilbert to the practice squad.

I think the most difficult receivers for the cardinals to part with are poole and soliday..although we traded for walker - coaches do not seem to think that much of him..and probably only one of the 2 (soliday or poole) will be on the practice squad..

 

[ajcardfan]

I agree with most of your choices.

1. I don't think Wragge will make the team though. Not over Grace. I also think Roundtree won't be put on IR, but will be expected to return by the St. Louis or Dallas game. Maybe even after the "Bye". He's too good to IR when he'll be well enough to play by October.

2. I have to agree that Gilbert won't make the team's active roster.

 

[Dan H]

Walter, what veteran WR (other than Andre Rison) do you propose the Cardinals sign? Unless I'm mistaken that cupboard is quite bare.

 

[Walter Mitchell]

Pinnacle: Good points about Cromartie, Young, Poole and Soliday. here are my thoughts: (1) Cromartie is a gamer...and, now that I think of it, I think you're right...Cromartie edges Nelson out for the practice squad; (2) I have always liked Michael Young and I listed him as one of my camp surprises. If Young shows he can play outside, he's got an even chance to be the 7th LB and beat out Jones, Woods and Burton (I still think Gilbert will be the 6th); (3) You gotta love Poole's character...and he's really a pretty good possession-type WR because he knows how to use his size to his advantage and he has reliable hands. The thing is, he may not be eligible for the practice squad having spent parts of two years with the team; (4) Soliday has another year of eligibility for the practice squad...and you're right...the coaches love him...the question is will they tab him over Reggie Newhouse?

AJ: There is something like a 6 game IR or PUP List teams can use at the beginning of the year...that's what I meant. Roundtree will play this year, but he is going to need several weeks to recover.

As for Wragge...you may be right, but I think if they pick Grace they will tab Wragge for the practice squad...or vice versa. Since Wragge may be able to play RT in a pinch, I think he gets the nod.

 

[Walter Mitchell]

Good question, Dan. The Cardinals are going to have to get lucky on the waiver wire...and every year some high profile WRs get cut...the Cardinals will have their chance at two or three established starters. They have to hope that the Bengals, Lions, Texans, Bears and Cowboys don't beat them to the player they want...seeing as those teams would have first waiver wire dibs. The one thing the Cardinals will be able to use to their advatage is their ample cap room...which other teams may be loathe to use...or unable to use. Therefore, it would behoove the Cardinals to get their feelers out there and get a sense of what veterans are on the bubble and how well those veterans are playing at camp.

One of the best things the Cardinals have going for them is Jeff Blake...since Blake has been around the league quite a bit, there may be a WR or two who get cut that Blake knows and likes. That would be a bonus.

 

[ajcardfan]

The Bengals have already hit the waiver wire several times, they have to be at the bottom of the list.

I think your picks are the "common wisdom" right now Walter. But, there's always choices that catch us off guard when that final cut comes. Almost everyone was sure Poole and Shields would make it two years ago, and then they were cut. Last year, it was Greisen.

 

[arthurracoon]

It seems to me that we have a VERY balanced roster. All the players complement each other.

 

[Rats]

I would say why keep Foster a smallish receiver if Mcaddly and Gilmore are your gunners on special teams. What value does he have. Veteran but not an outstanding Vet. I would rather hang on to Walker. Solid hands and a big target. Will probably come around if he is in Sullys system for awhile. Foster doesn't stick if Kasper does. And I think Kasper is top 5. Foster brings nothing over the rest. Practice squad Soliday and cut Foster.

 

[Garthshort]

53 Man Roster

Walter, NO WAY the team keeps seven WR's although they might pick up a vet. And I believe you are wrong about Woods not being one of the seven LB's. In fact I think there is a chance that the team will keep eight LB's. Also, can't the team put Rountree on the PUP list and activate him after four or five games? But all in all I think your prediction about what the Cards will do is right on.

 

[JeffGollin]

Walter - I agree with your forecast of the Cardinal choices with 2 amendments -

- I think they'll keep another RB (Anderson)

- I think they'll temporarily keep another offensive lineman around until Garcia and Roundtree return.

- To practice squad: Gilbert (replacing Anderson)

Released: Russell Davis (Cards have enough versatility on D-Line to get by with 7).

If Cards absolutely felt they needed 8 defensive linemen, then I'd agree they'd keep 4 RB's but like you would prefer Anderson over Scobey.

