Alexander--Amaya--Arenas--Batson---Bell

[Mitch]

97--Alexander, Lorenzo, OLB, 6-1, 244, 29, 7, California. ST ace, Pro Bowler, whom the Cardinals believe can make an impact on the edge at ROLB.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...ffseason-mistake-was-losing-lorenzo-alexander

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKKGizd1zBw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRRh7y2Ru0Q

27--Amaya, Jonathon, S, 6-2, 205, 24, 4, Nevada-Reno. ST ability makes him attractive. Can he be a solid backup and contributor at safety?

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/27/cardinals-sign-jonathon-amaya/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdMxlqRip5g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHlRxJXdkC0&list=PL4734A291BF333ED0

35--Arenas, Javier, CB, 5-9, 197, 25, 4, Alabama. Acquired from the Chiefs in the trade for Anthony Sherman. Nickel CB who gives the Cardinals the ability to cover the speedy slot WRs in the NFC West. Reunites in the secondary with fellow Tide alum, Rashad Johnson. Offers yet another legitimate threat in the return game.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...-javier-arenas-will-pay-dividends-in-nfc-west

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1beUeyt6FjY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIGsZqAK8N4

2--Baston, Will, P, 6-3, 210, 26, 1, North Alabama. Strong-legged punter who impressed last summer in the Titans' camp.

http://www.revengeofthebirds.com/20...013-arizona-cardinals-sign-punter-will-batson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRUI2sdg2a4

37--Bell, Yeremiah, S, 6-0, 205, 35, 10, Eastern Kentucky. A couple of years ago in Miami was Todd Bowles' defensive captain. Had a solid season with the Jets last year. His leadership and experience in a young secondary will likely be significant.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8Pr_Vp2pls

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BellYe20.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CTWi38-h50

 

[WildBB]

Alexander can lay some wood when he gets there.

Does Acho now share his ROLB role, mtl?

Will we see LB's by committee on the outsides?

 

[Lagerfilled]

Acho was moved to the strong side.

 

[WildBB]

Acho was moved to the strong side.

In mini-camp?

What will Okafor's position be? Do they go head to head?

 

[Vermont Maverick]

97--Alexander, Lorenzo, OLB, 6-1, 244, 29, 7, California. ST ace, Pro Bowler, whom the Cardinals believe can make an impact on the edge at ROLB.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKKGizd1zBw

Thanks for the good stuff, Mitch.

Unforturnately, this hit right here is going to cost him 15 yards. Lead with the head in the open field. Or at least that is the rule as I understand it.

 

[pacman]

Bell was a VERY good safety when he was younger. Don't think he'll be anything to spectacular this year but hopefully he can contribute. I think he'll be gone next year after we draft a safety.

 

[Mitch]

Bell was a VERY good safety when he was younger. Don't think he'll be anything to spectacular this year but hopefully he can contribute. I think he'll be gone next year after we draft a safety.

What's interesting about Yermeiah Bell is that he's only been a starter for the past 5 years, prior to that he was just a ST guy. He is 35, but it's not like he's been a starter a long time.

I am hoping he will give us at least 2 good years.

 

[joeshmo]

Acho was moved to the strong side.

You are correct. The last mini camp depth chart was:

ROLB - Acho - Shaughnessy
LOLB - Alexander - Fugger (Schofield would have been on this side somewhere if he was allowed to practice)

 

[GuernseyCard]

You are correct. The last mini camp depth chart was:

ROLB - Acho - Shaughnessy
LOLB - Alexander - Fugger (Schofield would have been on this side somewhere if he was allowed to practice)

Is it RIGHT and LEFT as seen from the QB's vantage?

 

[Mitch]

Is it RIGHT and LEFT as seen from the QB's vantage?

No---the opposite, GC. It's right and left from the middle linebacker's vantage.

 

[GuernseyCard]

No---the opposite, GC. It's right and left from the middle linebacker's vantage.

Thought so and would say that either the team site of Joe is wrong.

 

[joeshmo]

Thought so and would say that either the team site of Joe is wrong.

Misread the post I responded to. Thought he was questioning Mitchs thoughts that Alexander would be ROLB. Which he still could end up there but as of right now Alexander is playing LOLB.

Which leads to the question. How does Bowles treat strong side v weak side. Is he a DC who believes guys just line up on their side of the field or does he have them diagnose then flip their sides after diagnosing which side the TE/HBack/FB lines up on? I know Horton never had his DB's flip, but I cant remember if he had the front 7 flip sides or not after diagnosing the strong side?

 

[Mitch]

Misread the post I responded to. Thought he was questioning Mitchs thoughts that Alexander would be ROLB. Which he still could end up there but as of right now Alexander is playing LOLB.

Which leads to the question. How does Bowles treat strong side v weak side. Is he a DC who believes guys just line up on their side of the field or does he have them diagnose then flip their sides after diagnosing which side the TE/HBack/FB lines up on? I know Horton never had his DB's flip, but I cant remember if he had the front 7 flip sides or not after diagnosing the strong side?

I heard MJ from the OTAs state that Alexander was with the starting unit at ROLB and that Acho, who started there last year, was "moved over to LOLB."

Maybe MJ was mistaken...he keeps calling Yeremiah Bell the FS and Rashad Johnson the SS...so, that too seems like it would be the reverse, as Johnson started at FS when Rhodes was out and Bell has played SS the past few years.

 

[52brandon]

thanks Mitch. These guys seem like solid pickups. Most seem like role players, but I could see Arenas really contributing. If Fleming plays as he was expected last year and Bethel continues to improve and Johnson stays on his pace these past couple years... The addition of Bell, Arenas and Mathieu into the D backfield, we could have a pretty fierce group of guys back there with fantastic depth. Not to mention the addition of Arenas, Mathieu and Alexander on STs. We lost a ST captain in Sherman, and got a new one in Alexander. I like it. We may actually be better than expected this year. And we need to be. it only took a few years for the NFCW to go from the absolute worst division to the absolute best. We need to catch up

 

[52brandon]

I heard MJ from the OTAs state that Alexander was with the starting unit at ROLB and that Acho, who started there last year, was "moved over to LOLB."

Maybe MJ was mistaken...he keeps calling Yeremiah Bell the FS and Rashad Johnson the SS...so, that too seems like it would be the reverse, as Johnson started at FS when Rhodes was out and Bell has played SS the past few years.

I'm not so sure that our positions are the same as they historically are. It sounds like our coaches will be making all sorts of adjustments on D to put players in the best position to succeed, regardless of what their "position" officially is

 

[Duckjake]

I'm not so sure that our positions are the same as they historically are. It sounds like our coaches will be making all sorts of adjustments on D to put players in the best position to succeed, regardless of what their "position" officially is

Horton had guys moving all over the place. When watching replays I'd have to pause the tape to be able to tell where everyone was. For instance there were times when Acho would be lined up in the middle of the field as much as 10 yards off the los.

 

[52brandon]

Horton had guys moving all over the place. When watching replays I'd have to pause the tape to be able to tell where everyone was. For instance there were times when Acho would be lined up in the middle of the field as much as 10 yards off the los.

Horton ran a ton of crazy packages. He was a great DC. It sounds like Bowles has a plan too. I expect it to at least start somewhat similar, and it will likely keep some elements. As they were successful. I expect some growing pains, but Bowles seems like he has a plan, and a decent one. The players seem excited and I think they should start pretty strong