Note - I am pulling for Gilbert. There's just a logjam right now. First guy to move up if a LB got IR'd.

 

[Northern Card]

Just one prediction, or make that two: DAVIS and STONE will stick...

 

[Harpo]

I would say why keep Foster a smallish receiver if Mcaddly and Gilmore are your gunners on special teams. What value does he have. Veteran but not an outstanding Vet. I would rather hang on to Walker. Solid hands and a big target. Will probably come around if he is in Sullys system for awhile. Foster doesn't stick if Kasper does. And I think Kasper is top 5. Foster brings nothing over the rest. Practice squad Soliday and cut Foster.

Foster could miss the rest of the pre-season, and he would stick. Like Gilmore, Sully loves him. He had him as a rookie, and will keep him at all costs. People talk about Kaspers limited skills, and I don't get it. Sure he's white, but he runs a 4.3 forty, has a 44 inch vert, benches well over 400lbs, has 3 all-time NFL combine speed records, and catches anything. He's also 6ft and 200lbs which is decent size for a WR. Like I said before, If you want limited ability, look at Foster who is smaller & slower, or McDrops, who isn't as fast, and drops the ball (see Cards-Girls game for an example) In fact, all the ability in the world means nothing if you can't go out there and catch the ball, and that is one thing Kasper can do.

 

[spanky]

Regarding the prediction that Davis and Stone will stick is how I see it as well. If Bell and Davis are that close in skill level these days, I say keep them both.........we don't have THAT MUCH depth to let go of someone who will be a starter somewhere else.

As for Stone........this is a cunundrum. Are the other CB's really playing that much better.........I dunno?Can he be coached up to the next level.......I guess that is what everyone is asking these days? It's taken longer for Barrett/Rhinehart and Hill to get to their current skill levels. Maybe he can learn as a member of the practice squad? We all are in agreement that he has talent. Maybe he is a late bloomer?

 

[nidan]

Stone reminds me of the movie "Necessary Roughness", they had a WR called Featherstone.

The quote from the movie was "Don't throw it to Stonehands", our Stone looked a bit like that on saturday.

 

[pinnacle]

from what I saw at camp..stone is now a safety..He seems to clearly be the 5th safety behind jackson, wilson, harris and lucas..

 

[kerouac9]

Originally posted by pinnacle
from what I saw at camp..stone is now a safety..He seems to clearly be the 5th safety behind jackson, wilson, harris and lucas..

Perhaps we could trade him to the Packers, they seem to have a penchant for dealing with DBs with long dreds.

 

[Goldfield]

Originally posted by Rats
I would say why keep Foster a smallish receiver if Mcaddly and Gilmore are your gunners on special teams. What value does he have. Veteran but not an outstanding Vet. I would rather hang on to Walker. Solid hands and a big target. Will probably come around if he is in Sullys system for awhile. Foster doesn't stick if Kasper does. And I think Kasper is top 5. Foster brings nothing over the rest. Practice squad Soliday and cut Foster.

That "smallish" reciever has been our most consistant WR sofar. As much as I hate to think HE is our best WR, that has been the word in camp.

You guys refer to Sully like he favors some guys over another. In the NFL that is the kinda things that get you fired. If Sully likes a guy it's because he see's talent. PERIOD

If he thinks Foster is our best reciever sofar, then I will put my money down on him...

 

[LVCARDFREAK]

Originally posted by kerouac9
Perhaps we could trade him to the Packers, they seem to have a penchant for dealing with DBs with long dreds.

Except their DB's are actually solid and can play...

 

[LVCARDFREAK]

Originally posted by BEERZ
That "smallish" reciever has been our most consistant WR sofar. As much as I hate to think HE is our best WR, that has been the word in camp.

You guys refer to Sully like he favors some guys over another. In the NFL that is the kinda things that get you fired. If Sully likes a guy it's because he see's talent. PERIOD

If he thinks Foster is our best reciever sofar, then I will put my money down on him...

I dont agree. Mac has shown a tendency in the past to stick with guys even though they werent getting the job done, or it wasnt best for the team (see Plummer any year ).

Second, Sully obivously brought in Foster because, yes he believes he can bring talent to the team, but also because he has a relationship with him from Detroit.

Frankly we dont know how 'loyal' Sully is at this point!